Attractions

The most popular outing from Málaga and Nerja is to the Cueva de Nerja (Cave of Nerja), Carretera de Maro s/n (tel. 95-252-95-20; www.cuevadenerja.es). Scientists believe this prehistoric stalactite and stalagmite cave was inhabited from 25,000 to 2000 B.C. It was undiscovered until 1959, when a handful of boys found it by chance. When it was fully opened, it revealed a wealth of treasures left from the days of the cave dwellers, including Paleolithic paintings. They depict horses and deer, but at press time the room with cave paintings is not open to the public. You can walk through stupendous galleries where ceilings soar to a height of 60m (200 ft.).

The cave is in the hills near Nerja. From here you get panoramic views of the countryside and sea. It's open daily 10am to 2pm and 4 to 6:30pm (until 7:30pm July-Aug). Admission is 7€ ($11) adults, 3.50€ ($5.60) children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and under. Buses to the cave leave from Muelle de Heredia in Málaga hourly from 7am to 8:15pm. Return buses run every 2 hours until 8:15pm. The journey takes about 1 hour.