Nerja

Nerja is a tourism-oriented town on the Costa del Sol in the province of Malaga, which lies in one of Spain's 17 autonomous regions, Andalucía, on the country's southern, Mediterranean coast. It lies about 50 km east of the city of Málaga, and is within two hours drive of the city of Granada and skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Nerja has a long history, evidenced by the paintings found in its famous caves, discovered in 1959 and now Spain's third most-visited tourist attraction (after the Prado in Madrid and the Alhambra Palace in Granada). The Romans gave the settlement the name Detunda, and it was later taken over by the Arabs. Under the Muslims, it became "Narixa" which means abundant spring", and is the origin of its present name. It is the most eastern town in the area known as the Axarquía, and has a official population of around 20,000 - a fifth of which are foreign residents, predominantly British - although the true population is probably twice that. In the summer months, tourism swells the population to several times this. In the centre of the old town is the Balcón de Europa, a mirador or viewpoint which gives stunning views across the sea. Its name was coined by King Alfonco XII who visited the area in 1885 following a disastrous earthquake, and was captivated by the scene. Nerja has several fine beaches and one of the best climates in Europe. It is a great base for exploring the region and to enjoy its unique food and drink.