Nerja is on the seashore some 50 kilometres from Malaga on the N340 coastal highway, not far from Torrox Costa and Torre del Mar, and marks the eastern tip of Malaga's Costa del Sol (most famous for Puerto Banus). Once a sleepy fishing village, the town now has a population of over 12,000. Nerja boasts 16 kilometres of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water. All major water sports are available here, including water skiing, scuba diving and sailing, much like Sotogrande on the Eastern end of the Costa del Sol. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes here to choose from, and the visitor can hire a horse-drawn carriage to explore the most romantic corner of the town. The town's monuments include the 17th century Church of El Salvador, in a style which is a charming mixture of baroque and Moorish, or mudéjar, and the beautiful Gardens of Capistrano Playa, which descend to Burriana Beach.
However, Nerja's most spectacular attraction is undoubtedly its fascinating caves, located just three kilometres from the centre of town. They include archaeological treasures such as paintings over 20,000 years old and other pre-historic remains. One of the enormous natural caverns has been transformed into a concert hall, where many performances are staged during the summer. This year Nerja is celebrating the 38th International Cave Festival, with the participation of many top international entertainers. Nerja cuisine includes several specialities including De La Doncella (red mullet) and pescaito frito (fried fish) and ranging from top international cuisine to the ubiquitous sausage, eggs and chips! Should this be interesting to you, maybe areas like Competa, Coin, and Cartama and the more central Benavista will also be of interest.