A unique climate, skiing and tropical vegetation

Nerja is located on the coast where the Costa del Sol merges into the Costa Tropical. The high mountains that surround the city combined with the proximity to the coolness of the sea help to create a protected zone with pleasant summers and mild winters - a unique climate in Europe. It rarely gets above 30 degrees in the summer, and during the winter the temperature rarely drops below 15 degrees. Nerja is extremely fertile, and colorful flowers and tropical fruits such as avocado, papaya and mango spread out and paint an unbeatable exotic setting. Here there is proximity to beautiful hiking trails in the Almijara mountains, water sports, golf and diving. The city is also only 1.5 hours from the Sierra Nevada and its wonderful ski slopes. This makes Nerja and the Costa del Sol one of the few places in the world where you can ski during the day and take a dip in the sea at night!

Sierra Nevada

For wonderful skiing, you can easily get there by car from Nerja and and the trip takes about 90 minutes and the ski season extends from December to April. Sierra Nevada, Andalusian mountain range in the south Spain and Europe's southernmost ski resort. The ski resort is located at the mountain range's next highest peak, Pico del Veleta, 3,398 m a.s.l. The resort Sierra Nevada itself is located at an altitude of approx. 2,100 meters. The the southern location at high altitude offers good snow supply and very good sun chances. The resort was built in the 60s and 70s for ski tourism and is thus a practical and well-designed ski resort. Here you will find everything you need for a successful and slightly different skiing holiday! Since ski areas are at such a high altitude, the snow supply is good and high during the winter months. It is also worth knowing that there is an excellent facility with snow cannons, among the best in Europe.

In Sierra Nevada has 18 green pistes, 40 blue, 50 red and 8 black slopes. About thirty modern lifts take you around the system. In short – something for everyone. There are good opportunities for off-piste skiing via the lift system and the area is known for relatively low avalanche risk. The ski area is divided into several smaller areas:Area Borreguiles, Area Cahuchiles – Parador, Area Laguna Las Yeguasand Area Loma de Dílar are the largest. The lift system is modern and of high class. The ski area is similar to the larger Swedish ones the areas such as Åre and Sälen in their design and offer pistes for everyone, from beginners to advanced skiers.

There is also a large park, Superpark Sulay,r where you can test challenging half-pipes, jumps and rails for both skiers and boarders. Here you will find Spain's largest half-pipe at a whopping 6 by 165 meters. It is very well maintained and well groomed.

Sierra Nevada, Andalusia mountain range in southern Spain and Europe's southernmost ski resort. The ski resort is located at the mountain range's next highest peak, Pico del Veleta, 3,398 m above sea level.

Själva orten Sierra Nevada ligger på ca 2 100 meters höjd. Det sydliga läget på hög höjd erbjuder god snötillgång och mycket goda solchanser. Orten är byggd på 60- och 70-talet för skidturism och är således en praktisk och väldesignad skidort. Här hittar du allt du behöver för en lyckad och lite annorlunda skidsemester!

Fakta:

• The facility in the village is called Pradollano (located at 2,100 meters)
• Most of the ski area is on the northern slopes of Veleta, which is also the third highest peak in mainland Spain
• Located in the Penibético mountain range in the Sierra Nevada National Park and only 27 km from the center of Granada, you will find the lowest point in the resort at 2,100 meters and the highest at just over 3,300 meters above sea level
• The facility offers 115 slopes with more than 105 km of wonderfully ski-friendly slopes, of which 4,000 meters are divided into blue slopes, 9,000 meters into black slopes, 5,000 meters of red and 1,600 meters of green slopes. In addition, there are ski tracks for cross-country and snowshoeing.
• The ski lifts have a capacity for 45,555 skiers per hour. There are 2 large cable cars, 17 chair lifts, 2 T-bar lifts, 2 magic carpets and a tow lift
• Today you can find a modern artificial snow system consisting of 353 cannons that cover more than 35 km of ski slopes in total
• There is a huge freestyle superpark, with a halfpipe and a total of 70 obstacles, known as the Sulayr park
• The resort is run by a private/public company and last hosted the Alpine WC in 1996 and Sierra Nevada has also been chosen to host the winter games "World University Games" in February 2015.

Hiking

Two protected areas border the Nerja settlement - Sierra de Tejada and Almijarra Natural Park , as well as the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo natural area. All locations offer fantastic hikes.

