Photographs and Features of the Nerja Area  Costa del Sol

The Nerja area - information, photographs, weather and map:

Weather in the Nerja area is very sunny and temperate. The Sierra Nevada and Sierra Alpijarra mountain ranges gradually descend, from around 3km high near Granada, to meet the warm Mediterranean sea at Nerja. This protection from the north contributes to the excellent micro-climate that benefits the Nerja area.

You can actually ski on the slopes of the famous Sierra Nevada, near Granada, and in less than 2 hours be sunbathing on the Costa del Sol below. See the Nerja Weather Site for accurate nerja weather statistics recorded for over a decade.

There is a year-round abundance of fresh mountain water so this largely unspoiled region is one of Spain's most productive for fruit and vegetable growing.

Although tourism is becoming more significant, the area has retained much of its its Andalucian heritage and natural beauty. The Mediterranean coastline is quite rugged and features numerous sandy bays, coves, and rocky outcrops that attract scuba divers to the fish-rich and temperate waters.

Maro, a small village just east of Nerja, is host to the majestic Cuevas de Nerja which have to be seen to believed. These spectacular caves are open to the public and are a major attraction. One of the huge caverns has actually been adapted for use as an auditorium for concerts and other cultural and social functions.

Visiting Nerja in 1885, King Alfonso XIII stood on a small peninsula of land viewing the rugged local coastline and out over the Mediterranean Sea towards North Africa. He aptly named it the .Balcon de Europa..

The bottom photograph shows the bronze statue of the king on the Balcon de Europa. Note the snow-capped mountains in the background. It is not uncommon for the nearby peaks to acquire a covering of snow in winter.

This landmark is now a favourite local gathering place, and at dusk it is the scene of a relaxed "paseo" with families strolling arm-in-arm along the Balcon's wide avenue of palm trees.

Narrow streets between white-walled houses are common place in Nerja and in the nearby "white" villages such as Frigiliana, Torrox-Pueblo, and Competa.  Interesting shops and tapas bars abound, and restaurants are at hand to meet every taste.

Even at peak holiday times it is easy to find seclusion and tranquillity in this special region of the Costa del Sol. There are good golf courses nearby, tennis courts too, but petanque is probably the most popular local game - it's certainly catching-on with the growing expatriate community who have now formed a petanque club.

Most water sport activities are available and a large indoor swimming pool is nearing completion in Nerja. There is also a popular water park in Torre del Mar.

There are many organised trips, including walking and mountain biking tours and horse riding. Cars, scooters and mountain bikes can be readily hired.

No visit to the area is complete without a visit to Frigiliana, one of the famous Moorish white villages of Andalucia. It is located in the hills about 6 km inland from Nerja. It is very popular with tourists and there is a regular bus service from Nerja.

Here is an online map of Nerja.  You can zoom-in to see Nerja streets or zoom-out to see the surrounding area.  Click on the direction arrows to move out in any direction.  Please allow plenty of time for the download.