The Traveller's Magazine
Christine takes us to Nerja, a small city nestled at the feet of the Sierra Nevada mountains in the southern province of Spain, Andalucía. Living as an expat in Spain, she certainly has a keen eye for local flavour and one for watching out for tourist traps. Spend your holidays in Spain this summer and discover what Nerja has to offer!
I’ve heard of Nerja long before I stepped foot in Spain and knew I had to take advantage of my close proximity to this beachy and beautiful pueblo blanco (white village). There’s no better feeling than escaping the city and heading to new places, though Nerja is not new in the least.
Nerja
It was discovered long ago (try 25,000 BC!) by cave-dwellers who inhabited the caves of Nerja on and off through the Bronze Age. Make a stop by the caves—which are fascinating—marvel at the jagged carvings of marble rock and climb into what feels like the deepest pockets of the Earth.
The caves of Nerja
Nerja isn’t all exploration and historical sites. As a charming seaside town, Nerja begs to make beach-time a priority. The best part? All of Nerja’s beaches can be accessed by town, and with over 13km of coastline, you’re sure to find one that suits your preferences.
Playa Calahonda
Considered the centre of Neja is the viewpoint called the Balcón de Europa (The Balcony of Europe.) A palm tree-lined promenade, this is the best place for people-watching and taking in sights of the jagged coastline, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Also nearby are plenty of plazas filled with shops and restaurants, but beware that many of them are catered to tourists (Read: low quality, high-priced food!)
A Tribute to the Discoverers of the Nerja Caves on The Balcony of Europe
Nerja makes for a beautiful seaside escape, and is a popular destination for European travellers. Many Spanish families escape the suffocating heat of the centre of Spain, or the cooler north and own vacation homes here on the Costa Tropical. I recommend visiting any time from in May-June or September when crowds are a bit lower and temperatures are sunny but not scorching.
Have you ever been to Nerja or had the chance to discover the charms of Andalucía?
Yes great place to visit and explore – spent 2 weeks walking behind Nerja in Frigiliana – had an article published in The Inland Magazine – now on my site here – http://robinnis.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/the-mountain-life.pdf
Nerja is a great place for a holiday and as a base to explore this part of Andalucia. If you get the chance to visit in May make sure you are in Nerja on the 15th. On this day every year the festival of San Isidro takes place and it is the best party of the year. Almost everyone follows a huge procession of horses, oxen and people which makes its slow way from Nerja to the Nerja caves at Maro. Once there it is one big party until the next morning. October is also a good time to visit, and not just because the temperature is perfect. The annual feria happens at the beginning of October, when a fair sets up in town and there are all sorts of musical and dancing events.