Nerja
Nerja is one of the most beautiful resorts on the Costa del Sol. It is
situated in the easternmost part of the province of Malaga nestled against the
beautiful backdrop of the Sierra Almijara. To the west adjoins the
villages of Torrox and Frigiliana, and to the north Competa. The
main route through Nerja is the N340, which links it with Malaga 52 kms away.
One of the main attractions of Nerja is its coastline, where the mountains
reach the shore, forming majestic cliffs between which nestle pretty coves and
beaches. Another attraction is the Balcon de Europa (Balcony of Europe), a
favourite site with local people and visitors alike. The promenade,
flanked on the left by lovely arches and on the right by hotels, bars and
restaurants, ends at a semi-circular view point at the cliff- top, with
wonderful views over the Mediterranean and the mountains around Nerja.
Sunset seen from the Balcon de Europa is unforgettable. The promenade is
lined with palms and plane trees, and with two ancient cannons form a reminder
that until 1812 there was a fortress at the top of the cliffs. Heading
west from this point going towards Torrox you will find the following beaches:
Caletilla, Playa del salon, Torrecilla and Playazo with a newly built promenade,
and to the east a natural pathway linking the following beaches and coves : Calahonda, Chorrillo, Carabeo and Carabeillo, and the well known Playa Burriana
which is the most commercial of all, having many water-sports, bars and
restaurants.
Nerja enjoys a Mediterranean climate allowing it to enjoy hot summers and mild
winters, therefore the main source of income of Nerja is now tourism, yet there is a
thriving business in the area in growing tropical and out-of-season fruits and
vegetables.
The center of Nerja, with its narrow, whitewashed houses, has been scarcely
altered as residential areas have been constructed around it, most of them built
in the traditional Andalusian style.
Nerja has many bars and restaurants from the typical Andalusian bodega to some
very fine international cuisine.
Another attraction are the Caves of Nerja discovered in
1959, to get there take the N340 out of Nerja towards Maro and follow the signs
for " cuevas". The caves consists of a section open to the
public around 1 kilometer in length, and includes a chamber 30 meters high which
has been converted into an original setting for the internationally famous
Festival of dance and Music, held every summer since 1960 with seating for some
800 spectators. The caves also boast a column formed by the fusion of a
stalactite and a stalagmite with a diameter of 18 meters.
There are many festivals and fiestas. Three of my favourites are the 15
May, the Romeria de San Isdro, a pilgrimage involving gaily-decorated
carts and horses, commemorating the patron saint of farming that finishes up at
the caves with lots of dancing, drinking and celebrating. Another good one
is 24th June, San Juan's day, it is traditional to spend the night of the 23rd
camping on the beach and jumping in the sea at midnight, followed by a day of
eating, drinking, BBQ and picnicing with the family on the beach. Next
with the sea in mind is 16 July, Virgen del Carmen, a statue of this virgin is
carried through the streets of the town before being taken aboard a boat and
paraded along the coastline, and afterwards includes the consumption of sardines
on the beach.
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