Nerja's Plazas
The best place to enjoy Nerja-life!
From pretty fountain and flower filled squares in the day, to the centre of the Nerja nightlife scene
While Nerja’s most famous pedestrianized area surrounded by bars, cafes and restaurants, is undoubtedly around the Balcón de Europa, there are plenty of other plazas in town which are well worth checking out too. In fact its pretty fountain and flower filled squares are the heart of Nerja.
During the day they are great places to hang out for breakfast or coffee, lunch or your evening meal, and some offer other attractions like the Plaza de Espanã where Nerja’s museum is located. Then from evening time the plazas really come alive when they become the centres of Nerja’s nightlife scene, often with open-air entertainment and not just at fiesta times.
Plaza Balcon de Europa
The Balcón de Europa has its own plaza which is at a right angle to the paseo (the part that juts out to the sea). There are a number of stone benches on the plaza to sit and relax on, or there are some fine cafe-bars where you can do the same job but with a drink in hand! Also, anyone visiting the plaza shouldn’t miss the lovely 17th century Church of El Salvador. Standing at the front of the church is a huge Norfolk Island Pine which was brought back from South America at the beginning of the 20th century.
Plaza de la Ermita
A pretty square with a fountain and shaded benches on the outskirts of Nerja’s centre, familiar to many because it is home to Nerja’s main taxi rank. The large Hostel La Ermita is situated here which is a popular place to stop and enjoy a drink and tapas. There are also a few local tapas bars around which are more popular with the local Spanish residents than those in the more touristy centre, and therefore often cheaper. Also worth a visit is the Ermita de Ntra. Sra. de las Angustias (more details here). Lastly, remember to check the Sala Mercado next to the church which sometimes offers some interesting exhibitions of local artists and craftsmen.
Plaza Cantarero
Situated at the top of Calle Pintada and Calle San Miguel, known locally as ‘Orange square’, this pretty triangular shaped square is named after Francisco Cantarero Rodriguez, one of Nerja’s former mayors. Francisco had formerly been a master builder and had constructed Nerja’s first piped drinking water supply, as well as the El Puente del Águila aqueduct between Nerja and Maro. It is a pretty square with an ornamental fountain in the centre and a couple of tapas bars where you can sit and relax.
Plaza Fabrica de los Cangrejos
A large, leafy square situated at the bottom of Avenida Castilla Perez and overlooking Torrecilla Beach, with a good selection of restaurants with terraces. During the summer this square has various events including concerts and various fiestas. There is often entertainment for children such as a large trampoline or bouncy castle. In 2017 the impressive Fuente de Europa monument was moved here as well.
Plaza la Marina
Plaza la Marina is situated halfway down avenida Castilla Perez. Good news for families is that it has a children’s play area in the centre. Mostly though, are the several well respected restaurants with terraces overlooking the square. It is worth trying Marisquería la Marina for their fried or grilled fish typical of the Málaga coast, with the freshness guaranteed by having the fishmongers next door!
Plaza Tutti Frutti
What can be said about, Plaza Tutti Frutti beyond it being the centre of Nerja’s nightlife! The square has numerous bars and clubs and usually comes alive in the evening, especially after 10.00 pm. Most will stay open until the wee hours (even 7.30 in the morning during the season!). Calle Antonio, which runs along the south side of Plaza Tutti Frutti, is a pedestrianised street with a few fast food takeaways to serve Tutti Frutti’s night time clientele with the munchies!
Plaza Cavana
A very pretty square, situated just behind the El Salvador church. With several cafes and bars and tables in the central square, this is a great place to enjoy a morning coffee or a lunchtime snack. Most of the bars have terraces available to sit out on from around April to November. One eaterie has to have an honorary mention – Bar Cavana – one of the oldest bars in Nerja, with a very nice tapas.
Plaza de España
This plaza is a recent development often used for markets and is home to the Nerja Museum. Underneath it is the large underground car park. Entrances to it is either through the passageway underneath the town hall, or via Calle Animas (which is also the entrance to the car park). In the centre is a tall Spanish flag with a plinth made up of blocks inscribed with the names of the regions of Spain. It is often used for events put on by the town hall such as ‘Day of the Tourist’ and ‘Foreign Resident’s Day’, celebrating the importance of tourism and residential tourism to the town.
Nerja pages guide
