| Nerja has become one of the most popular holiday | | | | atmosphere of Andalucia life. |
| resorts on the Costa del Sol to be found east of | | | | If you are happy to spend your holiday relaxing in |
| Malaga. Unlike many of the popular destinations to | | | | Nerja, you can be assured there are many beautiful |
| the west of Malaga heading down towards Gibraltar, | | | | sandy beaches hidden within small coves, lined with |
| such as Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella, Nerja | | | | bars and restaurants in abundance. Burriana beach is |
| has escaped mass tourism and still retains much of its | | | | one of the largest and most popular with tourists and |
| original charm and character as a former fishing | | | | Spanish alike, whilst to the side of the Balcon itself, |
| village. | | | | hidden within a small cove, can be found one of |
| Nerja is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Almijara | | | | Nerja's most charming beaches with golden sand and |
| mountain range, which shelters it from the worst of | | | | clear blue water. |
| winter weather whilst providing a breathtaking | | | | Less than 3km away are the famous Nerja Caves |
| backdrop to the town's traditional whitewashed | | | | first discovered in 1959, now one of the most |
| stone townhouses and villas. It is surely one of the | | | | popular holiday attractions in Spain. The caves have |
| most beautiful destinations along the eastern Costa | | | | impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations, and a |
| del Sol. With just a 45-minute drive to Malaga's | | | | natural cavern that has been turned into an |
| international airport, cheap flights available from many | | | | impressive concert hall, the location of many theatre |
| European destinations and a regular coastal bus | | | | productions and classical concerts. One of Nerja's |
| service, Nerja can be an ideal cheap holiday | | | | most celebrated fiestas is San Isidro on the 15th May. |
| destination. | | | | A large procession of decorated carts leave the |
| The Balcon de Europa is the focal point of the old | | | | centre of the town heading towards the caves for a |
| town and offers stunning views over the | | | | weekend of festivity and celebration, in true |
| Mediterranean Sea and nearby beaches. It was | | | | Andalucia style. The caves can also be reached by |
| originally known as 'La Bateria' due to the gun battery | | | | local bus with a regular service leaving from the main |
| that stood here in a fortified tower, but was | | | | bus terminal on Avenida Pescia. |
| destroyed in 1810 by a Bristish led force during the | | | | The town itself offers many holiday attractions for |
| Pennisular War to prevent occupation by French | | | | the visitor, but if you feel the need to explore some |
| forces. Nowadays the Balcon is full of activity with | | | | of the attractions Andalucia has to offer, then it is an |
| street artists and entertainers, horse-drawn carriages | | | | ideal starting point for trips and excursions. Within a |
| and ice-cream vendors selling a huge variety of | | | | ten minute drive can be reached the beautiful |
| flavours and colours. Lined with many bars and | | | | whitewashed-stone villages of Frigiliana and Torrox, |
| restaurants, it offers an ideal location to relax and | | | | both shining white as snow in the sun. For real snow |
| watch the sun set over the Mediterranean coastline. | | | | however, the Sierra Mountains offer fantastic, |
| In the old quarter of Nerja town itself, many buildings | | | | affordable skiing during the winter months and all |
| still retain their original Andalucia architectural style, | | | | within a two-hour drive. Nestled in the foothills of the |
| and the narrow winding streets bustle with the | | | | mountains is the Moorish city of Granada, dominated |
| authentic atmosphere of a working Spanish town. | | | | by the mysterious Alhambra Palace. A series of |
| Yet Nerja has all the advantages of a modern town, | | | | palaces and gardens built over several centuries |
| with endless shops selling ceramics, textiles, leather | | | | under the Nazrid Dynasty in the 14th Century. |
| goods, souvenirs and essential beach accessories for | | | | Nerja has become very popular for people retiring or |
| the family. | | | | simply looking for a change of life, with a fifth of the |
| Much of Nerja's nightlife begins late into the evening | | | | estimated population of 20,000 being foreign |
| and you are sure to find a bar to your particular | | | | residents, including more than 2,000 British. During the |
| taste, either in the lively Tutti Frutti Square, or the | | | | summer months this figure increases many more |
| many tranquil bars to be found around the Balcon de | | | | times with the arrival of holiday visitors in abundance |
| Europa. Bars and clubs in Tutti Frutti Square stay | | | | attracted by one of the best climates in Europe. With |
| open well into the morning hours during the long, hot | | | | Costa del Sol beaches, golf courses, skiing, adventure |
| summer nights, and are particularly popular with | | | | parks, water parks and the Almijara mountain range |
| younger holiday visitors. However, bars near the | | | | all within easy reach; Nerja has something to offer |
| Balcon are more conducive to the relaxed | | | | everyone. |