Category: Nerja Attractions

Semana Santa or Holy Week is from Sun, Apr 2, 2023 – Sun, Apr 9, 2023

Holy Week is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity. In Eastern Churches, which include Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran traditions, Holy Week occurs the week after Lazarus Saturday and starts on the evening of Palm Sunday.

Here in Spain, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is probably the biggest event of the calendar year. Far more important than Christmas or Day of the Kings. Most of the processions take place from Palm Sunday (Sunday before Easter Sunday) to Good Friday and Easter Saturday.

If you have never seen the Holy Week parades, then you are in for a treat. My first parade was way back in the 90s in the town of Algeciras. This is a city in the Cadiz province, not far from Gibraltar. The parade was very impressive and featured people carrying crosses, blindfolded, chained and some barefooted. Apparently, such people have made a special promise or are asking for divine favour.

Saint Patrick’s Day Friday the 17th of March 2023

What is Saint Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is the feast day (March 17) of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned about 432 CE to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools.

Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. Ireland came to celebrate his day with religious services and feasts. Check out more about Ireland’s favourite sain from Britannica.

As an ex-Irish Guardsman, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be as enthusiastic as anyone when it comes to having a little celebration.

Just like everywhere else in the world, you can find yourself in the company of Irish folk in Nerja. Cochrans, Irish Annies, The Harp, and Buskers Bar to name just a few will be bouncing with people celebrating Saint Patrick’s weekend (Yes! Some people make a weekend out of it; why not?)

Staying in Nerja for Saint Paddies Day

The best way to enjoy the weekend would be to rent a villa, apartment or townhouse. Having a base to explore, not just Nerja but, the rest of the Costa del Sol gives you freedom from hotel and resort itineraries. But, make sure that you book now as the Paddies Day festivities can attract a lot of people.

Check out the Nerja Beach Holidays website and see what is available. If you need help, we are always ready and willing to sort a villa or apartment that will suit your needs.

Come and stay with us and help to celebrate this most wonderful of Irish Holidays.

It’s a day off work tomorrow – In Andalucia, that is!

What is Dia de Andalucia?

Dia de Andalucia. Andalusia Day is celebrated on 28 February and commemorates the 28 February 1980 referendum on the Statute of Autonomy of Andalusia, in which the Andalusian electorate voted for the statute that made Andalusia an autonomous community of Spain.

Many cultural phenomena that are seen internationally as distinctively Spanish are largely or entirely Andalusian in origin. These include flamenco and, to a lesser extent, bullfighting and Hispano-Moorish architectural styles, both of which are also prevalent in some other regions of Spain.

Andalusian food comes from the southernmost region of Spain. It features plenty of fresh seafood, cured ham, local produce, traditional tapas, sugary sweets, and unique drinks such as sherry wines. Regional specialties include salmorejo, rabo de toro, mojama, torrijas, and pescaíto frito, among many more.

Dia de Andalucia, Andalusia or Andaluzia?

I’ve seen all these different ways of spelling the name “Andalucia”. The correct way to spell the name is Andalucía (with the with the accent above the “Ì”. The Arabic name Al-Andalus was originally applied by the Muslims (Moors) to the entire Iberian Peninsula; it likely refers to the Vandals who occupied the region in the 5th century

Is Nerja in Andalucía?

Nerja is situated at the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol, in the province of Malaga, 50 kilometres from the city of Malaga and within an hour and a half’s drive from Granada and the ski resort of the Sierra Nevada. 

As far as holiday locations go, Nerja is up there with the best. Famed for it’s caves, the Balcón de Europa ( a walkway that juts out into the Mediterranean Sea) and even the Paella is known worldwide, this is of course Ayo’s Paella on Burriana Beach.

Nerja Beach Holidays have villas, apartments and townhouses for self-catering holidays in Nerja. Use these accommodations to discover other parts of Andalucia, such as Ronda, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Cadiz and many for fantastic locations.

