Archidona first came onto our radars when we caught an episode of “A Place In The Sun” and this was the location. Not many places on this TV programme immediately appeal to us, as many are in tourist hot-spots, but Archidona, with its cobbled streets and white washed houses, perched high up on a hill, piqued our interest and we started to research properties, online. A few really caught our attention, and we book marked them, with the intention of viewing them, if still available, when we eventually came out to Andalucia.
Fast forward to us being in Andalucia, having sold our house in Istria, and the situation had somewhat changed. Houses that we had been interested in, had obviously been sold or were reserved – and a beautiful townhouse in another pueblo blanco had stolen our hearts. Although we’d only viewed it online, it interested us sufficiently to really do our homework, and we realised that the location of the house, in Jimena de la Frontera, was much more suited to us, than an inland town, which in reality was quite remote. However, our drive across Andalucia, took us near to Archidona and we decided we’d stay a couple of nights in the town, to get a feel for it and see if our minds were changed. We found the very beautiful Hostal Aljibe online, and had a short, but utterly amazing – and very inspirational – stay, in this renovated townhouse. This boutique hotel will be the subject of a separate blog, while this one will focus on our thoughts on Archidona.
It is a picturesque town that offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, and definnitely encapsulates the charm of southern Spain. Located in the province of Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalucia, it is situated at the foothills of the Sierra de Graciais known for its rich historical heritage, stunning architecture, and beautiful natural surroundings. One of the town’s most iconic landmarks is the Plaza Ochavada, an octagonal square built in the 18th century, and considered to be one of the finest examples of Andalusian baroque urban design, and is surrounded by beautiful buildings with red brick and whitewashed facades.
The ruined remains of Archidona Castle, a Moorish fortress, can still be seen on the Sierra de Gracia, the defensive walls and gates also being remnants of the town’s Moorish past. But its deep history goes back further, dating back to ancient times, with evidence of human settlement from the Neolithic period. The town was an important Roman settlement and later a significant Moorish stronghold during the Al-Andalus period. The town’s name is derived from its Arabic name, Arxiduna. Which is also the name of the most famous restaurant in town, located on the historic Plaza Ochavada. The restaurant stands out for its unique blend of traditional Andalusian cuisine with modern culinary techniques. The menu offers a diverse selection of dishes, including Mediterranean classics with influences from Asian, Indian, and African cuisines, and known for its creative approach to food, Arxiduna has earned a reputation as one of the top dining spots in the area.
We had an amazing meal at this restaurant, on the square, as the sun was setting and dropping down behind the plaza. Tapas with a twist would be the best way I could describe it. All of the menu is only in Spanish, and if your Spanish is as limited as ours is currently, you have to just have faith in your phone app, as the staff don’t speak a lot of English. However, we didn’t mind this at all – with the reputation the restaurant has, we figured whatever we ordered would be delicious and well cooked and executed. And, we were right. For such top notch food, in such a prime location, in a well renowned restaurant, we were expecting quite a hefty bill at the end. And a hefty bill would have been worth it. However, we paid no more than we have done in all of our eating out experiences across Andalucia. A restaurant which truly focuses on food and the experience, rather than getting as much out of customers as possible.
We really enjoyed our stay in Archidona, and will definitely make a point of returning, both to stay again in Hostal Aljibe and eat again in Arxiduna. However, we didn’t change our minds about investigating it further as a place to live full time. Like many Spanish towns, especially in the summer, it is almost deserted during the heat of the day, coming to life at night. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but Archidona is just a little too remote and so probably not ideal for us, having spent the last seven years in a very remote location. A perfect place to visit, just not make our permanent home.