Nerja, a seaside town, 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.
The town is built on a cliff above numerous sandy coves and lies at the foot of the impressive Sierra de Almijara mountain range. Protected by the mountains, the temperate climate makes Nerja an ideal place to visit at any time of the year.
In Moorish times, the town was known as Naricha – meaning Rich or Abundant in Water.
In the summer, being a tourist resort, the population quadruples. However, the town has managed to maintain an almost ‘village’ atmosphere and has not succumbed to the concrete high-rise scenario.
In 2006, the resident population of Nerja reached the almost magical figure of 20,000, an important milestone for Spanish municipalities as it has great bearing on funding for social and other services.
In the Where to Stay section you will find potted guides to some of the popular holiday areas, apartment blocks, hostels and hotels in Nerja with details of the nearest beach, amenities, walking distance to the centre of town, location map, videos and pictures etc.
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…..
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 Church of 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.
There are several Monuments and Sculptures worthy of note, a Waterfall within easy walking distance, several of the old Defensive Towers still in existence, the picturesque Eagle Aquaduct, the old Fabrica San Miguel on Calle Puente Viejo. and a Donkey Sanctuary, where kids, of all ages, can pet, walk or feed the animals.
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.
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Indulge in a bit of retail therapy at either the Sunday Market/Car Boot Sale or at the regular Tuesday market.
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 or €1.20. 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.
Or the modern way! The Tourist Train, often referred to affectionately as the ‘Wally Trolley’ by residents and visitors alike, starts and finishes in avenida Castilla Perez.
Tickets are for a round trip and cost €4 per person.
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.
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
The Nerja Caves
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 has been converted into an auditorium capable of holding several hundred people. In the summer, this auditorium is used for concerts.