Nerja...... Is it worth a visit ?

[scotty]

My good wife & I arrive on tuesday at 11.30 am and depart thursday at 9.30 pm . Normally we head down to the apartment and enjoy the short break. This time she suggested we go to Nerja and mooch around for the afternoon & then head back down to our place beyond san pedro de alcantara. So my question is ....... what to see in nerja ? where to eat ? Is it worth the diversion for us to see the town ? All comments welcome.

[Devils Advocate]

It's just simply a nice place Scotty...well worth a visit.

[scotty]

How far from the airport ? Parking etc etc

[Mowser]

50 minutes from the airport. There are numerous parking places (paying), but it's best to head for the Hotel Riu Monica. There are loads of parking places available. Once there, head for the Balcon de Europa.

[katy]

I like it for a few days. Best to stay over night and have a look at some of the inland villages and Maro too. Some decent places to eat in the evening too. Avoid those touristy ones on the beach. We have stayed at the Balcón hotel a few times, parking is a pain but it's worth it for the views. Once you get away from the hell hole of málaga ring road it is a pleasant drive.

[IreneD]

We love Nerja. We park in The Boat car park, (after you drive in across the bridge, turn right, you can see the boat, head for it and you will find the car park) and walk to the Balcon, about a 10 minute walk. Lots of nice little coves, lovely views from the Balcon and nice walks around the streets there.

[El Cid]

The car park you refer to - Verano Azul - is now almost closed as the Mad Mayor has turned it into another football pitch! There are about 20 spaces left.

Parking in Nerja is becoming a sick joke.

Sid

[Laslomas]

Yes, definately worth a visit. It is very different from the places west of Malaga with more of a villagy feel to it. On street parking has improved now we are out of the main season, but it's probably better to head for the free open air parking on the area used as the Feria ground. This is central to the old town and signposted, but if unsure follow the signs to the Parador Hotel then follow to the parking. If possible avoid the pay parking, I think it is the most expensive around, probably on par with central Malaga. Last week I went into the parking at Benalmadena port and found that to be less than half the cost of parking in Nerja. We do have a Mad Mayor as Sid says, I don't think he likes tourists. He doesn't seem to realise they are now the 'bread and butter' for Nerja and they are needed badly to help turn round the economy.

[frank]

Parking in Nerja is becoming a sick joke.

Sid

Always loads of room in the feria ground, although last time we were there I see that had a load of building supplies on it!

[El Cid]

Always loads of room in the feria ground, although last time we were there I see that had a load of building supplies on it!

True but it's not much use if you want to get to the other end of town which we do frequently.

Verano Azul was a perfectly good, free car park and now they are digging it up. Why on earth they want another football pitch I cannot imagine - they rarely use the existing one.

They should put in parking meters like they have done in Almunecar - it solved the parking problem overnight as people were forced to use their own car parks under their apartment blocks rather than parking in the streets.

Sid

[Laslomas]

Just thought, they will shortly be closing the Feria ground parking as they will be starting to prepare it ready for the Feria. Possibly ok for this week though.

[Devils Advocate]

I think the problem with Nerja parking is everyone wants to park within 20 paces of the Balcon.

Turn right after the bridge as suggested, past Mas supermarket and there are always specs to be had further down. Bit of a hike but it keeps you fit

[quebin]

Frigiliana is well worth a visit too,it's a bit hilly but whenever we have visitors we always have a trip to there & everyone has enjoyed it.

[frank]

I think the problem with Nerja parking is everyone wants to park within 20 paces of the Balcon.

Then they'll have to pay to use the underground parking!

[markwilding]

A little bit of Nerja trivia

Anybody know why 'Verano Azul' is a name that often pops up in Nerja?

[Mowser]

Verano azul was a famous Spanish television show directed by Antonio Mercero that first aired in 1981. It tells of the adventures of a group of youngsters between ages 9 and 17, while on summer vacation in Nerja.

[Laslomas]

Verano Azul was a TV series set in Nerja in the early 80's.
There are some clips on You Tube, lovely to see how Nerja used to be.
Now the boat from the series is at the entrance to the Verano Azul car park and people are always going there to take photos by it.

Mowser you beat me to it!!!!

[markwilding]

And it used to be broadcast on TVE every summer for about 25 years.

[Miro]

Don't swim in the sea

[IreneD]

That's interesting - I had no idea the boat was used in a t.v. series. What a pity about the car park, oh well, as DA says, there are places further down and this time of year, walking for a while shouldn't turn me into a sweaty, exhausted heap

Miro, we always swim in the sea, so far it hasn't done us any harm, we do keep out if the brown sludge is there