NERJA (Málaga) Spain Nerja is on the coast some 50 kilometres east of Málaga on the N340 coastal highway, and marks the eastern tip of Málaga's Costa del Sol. Once a sleepy fishing village, the town now has a population of over 20,000, rising dramatically with tourism in the summer months. Nerja also falls into the area known as "Axarquia" which covers the entire eastern side of the province of Málaga. It is a very attractive white town that has maintained a great charm despite growing numbers of foreign residents and tourists. The local authority adheres strictly to building regulations and new developments are built to resemble Andalucian villages. The old part of the town, full of interesting shops and tapas bars, dates from the 14th century and has a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets in typical Moorish style. Nerja was a Roman settlement known as Detunda. Ruins of Detunda have been found close to Maro just 3 kilometres to the east. The Castulo-Malaca Roman road, which linked the provinces of Jaen and Almeria passed through Nerja and the remains can be seen on the outskirts of the town along with an old Roman bridge. Later, during Moorish occupation, the town was called Narixa, and flourished from agriculture and the silk trade. Nerja also has a history of sugar cane cultivation and the remains of refineries and the amazing intact five-storey Las Aguilas aqueduct built in the 1800s, which carried water to the local Maro sugar factory, can be seen. The mountains of the Sierra Almijara, which lie to the north of the town, finish abruptly at the Mediterranean in Nerja. The magnificent cliffs form natural coves and bays which stretch for miles along this part of the coast. There are 9 kilometres of well maintained and differing sandy beaches, shared by fishermen and sunbathers. Balcony of Europe One of the most popoular spots within the town is the Balcón de Europa, built on the previous site of a 10th century castle, hanging over cliffs and beaches to gain better advantage of spectactular views. High arches and trees shade horses and carts that are transport around the town. The Promenade is lined with cafés and restaurants and in the summer is home to a multitude of artists, vendors and street musicians. Ancient cannons, which once spurned forth pirates and invaders, stand guard and add a touch of history. The parish church of El Salvador, in the same area, is 17th century Baroque-Mudejar which has recently been restored. Beaches East of the Balcon is the little Playa de el Salon, still flanked by fishermen's cottages, followed by a two kilometre stretch of Torrecillo and Playazo. In the other direction there are the beaches of Chorrillo, Carabeo, Carabeillo and Burriana. On Burriana Beach there are internationally famous fish restaurants that, due to the mild climate, are able to remain open all year. The beautiful Jardines de Capistrano Playa descend to this beach. Throughout the town there are numerous other restaurants that offer a wide variety of international cuisine. Ayo’s Merendero Burriana (Beach restaurant) Go on a Sunday and experience the traditional Spanish atmosphere with giant paella cooked over a open fire. Paella is 6 euros for as much as you can eat and there is also an a la carte menu featuring Roast Pork on a Sunday plus a wide selection of fish and meat dishes. Get there early on a Sunday as it tends to get busy from midday onwards, and be prepared to wait for a table (you have to find your own table, don’t wait to be seated by a waiter!). Also note that credit cards are not accepted, strictly cash payment only. Activities & Sports For sport lovers Nerja has its own sports stadium for athletic events and football matches as well as a public heated indoor swimming pool. The countryside around Nerja offers those not wanting to spend all their time on the beach a range of other activities. You can go walking in the Axarquia where there are plenty of trails for walkers of varying levels. You can get information and maps from the tourist office in Nerja which can be found just of the Balcon de Europa or if you would prefer to go on some organised, guided walks from Nerja. You can also go cycling or mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding or take a jeep safari. There are two options for anyone wishing to camp, the campsite on the outskirts of the town or a less organised camping area in the park above the caves. Caves of Nerja Three kilometres from the town centre are the Nerja caves where skeletal remains and artefacts, dating