There is a fantastic website for the region called andalucia.org/

The things you see when out walking in the Spanish countryside

Wild Mushrooms

I’m no expert when it comes to flora and fauna. I am definitely not a Mycologist! (A mycologist is someone who works with fungi, which are living organisms such as molds, yeast, and mushrooms.). For this reason, my daily walk in the Andalucia countryside came up with a couple of surprises.

I live north of Nerja, about 1 hour and 10 minutes by road, just behind the Sierra Gorda mountains. The town of Villanueva del Trabuco is about 4 km away and the nearest big town is Archidona. Antequera is about 20 minutes drive away.

The barrio or area I live in is a group of four houses, surrounded by wheat fields and olive groves; lots of olive groves.

So, as you can imagine, going for a walk in the country is very easy for me.

The Weather has taken a turn for the worse

There are a couple of storms battering Europe at the minute, they are causing havoc in some places. Here, in my own area of the Malaga province, we are getting a mixed bag of rain, snow, sunshine and very cold temperatures.

The mountain behind me, Sierra de Gibalto, has a light dusting of snow while the lower grounds are wet with rain. There is also an icy wind to contend with. Nonetheless; a walk in the campo it is.

Wild Mushrooms

On the homeward leg of my daily dander in the campo, I came across an object that looked both wild and weird. At first, I thought it might be a light bulb or a part of a motorcar. Grey in colour and round and shiny, I had to have a closer look.

On closer inspection, this odd-looking, slimy dome, turned out to be some kind of mushroom. It looked as odd from close-up as it did from afar. Needless to say, I left it, unmolested, as it looked anything other than tasty.

A little further on, I spotted another “thing” growing in the wet grass. This looked more like a mushroom but, as with its friend, I wouldn’t risk frying it with a couple of eggs.

I’ve looked on the Internet to see what variety of mushroom or toadstool they are but, so far, I’ve not come up with any names. If you think you know what they are, please leave a message in the comments section of this post.

If you are staying in Nerja, take the chance of visiting the countryside, there are delightful walks, great scenery and lots of beautiful flora and fauna.

Day of the Kings 2023 – Day of the Epiphany 2023

Day of the Kings?

On January 5th, in anticipation of the Three Kings’ arrival, Spanish towns and cities across the country put on spectacular parades. This parade is known as the Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos, or the Three Kings Day parade. It brings dancers, musicians, and other brilliant performers to the streets.

How do you celebrate the day of the Kings?

Typically, children give and receive gifts on Three Kings Day. In some parts of the world (primarily in Spain), children also leave their shoes by the door so the three kings will come in the night and fill their shoes with small gifts—just like on Saint Nicholas Day! They also look forward to the food, the star of the show being the Roscon.

Why is Los Reyes Magos Important?

The day of the Epiphany occurs on 6 January and is said to be when the Three Kings or Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem to give their gifts to baby Jesus. In Spain, this day is known as Kings’ Day or the Día de Los Reyes, and is celebrated just like a second Christmas, with feasting and giving presents.

Nerja, just like towns and villages all over Spain, celebrates Los Reyes Magos or, the Day of the Kings. You can join in the fun and enjoy the day as well. If you haven’t booked yourself a villa or apartment, check out the Nerja Beach Holidays website and see what is still available.

Also, to keep up to date with what is going on in Nerja in 2023, Nerja Today is a great website for information on Fiestas and other events.

Happy New Year!

So, What are New Year and Christmas Like in Nerja?

Christmas is a great time to be in Nerja. Although Dia de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany: Day of the Kings, January 6th) is a bigger event, we have seen Christmas become bigger even as the years pass. Call it progress, call it fashion. However; There are still some great Spanish traditions that are observed.

Spain´s top Christmas traditions

The Nativity or Belen de Navidad
The Christmas tree
Villancicos or Spanish Christmas carols
Christmas sweets (turrón, polvorones and mazapan)
Cava wine
Spanish Christmas Lottery
The 12 grapes on New Years Eve
Roscón de Reyes
The Three Kings
Cesta de Navidad – Christmas basket
El Aguinaldo

When you get a few minutes, you might want to check out this website for a full description of these events.