El Cielo, which correctly translates to "The Sky", is the highest mountain along the coast in the area at 1,508 meters. A hike to the top gives adrenaline to your senses. The mountain is easily accessible and offers unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape. On a clear and fine day you will have an unobstructed view over the entire Costa del Sol, all the way from Almunecar to Malaga, as well as all the high peaks of the Sierra de Tejeda and large parts of the North African coastline.

You need to be trained and watch out but hiking up to El Cielo is an experience you will never forget.

Rio Chillar, Rio Higueron, Sierra de Tejada, Almijara naturpark m.m.

As the city has such an unusually beautiful location, wedged between the mountains and the sea, and inherent harmony in both nature and the population, it has also become very popular to organize Yoga and meditation trips and hiking trips to the area. The most famous hiking trail in Nerja is the Rio Chillar. The surroundings are spectacular and teeming with birds, butterflies, dragonflies, wild flowers and cane sugar. Rio Chillar is also unique in that the trail is covered in a lot of shade, plus the river cools down the hikers.

Other very popular areas for getting out into nature and hiking are the protected natural areas of Sierra de Tejada and the Almijara Natural Park.

The highest coastal mountain in the area is El Cielo (which means "the sky") and it is 1508 meters above sea level. The mountain is easily accessible (well) and must be climbed if you want to witness the most beautiful views in Europe! On a clear day you can see the entire Costa del Sol from the mountain, from Almunecar to Malaga – as well as the nearby mountain peaks and the North African coastline.

Details of Rio Chillar and Rio Higueron

The two most common hiking trails are the Rio Higueron which is dry at certain times of the year and the Rio Chillar where you walk in the river plus mountains. Rio Higueron takes 1.5-2 hours and Rio Chillar takes 4-6 hours with a lot of mountains at the end. In winter, Rio Chillar is recommended as there is less water there then.

Rio Cillar: Do this hike in the morning and it is usually not slippery and the climb is "gentle". For a slightly shorter hike, you can drive up to the road that goes under the highway, a little way up the street there is a large parking lot. When you get to the first dam, which is just after you go through high rock walls, you have about 1 hour left to the bigger water fall, clearly worth going all the way. Bring coffee and water and wear good shoes that can withstand water. And of course swimwear and a small towel so you can swim in the waterfall.​

Rio Higueron: A very popular activity is to hike in the riverbed and gorge up to the mountain village of Frigiliana, alternatively from Frigiliana down to Nerja. You really get out into nature and get to experience walking in the river, beautiful nature with lots of flowers and a little excitement at some passages. In Frigiliana you have a nice tour of the village, which won the prize as Spain's most beautiful. Lunch is recommended at a nice little restaurant with a terrace and a view, e.g. Gustos. You can either take a bus to/from Nerja to/from Frigiliana or a taxi. The trip is about 5 km and takes 1.5-2 hours depending on the pace you choose to walk.

Caminito del Rey

Caminito del Rey – The King's Path, is located at El Chorro north of Malaga. What until a few years ago was considered the world's most dangerous hiking trail, now qualifies as one of Andalusia's new major tourist attractions.

The trail was originally a way for workers at a power station, located in a deep gorge, to transport themselves and materials between different parts of the gorge. The trail fell into disrepair and became a dangerous playground for adventurers and "daredevils". The Spanish authorities were eventually forced to close the trail after several people plunged to their deaths. After 4 years of restoration work, the new Caminito del Rey was completed in April 2015. Now a very safe, but still highly dramatic, walk along the vertical slopes of the gorge.

Tips for your visit to Caminito del Rey

Order tickets online well in advance of the visit and print the ticket at home. Some periods are fully booked for weeks ahead. Entradas Ultima Hora is ordering tickets for the next few days and Entradas General later on.

It is well signposted, but also poorly. Is Caminito del Rey on signs both to the start at the top and to the end at the bottom. You have to start at the top because the trail is one-way. So follow signs Caminito del Rey Norte, not Sur.

From the parking lot to the start of the trail, it is between 2 and 3 km of hiking, depending on where you can find parking. This takes about 30 – 45 minutes, and you should be at the start about 30 minutes before your entrance time. Take this into account when adjusting time. There is a parking lot at the beginning when you get close, but more further on. Admission takes place with approx. 50 people every quarter.

