This small white village in Málaga turned permanently blue in 2011 for "The Smurfs" movie promotion, making it the first and only Smurf village in the world.
Drive into the hills of Andalusia and you’ll reach Júzcar, a village where every building—including the 16th-century church and cemetery—is painted blue. This change happened in 2011 as part of a movie promotion for The Smurfs, but residents chose to keep the color after tourism increased sharply. Walk through streets decorated with murals of cartoon characters, spot a seven-foot plastic Smurf near the plaza, and watch the zip line that runs from the hill to the parking area. Beyond the blue paint, you’ll find forests filled with chestnut trees, marked hiking paths, and the remains of an old tinplate factory. The village holds events like the Virgen del Moclón festival in August and mushroom-picking excursions each fall.
Why Júzcar Turned Blue: A Movie Promotion That Stuck
Sony España painted all 250 buildings in Júzcar blue in 2011 to advertise The Smurfs movie, using more than 4,000 liters of paint. The original plan was to repaint the village white after six months, but a local vote showed most residents wanted to stay blue. Tourist numbers rose from 9,000 to 95,000 in half a year, leading to new places to stay and eat. Legal issues arose when the Smurf trademark owners asked for a share of local profits linked to the characters, but the village kept its blue color. Today, you’ll see faded Smurf murals alongside newer additions like climbing walls and a zip line that operates during warmer months.
What to See and Do in the Village
Begin at the main square, where a large Smurf statue stands for photos. Walk along blue-painted streets lined with flower pots on doorsteps, and visit Mercapitufo for handmade Smurf souvenirs. The Church of Santa Catalina, built in the 1500s and once white, now stands blue against the Genal Valley’s hills. For views of the area, hike to the Jardín lookout point or ride the zip line from the hill above the village. Explore the ruins of an 18th-century tinplate factory, one of Spain’s first industrial sites, located just outside the village center.
Hiking Trails and Natural Surroundings
Júzcar sits in the Genal Valley, home to forests of chestnut trees that turn golden-brown in autumn. Walk the Castañar de Júzcar trail, a loop path through these woods that’s especially popular in October and November. For a challenge, follow the Zújar River into the Sima del Diablo canyon, which drops 50 meters over rocky terrain. Spring brings fields of wildflowers, while November’s Mycological Days highlight the area’s mushrooms with guided walks. Experts teach visitors how to identify edible varieties like chanterelles during these tours.
Festivals and Seasonal Events
In August, the Fiesta de la Virgen del Moclón draws crowds with street processions, live bands, and traditional dances. The village’s population swells as visitors join the celebrations. During San José Day in March, locals carry a statue of the saint through the blue streets in a lively parade. On Easter Sunday, residents build a small hut from pine branches to recreate a scene of the Virgin Mary meeting the Child Jesus. November combines the Tostón chestnut-roasting event with mushroom-themed meals, where chefs cook dishes like scrambled eggs with wild fungi gathered from nearby forests.
Local Dishes and Where to Try Them
Chestnuts are a staple here, used in soups, desserts, and roasted as snacks during colder months. Order migas, a savory dish of fried breadcrumbs mixed with chorizo or bacon, at local restaurants. Try sopeao collejas, a stew made with wild greens, or rabbit cooked in garlic sauce. Many places serve scrambled eggs with asparagus, paired with wines from nearby regions. For sweets, sample borrachuelos—pastries soaked in honey—or crispy guitarrones cookies made with chestnut flour. Ingredients like mushrooms and herbs often come from the surrounding forests.
How to Reach Júzcar
Júzcar is 25 kilometers from Ronda and 115 kilometers from Málaga. Driving from Ronda takes about 30 minutes on curving mountain roads that pass olive groves and small villages. Public buses from Ronda to Genal Valley stop in Júzcar, but services run infrequently. Day trips from Málaga or Marbella are possible, but staying overnight lets you attend evening festivals or see stars without city lights. Park in the lot below the village and walk uphill to reach the center.
