Nerja in Spain Balconies of Europe beaches and other attractions

Nerja in Spain, often referred to as the Balcony of Europe, is a popular tourist town on the Costa del Sol coast.

The name “Balcony of Europe” for the scenic viewpoint is attributed to Alfonso XII, the King of Spain, who visited Nerja in 1885. Just a few weeks prior, a significant earthquake had occurred, causing a substantial portion of the land to collapse into the sea, leaving behind a high, rocky cliff.

Alfonso stood at its edge and, gazing out to the sea, remarked:

“… And here we have the place for the Balcony of Europe…”

The king’s entourage carefully noted his words, and every building that stood on the top of the cliff from then on bore the common name Balconies of Europe.

Nerja in Spain and the history of the city

When we reach far back, to the times when Rome ruled the world, Andalusia also did not resist its power. Even today, it is not difficult to see traces of ancient Roman presence in the monuments of Nerja.

After the fall of Rome, the Arabs arrived. During their rule, today’s Nerja was called Narixa, which in Arabic means “abundant source.” The name is not coincidental, as the city is located at the mouth of the Chillar River, which provides an abundant water source, combined with the nearby Sierra de Tejeda mountains, creating an unusual microclimate unmatched anywhere in the vicinity. This is particularly noticeable, especially on hot days, when one arrives from nearby, scorching Malaga.

Muslims dominated this part of Europe until the 15th century. Like the Romans, the Arabs left behind many interesting monuments, also in Nerja.

In addition to the Moorish monuments, traces of the Arabs remained in the local cuisine, art, folklore, and, of course, in legends. The latter can be heard in restaurants, taverns, and numerous theatrical and musical performances staged on the city streets.

The city, over the centuries, witnessed many wars, battles, and violence. It suffered most during the War of the Iberian Peninsula. Napoleon’s forces marched through Portugal and almost the entire of Spain at that time. The final victory for Spain was ensured by its residents who, seeking refuge in the mountains and forests, harassed the French with guerrilla attacks. In retaliation, the French destroyed everything near their march.

Silent witnesses to those events are two enormous cannons standing at both ends of the viewpoint terrace in Nerja.

Nerja in Spain tourism and attractions

It is difficult to find a more popular destination among tourists on the Costa del Sol coast than Nerja with its beaches.

Of course, the main attractions for excursions and strolls are the famous Balcony of Europe. It is a spacious promenade with palm-lined alleys and rich vegetation. When we strolled through Nerja, it was June. The quantity of flowers on the city streets and their sweet, heavy fragrance were enchanting.

On the square leading to the steep cliff, musicians, souvenir vendors, and local artists with their works set up shop. It’s colourful, cheerful, and very pleasant.

The viewpoint, overlooking the steep abyss, allows you to gaze at the azure, warm, and perhaps even the beaches below. The shoreline lies several dozen meters below. Stairs, built in many places, connect the beaches with the city, leading all the way down.

The beaches in Nerja consist of sandy patches of light sand scattered between rocks and large boulders. Thanks to this, instead of one long beach, there are dozens of small, secluded spots, providing respite from the sun and other beachgoers.

More remote beaches attract naturists. You may encounter nudists soaking up the sun with their entire bodies. The sight is sometimes pleasant and sometimes the opposite. It’s better to keep this in mind when venturing on a further exploration along Nerja’s beaches.

The most popular beaches that I recommend visiting are Carabeillo, Torrecilla, El Salon, located right under the Balcony of Europe, and Calahonda. Each of them is clean and offers everything that beaches should provide.

Nerja in Spain on the Costa del Sol

The town of Nerja, despite having just over 20,000 inhabitants, transforms into a typical, crowded seaside resort during summer. Personally, I would avoid visits during the peak of the season. The crowds flowing through the narrow streets of the town, the heat, and inflated prices can effectively take away the pleasure of visiting this truly beautiful place.

The city’s architecture consists of old Mediterranean-style stone houses. The streets are rather narrow, filled with small shops, coffees, and art galleries. Cork products are currently very popular. At every step, you can buy hats, bags, wallets, and even jackets made from this material.

It’s difficult to find popular chain restaurants like Costa, McDonald’s, or other KFC here. Almost the entire gastronomy has been taken over by local entrepreneurs and producers. It’s an intelligent move, allowing for the development of local businesses. I only miss Costa coffee a bit. I highly recommend excellent, creamy ice cream produced on-site. Furthermore, I haven’t had anything so good in a long time!

I don’t have access to statistics, but I’ve heard in rumours that up to 30% of the city’s residents are English and German retirees. Essentially, at every turn, we see restaurants and pubs designed for this part of Nerja’s population. Newspapers in German and English are also available, and there is a radio station in both languages.

I secretly hope that I will eventually join this large group of fortunate individuals.

City of Nerja attractions and entertainment

During the season, the streets, and squares of the city come alive with festivities, as well as other musical and theatrical events. During our stay, the city was taken over by dancers from various dance schools from all over Spain. Imagine a sun-soaked city filled with music and dance. If such attractions are too much for you, you can always head down to the beach and listen to the sound of the waves.

Pubs and restaurants also offer live music, which pairs wonderfully with a cup of strong, aromatic coffee.

For museum enthusiasts, there are several delights. The Museo de Nerja houses a fairly rich collection of exhibits telling the history of the city and its surroundings. If you are interested in archaeology, I recommend the Museo Arqueológico de Frigiliana.

Nerja in Spain and the caves under the city

In Nerja, there is also a wonderful treat for those who enjoy going underground. Quite recently, in 1959, extensive caves were discovered, now called the Caves of Nerja. It is a great adventure for plunkers and geology enthusiasts.

Inside the caves, there are many wonders and secrets. After exploring the nooks and crannies, it was revealed that people, or rather, the ancestors of people, discovered these natural underground spaces thousands of years ago. Early Neanderthal paintings, as well as a lot of pottery, weapons, and other remnants from ancient times, were found on the cave walls.

On the Costa del Sol coast, there is no shortage of towns similar to Nerja. There are also beaches and other attractions. However, the city of Nerja made a very positive impression on us, and we will gladly return. We sincerely encourage you to do the same.

Nerja practical information, facts and interesting facts from Nerja

• Nerja is a fantastic place for walks, especially in the evenings when the heat subsides.
• Navigating the city by car can be challenging due to the narrow streets. During rush hours, the city fills up with cars that can effectively clog the main streets.
• Apart from the Balcony of Europe, the most visited place is the famous Caves of Nerja, which can be visited throughout the year.
• Numerous music and cultural events are organized in the caves. For the latest information and prices, you can check the official website.
• The Nerja caves are over 4 kilometres long, with some sections accessible to visitors.
• Inside the caves, you can find the world’s tallest stalagmite, measuring 32 meters in length.
• Nerja serves as an ideal base for exploring nearby attractions on the Costa del Sol, including Malaga, Alhambra, and even Gibraltar.
• Nerja is renowned for its excellent cuisine; we recommend the ice cream, which we couldn’t get enough of.

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