The trail itself takes about 2 hours to hike. No high-heeled shoes, no flip flops, no dogs, etc. Make sure you have a return journey to the car park on your pre-ordered ticket. The buses run approximately every 30 minutes, sometimes more often if there are many people. The trail itself is not difficult to walk. However, the path to the trail is a bit more difficult. If you are afraid of heights, the trail might be a little difficult, but you can always hold on to the railing along the mountain, but you have to cross the last bridge. Once you have reached the end station and left your helmet, it is about 1 km to the return bus. It is poorly signposted there, but the bus comes to the railway station.

Running

It is very popular to walk or jog early in the morning in Nerja. If you are not satisfied with running along the N-340 which runs through the whole of Nerja, Anders Kleist gives tips on more advanced running sessions:http://springlfa.se/pro-life/Five good passes from Anders:

• 8km 500hm climb up to the foot of El Cielo. Threshold intervals steep slope on the program. First run wrong path 5min bonus interval. Then 10min (1km, 300hm) + 10min (1km, 270hm) + 5min (running wrong again) +15min (climbing, the path no longer exists, reaching the top at 1500m). After that the legs just shook at the top and it was 12 long rocky demanding km home. Total 3h.
• Asphalt long pass 35km. Begins with tough legs, the road is hilly. Gets to the first mile in 42min, a 2km hill with 150hm. Second mile of 42 another 2km hill. Then a fifth in 21 with another 2km hill and finish with a 37min mile after picking up the pace with 7km to go, where there was also such a damn hill. Total 2.22 and around 1000hm.
• Track intervals (400-800-1200-1600)*2, 3min speed + 3km in 3.10.
• Peak ride towards Navachica. Discovered after 1.48h that it was a long way to go, turns up, takes Almenjedo (1530m) and rolls home. A total of 4 hours and a lot of height meters and rock scrambling.
• The ski lifts have a capacity for 45,555 skiers per hour. There are 2 large cable cars, 17 chair lifts, 2 T-bar lifts, 2 magic carpets and a tow lift
• La Maroma. The area's highest mountain. Took the car to the foot itself, parked, ran a little wrong. But then it was just me and the other goats who set off for the top. At the top it was ashen, but 2080 möh sat where it should anyway. Good thing I took the opportunity to take it because now the top looks dangerously white...

Right at the entrance to Maro, there is an outdoor gym. If you walk, cycle or drive from Nerja, you will find it easily!

On this website you will find lots of running routes in Nerja:http://www.mapmyrun.com/es/nerja-andalusia/

This website also has running routes:https://www.wikiloc.com/trails/running/spain/andalusia/nerja

Biking

A few hundred meters from the apartment is Nerja's best bike rentalhttps://www.xbikenerja.com/english/home/

On facebook there is a group called "Nerja & Torrox Coasters". Join there and there are tips on cycle routes and also events where you can participate and cycle in a group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1983726098579656/

The group is in English and here is a description:

About the group Introduction:

NTC group was formed out of a common interest in safe, gentle, and regular road cycling events with friends including a social aspect. The format typically is: flat, uphill, coffee, downhill, Tapas/beer – conversations and laughs included!

NTC members ride together and take safety seriously, looking out for each other as we discover the beautiful coastline and countryside. We also try different cafes and tapas bars (and we have some favourites). If this approach to road cycling interests you, then why not join us. If you are new to road cycling or making your way back after time out, our events may be ideal.

All riders take part in the group runs at their own risk. Consider your own insurance needs. In particular ensure that you have Third Party (Public Liability) insurance that covers you whilst cycling. Although this is not a legal requirement, the current "sue everyone for everything" attitude makes insurance essential.

All riders capable of riding profile below are welcome! whether permanent residents or occasional visitors. Cycling group for coasters not racers. See 'Events' for next rides which will be typically Tuesdays and Fridays depending on weather. There is no membership fee. Road bikes or hybrid bikes suitable for most rides. The actual route is determined by the ride leader on the day. Road bike surfaces, ride 50 to 80 km, 20 ish kmh average, hills to 8% typical, coffee half way, tapa/beer at the end. OR Flat, uphill, coffee, downhill, coast, tapa/beer – 4 to 5 hours in total.

