El Acebuchal, also sometimes called the lost village, is a tiny town located in the south of Spain which is known for its picturesque white villages. But Acebuchal or El Acebuchal as it is often called is far from a regular tourist spot. The town has an incredibly rich history, and it is often called the “lost village“, which is more than fitting.

Acebuchal was abandoned for more than 50 years in the mid-20th century and has only recently been rebuilt to its former glory. With only 36 houses the village is truly small but definitely worth seeing if you’re in the area.

Its remote location and beautiful mountain landscape make it the perfect getaway for those seeking peace and quiet or a great day trip. This guide will tell you all you need to know about El Acebuchal, one of the most interesting villages in Spain.

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History of Acebuchal

Acebuchal can be traced back as far as the 16th century, although it is believed that this area of Spain was inhabited long before then. The name “Acebuchal” comes from the Arabic term “acebuche” which means olive tree.

The village had up to 200 permanent inhabitants during its most prosperous times. It originated as a single tavern where mule drivers stopped on their way from Malaga to Granada. Back then this was the only way to cross the mountains and transport goods.

The journey was tedious and exhausting. All along this former mule route lie little taverns and albergues where the travellers could rest and exchange their tired animals for new ones. Around the Acebuchal tavern, a little village soon started to form.

The villagers raised animals and made lime which was used to coat the houses and give them their famous white colour. With basic farming activities, Acebuchal was able to sustain itself and trade with surrounding villages.

However, life there wasn’t easy.

Even in the 20th century, there was still no electricity, running water or even a sewage system. The town was cut off from civilisation and had to endure hard winters where the sun barely reached the bottom of the valley. Even snow wasn’t unusual during the winter months.

Why Acebuchal was abandoned?

In the summer of 1948, disaster struck. During the Spanish civil war, Acebuchal was caught between the rebels or “Marquis” hiding in the mountains and the Guardia Civil which was trying to restore Franco’s control.

The forces suspected Acebuchal to be supporting the rebels while the “Marquis” suspected the village to secretly be on Franco’s side. Finally, the Guardia Civil forced all inhabitants of Acebuchal to leave immediately.

Having to abandon their homes was terrible for local residents, but they had no choice and many were evicted violently.

From then on, the town became a ‘Pueblo Fantasmas’, a ghost town. The buildings soon began to deteriorate, and Acebuchal lay abandoned in the mountains of Spain for more than 50 years.

Rebuilding the lost village of El Acebuchal

So how come today, the town seems to be more prosperous than ever? In 1998 two direct descendants of the last inhabitants of Acebuchal decided to rebuild the village.

Virtudes and her husband, Antonio García Sánchez, slowly began reconstructing the ruined houses using old photographs as their guideline. It took until 2003 to finally supply the village with running water and electricity.

The Restaurante El Acebuchal soon became a tourist favourite and slowly all 36 houses were reconstructed. Other former villagers began to return and today Acebuchal has multiple restaurants, B&Bs and holiday homes which supply the village with a steady stream of tourists.

Where is the lost village Acebuchal in relation to Nerja and Frigiliana?

Acebuchal lies in the Natural Park Sierras Tejeda, Almijara in Alhama, Spain. It belongs to the jurisdiction of the much larger white village of Cómpeta, however, geographically, it is much closer to Frigiliana. The lost village sits around 14 km from Nerja in a little valley and 7 kilometres from Frigiliana.

How to get to Acebuchal

You will need a car to reach Acebuchal since there is no public transport in this part of Spain

There are essentially three roads to Acebuchal. The easiest and most accessible way to drive there is from the Nerja direction past Frigiliana. This road is quite manageable.

Although the last part leading to the village is a dirt road, you should be able to manage it even without a 4×4 car. Check out Discovercars.com for the cheapest car rental deals in Spain.

Then there are two roads that lead onto a single one which goes to Acebuchal from the other direction. One turns off the Torrox – Cómpeta road (A7207) at around kilometre 8.

