Nerja is a beautiful Spanish town and has retained its Spanish character even though it is a very popular tourist resort. It has managed to keep it's Spanish feel by careful planning and remains one of the least-spoiled area of the Costa del Sol and unlike so many of the former small fishing villages to the west of Malaga, Nerja's development over the last 35 years has been slow and measured. There’s something about Nerja which touches visitors. with one of the best climates in Europe, the welcome is undeniably warm.
Nerja, originally named Narixa, meaning 'rich in water”, has many legends and stories which have been passed by word of mouth across the centuries, stemming from romance between the sun, moon and sea. The sea has always been - and still remains - the soul of the town. Thousands of visitors have chosen Nerja as their idyll; clean, shingle beaches, the charisma of the people, the gentle way of life and traditionally rich Andalusian culture. Nerja's beaches, El Playazo, La Torrecilla, El Salon, Calahonda, El Chorillo, and Burriana stretch over 16 km of fine sand and clear waters.
So, what is the attraction? Why do so many people decide that Nerja is their ideal place in the sun? The climate is a factor, of course. The average annual temperature is around 19°F (about 66°C), with highs in the Summer of over 30 C (86°F) in July and August which enjoy many cloudless days. Even then, in Summer Nerja tends to be 8 or 10 degrees cooler than the searing heat in cities such as Cordoba, where temperatures of over 40°C (104°F) are not uncommon.
Nerja retains its traditional festivals: the Fair, Holy Week (Easter), the San Isidro pilgrimage and the festivals of San Juan and Día del Carmen are also celebrated in their own special way. There are a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. Of particular note is the acclaimed “Nerja Caves Festival”, wich takes place amongst stalactites and stalagmites, wich were formed over millions of years. The Nerja Caves are currently the 3rd most visited monument in the whole of Spain.