Situated 50 kilometers east of Málaga and within the foothills of Sierra Almijara, Nerja is one of the best coastal towns to visit in Costa del Sol. Even if you only have a long weekend to spare, there’s plenty to see and do in Nerja – here are our highlights.
On your first day in Nerja, start your visit from Balcón de Europa, or the ‘Balcony of Europe’. The spectacular balcony is situated in at the heart of the town, with a beautiful terrace offering a breathtaking view of the sea. It was built in 1487 in the place where a 9th-century castle used to sit. A glass-walled restaurant sits beneath the balcony, offering a prime view and delicious food; as such, it’s quite pricey, but worth it for a special occasion.
Iglesia de El Salvador is located between Plaza Cavana and the Balcony of Europe. The church was constructed in the 17th century in baroque-mudejar style, and it now serves as the main church in town. The church, which is free to visit, is open during mass day, or 10am to 5:45pm on labor days.
Iglesia de El Salvador, Plaza de Cavana, 13, Nerja
El Puente de Águila, or the ‘Eagle’s Bridge’, was built in the 19th century to transport water to the windmill of the old sugar factory of San Joaquín de Maro. It is situated approximately three kilometers east of Nerja. It’s common for tourists to visit the bridge while taking photographs of the spectacular the Eagle’s Aqueduct (Acueducto de Águila). There is a handy parking lot available nearby to park your car and walk to the bridge.
If you are looking for a true adventure, make sure to visit Cueva de Nerja. The cave is a great tourist attraction in Nerva and is situated on the slopes of the Sierra Almijara, approximately three kilometers east of Nerja. Around five kilometers long, this enormous cave was once inhabited by the Stone Age hunters. It has marvelous rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites and subtle shifting colors – a visit lasts around 45 minutes. You can opt for a guide who will take you to different parts of the cave and explain its history, or you can choose to explore the cave yourself. The entrance fee costs €9 and the cave opens from 9am to 4pm.
Cueva de Nerja, Carretera de Maro, Nerja +34 952529520
On day two, you can walk up the Chillar River. The route cuts through Almijara Natural Park, Alhama Natural Park and Sierras de Tejeda. It offers crystal clear river pools and plenty of shade. As you get higher up, you can find numerous larger pools for swimming. Additionally, if you keep further up the river, you can find a series of waterfalls. Make sure you wear a good pair of shoes and socks to avoid blisters.
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