This road is far more difficult to drive, and a 4×4 car can be recommended. It leads to the Fabrica de la Luz (not to be confused with the Fabrica de La Luz near Canillas de Albaida) which is a recreative area located next to a river.

Another road leads here from close to Cómpeta. It passes by the Puerto Collado, a beautiful lookout point and then goes down to the valley and finally reaches the Fabrica. It is by far the worst of the three roads but in my opinion the most scenic drive.

Only attempt it if you have a reliable car, ideally a 4×4.

Best tours to El Acebuchal from Nerja and Malaga

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution where you don’t have to worry about planning transport or where to stay, these guided tours are the perfect choice.

1. Frigiliana and Acebuchal

Join this semi-private tour, which takes you around Frigiliana and Acebuchal for six hours. The prices are actually more affordable than expected, especially since lunch and transport are included.

Groups have a maximum of eight people, so it won’t feel crowded.

2. Nerja, Frigiliana and Acebuchal

Add another stop and explore three beautiful white towns in one day. The tour takes a total of seven hours, and groups are kept small. The guide will explain everything you might want to know about the history of the area.

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When is the best time to go to Acebuchal?

You can visit Acebuchal year-round, although the summer is a great time to go to Spain. The months June to September will be very hot but the weather is almost guaranteed to be sunny. March to May and October and November will bring cooler but also more unreliable weather.

In winter Acebuchal is certainly a bit quieter but can still be a great trip. If you plan to go hiking, you should avoid the summer months, as temperatures can go up to 40 degrees Celsius even in the mountains.

There is not much to do in Acebuchal so make sure you go during a time when the restaurants are open so you can have a drink or lunch. Keep an eye out for public holidays or the famous Spanish siesta where everything shuts from around 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

I would recommend visiting Acebuchal around lunchtime for the best experience. It can be smart to make a reservation for the restaurant during weekends as it can get quite crowded. Click here to go to the Restaurante El Acebuchal’s website.

Where to stay close to Acebuchal

There are a few little bed and breakfasts in Acebuchal if you plan to stay for a couple of days. As more and more houses are being restored, some are turned into rental properties which are perfect for a relaxed and secluded holiday in nature.

Another option is to do a day trip to Acebuchal and stay in one of the larger white villages nearby such as Cómpeta or Frigiliana. Both these villages are great to stay in if you want to see Acebuchal, and have a larger selection of hotels and fincas.

You can also opt to stay in Torrox, Nerja or somewhere along the coast from where you’ll be able to reach the lost village of El Acebuchal in under an hour.

My favourite fincas in Acebuchal

You’re going to love these secluded fincas in the stunning town of Acebuchal. Just make sure to book as early as possible since the number of places in town is very limited.

Casa Rosa

This beautiful two-bedroom finca has a stunning pool and was just newly renovated. The views are some of the best in the area.

Casa La Higuera

This three-bedroom place is a steal and much more affordable than you might expect. Enjoy the rooftop pool and modern kitchen.

What to do nearby

Acebuchal is small. It is essentially one road and a few alleyways, and that’s it. You can visit the chapel and, of course, have a drink and some lunch at one of the restaurants. The most famous one, which was the first building to be rebuilt in the village, is the Restaurante El Acebuchal.

It is known for its delicious home-cooked food and extraordinary menu. Their speciality is homemade bread that is served still warm with some local olive oil. Definitely eat here for the full experience.

Acebuchal is a great base to go hiking in the surrounding national park. You can walk towards the Fabrica de la Luz which sits by the river Torrox and is a perfect place to rest after a long hike. There are also quad-bike tours available.

Acebuchal FAQ

Before you go…

You’re ready to visit the lost village of Acebuchal, are you looking for more fun things to do in the area around Nerja and Frigiliana? If you haven’t already, check out our things to do post about the beautiful village of Competa, our complete guide to Frigiliana and the best things to do there.

If you’re seeing more of Spain than just the lost village, you might like our guide to San Sebastian, the best public rooftop pool in Madrid, and our favourite weekend market in Spain.

Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.