Cave of Nerja - Tourism Axarquia

The history of the Nerja Cave began millions of years ago. In fact, our ancestors already knew about it: they lived in it, decorated it and used it as a sacred burial place. From all this have come vestiges to the present dayturning this grotto into a key to the study of our predecessors and their ways of life.

The Nerja Cave is a declared natural monument. Bien de Interés Cultural in 2006It has the status of Archaeological Zone. It is internationally known, so much so that its discovery in 1959 changed the history of tourism in Spain and consolidated a Costa del Sol that was already beginning to emerge in those years. Since then, has been visited by more than 20 million people since its opening to the public in 1960 until March 2025 when this cumulative number of visitors was reached.

The natural wealth of the Nerja Cave is to be found both inside and outside, in the surrounding environment. It is a geological site of special importance and, for this reason, it is listed as a Site of Geological Interest of International Importance. It is also one of the largest caves in Andalusia. and is set in a privileged natural environment, between the sea and the mountains.

More than five million years oldThe Nerja Cave is an impressive geological spectacle that is the product of the karstificationwhich is home to fascinating speleothems and offers crucial scientific data. Internationally recognized, this cave is positioned as a invaluable scientific resource and underground natural museum.

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What to do in Nerja, Malaga

Nuestra Señora de las Angustias Chapel

Nerja, Malaga

The hermitage of Nuestra Señora de las Angustias, dating from the 17th century, is a Baroque style temple which houses the image of the patron saint of Nerja.
It has a single nave topped with a barrel vault. The dome contains paintings from the 18th century Granada school. It has a simple belfry protruding from the nave, and in the dome there are frescoes possibly attributed to the Granada school of Alonso Cano, alluding to Pentecost.

San Antonio Abad sugar mill

Nerja, Malaga

The "San Antonio Abad" sugar mill was the first sugar mill in Nerja. It is known to have been working at full capacity around 1595, being owned by Juan de Briones, and remained in operation until the 19th century. This mill was bought by the Larios family in 1872.

The remains of this sugar factory are of special interest due to the decorative engravings found on one of its walls, which include aquatic and naval motifs. There are also remains of the mill that was attached to it, known as Tablones.

El Salvador Church

Nerja, Malaga

From andalusian baroque and mudejar styleThe church of El Salvador was built in the 16th century and later renovated. The church has three naves, one with Mudejar framework.

Its façade is marked by a tower with an orthogonal bell tower. Inside, the frescoes of the 18th century Granada school and a mural of the Annunciation by Francisco Hernández stand out.

Watchtowers

Nerja, Malaga

Nerja preserves a group of five watchtowers used by both the Nasrids and the Castilian reconquerors to defend the coast. Dating from between the 16th and 18th centuries, they have undergone various reconstructions depending on the military needs of the time.

We may encounter Torre de la Caleta, Torre del Pino Atalaya, Torre del río de la Miel, Torre de Maro and Torre Macaca.

Historic centre of Nerja

Nerja, Malaga

The historic centre of Nerja is made up of beautiful streets of whitewashed houses that maintain the traditional flavour of the Mediterranean culture where they coexist with the modernity of its establishments that offer tourists, locals and visitors a wide range of restaurants and services to make their stay in Nerja an unforgettable experience.
unique experience.

The centre of Nerja is made up of the streets that originate in the area around the Lower Castle, since the construction of this defensive fortress at the beginning of the 16th century gave rise to the birth of modern Nerja around it.

Many of these streets have been pedestrianised to make them more convenient to use.

Sculpture in homage to the discoverers of the Nerja Cave

Nerja, Malaga

Work made by the Spanish painter and sculptor Francisco Martín Molina in 2010. It is a sculpture in homage to the 5 boys who discovered the Nerja Cave in 1959, it is located in the Paseo Balcón de Europa.