Learn Spanish in Nerja, Spain!
The town’s name comes from the reign of the Moors and means “rich in water”. During the reign of the Moors, Nerja was surrounded by orchards and fed by the river Chillar. Nerja was famous for tissues and silk drapery that was exported to the east as far as Damascus. After the reconquest of Spain, fortifications were built in the area, including Nerja’s most famous monument, the “Balcon de Europa”, which was originally a gun battery.
Nerja is a seaside resort of sandy coves on the Costa del Sol. Its white-washed buildings, beaches, easy access from Malaga airport and climate make it a great location for a Spanish language course in Spain at any time of year. Often called ‘The Jewel of the Costa del Sol’, Nerja has a population of just 25,000. This Andalusian town is filled with narrow winding streets that are lined with tapas bars, small shops, and restaurants that lead to the Balcon de Europa. Sights of panoramic coastal views towards Africa are just breath-taking. Students who decide to study Spanish at Nerja will not only be surrounded by the towns rich culture but also by the extraordinary views and amazing food.
Explore Nerja
The discovery of the Nerja Caves in 1959 put Nerja on the tourist map. The caves are believed to be one entrance to a linked series of potholes stretching miles into the mountains between Nerja and Granada. Concerts are regularly held in one of the chambers. Nerja’s setting and climate make it ideal for outdoor activities such as mountain walking, horse riding, tennis, biking, and water sports. It’s the centre of scuba diving on the Costa del Sol, with the Natural Park of Maro Cerro Gordo nearby.
Students can enjoy the warm weather throughout the year with slight fluctuations in December and January. A two-hour drive inland will take you to Granada, home to the Moorish palace and the Alhambra, also close by is the Sierra Nevada ski resort. In the winter students can ski one day and enjoy the sun on the beach the next. The glamour of Marbella and the big yachts of Puerto Banus is an hour and a half drive away, whilst further down the coast you can visit the British outpost of Gibraltar, where you can tour the rock, see the Barbary Apes, and enjoy tax-free shopping.
Festive Galore
Experience the expression of art through a flamenco show. There are regular performances in Nerja, which also has some fun festivals. The first six months of the calendar is filled with at least one festival a month, so there is always something to look forward to when studying in Nerja. Three Kings in January, Carnival in February, Semana Santa at Easter, San Isidro in May, San Juan at midsummer in June, Virgen del Carmen in July, Feria week in October and then Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fiestas at the Balcon.
Sangrias with a beach view
Enjoy local delicacies with an ice-cold beer or a glass of sangria in the shaded street cafes and restaurants. Laze in the sun surrounded by sand or take a trip to Andalusia’s famous white villages and historic cities. It’s easy to see why many students return year after year to Nerja.
Looking to enjoy a meal with a view? Chiringuitos are beach restaurants, and you’ll find them lined along Burrirna and other big beaches in Nerja. Enjoy the taste of Nerja, with g local specialities such as sardines cooked on the spot over an open fire and giant paellas cooked on wood fired barbeques, served at Chiringuitos.
Evenings are for tapas and nightlife around the Plaza Tutti Frutti. During the evenings this beautiful town is lively with many bars and restaurants catering to a wide range of tastes and budgets.
Learn Spanish in Nerja and discover one of Andalusia’s precious gems!
Discover Schools in Nerja
Escuela de Idiomas Nerja
Escuela de Idiomas Nerja, founded in 1980, stands in the very centre of town, only a few minutes walk from the local scenic beaches.
- Adults 16+/Max Class size 10
- Year-round
- Spanish