Riding with us:

Group rides start Tuesdays and Fridays at 09:30 from the Paraiso Circle (Punta Lara/Tropicana Circle) on N340 west of Nerja, 300m after The Marinas Hotel. Riders from further afield can leave their cars here. Rides that go via Torrox Costa can be met at the main Torrox Costa/Pueblo circle in the Aldi car park at 09:45. Be sure to join at one of the 2 start points or make specific arrangements through this Facebook page or Facebook Messenger to meet along the route. You should always let us know you intend to ride through this Facebook page (comment or click ‘Going’) or Facebook Messenger as we may not wait at a start point once all ‘known’ riders have arrived.

Safety:

Helmets must be worn. When groups become spread or detached, we always wait at the next junction. Only ride 2 abreast when the traffic is light and it is safe to do so. Please carry your EHIC or Residency ID or proof of medical insurance. For further guidelines on safety and etiquette, see 'Albums' (click 'Photos' then 'Albums') which contains typical cycling tips on safety, etiquette and risk management

Joining:

When joining the NTC group, please provide your contact mobile number and have this phone with you and switched on during rides. All riders to also provide an emergency contact number (someone who knows important details). All details provided are kept in strictest confidence. Här är tips på en cykeltur: Cykla upp till Frigiliana fortsätt förbi F och ta vägen åt vänster och fortsätt på slingrande vägar och kom ner bakom Torrox Pueblo, läge för lunchstopp i denna charmiga by, sedan rullar ni ner mot Torrox costa och kustvägen tillbaka mot Nerja.

Golf

There are 4 fine golf courses near Nerja, we mention them below:

Baviera Golf 18 holes, par 71

Get here: From Nerja, take the highway towards Malaga, drive about 15 minutes, take the exit at Caleta de Velez, here is this nice course by the Mediterranean Sea.

Añoreta Golf 18 holes, par 72

Getting here: From Nerja, take the motorway towards Malaga drive past Baviera Golf, drive another 10 minutes and here you will find Añoreta Golf. The track has the same design as Baviera and is in the same style.

Club de Golf los Moriscos 18 holes, par 70

Get here: This golf course is located in the province of Granada, 39 km east of Nerja. Nicely located in a sports and leisure area with large greens and generous water hazards. The clubhouse is nice and has a large restaurant.

Santa Clara Golf Club 18 holes, par 72

Find here: Located about 1 hour's drive from Nerja, just south of Granada, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. This is a new championship course where great consideration has been given to nature and vegetation during the construction of the golf course.

Frigiliana

Andalucia's most beautiful village is a historic gem up in the Almijara mountains. The village, which is something of a suburb of Nerja, is a traditional stronghold for cultural figures and has won several Spanish awards for its unadulterated Spanish charm, and architectural beauty.

The residents of Frigiliana take great pride in their village, and take care to keep it stunningly clean and beautiful. Walking down Frigiliana's narrow cobbled streets and witnessing the architecture and people is like being in another place and time!

One of the favorites as always, is to wander the streets through the award-winning neighborhood of Mudéjar. Lunch or tapas with a breathtaking view. Many of the restaurants and bars have roof terraces with views of the village and valley below. Recommended are La Taberna del Sacristan (Plaza de la Iglesia, 3) and The Garden Restaurant (Calle Santo Cristo s / n - thegardenfrigiliana.com). Both offer a fantastic view and also delicious dishes in the same class. If you fancy something simpler like tapas, Restaurante Al Fuente (Calle Real 32) and the sweets you can find in the shop La Tienda (Calle de la Iglesia 7) are delicious.

Get out into nature. Frigiliana is a perfect starting point for exploring the surrounding Sierra de Tejada Almijara Natural Park. Pozo Batan Alberca - Frigiliana's Natural Pool. Swimming is not officially allowed, but locals and visitors alike swim here when the heat hits. Be careful if you plan to swim, especially with children. Jumping from the surrounding walls is not recommended.

Visit the lost village of Acebuchal. This activity should be high on all visitors' lists and if you have the opportunity to see the area, you should not miss it.

Frigiliana is located just above Nerja. Follow the A7 / E15 until you reach the exit for Nerja and Frigiliana, exit 292. Go left over the roundabout and continue straight across to the next one, where you will take the MA-5105 in the mountains (you can't miss it). This road winds around and climbs up the mountain which eventually takes you to Frigiliana, there is only one road. There is a large municipal car park at the entrance to the village which is the best place to park. Do not try to drive around the central part of the village. Several roads are car-free and those who are not used to steep and narrow roads should just take a walk instead. Leave driving to the locals. Parking is more difficult on Thursdays and also when school starts at 9am and ends at 2pm. There are buses that depart from Nerja to Frigiliana. The journey takes about 15 minutes and costs about one euro. A taxi journey from Nerja to Frigiliana should cost between €10-15 depending on the time of day.

