Explore Nerja: A Scenic Journey in Andalusia
Discover Nerja, a charming city on the southern coast of Spain. From its beautiful beaches and historic old town to the famous Nerja Caves, immerse yourself in its cultural richness. Plan your trip today!
Nerja is a city on the southern coast of Spain, located in the province of Malaga in the autonomous community of Andalusia. The city is known for its beautiful beaches such as Burriana and Calahonda, as well as its picturesque old town and the Nerja Caves, a series of limestone caves containing prehistoric cave paintings.
The city also boasts a lively cultural scene, with numerous festivals and events held throughout the year. Additionally, Nerja is a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a wide range of accommodations and entertainment options.
Nerja is a former fishing village
Good location
What to see here?
Balcony of Europe
Historical Museum
Nerja Cave
1. Nerja is a former fishing village
Nerja. When mentioning this Andalusian town located in Malaga on the Costa del Sol coast, two things immediately come to mind: the "Balcony of Europe" and the Nerja Caves. Then, of course, there are the wonderful beaches, museums, and so on.
It's a typical Andalusian village. That's what it would have remained if it weren't for the region's booming tourism development. By the way, this development in the 1980s was also influenced by the Spanish TV series "Blue Summer" (Verano Azul).
Quite popular. It is written that in recognition of this series, the local authorities created a park in the city of Nerja, allocating a protected area for recreation.
2. Nerja is well located close to Malaga, only 50 km away
If it were further away and didn't have the unique cave nearby, there would be far fewer visitors. But since it's nearby... Imagine a tourist in Andalusia, who, tired of lying on the beach somewhere in Benalmadena; visited all the few attractions of this boring seaside resort town and even took a trip to Mijas...
Of course, they will wonder: where else to go? And it shouldn't be far. And it should be interesting. Nerja will successfully diversify and revitalise the vacation of such a tourist.
3. What to See Here?
Balcony of Europe
Historical Museum
Nerja Caves.
The town itself, frankly, is nothing outstanding. If it weren't for the lookout point, loudly, with a light touch of the tongue of King Alfonso XII, called the "Balcony of Europe". Grigory Pasko, journalist.
4. Balcony of Europe
The viewpoint is very nice. They are located high up (built on the site of an old watchtower of the Moorish castle). The views from it are extensive. You can stroll around the charming area around the "balcony", have coffee, buy souvenirs, go down - to lie on the beach...
Or you can walk around all of Nerja and see other sights. For example, the statue of Europe, the fountain of Europe... Why not? Since the "party" started with Alfonso XII, why not attach the word "Europe" to anything that represents some interest? A rhetorical question.
The viewpoint is very nice. They located high up (built on the site of an old watchtower of the Moorish castle). The views from it are extensive. You can stroll around the charming area around the "balcony", have coffee, buy souvenirs, go down - to lie on the beach...
5. You can also visit the historical museum
...No, not Europe this time. But it's near the "Balcony of Europe", in Plaza de España. In short, Nerja, a one-day tourist town, won't disappoint you. Walk around, enjoy... But smart people do all this after visiting the famous Nerja Caves - Cueva de Nerja.
6. The Famous Cave of Andalusia: Nerja Cave
They say that local Andalusian boys discovered this cave in 1959. There's even a monument to these "speleologists" at the entrance. (It's unclear, though, why they were completely naked). The Andalusians: Francisco, José Luis, Miguel, José, and Manuel Muñoz were catching bats in the Sierra de Almijara mountains. They stumbled upon the cave entrance by accident. They climbed in and saw some human skeletons. They got scared. They told the adults.
The adults reported to the "authorities" (the dictatorship of Franco's regime). The "authorities," as usual, ordered to forget about the cave. They forgot. Until the tourist boom in Andalusia. Tourists needed something to see. They remembered the cave.
The age of the Nerja Cave is 5 million years! It stretches for 4 km. With skillful use of a camera's functions, you can take decent photos in the darkness. There's plenty to capture. For example, prehistoric cave paintings. Or the intricate shapes of stalactites and stalagmites (one column grew to a height of 32 meters and "made it" to the Guinness Book of Records).
Or catch in a frame one of the Andalusian ghosts that are said to haunt the "ghost hall." In July, there's a chance to come here specifically for a music festival — there's a stage and amazing acoustics. Near the cave entrance, there's a restaurant, shops, leisure areas, parking...
So, the Andalusian cave is "working" to its fullest. And what's more! Half a million visitors a year. A decent income for the local Andalusian treasury.
Author of the article: journalist Grigory Pasko for Fenix.info.
