Nerja
Nerja is the Costa del Sol's most easterly resort, 50 km from Malaga
airport. Originally a sleepy fishing village it is now a thriving
resort but has managed to retain much of its original character and charm. It is
still at heart a Spanish village and the old part of the town has narrow,
winding streets with whitewashed houses. In amongst these streets you can
find shops selling local art and craftwork, typical jewellery and local
products.
Built on the site of a 9th Century Moorish fortress the Balcon de
Europa, in the heart of Nerja, is a beautiful viewing point overlooking the
sea with spectacular views of cliffs all along the coastline and of the pretty
coves and small beaches below. From it you can also see the spectacular
mountains of the Sierra de Almijara. The avenue leading to it is lined with
palm trees and benches and provides a shady respite from the hot sun and you
will often see locals sitting around and chatting. From here you can take a
Horse and Carriage tour of the sites of Nerja which include the 17th Century
El Salvador Church, the gardens of Capistrano Playa and the 16th Century Nuestra
Señora de las Angustias Hermitage.
Only 3 km from the town you will find the
main tourist attraction of the area, the Caves of Nerja. They contain
many impressive stalactites and stalagmites and an enormous cavern which is used
for concerts during the summer months. There are also a number of 20,000 year
old paintings which unfortunately are in the restricted area.
Given that many visitors come to the Costa del Sol for the beaches Nerja is a
perfect
choice with 1.5 km of sandy beaches the best of which is thought to be
Burrianna beach at the far east of the town which has been awarded the Blue
flag of the European Union on various occasions but there are many small,
beautiful beaches for those looking for something more quaint, such as
Calahonda beach to the left of the Balcon. There is a walkway which runs
along from Burriana in the east to 'Chaparil' in the west. As in most of the
resorts on the Costa del Sol there is a full range of water sports
available in Nerja including water skiing, scuba diving and canoeing.
The countryside around Nerja offers those not wanting to spend all their time on
the beach a range of other activities. You can go walking in the Axarquia
where there are plenty of trails for walkers of varying levels. You can get
information and maps from the tourist office in Nerja which can be found just of
the Balcon de Europa or if you would prefer to go on some organised,
guided walks from Nerja. You can also go
cycling or mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding or take a jeep safari.
There are two options for anyone wishing to camp, the campsite on the
outskirts of the town or a less organised camping area in the park above the
caves.
For
those looking for nightlife you should go to Tuti Fruti Square where the
disco pubs are located. Many are run by English speaking people so it should be
no problem to order what you want.
Nerja has much to offer for food lovers such as a wide range of fish
restaurants all the way along Burriana beach where you can sample local
specialities such as pescaito frito (Fried fish) and paella, many traditional
tapas bars situated in the old part of the town which give a free tapa with
every drink and a large number of international restaurants eg, Greek,
Mexican and Indian with prices and menus to suit everyone.
Many of the traditional festivals are still celebrated in Nerja some of
which include the town feria between 8th October and 12th October, Holy week and
the festival of San Isidro celebrated on May 15th with a parade starting at the
Balcon de Europa and ending at the caves with a big country style party.
Situated between the Sierra de Almijara mountains and the sparkling waters of
the Mediterranean Nerja enjoys one of the best climates in Europe with
around 320 days of sunshine each year. The summer temperatures tend to be around
30ºC whilst in winter they are around 20ºC and this allows for sunbathing for
about 9 months of the year. These mild winter temperatures allow residents
and visitors alike to enjoy an outdoor life all year round. For more
details see our Nerja Weather page.
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Costa del Sol Hotels
A fine selection of hotels located all along the Costa del Sol. |
Nerja Villas
Search for that perfect villa in Nerja for your next holiday in
Spain. |
Only 7 km north of Nerja you can find the pretty white village of Frigiliana
in the mountains. Several buses run daily from Nerja and it is well worth a
visit if only to sample some of the local wine which tends to be a bit on the
strong side. In June they run Bulls through the narrow streets.
You can find a selection of highly recommended hotels and apartments at
discount rates on our Nerja Hotels page.
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