The town started in the 10th century as a Moorish farming community with also a flourishing industry of silk weaving.  Twenty thousand years ago it was inhabited by Palaeolithic man and evidence of this can be found by visiting the caves at Maro found this century by a local boy and his young friends whilst playing.

Luckily tourism has not spoilt this part of Spain, with its narrow cobbled streets full of quaint shops and characteristic tapas bars where one can take a drink and try out some of the local specialities.

Though still an Andaluz community of character, Nerja springs to life during the summer months with visitors from all over the world.

Nerja, some 50 kilometres east of Malaga, lies the pretty fishing village of Nerja.  famous for it's underground caves and Balcón de Europa.  The Balcón is a tree-lined promenade with cafes down one side and is enormously popular with locals and visitors alike as a meeting place.  The semicircular viewpoint perches on a rocky outcrop, giving spectacular views in both directions along the coast. The village of Nerja has now grown into a bustling tourist town, but still remains all the character and charm of yester year, you can still buy fresh fish caught that morning from the local fishermen, you will hear the flute of the knife sharpener as he pedals his cycle around the town, and watch the farmers plough the fields with a traditional hand plough pulled by an ox, or goat herder following his flock

All the surrounding countryside of Nerja is still farmland and is called the salad bowl of Europe. and you can buy fresh local produce in all the shops. The farmland is still irrigated by a complex series of aqueducts and channels dating back to the beginning of the

19th century, a fine example of which can be seen some kilometres east of Nerja just before the village of Maro.

Nerja is a traditional Andalucian town of narrow winding streets, iron balconies, red tiled roofs and has a backdrop of the Sierra Almijara mountains, which protects the town and give it its microclimate.  Nerja town boasts no less than 7 beaches some of which can be seen from the lovely coastal path walkway which starts from the fishermans beach Calahonda. in the east side of the Balcón de Europa in the centre of town, and meanders its way through palm trees and cliffs to the famous Burriana Beach the last beach of Nerja, giving you a chance to sample all the coves and inlets along its route.  West of the Balcón are the Salon and Torricillla. beaches, each have their own individual charm and are separated by rocky outcrops, ideal for those who love to snorkel or scuba dive.