Nerja
Nerja is the most easterly resort of the Costa del Sol, approximately 55 km from Malaga airport. The town - originally a sleepy fishing village - is nowadays a thriving resort that has managed to retain much of its original character and charm.
Nerja pictures
Nerja is still a Spanish village through and through and the old part of the town possesses narrow, winding streets with whitewashed houses. Several Nerja hotels are located in the Europe's Balcony, where the seaside views are really impressive, it is worth a visit. Its climate can be considered as one of the best in Europe with 320 sunny days annually, temperatures around 30ºC in summer and 20ºC in winter, so that sunbathing is possible throughout 9 months of the year.
The most famous sight of Nerja, which often represents the town on postcards, is probably the Balcon de Europa – a beautiful lookout point built on the site of a 9th Century Moorish fortress. From there, one has spectacular views of the cliffs all along the coastline as well as the pretty coves and small beaches below. The avenue leading to the viewing point is lined with palm trees and benches providing a shady respite from the hot sun, not only for tourists, but also for locals who enjoy sitting around and chatting.
In amongst these streets one can find shops selling local art and craftwork, typical jewellery and local products. Other interesting sites in the closer neighbourhood are the 17th Century church El Salvador, the gardens of Capistrano Playa and the 16th Century hermitage Nuestra Señora de las Angustias. But let’s not forget another important tourist attraction: the Caves of Nerja, just 3 km from the town, containing many impressive stalactites and stalagmites and an enormous cavern which is used for concerts during summer. There are also a number of 20,000 year old paintings which unfortunately are located in the restricted area.
The coast of Nerja consists of 1.5 km long, high-quality sandy beaches which should be visited in spring or autumn since they are not so overcrowded during theses seasons, offering a calm Mediterranean idyll. Other leisure possibilities around Nerja are water sports like water skiing, scuba diving and canoeing, hiking in the hinterland, cycling tours, horse riding, camping etc.
Nerja also offers an ample variety of restaurants and disco bars (around Tuti Fruti Square) with prices and menus to suit everyone. Traditional local events are the feria in the 2nd week of October, the Semana Santa (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.
Nerja is less than one hour from Malaga, ideal to reach if you take a shuttle bus from Malaga Airport to Nerja which is the best option since the public transport between the two localities is not too well developed.