New Year 2023

New Year’s Eve in Nerja is a splendid affair. I have spent a few great nights bopping away on the Balcòn de Europa. For a few years, we booked a New Year package at one of the restaurants on the Balcòn. This consisted of a 5-course meal with a party pack. We were released into the wild just before midnight with our party packs. These contained a bottle of Cava, a tin of small, peeled grapes, a silly hat, and an annoying thing to blow.

New Year Grapes

The Eating the twelve grapes. Tradition has it that you have to eat them one by one, in time with the striking of the clock at midnight on 31 December. If you manage to eat all the grapes in time, you are in for a year of prosperity and good luck. This is a bit tricky if it is your first time.

The trick is to get the small grapes that come in a tin, these are peeled and very small. I have seen people buying bunches of grapes, some are the size of plums. Watching people trying to swallow them can be quite concerning. For those who manage it, the coming year bodes well. Check out this great website for more about Spain during the festive season.

The Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) usually has a band playing on the Balcòn de Europa and the obligatory Scotsman, complete with kilt and bagpipes, brings in the UK New Year at 01:00 local time (00:00 UK time). I’m sorry, there is no escaping the demon pipes. (As someone who served with both Irish and Scots Guards, I can be forgiven, after all, have you ever been woken at 06:30 by bagpipes?)

The dancing and celebrations usually carry on through the early hours. It is great fun.

Covid-19 the great Spoil-Sport

During the Covid pandemic, such gatherings were forbidden and the celebrations were cancelled. Last year though, we stayed in a lovely apartment on the Gran Plaza de España in the centre of Nerja.

Gran Plaza de España 1 bedroom apartment is ideally located in the centre of Nerja. If you want to be at the heart of everything that is happening, then this is a great place to book. Gran Plaza de España apartment.

I digress: New Year’s Eve 2022 was great fun. Although large gatherings were still restricted and people were asked not to gather on the Balcòn de Europa at midnight; we did. Partying was forbidden: no Cava and no grapes. The local police were on hand to make sure everything was as it should be. The Guardia Civil also came along for the ride.

Slowly but surely, people began to gravitate towards the Balcòn and Tutti Frutti square, shopping bags in hand and looking sheepish. From all around the Church of El Salvador, the square and the Balcòn, corks started popping, people were getting ready to choke themselves on grapes and groups started to form.

True to form, as the bell started to chime in the New Year, the grapes were swallowed (or spat out to prevent foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO) the Cava consumed and people hugged and wished each other all the best for the coming year. The police had nothing to do, everything was a joyous occasion. After all, we had just come through the worst pandemic since the Spanish flu in 1918.

New Year 2023 – Book Now!

This year, if you are thinking of spending Christmas and New Year in Nerja, book early! This is one of the busiest seasons and the accommodation is snapped up. Check out the great self-catering apartments, villas and townhouses available to you from Nerja Beach Holidays.

If you need help with your booking or have questions about the accommodation, please contact NBH and we will be happy to help in any way.

You can connect to Nerja Beach Holidays from this page or call direct.

Whatsapp: (+34) 644 793 168

Using Nerja as a base, discover the joys of Antequera and all it has to offer

Antequera

Antequera is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain. It’s known for its ancient burial mounds, including the Dolmen de Menga, Dolmen de Viera and Tholos de El Romeral. The Alcazaba of Antequera is a centuries-old Moorish fortress. The vast nature preserve of Torcal de Antequera has dramatic limestone tower rock formations. Overlooking the town, Peña de Los Enamorados is a distinctive, face-shaped mountain.

Check out this great website for all the information on Antequera – See more.

I love Antequera. Imagine, if you have ever been to Granada, the city of Antequera is a smaller version. There is so much to see and do, a single day is not enough, and a week is a better option. However: if you are using Nerja and Nerja Beach Holidays as a base, take a day trip. There are often free exhibitions in the many museums, galleries and other great public buildings.

I went last week to see the CUBA 1897 exhibition and the art gallery containing works by local artists, both free of charge. Here is a link to the MAD website.

