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The resort of Nerja was once only a small fishing village, but has now become the largest resort to the East of Malaga, although managing to retain its charm by avoiding the massive expansion of some of the larger resorts to the West of Malaga. The old centre of the town maintains a typically Spanish feel and probably the most popular spot is the Balcon del Mar, a large cliff that juts to sea and enclosed by two sheltered beaches, with fantastic views along the Coast. Nerja is probably most famous for its caves, some 6km inland and which were discovered in 1959 by some boys chasing bats who came upon the entrance to a huge system of limestone cavern. The caves are protected and have been well preserved, and are full of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.
Beaches
One of the most popular beaches is Burriana, located in a bay to the East of Nerja town, almost directly below the Capistrano are. The beach is approx. 800 metres long and is wide, with a mixture of fine sand and pebbles, and has palm umbrellas and sun beds for hire. There is a wide selection of bar/cafes and restaurants, both on the beach and very close to it, as well as an arcade of shops catering for all beach needs. To the West of Nerja is the Playazo beach, the longest in the area, and is a mixture of small to large pebbles with some fine sandy areas close to the sea. There is a Hotel bar just off the beach as well as one or two bars. Playazo beach is less crowded than the other beaches, mainly because of the fewer bars and facilities, but there are shower and w.c. facilities.
Eating Out
Nerja boasts an excellent selection of restaurants, which serve everything from tapas to pizza, and if you are a fish lover you will not be disappointed with the wide variety of fish available in this area of Andalusia ranging from mixed fried fish, grilled or marinated fish, anchovies, red mullet, squid and sardines. The region is well known also for its variety of cold vegetable soups – ‘gazpachos’, and a mouthwatering array of fresh fruit.
Leisure
Nerja is an excellent place for beginning Scuba diving with its crystal clear water, and Scubanerja at Burriana beach offers trial dives, courses and facilities for everyone from beginner to the more experienced diver. There are also water-skiing and windsurfing opportunties. For Golf lovers, there is a great variety of courses in the Costa del Sol – one of the courses in the area is Baviera Golf in Axarguia, near Caleta de Velez. The course is suitable for all players and offers magnificent natural surroundings. There are a number of water parks along the Costa del Sol, one within easy reach of most places is Torremolinos Aquapark, with probably one of the highest water toboggans in Europe at over 22 metres high, as well as an assortment of water slides, a wave pool, tropical lagoon and sunbathing areas. For great shopping opportunities, there are a number of shopping Malls within an easy drive, although best holiday buys are local handicrafts, including lace, colourful ceramics and basketware – you will always find plenty of choice in the craft shops in the mountain villages. Most major resorts along the Coast have a morning market once a week, and Nerja Market on a Tuesday is well known for its charm and great atmosphere.
Places to Visit
Malaga is the Capital of the Costa del Sol, and well worth a visit, a bustling city with the old and new meeting to form the backbone of the shopping area and the thriving nightlife. The narrow side streets form an interesting maze of alleys crammed with tapas bars and bodegas. The painter Pablo Picasso was born in the City and today his house is a popular tourist attraction. Andalusia is famous for its ‘white villages’ and just 7 km from Nerja is Frigiliana, voted by the Spanish Tourism Authority as the ‘prettiest village in Andalusia’. The village is a tangle of narrow cobbled streets lined by whitewashed houses with wrought-iron balconies planted with brilliant red geraniums. There are several small plazas proving shady retreat for the visitors who come to taste the locally produced wine. For a glimpse of how the rich and famous live, take the time to visit Puerto Banus just West of Marbella, with its Marina the focal point, lined with designer boutiques and a plethora of restaurants and cafes where you can sit and idly watch the world go by. |
