Where is Nerja?
Nerja is situated approximately 50 kilometres east of the city of Malaga and marks the most eastern point of southern Spain’s Costa del Sol. Lying at the foot of the Sierra de Tejada mountain range, it sits at the top of a cliff, overlooking the glistening blue of the Mediterranean Sea.
What kind of place is Nerja?
Once a small fishing village, Nerja has grown to become a town with a resident population of around 22,000 inhabitants. One third of the population is made up of foreign residents, of whom around 2,600 are British.
Although Nerja is a popular destination for holidaymakers, much of the appeal of the town comes from the fact that it has managed to retain much of its old-fashioned charm. Its traditional whitewashed houses and narrow, winding streets, thankfully, do not sit in the shadow of high-rise buildings, with the development of the area having been carried out with respect to the town’s original character.
What is there to do and see in Nerja?
The most famous and significant feature in Nerja is its Balcon de Europa, a wide promenade which runs from the centre of the town towards the sea and which is lined with palm trees. Sitting as it does, at the edge of the towering cliff, the views are absolutely spectacular, and it is a favourite place for locals and holidaymakers alike to sit and enjoy a drink or a meal at one of the many bars or restaurants.
Two others sights in the town which are well worth visiting are the 17th century Church of El Salvador, a charming mixture of Baroque and Moorish architecture, and the stunning Gardens of Capistrano Playa which are located on the descent to Burriano Beach.
Nerja offers a huge variety of bars, restaurants and tapas bars to choose from, as well as some interesting shops. If you are feeling in a romantic mood, you can even hire a horse and carriage from which to explore.
There are seven beaches within walking distance of Nerja town, but because of its elevated position, it does take a bit of a descent to reach them.
What is there to do and see in the area generally?
The singularly most interesting and truly spectacular attraction in the area lies just 3 kilometres from Nerja town itself. Nerja Caves, which were discovered in 1959 by a group of schoolboys who were hunting for bats, are one of nature’s marvels and they provide evidence of life over 20,000 years ago in the form of Palaeolithic cave paintings depicting dolphins. The first cave has been turned into an auditorium where an annual Festival of Music and Dance is held each June, and in the furthest chamber, visitors can see a 60 metre high stalactitic pillar. The lighting within the caves is a spectacle in its own right and access is provided via specially-constructed walkways and staircases. A truly magnificent spectacle, those sections of the caves which are open to the public take about one hour to explore.