My Surprise Trip to Nerja

For my 30th birthday (weep) the plan was for myself and Dean to head to Seafield Spa in Wexford for two nights then spend a further two nights in his aunties house also in Wexford. A nice local long weekend. We did manage to spend one lovely day and night in Wexford but on the second day, Dean very early and very excitedly handed me our passports and said we were heading to Nerja (Spain) in two days! The second night in Seafield and the two nights in his aunties house were all a lie as we had to go home to shop and pack, as well as hosting a party he had arranged for me!

Top: http://bit.ly/2A7mHhc

After a whirlwind couple of days of frantic shopping, partying and packing we headed to the airport on Sunday afternoon. As Nerja isn't a big main city it is a bit of a trek getting there. Once you arrive in Malaga airport you can get the train to Malaga Zambrano Train Station, then walk across the road to the bus station and get the bus to Nerja, which takes about an hour an a half. I'm sure you could get a taxi from the airport but it would probably be in and around €100.

 Luckily Dean booked an Airbnb for one night in Malaga as we were getting in pretty late. We weren't in Malaga for long but we grabbed some food, strolled around, had a drink and headed to bed before the bus journey to Nerja the next day.

Nerja is a small enough town so most hotels would be generally centrally located, we stayed in Hotel Villa Flamenca and it was DIVINE! It has recently been refurbished so it's quite modern but still maintained it's Andalusian roots. We had a simple, bright double room with a lovely balcony and a gorgeous bathroom. There was also not one, but two hot tubs on the grounds, one at the main pool area and one upstairs
 on the 'solarium' - the roof top sunbathing deck. And to save room on packing beach towels you can rent towels from the hotel for a €10 refundable deposit, and just pay €1 every time you want a fresh one.

(There are fresh shower towels in the hotel room)

Pretty much all we did in Nerja was sunbathe, eat and drink and there is no shortage of seriously good restaurants. My favourites were La Bottega and Julies & Valeri's, a small but popular Italian restaurant and a casual Mediterranean tapas place, with the best mojitos! Both are extremely popular so I'd recommend booking, especially if it's a group of more than two people. Dinner, which was usually one or two starters, two mains and a bottle of wine was about €40 - the wine's are only like €9 a bottle!

Julies & Valeri's

La Bottega

Nerja also has plenty of cafeteria/canteen style bars. Very low key casual bars, popular with the locals, where you order a beer and choose a free tapas. Dean would insist you visit Cervecería El Pulgilla, even though it's a bit rough and ready for me! The beer is cheap and the tapas are tasty though! 

A few other places worth visiting are Chiringuito Moreno for the best paella and sangria, also Marisqueria Hermes for paella and 'almejas', Mo Gastrotapas for delicious tapas, La Puntilla for some traditional Spanish 'racions' and Cien Montaditos for when you are hungover. Drinks wise Cochran's and Mar Bella have lovely terraces, I also loved Bar El Molino for the live music and local dancers and anything around El Balcon is good for people (and wedding) watching.

Almejas (clams I think) from Marisqueria Hermes

El Balcon

Mar Bella


Cochran's

Besides all the cheap food and drink Nerja is well worth a visit for it's beauty. It's one of my favourite destinations because it's just so stunning to look at! There's always an amazing view down a little alley or a beautifully decorated house to see. 







We also went there to look for a venue for our wedding but I'll do a separate blog post for that! As well as a seperate blog post for the second half of our holiday in La Cariheula

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