Car Hire Nerja - Mini guide to Nerja

Nerja, marking the eastern tip of Malaga's Costa del Sol, is located between the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and the sparkling Mediterranean. Being one of Spain's richest farming areas, Nerja is known as the Garden of Europe.

The spectacular Balcón de Europa, the Balcony of Europe, a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, was once the site of the great Moorish castle, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below.

Flanked by a dramatic mountain range, Sierra Almijara to the east, the town has, fortunately, managed to avoid being blighted by the tourist boom. The old quarter of the town is still virtually unchanged with narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses with wrought iron terraces. The town's monuments include the 17th century Church of El Salvador, in a style which is a charming mixture of baroque and Moorish, and the beautiful Gardens of Capistrano Playa, which descend to Burriana Beach.

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. 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.

Nerja's most spectacular attraction is its fascinating caves, located just three kilometres from the centre of town. They include archaeological treasures such as paintings over 20,000 years old and other pre-historic remains. One of the enormous natural caverns has been transformed into a concert hall where many performances are staged during the summer.

Malaga Airport is located about 50km from Nerja.