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Municipality and town in Andalusia, Spain
Photo: PerryPlanet, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Nerja (pronounced like: N'air'-ha) is a seaside resort on the Costa del Sol, in the region of Andalucia of Spain. It is one of the few resort towns on Costa del Sol that isn't dominated by large ugly concrete hotels. It's in the attractive foothills of the Sierra Almijara mountains.
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Near the Balcony of Europe, facing the plaza just around the corner from the Balcony, is this attractive 17th-century church constructed in baroque-mudejar style.
A 16th-century church with paintings by the Alonso Cano.
A series of caverns of almost 5 km (3.1 mi). One of Spain's major tourist attractions. Concerts are regularly held in one of the chambers, which forms a natural amphitheatre. The cave has the largest stalactite in the world. Not suitable if you have any walking difficulties, as there are many stairs and no ramps. Be aware that the humid air could make your camera lens moist with unclear photos as a result.
Eagle's bridge
A 19th-century aqueduct, similar to the ones built by the Romans. It was designed to bring water to the nearby village of Maro, one of the oldest settlements around the area. Visible on the way to the caves.
A beautiful waterfall along the old river, near the Sunday Market.
Playa Calahonda
A pebbly beach in the cliffs below the Balcony of Europe, with lots of little crags and crannies.
Playa Carabeo
Another pebbly beach perched in a scenic alcove accessed by a steep stairway.
Playa Carabeillo
A sandier beach tucked under a cliff that marks the western end of the Burriana Beach.
Playa Burriana
Nerja's most renowned beach, awarded by the Blue Flag of the European Union. The sand of the Burriana beach is coarser than the other beaches, and some small areas are fenced off with recliners, where people pay to sit here.
Playa Del Salon
The sandiest (and thus most crowded) beach in Nerja.
Playa Torrecilla
A wide, sandy beach that's fairly popular, framed by the resort hotels facing the beach. A promenade runs the length of the beach, with many benches offering a chance to sit down and look over the beach or the small coves nearby.
The most secluded beach in Nerja proper, this is the largest beach in town, at the west end of Nerja, offering plenty of wide-open space and views of the mountains over the adjacent agriculture fields.
A great way of exploring the Sierra Almijara discovering the flora and fauna and natural habitat.
Nerja walking club
For walking enthusiasts to explore the area in great company.
One of the best places to eat in Nerja. Great modern menu based on first quality products from the area.
Mexican food, including mixed fajitas which come on a large cast iron construction with hot plates for each ingredient. Intimidating food! Nice indoor garden and good selection of tequilas.Most people visit once and don't go back.
Where some British holidaymakers come to enjoy real fish and chips, John Smiths Bitter and Coronation street. This place is also sometimes still known by its Spanish name, The Bodegon.
Pizza and flamenco on Wednesdays. This puff-meister is gone bust. New pizza restaurant open now.
Excellent Indian food and they now have a buffet version at Burriana Beach
Located on a small square in the west of town, this informal seafood tapas bar has a few tables inside and a number more outside. The drinks are cheap, the language is Spanish and each drink comes with a tapa of seafood salad or a plate of gambas. It works, as you will be inevitably tempted to enjoy more fresh shellfish and seafood at a table outside. The service is a little rude and hectic in summer, but the prices are reasonable.
Good restaurant owned by the discoverer of the Nerja caves, and featured on television. Serves Spanish cuisine.
Good seafood and meat cooked on a BBQ.
Spanish cuisine that is very popular with the locals.
Excellent Spanish cuisine, good tapas and a wine list from cheap and chearful, through good value to expensive tastes.
Offers some of the best and most inexpensive food in Nerja. Run by an Argentinean couple that has maintained the Spanish flavour, the place is one of the most traditional you can find in Nerja. They occasionally have live music during the weekend.
Amidst the bustle of shops and restaurants is a typical Spanish marisqueria (fish and shellfish tapas/restaurant), that is perhaps the one place that best sums up Nerja. The clientèle is usually at least 90% Spanish with the occasional adventurous holidaymaker. the drinks are cheap, the tapas are free and the seafood is excellent. There is a large open air terrace open during the summer.
International cuisine. Upmarket, and prices reflect this!
The Chef, Juan Quintanilla, used to own a 1-star Michelin restaurant in Marbella. Great food and excellent wine.
Run by local businessman Pepe Mesa, this is one of the finest affordable restaurants in town. Food served covers a variety of tastes, and many Spanish dishes are on the menu. The decor is of fine wood, and there are always plenty of wines and drinks on offer. Gambas Pil Pil is a speciality.
International and American style cuisine of excellent quality at reasonable prices. Very pleasant open air roof terraces (advance reservations advised) and good service.
International style cuisine, with a touch of English home made cooking. Very nice and pleasant roof terrace. Food is excellent and staff very friendly. Worthwhile making a reservation.
Excellent cafe/restaurant with good value Spanish food. Open all day and evening with very friendly, longstanding staff and clientele.
Excellent, fresh home cooked to order Spanish cuisine. Cooked by Jose & served by Victoria. Reasonably priced, great tasting food. Try the Caldo de pescado as it is excellent.
Apartments with two terraces with sea view terrace with sea view. The sun terrace has a small pool. Perfect equipped for short or long vacation. Bright and large apartments.
Nerja
Apartments with free internet, air conditiong, king size beds located in the historical center between hotel Parador and Bar Dolores El Chispa. The parterre apartment is accessible for wheelchair users. Exclusively for non-smokers and pets are not allowed. On the sun terrace there is a grill and a winter solarium with sea- and mountainview.
Self Catering Apartments
New luxury apartments with direct sea view. Frontline beach high quality holiday apartments with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. Units have dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, Wi-Fi, etc.
This is a friendly and comfortable hostel with 13 bedrooms all ensuite with TV, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities. The Balcon De Europe is a 10-minute walk away and the center of nightlife is within walking distance.
In the old section of Nerja, the hostel was built in 2004, but maintains the traditional Andalusian manor style. The Hostel has 7 rooms, TV, ensuite bathrooms, sun terrace, and Jacuzzi. It is only 5 minutes from the beach and a short 2 minute walk from parking.
An attractive hostel in Nerja and a 5-min walk from a free carpark. Run by a very friendly and helpful British couple who serve breakfast for guests on the rooftop terrace with great views over Nerja towards the Sierra Almijara and also out to sea.
Nerja Club
Located in one of the quietest areas of Nerja, this hotel has 102 rooms, most with private terrace and all rooms with air conditioning, heating, bathroom, piped music, satellite TV, and telephone.
A nice 102-room hotel. All rooms with private terrace, air conditioning, heating, bathroom, piped music, satellite TV, and telephone.
Nice 206-room, four-star beach & spa aparthotel on the Nerja beachfront.
The wryly named Smiffs Bookstore, hidden away down a small arcade near the Post Office or Correos, stocks a wide range of new English language bestsellers, local books, maps and guides, including many walking routes for the area.
By bus
The bus stop in Nerja is on Avenida de Pescia, between a large roundabout and a bridge with blue railings.
By car
The A-7 E-15 motorway runs parallel to the coast, with Nerja about a 10-minute drive from the clearly marked freeway exit.
Walking is the easiest way. The centre of Nerja is small enough to be able to walk around on foot though you will find yourself walking up or down a sometimes gradual, sometimes steep hill much of the time.
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Málaga · International · AGP
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