Nerja

Once a small fishing village, Nerja is now the biggest resort to the east of Malaga, and has managed to avoid the worst effects of unrestrained expansion and high-rise hotels. There are still plenty of bars and nightclubs for those wanting to party the night away; however, the old town centre has retained some of its original charm. The Balcón de Europa is a cliff that juts out to sea and is enclosed by two sheltered beaches. It is a favourite spot for many visitors with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean.

Nerja is probably most famous for its caves, which lie some 6 km inland. The entrance to this huge system of limestone caverns was discovered in 1959 by some boys chasing bats. The caves are protected and have been well preserved with many parts still closed to the public including areas with prehistoric paintings of animals and human figures. It is estimated that the caves were inhabited between 20,000 BC and 1,800 BC. Visitors are treated to a series of well-lit chambers and displays of archaeological finds. Of interest are the Hall of Bethlehem, full of stalactites and stalagmites; the Hall of the Waterfall, the scene for the Festival of the Caves held in July; the Hall of the Cataclysm, whose fallen rocks indicate an earthquake long ago; and the centrepiece, the central column in the Hall of Cataclysm, formed when a stalactite and stalagmite met and joined after thousands of years of growth. It is the tallest of its kind in the world at some 32 metres.

If you're looking for a school, sports facilities, or other information, you can find out more in the Nerja Town Hall (+34 952.548.400).