Introduction to Nerja

52km (32 miles) E of Málaga, 168km (104 miles) W of Almería, 548km (340 miles) S of Madrid

Nerja is known for its good beaches and small coves, its seclusion, its narrow streets and courtyards, and its whitewashed flat-roofed houses. Nearby is one of Spain's greatest attractions, the Cave of Nerja.

At the mouth of the Chillar River, Nerja gets its name from the Arabic word narixa, meaning "bountiful spring." Its most dramatic spot is the Balcón de Europa (Balcony of Europe), a palm-shaded promenade jutting out into the Mediterranean. The walkway was built in 1885 in honor of a visit from the Spanish king Alfonso XIII in the wake of an earthquake that had shattered part of nearby Málaga. To reach the best beaches, head west from the Balcón and follow the shoreline.