natural wonder
Caves of Nerja
Spectacular caverns containing the world's largest known stalactite and prehistoric paintings dating back 42,000 years.
3 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeSpainAndalusia
Nerja
Andalusia, Spain · Europe
About Nerja
Nerja is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Frigiliana, 3km from Caves of Nerja.
Nerja is in Andalusia, Spain, with about 22,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Frigiliana, about 4 km away.
Nerja (pronounced [ˈneɾxa]) is a municipality on the Costa del Sol in the province of Málaga in the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is part of the comarca of La Axarquía. It is on the country's southern Mediterranean coast, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Málaga.
A popular and widelyRead more
repeated folk etymology claims the name comes from Arabic for "abundant source", but the Arabic form Nāriŷa itself stems from an unknown pre-Islamic name.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Nerja?
Within an hour or so of Nerja: Caves of Nerja (3 km), Frigiliana (5 km), Alcazaba de Málaga (48 km), Costa del Sol (49 km).
Are there any good drives near Nerja?
The nearest famous roads are Pico Veleta Road, Sierra Nevada road to Pico Veleta (A-395) and Puerto de la Ragua.
Where is Nerja?
Nerja is in Andalusia, Spain, about 4 km from Frigiliana.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 21,811
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Andalusia
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 36.7528, -3.8744
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Spain
Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.
Full driving guide for SpainTags
Worth the detour from Nerja
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Frigiliana
Repeatedly voted Spain's prettiest white village, a steep tumble of geranium-draped lanes above the Costa del Sol.
5 km · about 10 min drive
castle
Alcazaba de Málaga
A well-preserved Moorish hilltop citadel overlooking Málaga's port, linked to the Roman theatre at its base.
48 km · about 55 min drive
beach
Costa del Sol
Spain's sun-drenched southern coastline stretching from Malaga to Gibraltar, famous for over 300 days of sunshine per year.
49 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Capileira
Highest of the three whitewashed villages stacked in the Poqueira gorge of the Alpujarras, its flat-roofed Berber-style houses and chimney pots facing Mulhacén. End of the paved climb on the GR-421 before the old Sierra Nevada track.
51 km · about 60 min drive
landmark
Alhambra
Stunning Moorish palace and fortress complex in Granada showcasing the finest Islamic art and architecture in Europe.
54 km · about 60 min drive
national park
Sierra Nevada National Park
Mainland Spain's highest peaks, with the Pico Veleta road climbing past alpine lakes to nearly 3,400m near Granada.
56 km · about 65 min drive
famous road
Pico Veleta Road
Europe's highest paved road climbs from Granada past the Sierra Nevada ski station toward the 3,396 m Veleta summit, with hairpins above the clouds and views to the Mediterranean.
56 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Nerja
3 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 56 kmPico Veleta RoadEurope's highest paved road climbs from Granada past the Sierra Nevada ski station toward the 3,396 m Veleta summit, with hairpins above the clouds and views to the Mediterranean.
- 57 kmSierra Nevada road to Pico Veleta (A-395)Europe's highest surfaced road climbs from Granada toward Veleta at 3,300m; the upper section is closed to cars but the ascent is superb.
Driving in Spain
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.55/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€4.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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