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 Sierra Almijara mountain range, the temperate climate makes it an ideal place to visit at any time of the year.
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In Moorish times, the town was known as Naricha - meaning Rich in Water. 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 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.
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.
It was erected in 1505, although the existing structure was not built until 1697. It was further extended during the period 1776 - 1792.
The church is constructed as a three naved cross, the central area covered with a wooden framework of paired braces, the sides featuring vaulted edges at the ends and half barrel vaults with windows in the remainder.
The exterior features a four sided bell tower, originally built in 1724 and later reformed. The interior is noted for its 18th century frescoes decorating the Evangeline nave, and the contemporary mural of the annunciation by the painter Francisco Hernandez.
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.
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 children's play area, petanca courts and an abundance of plants and flowers for nature lovers. The Fuente de Nerja is also located in Parque Verano Azul, the fountain being made up of stones donated by EU member states.
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.
Down near Torrecilla beach where you can also enjoy a game of petanque.
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High/Low
A local bus service operates within Nerja, the Bus Urbano or 'Blue Bus' as it
known locally.
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.
Using a foreign mobile abroad can be expensive as you generally pay for both incoming and outgoing calls.
Getting a Spanish Pay As You Go 'chip' is one solution. There are also numerous 'cheap' telephone cards available in most tobacconists as well as 'Call Centres'. See Telephones for more info.
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 closed on Saturdays. (from June to September or October). See Useful Information for more details on Banks and Banking.
The Post Office, located in Calle Almirante Ferrandis (also known as Calle Cristo), is open from 08:30-20:30 from Monday to Friday and 08:30-13:30 on Saturdays.
Stamps can also be purchased in most tobacconists.
Nerjeños certainly know how to party, the main celebrations being: New Year Three Kings - January 6th Carnival - February Semana Santa - Easter week May Crosses - May 3rd San Isidro - May 15th San Juan - June 23rd/24th Virgen del Carmen - July Feria - Second week in October
see Fiestas for more info and pictures
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The
Church of El Salvador is situated in the old part of Nerja, opposite the Balcón
de Europa and close to what used to be the Guards Tower.
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
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.
One of the lesser known listed sites of interest in Nerja is the old
Plaza Tutti Frutti, the centre of
There are several Monuments and Sculptures worthy of note, a Waterfall within easy walking distance, several of the old Defensive Towers still in existence and a Donkey Sanctuary, where kids, of all ages, can pet, walk or feed the animals.
Indulge
in a bit of retail therapy at either the Sunday Market/Car Boot Sale or at the
regular Tuesday market, in Almijara II near the Genesis Bar.
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. Nerja Tapas Guide. Otherwise:
Take a leisurely tour of the town the old fashioned way. Starts (and finishes) at the Balcón de Europa and lasts +/- 30 minutes. Cost is €30 per carriage, regardless of number of occupants.
Or the modern way! Known affectionately as the 'Wally Trolley'....Starts and finishes in Plaza Cavana. 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.
On the way out of Nerja (eastern end) on the old N-340 coast road to Maro we have:
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The Santo Cristo shrine. |
A little further, on the left, is the old Sugar Factory, derelict but still worth a visit. Quite an eerie vista at dusk
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A bit further still, also on the left, we have the Eagle Aquaduct, still in use today. |
East of the town on the N-340 are the fabulous Nerja Caves - Cuevas de Nerja.
The Cuevas de Nerja 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.
Beaches in Nerja
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.
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