This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Nerja.
Nerja is a coastal town in the province of Malaga, Andalusia, Spain, and part of the Costa del Sol. Costa del Sol means “Coast of the Sun” in Spanish and is a region in Southern Spain that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Costa del Sol is a long stretch of towns and cities that has a main tourism industry dedicated to beaches and seaside activities.
The name of Nerja comes from the Arabic word “nerixa,” meaning “source of abundance.” Like all of Southern Spain, Nerja is heavily influenced by the Muslim and Arab conquerors and settlers during the medieval period. Nerja has a long history, dating to the Neolithic and Paleolithic ages where evidences of Neanderthal and other human remains and settlement were found in various places. The most prominent of this settlement was the Nerja Caves.
Nerja Caves or the Caves or Nerja are a series of caverns in Nerja. The Caves or Nerja is one of the most well-known tourist attraction in Andalusia and all of Spain. Because of its stalactite and stalagmite formations that rise into a spacious natural amphitheater, the Caves of Nerja is a national geological treasure. The Caves of Nerja also feature prehistoric cave paintings.
Aside from the Caves of Nerja, Nerja is also famous for its impressively preserved Roman aqueduct. The Aqueduct of Nerja dates back to the Roman conquest and settlement of Andalusia. Various people have made Nerja their home, including the southern Iberian tribes, Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Visigoths, and the subsequent Christian Reconquista and various Kingdoms of Spain.
Throughout the town, Baroque and medieval structures like churches and castles can be found in the town; the influences of various cultures are evident in the city layout, the streets, the houses, villas, and mansions. Traditionally, Nerja is an agricultural haven that produces tropical and semi-tropical products like sugar cane, mango, papaya, avocado, and other fruits. In modern times, Nerja has transformed into a tourist destination. Nerja is also famous for its various stretches of beaches. Because of its rocky edges, some of the resorts, Nerja hostels, and town centers are built upon the rocky cliffs. These rocky cliffs then form enclaves of beaches with fine white sand and clear blue waters. Nerja hostels can be found everywhere in the city and vary in shape, location, and rate. Nerja hostels range from very luxurious hostels to simple ones.
Written by local enthusiast for Nerja hostels
Angelica Burrage
