About Nerja
Nerja,
on the Costa del Sol, is a seaside resort of sandy coves sheltered by
the impressive Sierra de
Almijara mountains and often referred to as 'The Jewel of the Costa del
Sol'.A temperate climate means that Nerja is a great place to visit at any time of year.
Nerja is located 53 kilometres east of Málaga on the Costa del Sol and can be reached in about 40 minutes by car from Málaga airport or about an hour and a half by bus.
Nerja Today is your guide to Nerja and the surrounding area, with information on Getting to Nerja, Where to Stay, Places of Interest, Things to do, Nerja beaches, Nightlife, Nerja 4 Kids, Tapas Bars, Bars and Restaurants, Fiestas and much more....
Nerja News
Keep up to date with all the latest Local Nerja and Spanish News in English as well as Special Features, Exchange Rates, Football results and tables, Lotteries, Weather and much more...What's New
Things are always being added, new ideas being tried out, and this is where we keep you informed of what we're up to.Latest Updates
Nerja Maps & Directory
An overview of Nerja with a bit of info to get your bearings and find out where things are: beaches, places of interest, urbanisations, car parks, main streets, wifi bars, supermarkets, chemists etc. Nerja Maps & Directory.Where to Stay
If you are travelling to Nerja then you might find these little potted guides useful to give you a rough idea of the area in which the accommodation you have chosen, or are about to choose, is located.Places of Interest in Nerja
The
Balcón de
Europa, situated on a rocky promontory, was formerly a
fortress designed to keep out British pirates and privateers. Today it
is the focal point of Nerja, affording magnificent views up and down
the coast.The Promenade is lined with cafés and restaurants and in the summer is home to a multitude of artists, vendors and street musicians. It was made famous by King Alfonso XII (1857 - 1885) and his statue can be found at the far end.
The
Iglesia
El Salvador is situated opposite the Balcón de Europa and
close to what used to be the Guards Tower. It was erected in 1505,
although the existing structure was not built until 1697.
It was further extended during the period 1776 - 1792.
La
Ermita de Ntra.Sra. de las Angustias was completed in
1720, and the construction is a single nave covered with a half canon
vault.The main chapel has a semi-spherical vault and there are frescoes of the four evangelists dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
The exterior is simple, with a portice of uncovered brickwork of half point arches and a small exposed belfry.
The
fishing boat 'La Dorada', made famous in the 1980's TV series
'Verano Azul', was the abode of the old seawolf "Chanquete", played by
Antonio Ferrandis. A replica stands in the Parque Verano Azul
as a tribute to all those who contributed to the TV series and, as a
consequence, raised the world-wide profile of Nerja.
The park also has a childrens' play area, petanca courts and an
abundance
of colourful plants and flowers for nature lovers, a great place just
for a wander and you can then continue along the Rio
Chillar Walkway. The Fuente de Nerja is also located in
Parque Verano Azul, the fountain being made up of stones donated by EU
member states.
The Eagle AquaductPicturesque 19th century construction still in use today.
The aquaduct underwent a complete restoration during the period 2009-11.
East of the town on the
N-340 are the fabulous Nerja
Caves - Cuevas
de Nerja,
a sight not to be missed.The caves were only discovered in 1959 and contain wall paintings believed to be at least 20,000 years old.
Only some of the huge chambers are open to the public, one of which houses an auditorium capable of holding several hundred people. In the summer, this auditorium is used for concerts.
The Donkey SanctuaryPop in and see the animals, great for the kids. Don't forget to take a carrot, or two.
Bits and Bobs
May is a good month for fiestas and ferias in Andalucia with major celebrations taking place in Ronda, Cordoba, Alhaurín El Grande and Vélez-Málaga to name but a few. Colourful processions and much partying.In Nerja, the next celebrations are in June with Corpus Christi, a solemn religious event, and, on June 23rd/24th, the Fiesta de San Juan.
Corpus Christi, the Catholic feast celebrating the presence of the body of Christ in the holy wafer, begins on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. A solemn procession bears the consecrated host through the streets. Although Corpus Christi is celebrated everywhere in Andalucia, it is most famous in Granada.
The Fiesta de San Juan is held on the night of June 23rd/24th and is a time when everyone goes to the beach, many camping overnight. People start staking their claim to a spot on the beach several days in advance, and by the time the actual fiesta day arrives, the beaches tend to be a sea of canvas. Tents, awnings and bizarre constructions cover the sands, quite a sight.
There are bonfires, fireworks and at midnight it is traditional to dip ones feet (or swim!) in the sea to ‘wash away one’s sins’ and bring good fortune for the future.
Other events occurring in and around Nerja during May include the Fifth Factory Rock Festival, the XV Amateur Theatre Festival of Nerja, a new celebration Noche en Blanco and the first Scruffs Torrox dog show.
Bars and restaurants, of which there are over 300, open and close, come and go, at regular intervals and we try to keep you informed of what is going on.
