50 kilometers away from Malaga and a mere 45 minutes drive on the N340 highway and you will reach Nerja, Spain, an old fishing village known for its Andalucian character, cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. The heart of the village contains Balcon de Europa, a promenade built along the cliff which is lined with palm trees and has the best panoramic view of the Mediterranean. Nerja has nine sandy beaches totaling to 16 kilometer stretch.



One of best beaches in Nerja is Playa Burriana. It is tourist friendly and is teeming with shops, bars, restaurants, sunbed and umbrellas for hire! The beach itself is a mix of small stones and sand ? the perfect materials for building sand castles.

One of the most spectacular places to visit in Nerja is the Cueva de Nerja, considered as one of the most historic places in the world housing archeological remains dating as far back as the Paleolithic age. Today, one of its natural caverns serve as a concert hall where many performances of local musicians are held.

Another place you should not miss visiting is Frigiliana, an Andalucian mountain village located 6 kilometers away from the city center. The heart of the village has retained its old world charm ? a pride upheld by its residents. Every morning, you will see women sweeping the streets and watering their plants on hanging baskets and pots. Some vacation homes are also located here so if you want to sleep under an air of the old Spanish, this is the way to go. Hidden away in the corners at the top of the steep hills are bars and restaurants serving great local specialties. Barely out of Frigiliana on the Frigiliana-Torrox road you will find a natural park which can lead you to the remains of the Frigiliana Castle ? one of the best picnic spots in Nerja.

If you want to go to off for a hike, the Rio Chillar Waterfall is your best destination. The waterfall is found amidst the pine trees and its sight and sound are great ways of relaxing and communing with nature. The best thing about Rio Chillar is that you can reach it in 10 to 15 minutes even when you're on foot.

If you follow the riverbed past the waterfall towards La Tercera Fabrica, you will see a steep man made slope going up. Here you can begin an hour and a half walk to enjoy the cool air and scenery. Keep your eyes open for wildlife and as the greenery fade away, you will find yourself in a narrow pass and a series of dams which makes the path a bit tricky. Follow that path and you will reach the Vado de los Patos, an area where the river is surrounded by rocks and fallen trees which makes for a great natural swimming pool.

Looking for great food? Try the gazpacho, a cold Spanish soup which is very refreshing on a hot summer day. Casa Luque at the city center serves the best version of this dish. Paellas cooked in huge pans over log fires are one of the main attractions in Ayo's, a famous restaurant located at Burriana beach. Seafood paella is one of the bestsellers in this restaurant. How about a cold bottle of beer? Alhambra beer is voted most popular in this area.