Torrox

Torrox is a cozy town found between Torre del Mar and Nerja. Torrox can be divided into two parts, Torrox Costa, which is down by the sea, and Torrox Pueblo, which is found a few kilometers inland. Torrex Pueblo is a fine old Arab village with narrow, steep streets with white houses clinging to the slope of the mountain.

Torrox's coastal strip is 3 km long. The largest beach in Torrox Costa is called Playa Ferrara and here you can walk along the Paseo Maritimo promenade, which is lined with shops and restaurants.

Behind Torrox there are nice hiking trails that you can walk on if you want to get out into nature and get exercise as well as view the beautiful surroundings. From the top of the mountain you have an incredible view of the landscape. You can also hike along the Torrox river if you want to have an exciting experience and see something new.

La Herradura

La Herradura is well known for the beautiful bay shaped like a horseshoe, hence the name, and the special surroundings with high mountains and outstanding views. As La Herradura's beach is located between two headlands, the beach is almost always sheltered from strong winds. The resort is a favorite for many who like water sports, especially diving and sailing. There is a nice marina with a selection of restaurants and shops.

Torre del Mar

Torre del Mar is located on the eastern part of the coast and was until the 70s a small fishing village. The city belongs to the municipality of Velez-Malaga in the region of Axarquia in Andalusia. The city is a genuine Spanish community where it has been possible to preserve the genuine Spanish atmosphere even if the increasing tourism and outside influences could have affected.

Here there are many restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, banks, post office, pharmacy, police station, hospital and a small market hall. Every Thursday there is a street market. There are many parking lots and garages to park in when you want to visit the city.

Almunecar

Almunecar is only 16 kilometers east of Nerja, and the coastal road between the two towns is nothing short of amazing! Almunecar has a history that stretches back more than 3,000 years. Here you will find Roman aqueducts, the ancient castle Castillo de San Miguel which is believed to date back to the Phoenicians, and many other places of historical interest.

The Castle of Almunecar - Almunecar also belongs to the Costa Tropical, i.e. the tropical part of the Costa del Sol, and is therefore a very popular holiday destination due to its superb weather. The name of the city comes from the Moorish word Narixa, which means "rich in water".

You will also find the historic cities of Seville, Granada and Cordoba within easy driving distance of Nerja. In addition, the motorways on the Costa del Sol are well developed so it is easy to get there by car, and the new train line between Malaga and Madrid was recently inaugurated. The ultra-modern AVE train reaches speeds of up to 350 km/h and the journey time to the capital is around 2.5 hours!

Markets

Nerja Tuesdays 10-14 and Sundays 10-14

There is a market at Almijara II in Nerja at 10.00-14.00 every Tuesday. If you can't find it, it's easiest to simply get into a taxi and ask to go to the local market. It costs 7 euros as always. The market sells everything from clothes, bags and shoes to fruit and vegetables at good prices. By all means, don't forget to haggle. It is included. However, not on fruit and vegetables.

The Sunday market or Thieves' market is a gadget market where just about anything, white or black, cheap or expensive, is sold. The gadget market takes place at the same location as the Tuesday market (Almijara II). If you like flea markets in Sweden, this is for you. The times are also the same at 10.00 - 14.00.

Frigiliana Thursdays 10-14

Visit the local market. Always a source for local products and specialties. Also keep an eye out for the arts and crafts markets that occasionally pop up on Saturdays.

Almuñecar Fridays 10-14 and Sundays 10-14

On Fridays there is a market in town and then there is a party. Over 200 stalls are open between 10.00 and 14.00 in the Paseo Blas Infante market place, every Friday, except Good Friday and Fridays in connection with the Fiesta la Virgen de la Antigua.

On Sundays there is a flea market at the same location between 10.00 and 14.00. The entrance is at the Puerta de Almuñécar triumphal arch, which with its 3 arches refers to the Roman, Moorish and Christian periods, and which is located between road N-340 and McDonalds. The market is actually called Mercadillo los Viernes (Friday Market), but is commonly called Baratillo, because it is so cheap to shop there.

People are crowded here and it's important to keep your money. It is easy to shop a lot. You can also easily get rid of them by not having enough control. Unemployment is high, so you have to be careful. Avoid handbags.