Exploring the surrounding area

Cuevas de Nerja

No visit to Nerja is complete without a visit to the caves which were discovered in 1959. Very atmospheric with subtle lighting, many steps and the world's longest known stalactite (63m and verified by the Guiness Book of Records). You could have a drink on the terrace at the back of the restaurant opposite, for fantastic views over the sea.

Mountain villages

  • Competa (20km), originally a Moorish settlement, now a white village with a charming village square and surrounded by vines.
  • Frigiliana (6km), a picturesque village with narrow streets. Good mountain walks.
  • Archez, further into the Axarquia, an attractive village dating from Moorish times.
  • Salares, one of the most attractive villages in the area, with traffic banned from its narrow streets.
  • Salobreña, surrounded by sugar cane, almond and custard apple trees, this small town has a lovely old part as you climb up towards the remains of the old Moorish castle.
  • Further afield towards Granada, the spa town of Lanjarón, Trevelez (the highest village in Spain) and the ski resort of Sol y Nieve are all worth a visit.

Coastal towns

  • Almuñecar although the beach is a little disappointing, the old part of town (casco antiguo) is charming.
  • La Herradura with a large horse-shoe beach is a quiet seaside town.
  • Marina del Este, a recent, small development for the boating crowd with many bars and restaurants.

Cities

Málaga is usually totally over-looked by the tourist who flies in and drives off. Park in the Larios shopping centre (follow signs for Estación RENFE — railway station) where parking for the first 3 hours is free against production of a receipt from one of the many shops. Don't linger here too long as the city (ten minutes walk) beckons with its historic monuments, horse and carriage rides along the Paseo del Parque, and lovely old squares and tapas bars. Walk up Marqués de Larios street with its smart shops into Plaza de la Constitución where you could have a drink outside the Café/Bar Central. Carry on to Plaza Merced to find the house where Picasso was born.

Granada has one of the most dramatic settings in Spain surrounded by snowy peaks and capped by one of the most beautiful palaces in the world, the Alhambra. You should not leave without visiting the Alhambra but tickets must be bought at least 24 hours in advance. Further information is available from the Nerja Tourist Office.

Further afield are the charming Andalusian cities of Cordoba and Sevilla but you would have to consider staying overnight.