Nerja, Malaga and the Costa del Sol travel guide.

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Nerja

Nerja is the easternmost town on the Costa del Sol, located about 50 km from Malaga and bordering the province of Malaga. Nerja has not suffered yet the consequences of urban sprawl and massive building like on the western Malaga coast. Visitors to this relaxed municipality can still enjoy typical streets and squares of what was once a fishing village. Nevertheless, visitors will find a full range of amenities for leisure and nightlife. Especially in summer the town is quite animated with many bars and nightclubs around the old city centre.

Unlike the long and wide beaches of the western Costa del Sol, here we find due to the proximity to the foothills of Sierra Nevada charming coves and wild cliffs with rich seabed fantastic for diving. Nerja is known for its beautiful coast, where melts the mountain with the sea forming the impressive cliffs of Maro.

Probably the two best-known attractions of Nerja are the "Balcony of Europe" and the Nerja Caves.

A short walk from old city is situated the Balcony of Europe, a beautiful viewpoint which opens out to sea and is enclosed by two sheltered beaches. It is a favorite spot for many visitors with a scenic view of the Mediterranean. From there on left hand side starts a lovely wooden boardwalk winding along the cliffs and with lush vegetation.

Transfer Malaga airport to Nerja

When going from Malaga airport to Nerja, an easy, fast and comfortable transportation method is the airport transfer:

No queues, they are waiting for you.
You know exactly what you have to pay.
The price is great, sometimes even cheaper than a taxi!
Friendly and bilingual chauffer always willing to help with your luggage.
Child seat available when needed.
Top recommended Malaga airport transfer to Nerja companies.

Beware of unlicensed drivers!

But Nerja is probably more famous for the Nerja caves. The caves, called the "natural cathedral of the Costa del Sol" are located 750 meters from the coastline on a hill of the Sierra de Almijara mountains, about 200 meters above sea level. The cavity open to the public has an area of about 140,000 square meters, with a maximum length of 700 meters. Only one-third of the halls are open for tourists and the approximate duration of the visit to this zone in the Caves of Nerja is about 45 minutes. Another part of the caves is accessible to reduced groups of visitors dedicated to speleological tourism.

The Nerja Caves are not only famous for their archaeological sites and stone formations; in July takes place inside the cave the famous Festival de la Cueva de Nerja, with dance and music, one of the most important cultural events of the Costa del Sol. For its extreme beauty, it is a must-see during your visit to Nerja. In order to facilitate the access, there is as well available a bus service to the Nerja caves.

Nerja has a mild climate all year round, which allows even the cultivation of subtropical fruits such as custard apple and avocado. Nerja has several beaches among which are most notably those of Burriana, Calahonda, El Salon, La Torrecilla and Playazo. In addition to its 10 beaches Nerja has many small coves hidden among cliffs, which are accessed mostly by local roads between crops and making the last stretch on foot. Its natural beauty gives them a certain wild charm and their difficult access ensures a low occupancy of bathers.

The Natural Park Sierras de Tejeda, Alhama and Almijara forms an imposing mountain range north of the City of Nerja, between the provinces of Malaga and Granada. It has a rich flora and fauna, deserving special mention the birds of prey and the wild goat. It has several marked paths ideal for hiking.

Nerja Hotels and Nerja Villas

Nerja hotels and Nerja Villas abound, nothing but a necessity for the number of expatriates checking out the area, as well as the summer tourist boom that fills the city. Accommodations fill a range of needs, from economic apartments to ritzy hotels. Those looking to stay in the nicer hotels during the summer should book several months in advance, as these fill up quickly. Find out more about Nerja Hotels, Luxury Hotels, Accommodation and Lodgings in Nerja, Andalucia, Spain and Apartments in Nerja.

Nerja Restaurants

Along with Nerja Hotels choices, there are also a swarm of options for eating out, with upwards of 400 bars and restaurants in Nerja. Seafood is reasonably priced and often available on beach restaurants, a long-time tradition on the Costa del Sol. Some typical dishes are char-grilled sardines, ajoblanco (a refreshing garlic soup), migas (fried bread crumbs and sausage bits), tortitas de bacalao (salt cod cakes), and De La Doncella (red mullet). Due to the high number of foreign residents and business owners, other cuisine (especially British) is also widely available.