from 30,000BC to the Bronze Age, were discovered in 1959. Wall paintings inside the caves date from the Palaeolithic and post-Palaeolithic periods. The visitor is able to enter various different chambers including one which houses the world's widest column as well as very large independant stalactites and stalagmites. Every July a festival of flamenco music and dance is held inside the caves. Nightlife & Restaurants For those looking for nightlife you should go to Tuti Fruti Square where the disco pubs are located. Many are run by English speaking people so it should be no problem to order what you want. Nerja has much to offer for food lovers such as a wide range of fish restaurants all the way along Burriana beach where you can sample local specialities such as pescaito frito (Fried fish) and paella, many traditional tapas bars situated in the old part of the town which give a free tapa with every drink and a large number of international restaurants eg, Greek, Mexican and Indian with prices and menus to suit everyone. Festivals Many of the traditional festivals are still celebrated in Nerja some of which include the town feria between 8th October and 12th October, Holy week and the festival of San Isidro celebrated on May 15th with a parade starting at the Balcon de Europa and ending at the caves with a big country style party. Also in the Caves, the annual international music concerts and balet in the month of July. Marina Nerja, like Torrox, will also benefit from the new marina, scheduled to start in 2008/9, that will be built on the municipal border between the two towns. Frigiliana Only 7 km north of Nerja you can find the pretty white village of Frigiliana in the mountains. Several buses run daily from Nerja and it is well worth a visit if only to sample some of the local wine which tends to be a bit on the strong side. In June they run Bulls through the narrow streets. LOCAL SERVICES International telephone codes: Spain is one hour ahead of the UK most times of the year and to call the UK you need to use the 00 44 prefix and remove the 0 from the area code. Austria 43 Ireland 354 Belgium 32 Italy 39 Canada 1 Norway 47 Denmark 45 Sweden 46 Finland 358 Switzerland 41 France 33 UK 44 Germany 49 USA 1 Greece 30     Useful telephone numbers: Malaga airport (arrivals) 95 204 88 44/38 Malaga airport (departures) 95 204 88 42/48 Malaga train station 95 236 0202 Bus station 95 252 15 04 Post Office 95 252 17 49 Taxi rank - Nerja Plaza Ermita 95 252 4519 Taxi rank - Frigiliana 95 253 3231 Taxi rank - Malaga 95 232 7950 Association Taxistas 95 252 0537 Local Police 95 252 1545 Local Ambulance 95 252 3131 Ambulatorios Tourist Office 95 252 1531 Nerja Town Hall - Foreigners’ Dept. 95 254 8400 Emergency Central number for Fire, Police & Ambulance 112 Ambulance 061 Police 091 Fire Brigade 080 Guardia civil 062 Embassies & Consulates Austria 95 244 3952 Italy 95 230 6150 Belgium 95 223 9907 Low Countries 95 231 2800 Canada 95 222 3346 Netherlands 95 260 0260 Denmark 95 222 6373 Norway 95 221 0331 Finland 95 221 2435 Sweden 95 246 7195 France 95 221 4888 Switzerland 95 221 7266 Germany 95 222 7866 UK 95 235 2300 Greece 95 231 1847 USA 95 247 4891 Ireland 95 247 5108     Street Markets Nerja: Tuesdays down from Supersol past the Verano Azul Park Torrox: Mondays Torre del Mar: Thursdays Frigiliana: Thursdays Shopping in Spain Shops generally open around 10am until 1.30ish and again 5pm until 8pm Banks are open Mon to Fri from 8.30/09.00 until 2.00. They do not open again in the afternoons. Some banks do however open Saturday mornings in winter. Bus timetable Malaga to Nerja 7.00, 8.15*, 9.15, 10.30, 11.00***, 11.45, 12.30***, 13.00, 14.15, 15.15, 16.30***, 17.30***, 18.45, 19.30***, 20.15, 20.45***, 21.30, 23.00. Nerja to Malaga 6.30*, 7.30, 8.30***, 8.55, 10.10, 11.10, 11.55***, 12.40, 13.40, 14.55, 16.10, 17.10, 18.10***, 18.40, 19.40, 20.40, 21.45*** Please confirm these times with the local bus station Malaga 95 235 0061 Nerja 95 252 1504 See also, guides to Frigiliana, Torrox and Malaga, in Spain, and guides to the towns of Tangier, Asilah, and Chefchaouen in Morocco. Ibn Sadi New apartments for sale with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, swimming pool, underground parking, situated on the Burriana Beach in Nerja. Grupo Inmobiliario ESPMAR International Real Estate Agents & Developers. Agencia Inmobiliaria. Calle El Barrio, 53, 1º Nerja, 29780 (Málaga), Costa del Sol, Spain. Tel. (00 34) 95 252 8424 / 2661 Fax: (00 34) 95 252 2661 email: Contact us. Web: www.espmar.com