Nerja Area Guide
What's it like in Nerja?
Nerja lies around 50km east of Málaga in the south-east of the Axarquia mountain region, at the foot of the Sierra Almijara. A beautiful coastal town built on a cliff, it towers magnificently above some of the most glorious beaches in the region, many of which are home to several well known fish restaurants; so popular they stay open all year. Approximately a 40-minute drive from Málaga International Airport, just over an hour from Granada and two hours from the Sierra Nevada, the town has long been a popular spot with both tourists and foreign residents. Yet due to controlled town planning, it’s never lost its traditional Spanish charm and in the picturesque Old Town, you can still wander around little tapas bars and interesting shops, dotted around the narrow cobbled streets dating back to the 14th century and the time of the Moorish occupation, when the town was known as Narixa, meaning ‘rich in water’, provided by the River Chillar.
Nerja has it all; a fascinating history, rugged mountains and around 10km of idyllic beaches and beautiful sandy coves. The El Pino, Las Arberquillas and El Cañuelo coves are the most popular. One of the most well-known attractions in Nerja is the Balcón de Europa, which, as its name suggests, hangs over the side of the cliffs across the sea and draws visitors in their droves to enjoy the breathtaking views of the coast. The area around the Balcón de Europa is lined with palm trees, cafes and restaurants and has a vibrant, but relaxed atmosphere and is a popular spot for that favourite Spanish pastime, the paseo, taking in the great views, the fresh air, sitting with a coffee or beer and tapas or just passing the time of day with friends and family. One of Nerja’s oldest buildings, El Salvador church, is just a few metres away.
Nerja’s rich history goes back a long way, and a visit to the famous Nerja caves makes it clear just how far. Something of a cultural focal point in the area and proof that Pre-historic Man loved Nerja just as much as 21st century Man, the caves have been designated a National Historic-Artistic Monument, thanks to the unique beauty of the stalactite and stalagmite formations, the amazing archaeological relics and wall paintings. The caves were discovered back in 1959 and they put Nerja firmly on the tourist map, both for Spanish and foreign visitors. One of the highlights of the summer is the festival of music and dance held in the caves, the Festival de la Cueva de Nerja, internationally famous because of its atmospheric location, the stars that have performed there - among them José Carreras and Kri Te Kanawa – and the famous visitors, which include the Queen of Spain. If you want to experience this unique spectacle, get your tickets as early as possible.
During the summer months, Nerja is also a favourite spot for those who love water sports, such as scuba diving or windsurfing on Playa Burriana, Nerja’s most famous beach or many of the others dotted along the coast. Keen golfers probably already know that the Costa del Sol is known as the Costa del Golf thanks to all the courses along the coast. Closest to Nerja is the Baviera Golf in Caleta de Vélez which is suitable for players of all levels and set in magnificent natural surroundings. At the end of 2009, Nerja will be home to a new golf resort, Valle de la Coladilla, which will also include residential housing and a four-star hotel. When the cooler weather comes along, there’s mountain biking, horse riding or you can have a go at any one of the fantastic walks close to Nerja. There’s an enormous amount of natural beauty and diverse species in the region and it’s a valuable ecological area.
Healthy, Wealthy and Wise
Nerja’s well-catered for in terms of education and health services, both public and private. There are international schools close to Nerja, both in Málaga and nearby Almuñecar which accept children from the ages of 3 or 4 until 18 and teaching is in English or bi-lingual, with the curriculum based on the UK curriculum and exams validated by UK examination boards. There are also many Spanish primary and secondary state schools both in Nerja and nearby Frigiliana, Torrox, Velez Málaga and Torre del Mar. In terms of health care, Nerja is well-catered for with its own public health centre (centro de salud) and a new health centre is currently being built close to Burriana. In Velez Málaga is a large, well-equipped public hospital, the Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquia and there’s a large private hospital, Hospital Salus, in Nerja, which offers 24-hour medical services. So, if you decide to buy a property in Nerja, either for holidays, retirement or relocation, you can rest assured that your everyday needs will be well catered for in Nerja.
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