There are plenty of places on the Costa del Sol that have a party atmosphere and a wild nightlife. This can be great for college students, but it doesn’t quite suit couples and families who want a more peaceful environment. However, this doesn’t mean that they have to forgo a Spanish holiday in the sun. If you are one of these people, Nerja may be the perfect holiday destination for you.
Nerja is a small tourist resort on the eastern edge of the Costa del Sol, in Andalucia, Spain. This little village lies in the shelter of the majestic Sierra de Almijara Mountains, and it has managed to escape much of the development that has invaded nearby towns. The people there lead a relaxed way of life, and many of them still live in charming whitewashed houses nestled among winding cobbled streets. Unlike Benidorm and Majorca, this resort targets couples and family groups rather than young partygoers.
Nerja is the perfect getaway for any holiday, including long weekends and winter breaks. It easily accessible from the United Kingdom via the Malaga Airport, which is less than three hours from the U.K. It is warm all year long, has the best weather of any place in the area, and is the sunniest place in all of Europe. In addition, it has a strong British population; among the 22,000 inhabitants, at least 2,600 of them are British.
In spite of Nerja's small-town feel and relaxed environment, however, it is not a boring place. It has all of the conveniences you would expect from a large city, including many different types of accommodation and a wealth of dining choices. There are also a wide range of things to do in the area, for both adults and children. The following guide will help you understand what is in the area so that you can get the most out of your Nerja holiday.
ACCOMMODATION
In Nerja, there is a place to stay for every budget and size of group. There are many different hotels, both large and small, and several self-catering options such as apartments and villas. Many of these have pools and gardens, and some of them can sleep as many as 14. The city also has aparthotels, which are similar to apartments but can be booked by the night like a hotel and have a few more amenities than a regular apartment. Other options for lodging include bed and breakfasts and camping facilities.
DINING
There are around 400 places to eat in Nerja, ranging from bars and cafes to fine restaurants. The cuisine varies from seafood to traditional Spanish to British. They also have many restaurants which offer international food, including Italian, Greek, French, Asian and Thai. It is possible to get many different types of meat, such as steak, lamb, fish and ham, as well as more exotic foods such as ox tail and squid. Whether you are on a budget or have money to burn, you should have plenty of dining choices in this town.
SIGHTSEEING
Nerja is an area of intense natural beauty. It is fed by mountain springs, so it is rich with greenery. It has a beautiful waterfall, lush gardens and miles of sandy beaches. It also boasts many beautiful and unique places to see. Tourists can explore the sights on foot, or they can take a horse and carriage ride or a jeep tour. Some of the must-see places in the area include:
∙The Balcón de Europa
The Balcón de Europa, or the Balcony of Europe, is the remains of a ninth-century castle and a 15th-century fortress. It lies on the edge of a cliff in the center of the old part of town, and it provides spectacular views of the ocean and the coastline. It contains a statue of King Alfonso XII, who is believed to have named the landmark, and two iron cannons which serve as a reminder that it was once a fortress. It is lined with restaurants and frequented by musicians, artists and merchants.
∙Cuevas de Nerja
The Nerja caves are one of the most amazing attractions in the city. They were discovered in 1959 by a group of boys who climbed through a small hole and found themselves inside a magnificent cave. Since then, it has been discovered that the caves are 4,283 meters long and contain cave paintings that may be 20,000 years old. They are also the home of the longest stalactite/stalagmite column in the world, which is 32 meters long. Only 25% of the caves are open to public view, excluding the cave paintings, but that is enough to appreciate their natural beauty.
∙The Church of El Salvador
This church was completed in 1697 and expanded in 1776. It is a master of architecture featuring a bell tower, arched doorways, and three naves divided by pillars. It contains a painting of the Annunciation done by the famous artist Francisco Hernandez and a statue of Christ built by Cordoba Aurelio Teno.
ACTIVITIES
Nerja offers many different activities for people of all ages. Some of the most popular are:
∙The Donkey Sanctuary
This sanctuary is more than just a place for abandoned donkeys and mules. It also contains other farm animals, such as piglets, lambs, horses and goats. It is the perfect place for kids, as there are always plenty of babies and they can pet the animals and feed them by hand.
∙Sports
Nerja offers all major water sports, including skiing, canoeing, surfing and snorkeling. There are also opportunities for horseback riding, hiking and biking as well as sports such as tennis, beach volleyball and golf.
∙Shopping
Not only does Nerja have many small shops, but there are two different open-air markets that operate once a week. These include a general market on Tuesdays and a flea market on Sundays.
BEACHES
A visit to Nerja wouldn't be complete without some time spent on the beach. There are ten major beaches in the area, all of which are very safe for children. One of these beaches, the Playa Burriana, has received the Blue Flag of Excellence Award. It is also one of two beaches in the area that has a play place for children. In addition, there are several beaches which are smaller, quieter and more secluded.
There is nowhere better than Nerja for a teriffic holiday.
one of 10 nerja beaches
