Whitewashed houses, winding streets, palm trees, typical Andalusian courtyards and gardens lend a southern, relaxed atmosphere, which one rarely encounters on the touristy Costa del Sol.
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Nerja is a small seaside town of nearly 20,000 inhabitants, located on the Costa del Sol, approximately 50 km east of Malaga. The old-town was built on a hill overlooking the sea and is one of the most picturesque towns of the region. Of course, tourists do not entirely bypass Nerja and their presence is obvious during the summer holidays. Despite some modern vacation venues and hotels, built during the past few years, Nerja has been able to preserve its typical Andalusian character. Today, the little town is considered one of the quieter places of the Costa del Sol. The best known place in Nerja is the Balcon Europa, terrace high above the sea, from which there is an excellent view of the contrasting rocky coastline and stunning backdrop of the mountains. Beautiful gardens are bordering the terrace. On both sides there are several small bays with sandy beaches, and a few kilometres north you find the Cueva de Nerva, an 800-kilometre-long mineral cave system. Because of the caves’ good acoustics, every August a summer festival with music and ballet is featured inside the caves. The travelers’ favourite destinations are the whitewashed villages in the area and the Bodegas North of Nerja, where the Malaga wine is produced. Other destinations are the sunny Andalucía countryside and the well known cities of Granada, Córdoba, Seville, Jerez and Cádis.