To keep up to date, check the Wining and Dining section of the Nerja News from time to time as we post such closures there. You will also find such things as special menus, extended holidays, offers etc, in the same section.
In Moorish times, the town was known as Naricha - meaning Rich or Abundant in Water.
Places to Relax
Nerja is littered with 'Plazas' of all shapes and sizes, some hidden away but worth finding. Here are just some of them. Great places to just sit outside with a coffee, or a beer, and watch the world go by.Plaza Tutti Frutti, the centre of nightlife in the town. Plaza Cantarero, known locally as Orange Square, with a lovely fountain. Plaza Cavana, busy square in the centre of town. Plaza Fabrica de Los Cangrejos, down near Torrecilla beach and where you can also enjoy a game of petanca.
Indulge in a bit of retail therapy at either the Sunday Market/Car Boot Sale or at the regular Tuesday market.
By the way, if you are wondering how NERJA is pronounced, it is basically: Ner (sounds almost like 'nair') j (a gutteral 'ch' sound akin to the Scottish (not English) pronunciation of ch in 'loch') and a (as in 'cat'). And don't forget to roll your 'r's.....
Food and Drink
There are around 400 bars and restaurants in Nerja, offering a wide variety of styles and to suit every budget.'Tapas' is not only a tasty alternative to lunch and a great way to sample a variety of local dishes, but also a very social occasion, and in the Tapas section of the Bars and Restaurants Guide you will find a few ideas for tapas 'runs'.
We also encourage you to post reviews and recommendations of bars and restaurants as a way of helping others visiting the town.
Need to know what it is in Spanish? Check out the Food Shopping Guide....
Places to Visit
Nerja makes an ideal base for discovering the towns, villages and the wide open spaces of Andalucia.The Sierra Nevada mountains are only an hour and a half away, so in winter you can sunbathe in the morning and ski in the afternoon.
Photos and Videos
We are always a out and about, here, there and everywhere, and you'll find thousands of photos and hundreds of videos...people, places, concerts...just about anything and everything.Getting Around Nerja
By far the best way of exploring the town is by Shanks' Pony, on foot in other words. Wander round, explore (and get lost in) the back streets and you'll not only discover and experience the real Spanish flavour of the town, but you'll also find those little, hidden-away 'plazas' and a host of typically Spanish bars and restaurants where beer and a 'tapa' is still only €1.20 or €1.30. Bars and Restaurants. Otherwise:
Take
a leisurely tour of the town the old fashioned way. Starts (and
finishes) at Plaza Fabrica de los Cangrejos and lasts +/- 30 minutes.
The current cost is €30 per carriage, and this is regardless of the
number of occupants. It's quite a good introduction to the town and a
great way to get your bearings.
Taxis are quite a cheap means of travel within the area, the main rank being at Plaza La Ermita - 95 252 4519. Taxi Fares within Nerja A local bus service operates within Nerja, the Bus Urbano or 'Blue Bus' as it known locally.
Car rental is also a convenient way to get around and is readily available from Malaga. With most major suppliers on site, Malaga airport car hire is competitively priced and rental prices start from as little as 9 Euros per day and peak at around 20 Euros in the summer. For more information on car hire prices see Malaga car hire statistics from Rhinocarhire.com
Nerja Beaches
The municipality of Nerja, which includes the village of Maro, has 9 kilometres of coastline, with numerous sandy coves and beaches in and around the town, Burriana Beach being the main one and most popular. Beach Guide.
A Bit of Info
Shops in Nerja are generally open
from
10.00-14.00 and 17.00-21.00, later in summer. From July to September
15th, seven day opening is permitted. The main shopping streets are
Calle Pintada and Calle Cristo (known locally as Post Office Street). A
supermarket on Burriana Beach is open on Sundays all year round, as are
two on avenida Mediterraneo, and the BP garage carries a selection of
foodstuffs, including bread.
Normal Bank opening
hours (winter) are
from 8.30/9.00 am until 13.30/14.30, Monday to Friday and from
8.30/9.30 until 12.00/1300 on Saturdays. In the summer, for some
mysterious reason, banks are generally closed on Saturdays. (from June
to
September or October). See Info
for more details on Banks and Banking.
Nightlife in Nerja tends to centre around
Calle
Antonio Millon and the adjacent Tutti Frutti Square, although you will
find bars all over town open until the early hours. See
Nightlife
for more Info. Many Bars and Restaurants have regular 'live'
entertainment throughout the year. See What's
On
for more details.
Getting to Nerja by Bus
The Express airport bus (A - Line 75) leaves from outside the T3 arrivals area and will take you to Malaga Bus Station. The ticket price is €2.00 and buses are every 30 mins.From Malaga Bus Station, purchase a ticket from the Alsa Bus Company office.
The journey time is approximately 1 hour 25 minutes on a 'normal' bus and about 1 hour on a direct bus. The current cost is €4.13 one way.
For detailed information see
Nerja Bus Timetables
Getting to Nerja