Cuba 1997 Antequera Exibition

This exhibition runs from the 23rd of September to the 27th of November 2022. There are large photographs showing the Cuban artillery pieces, the soldiers and officers as well as uniforms, insignia and other related artefacts.

Cuba rebelled against Spain

In 1894 Spain cancelled a trade pact between Cuba and the United States. The imposition of more taxes and trade restrictions prodded the economically distressed Cubans in 1895 to launch the Cuban War of Independence, a resumption of the earlier struggle. Cuba’s war of independence.

Nerja to Antequera 1 hr 11 min (102.9 km) via A-7 and A-45 by car. The car park has a 180º view of Antequera from the rooftop. This is well worth the trip.

Another pleasant place to visit is a small park dedicated to the most famous dogs from different countries; these include the likes of Lassie as well as a local here dog named ‘Ajax‘. This brave dog saved the lives of Guardia Civil officers and civilians. Park Glorieta Rojas Perez

Check out this website, if you are thinking of making the trip. There are so many places to see, great food and excellent shopping.

What are the Nerja Caves

As a regular visitor to Nerja, I have been to the caves on many occasions. I can tell you, it is well worth a visit. Along with the Balcòn de Europa, El Salvador Church and Burriana Beach, the caves make Nerja one of the most visited places on the Costa del Sol

The Caves of Nerja are a series of caverns close to the town of Nerja in the Province of Málaga, Spain. Stretching for almost 5 kilometres, the caverns are one of Spain’s major tourist attractions. Concerts are regularly held in one of the chambers, which forms a natural amphitheatre. Wikipedia

Nerja Caves in the News

The Sur in English, a free newspaper for the south of Spain is a great source of information. If there is anything happening, you bet you will hear about it in the Sur. This week’s edition has an article about the Nerja Caves.

World Tourist Day recognition for the Caves and its four discoverers

The site has received some 18.5 million people since opening to the public over 60 years ago

The most visited natural monument in Malaga province, the Nerja Cave, has received more than 18.5 million people since it opened to the public 62 years ago. To acknowledge its importance for the area, on Tuesday Nerja town hall named the caves ‘Tourist Ambassador 2022’, as part of its programme of events to mark World Tourism Day. See more.

Getting to the Caves

From the Nerja Beach Holidays accommodation, you can easily catch a bus, taxi or even walk to the caves. The walk is just about 3 kilometers and is quite pleasant. By car it takes a couple of minutes.

If you have never been to Nerja, then a visit to this natural tourist attraction really is a must. There are a lot of steps inside the caves, so, you need a good set of legs.

There is a great website that has all the information you will need. Nerja Tourismo.

BOOK NOW! WINTER HOLIDAYS IN NERJA 2022/23 – it’s never too early to book

Winter Holidays 2022/23. It is never too early to book your winter holidays. OK, it’s coming to the end of August, you may have already had your summer holidays, you may even be waiting to go on your break. Nonetheless; planning your next break is a great way to banish those end-of-summer blues.

Nerja is a very popular location all year round. Often, if you leave your plans too late, you may not get the apartment, villa or location you really want.

Nerja Holiday Villas and Apartments 2022/23

Nerja Beach Holidays are focused on providing bespoke self-catering Holiday rentals and property management services with the highest levels of customer satisfaction in Nerja, Spain (Costa del Sol).

We offer a selection of exceptional holiday apartments, villas and townhouses available to let in Nerja at the best possible prices, backed by a level of service and attention to detail. ​

Our aim is to provide you with stress-free holiday rentals. Nerja Beach Holidays are open 365 days a year. We speak Spanish, English and French. We can help you choose the perfect accommodation that suits your needs.
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Nerja Beach Holidays offers a virtual tour experience so that you can visit your future holiday accommodation yourself in 360 degrees. Your winter Holidays 2022/23 with us are guaranteed to be happy ones.

Nerja on the Costa del Sol

Nerja is a resort town along southern Spain’s Costa del Sol. Its seafront promenade, Balcón de Europa, tops a promontory with views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains.

