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Nerja Holiday Accommodation
Nerja
Book holiday accommodation rentals villas and apartments in Nerja direct.
Nerja is 51 kilometres from Malaga and 25 from Velez-Malaga. Its population increases considerably in summer, making it the second-largest town in La Axarqui'a and the leading tourist resort on the Costa del Sol. The municipal area occupies the most easterly region of the comarca, bordering the Province of Granada. The fields surrounding Nerja are watered by the Chillar and Miel rivers, which have their sources in the Sierra Almijara. The main source of Nerja's income is, however, tourism. The cliffs, coves and capes of its coastline attract visitors in their thousands, who find the amenities of the town ideal for making Nerja their summer residence. There are several beaches close to the town, including those of Burriana, Calahonda, La Tor-recilla, Gala de Maro and Cantarrijan, whose clear, calm waters are well-suited to the practice of all types of water sports.
Three kilometres along the road to Granada, is the Nerja Cave, close to the village of Maro. Here, cave paintings and other prehistoric remains have been discovered.
The natural beauty of these eight chambers, with their stalagtites and stalagmites, including the Chamber of the Cataclysmand that of the Cascade, a sound and light system has also been installed to increase the interest of a visit to the caves. Also, music and dance festivals are held in these chambers every summer.
The most popular spot in Nerja is the Balcon de Europa, a viewpoint on the top of the cliffs, which affords spectacular views. The most interesting buildings here include the Parish Church of El Salvador, a 17th-century Baroque work which has recently been restored. Of similar style and date is the Shrine of the Virgen de las Angustias, in which the outstanding elements are the paintings in the vaults. This area was settled in prehistoric times, as is proven by the Paleolithic re?mains found in the Nerja Cave, some 30,000 years old. Neolithic remains have also been unearthed. It was also a Roman settlement, the ruins of the Detunda villa having been found close to Maro. The Castulo-Malaca Roman road passed through what is now the municipality of Nerja, and remains of it have also been found around Maro. The town was known as Narixa to the Moors, and flourished during the occupation due to its silk trade and rich agriculture. It was taken without resistance in 1487, and the Moorish population was therefore allowed to live on in peace in Nerja until the final expulsion. The village of Maro lies some three kilometres from Nerja on the N-340 Granada road. Besides the cave and the Roman re?mains of Detunda and the road, it also contains the Parish Church of Nuestra Senora de las Maravillas and the Sugar Factory, both dating back to the 18th century. Many festivities take place in Nerja every year. On 1 5 May, there is the Romeria de San Isidro, on 23 Saint John, on 1 6 July the maritime procession for the Virgin of Carmen, and from 9-12 October the feast of the patron saint of the town. In Maro, Saint An?ton is honoured on 1 7 January, on 9 September there is the Fiesta de las Maravillas, and during the summer there is the Festival of Music and Dance.
