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Places in Spain -
Nerja, Andalucia
(pronounced Nerka)
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Nerja is
located 8km
along the
coast from
Torrox within
Andalucia
and has
thankfully
held out from
the
tower-block
image of
nearby
Torremolinos.
It has
retained its
reputation for
mainly villa
residences.
Nerja has a
wonderful
setting, at
the foothills
of the
Almijara
mountain
range, fronted
by some 9km of
splendid
beaches. The
old town of
Nerja looks
over a rocky
coastline and
the small,
narrow streets
are packed
with visitors,
all summer
long. Tuesday
morning sees
the
entertaining
weekly market
that draws
huge crowds.
If you wish to
escape the
crowds then
head for the
nearby caves,
where you are
able to see
the world's
longest
stalactite at
63m in length.
There is a bus
from Nerja to
the caves,
approx.
hourly, the
ride being
just 3km. The
caves were
discovered in
1957 which
coincided with
the start of
local tourism.
The discovery
was a boom for
tourism, with
its cave
paintings and
artefacts
dating back
30,000 years.
The discovery
turned from a
local to
national
sensation. The
paintings are
currently not
on public
display and
maybe never
will be.
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The
centrepiece in
Nerja is the
Balcon de
Europa which
perches on the
cliff edge
between two
tiny coves.
The 'balcony'
consists of
tiled
pavements with
seating
conveniently
placed beneath
tall palms,
for shade. It
is a pleasant
place to rest
and admire the
views. The
balcony was
constructed in
1487 on the
site of a 9th
century
castle. There
are ample
cafes and bars
here to while
away the
hours.
Nerja's
beaches
consist of
small, rocky
coves with
sharp sand.
Much of the
tourism in
Nerja consists
of the older
generation.
Local shops
are filled
with tourist
gifts and you
must sample
the local
sweet wine and
olive oil. At
the beach, the
restaurants
specialise in
fried, local
fish.
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There are many
good hotels
along the
beach front as
well as a good
selection of
private
apartments.
Lovers of the
countryside
will find
everything
here with
camping sites
in natural
surroundings,
horse riding
and cycling
tours. When it
comes to sport
you can find
all the
popular water
sports as well
as tennis,
hiking and
paragliding.
The tourist
office have a
wonderful
leaflet
entitled 'The
12 walks of
Nerja'. There
are guided
tours November
to May. |
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A great way to
see the town
is by horse
and carriage
which costs
around 20
euros [2007]. You
will find them
on the Balcon.
You will also
find several
good
restaurants in
this area. |
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Near to the
Balcon is the
church of El
Salvador,
dating from
the 17th
century. A
plain but very
attractive
church. Take a
look inside. |
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In all we have
visited Nerja
several times
and have found
it to be a
warm, friendly
place, popular
with all
Europeans
especially
Germans and
Dutch. It is
not an
expensive
place to visit
and there is
always plenty
to do here.
Every street
oozes with
life and there
is a
surprising
amount of
culture here
considering
the size of
the resort.
The beaches
are very well
cared for and
make for a
perfect family
holiday.
There are
plenty of
places to
visit for day
trip if you
use Nerja as
your base. The
caves
are well worth
a visit, as is
the tiny
hilltop
village of
Frigiliana. |
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