Nerja is a picturesque coastal resort town approximately 50 kilometres east of Málaga, Spain. Once a sleepy fishing village, the town is now a bustling holiday resort with sandy beaches and cliff side coves.

Attractions in and around Nerja

  • Balcón de Europa
  • Iglesia de El Salvador, a 17th-century church in Baroque and Mudéjar style
  • Caves of Nerja
  • Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park
  • A 19th-century aqueduct (Acueducto del Águila)
  • Frigiliana, a village on the nearby mountain
  • Chillar River

Click on any photo to see a larger version.

A black-and-white photo of the impressive Acueducto del Águila near Nerja and Frigiliana spanning a steep gorge. The aqueduct comprises four levels of multiple masonry arches.
The impressive Acueducto del Águila near Nerja.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 11, GPS location

The focal point of the town is its seafront promenade, Balcón de Europa, with views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains. It hosts popular summertime concerts and a variety of street performers. It’s the ideal place to meet friends, go for a stroll and enjoy drinks and tapas on a balmy summer evening.

A black and white film photo looking along the Plaza Balcon De Europa. The central area is a wide paved walkway lined by palm trees.
The Plaza Balcon De Europa
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 4, GPS location

The old part of the town is very Andalucian, with its terraced white houses and pebbled streets. You can spend many hours wandering the narrow streets browsing the local shops for local products.

A black and white film photo of an empty, narrow side street in Nerja. Cafe tables are out in the street on both sides in the distance.
Early morning - a deserted street in Nerja
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/60 sec, f 8, GPS location

Nerja also has several charming squares with numerous bars, restaurants and street cafes. The main square is Plaza España, but there is also Plaza Cantarero, Plaza de los Cangrejos, Plaza de la Ermita, and Plaza Andalucía.

A black and white film photo of a pedestrianised block-paved shopping street in Nerja. A few tourists/shoppers are wandering around. Sun shades are stretched above the street to provide shade.
A pedestrianised block-paved shopping street in Nerja.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/60 sec, f 4, GPS location
A black and white film photo of a narrow block-paved street in Nerja with white houses on both sides.
A narrow street in Nerja.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/60 sec, f 5.6, GPS location
A black and white film photo of a hazy coastline and sea taken from Balcon de Europa.
The Nerja coastline on a hazy morning.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black and white film photo of the Nerja coastline and sea taken from Balcon de Europa
A sea view.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black and white film photo looking out to sea with agave plants in the foreground.
Looking out to sea.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black and white film photo looking out to sea through the white arches on the Plaza Balcon De Europa. The photo was taken early, on a misty morning when no people were about.
The white arches on the Plaza Balcon De Europa early on a misty morning when no people were about. This is a very popular photo location for wedding photos.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black and white film photo looking out to sea with agave plants in the foreground.
Looking out along the coastline with agave plants in the foreground.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black and white film photo of an old canon on Balcon de Europa, pointing out to sea. The coastline and the town of Nerja is on the right.
An old canon on Balcon de Europa.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black and white film photo looking along an old canon pointing out to sea.
An old canon pointing out to sea.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black and white film photo of a raised circular podium on a deserted Balcon de Europa. The photo was taken early on a misty morning.
A raised circular podium for street perfomers on a deserted Balcon de Europa.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/250 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black and white film photo of a statue of King Alfonso XII on a deserted Balcon de Europa looking out to sea
A statue of King Alfonso XII looking out to sea.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Sekor C 1:2.8 80mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A black and white film photo of Iglesia de El Salvador in Nerja. A plaza is in front of the church with several trees. People walking around.
Iglesia de El Salvador.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 5.6, GPS location
A black and white film photo looking up at the Iglesia de El Salvador belfry. Shadows from a nearby pine are cast onto the white wall.
Iglesia de El Salvador - shadows on the wall.
Camera: Mamiya M645 1000S, Lens: Mamiya Selor C 1:2.8 55mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location

Film photo details

I took all the photos on this page using a Mamiya M645 1000S camera with Ilford FP4 film. Developer: Rodinal, 1+50, for 14 minutes @20C.