The heart of Nerja is its spectacular Balcón de Europa, the "Balcony of Europe", a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff. Once the site of the great Moorish castle, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains.

Flanked by a dramatic mountain range, Sierra Almijara, to the east, the town has, fortunately, managed to avoid being blighted by the concrete high-rise scenario which has been the inevitable result of the tourist boom in some of the coastal resorts. Nerja boasts 16 kilometres of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water. All major water sports are available here, including water skiing, scuba diving and sailing.

The town's monuments include the 17th century Church of El Salvador, in a style which is a charming mixture of baroque and Moorish, or mudéjar, and the beautiful Gardens of Capistrano Playa, which descend to Burriana Beach. However, Nerja's most spectacular attraction is undoubtedly the Nerja Caves . The old quarter of the town is still virtually unchanged with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses with wrought iron terraces overflowing with geraniums, on which a canary can sometimes be heard singing.

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes here to choose from, and the visitor can hire a horse-drawn carriage to explore the most romantic corner of the town. This is the restaurant which sits at the extremity of the balcon and overlooks the sea and the surrounding mountains. Nerja has some fantastic restaurants and this is one of its favourites where you can sit and eat and listen to the sea which
surrounds you.

What more can you ask for? Nerja has earned its popularity with its typically Spanish relaxed and peaceful ambience and its variety of entertainment for both young and old. Religious ceremonies in Spain are spectacular and none more so than in Nerja at Easter or Christmas, definitely something not to be missed.