If you're looking for a school, sports facilities, or other information about Nerja you can find out more using this link of Nerja Town Hall.

Nerja Property

There are plenty of reasons for buying property in Nerja. In the town centre of Nerja, you will find apartments and penthouse apartments for sale. In the town, you can find properties with sea views, where many of them are located in the narrow winding streets, making it the perfect choice for those looking for a charming town house or apartment in Nerja.

Nerja Beaches

The town of Nerja has over a dozen beaches, which is why we are one of the municipalities with more variety of beaches on the Costa del Sol. Isolated beaches, semi-urban o urban, more or less crowded beaches, nudist or not nudist beaches, with many or few services.

Nerja is a municipality in where enhance their urban beaches, such as LaTorrecilla Beach or Burriana beach, the two most populous municipality's beaches, and the two best-equipped beaches. The two-and they are not the only -have services, showers, and access for disabled people, something very important for the access of people with disabilities. We must emphasize Torrecilla beach and Calahonda beach also for its promenade.

But on the other end of what the urban beaches are we can find the isolated beaches of Nerja, which are in the Natural Park of the cliffs of Maro, we are looking at nudist beaches like Alberquillas beach or more crowded beaches for nature lovers who are small creeks in the area of the Park. Undoubtedly, we have a wide variety of beaches for you to enjoy during your vacations.

Nerja Nightlife

There are plenty of restaurants in Nerja, pubs and nightclubs open till early morning, live music venues with music to suit nay kind of people and tastes and the karaoke bar.

However, the main point of activity, particularly during the summer months, remains in and around Plaza Tutti Frutti.

Plaza Tutti Frutti has undergone a fairly extensive makeover during 2007/2008 with palm trees, ornamental garden pieces, seating and the whole area is now paved and minus the potholes we came to love and avoid.

At night it becomes a vibrant heaving mass of humanity looking for having a good time.

There is music to suit most tastes and, on occasion, you may find the odd 'live' event. Metal/Rock fans should head for Pub Tantra.

Find out more about Nerja Nightlife and how to get the most of it!

Malaga airport to Nerja

Nerja had a tourist boom around 1959, just after the discovery of the famous Cueva de Nerja; that boom came with the consequent development for the tourism and the arrival of many tourists visiting Nerja. Nerja is 66km from Malaga airport.

There is no direct bus from Malaga airport to Nerja, so you will have to transfer at the bus station in Málaga. Buses depart every 30 or 45 minutes towards Nerja and takes about 1.30 hours to arrive.
You can take a taxi from Malaga airport to Nerja, and the approximate cost is 66 €, so it is cheaper to rent a car for a week at the same price aproximately, as it would provide greater freedom.
There is not a train link to Nerja.
Rent a car at Malaga Airport can be a nice and cheap option if you want to have freedom of movement and if you need a vehicle.
Transfers from Malaga airport to Nerja is a quick and convenient way if you don´t need to rent a car, it can take you or your group to Nerja.

Continue reading in how to get to Nerja ,it could be of help if you are looking for the road route, and if you still have questions don´t hesitate in contacting us in the Malaga transportation forum.

Nerja pictures

Pictures below are some of the images you can find in our Nerja Photo Gallery

Nerja information:

Find below some useful information and the official Nerja website. Enjoy your holidays in Nerja!

Goverment	José Alberto Armijo (PP)
Area	85 km²
Population	22.294
Time Zone	(UCT+1)
Web Site	http://www.nerja.es/ (spanish language)
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerja
Founded	VIII Century

Nerja Townhall
C/ Carmen 1, Nerja 29780
Tel: (+34) 952.548.400
http://www.nerja.org

tourist tips

Getting to the Nerja Caves: the easiest and fastest route is via the A-7 (old N-340), which runs along the coast. The road is twisty in some parts as it winds its way inland, providing many vantage points to see the surrounding countryside. In Nerja there are signs which guide you easily to the caves. There is also a direct bus from the bus station in Malaga which goes to the caves. The opening hours are 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-18:30