Below it lies sandy beaches and cliffside coves. Cueva de Nerja, a nearby cavern with unusual stalactites and stalagmites, hosts popular summertime concerts. This popular tourist attraction is also known for its palaeolithic paintings, viewable by guided tour. More

There is so much to see and do in and around Nerja, you will have a fantastic holiday. Book now and get yourself one of our wonderful apartments, townhouses or villas.

We look forward to seeing you in the New Year. Please check out the main Nerja Beach Holidays website. If you need any help or have any questions, we are always happy to help. Have a great New Year, wherever you are.

What are the best things to do in Nerja? It all rather depends on how many times you have visited this fantastic coastal town.

Burriana Beach. It is a fantastic day out for the family or just the two of us. Burriana Beach has it all; sun, sea, sand and plenty of great places to eat and great shops as well. Nerja has many beaches, all of which are lovely in their own particular way.

Nerja also has a magnificent church of El Salvador, just off the Balcon de Europa. El Salvador church is beautiful inside and out and I would strongly suggest you have your camera handy, the statues, paintings and other ornaments are beautiful.

The Balcon de Europa (Balcony of Europe) is another favourite Nerja stop-off for us. I do enjoy sitting outside the hotel restaurants, ice cream and a drink and watching people walking up and down this outcrop of rock, enjoying just being there.

Best things to do Nerja according to…

TripAdvisor.com. We think everyone has read at least one review o the TripAdvisor website.

As far as we are aware, most people won’t book a vacation until they have read up on the reviews that are posted on TripAdvisor. It is a great source of information, both good and bad.

There is a posting on this site for ‘Best things to do in Nerja’ The page lists things to do or see in and around the town of Nerja and along the Costa del Sol.

Some are standard selections; Balcon de Europa, Nerja Caves, Church of El Salvador and so on. Others such as Nerja Diving gets rave reviews as does X-Bike Nerja. Check out the TripAdvisor website for more ideas.

Our advice to anyone coming to stay in Nerja with Nerja Beach Holidays is this; do your homework and research Nerja before you arrive.

Self-Catering Villas and Apartments

Having a self-catering villa, townhouse or apartment in the town allows you the freedom of movement that you don’t get with hotels or resorts. There is no itinerary to tie you down to mealtimes and so on.

Explore Nerja and the many great towns, villages and tourist attractions further afield. Some places leap to mind in an instance, such as the Alhambra Palace and Ski slopes of Granada ad the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Malaga City, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella and other great places are along the coast. Historically famous towns and cities such as Antequera, Ronda and Cordoba are within comfortable driving distance.

There are Water Parks, zoos, Galleries, golf courses and much more besides. For many people the favourites are the Alhambra Palace in Granada. Antequera for its great monuments and Ronda for its history and place in modern culture. After all, the place was a backdrop for Hemingway’s novel ‘For whom the bell tolls.

For Whom the Bell Tolls is a novel by Ernest Hemingway published in 1940. It tells the story of Robert Jordan, a young American in the International Brigades attached to a republican guerrilla unit during the Spanish Civil War.

The famous actor and writer, Orson Welles was another who fell in love with Ronda. And, like Hemingway, he is honoured with a plaque and a street named after him. The ashes of Orson Wells are buried beneath a Linden tree in Ronda on a bullfighting ranch owned by his close friend, Antonio Dornez.

Hire a Car to get the best out of your Nerja holiday

If you are hiring a vehicle, you are in for a great holiday in Andalucia. There is so much to see and do. Two weeks was never enough time. Then again, there are people who like to just chill out.

In which case, a villa, townhouse or apartment from Nerja Beach Holidays will fit the bill to perfection.
I would be interested to hear what you enjoyed most about Nerja, the Costa del Sol or Andalucia, on your visit.

Dia de la Virgen del Carmen is Celebrated all along the Costa del Sol 2022

Día de la Virgen del Carmen is celebrated on July 16th in many coastal towns and villages throughout Spain.

Places as diverse as Almuñecar, on the coast of Granada province, and Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife share the festival with many other coastal communities in Andalucia, Nerja, Murcia, Valencia, and Catalonia.