HIDDEN in the Genal Valley in Andalucia lies a village that leaves you speechless by the unique colors – or should we say colour.

The tiny settlement, located a short drive from Ronda, has stood apart from Andalucia’s famous pueblos blancos for over a decade.

It was just another whitewashed Andalusian village, home to a few hundred residents, and it barely attracted mass tourism.

As part of a promotional campaign for a Hollywood film, painters covered every building — homes, the church and the town hall — in a vivid shade of Smurf blue in 2011.

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Later, residents chose whether to return to tradition or keep the colour, and they voted overwhelmingly to stay blue.

The decision wasn’t just aesthetic – it was economic. 

Tourism picked up quickly, bringing life back to a village that, like many in rural Spain, had been quietly fading away.

Street art is still on the walls and occasional cartoon figures peek out from a corner.

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Despite the freshly painted houses, the little village gives off a bit of a ‘ghost town’ vibe when you go outside of high season.  

Much of the paint has washed off, and only a few buildings are being given a fresh coat.

One of the town’s highlights, a Smurf-themed playground, sits closed off after serious landslides raised the ground.

Thrill-seekers can head to the top of the village to take a zip-line to the other side, though this also only opens during the high season.

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There are only a few restaurants in the town, each offering a unique touch for those looking for a traditional lunch.

While a formal walking tour exists to spot the wall paintings, some have faded over the years and it is often better to explore the streets on your own.

Despite the ageing paintwork, the village remains a popular day trip for those staying on the Costa del Sol.

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The journey to the village offers incredible views of the Genal Valley with several viewpoints to stop at.

Visitors can enjoy a meal while wandering the streets in search of the remaining paintings before ending their visit at the local gift shop.

There, you can buy your own little blue house or other smurf-themed items. 

Juzcar is worth a visit if you like to walk around small villages with a unique touch and if you want to enjoy a beautiful view. 

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