A Guide to Finding Property in Nerja, Spain
Favoured for its charming old town, great beaches and superb climate, the seaside resort of Nerja is suddenly rather a favourite with property hunters.
Whilst many people still turn west at Malaga airport to head to the high-profile resorts of the Costa del Sol, those to its east enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere. Yet for a taste of city culture, both Granada and Malaga are only an hour away.
As one British second-home owner says: “It’s not got the glitz and glamour of Marbella but it’s got a bit more of an authentic Spanish feel and it’s not been over developed with high-rise hotels and apartments.”
So what else is behind the appeal?
Beaches and Mountains
Nerja is really the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol, about 40-50 minutes from Malaga airport along the A-7. Behind it are the dramatic peaks of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama that offer spectacular views with the pretty mountain villages of Frigiliana, Sedella and Competa, whilst the coastline is a strip of cliffs, coves, caves (some caverns host summer concerts) and beaches to suit every need.
In a town famed for its water (Nerja is Moorish for ‘rich in water’) the main beach is Playa Burriana with great facilities. It’s close to the famous Balcón de Europa, the viewpoint which gives views across the sea, is in the centre of the old town and you can see North Africa on a clear day!
If Burriana gets too crowded there is a good choice of smaller and quieter bays such as Calahonda, Maro and La Caletilla. If you drive further east, La Herradura is a great beach for snorkelling.
The old town is a big attraction too, with its typically Andalusian narrow, winding streets of white-washed houses, shops and cafes. The quality of the boutiques has improved in the last few years, offering hand-crafted jewellery, clothes and a superb choice of restaurants. Almijara, near Burriana, has a popular open-air market.
Property owners love the fact it is vibrant out of season too and with its mild winters, it’s not unusual to get a 20-degree day in February. Of course, skiing up in the mountains is another option within around 90 minutes – imagine being on the piste in the morning and the playa after lunch?
Properties for most budgets
Property prices in Nerja remain modest - another attraction. The average property price in Nerja is €368,250, according to the listings on our site aplaceinthesun.com, with one-bedroom properties from around €150,000, two-beds averaging €200,000.
Three-bedroom townhouses or villas cost around €275,000-€350,000 but it depends on the location. There are also townhouses with stunning roof top views, penthouses and newly renovated villas from €500,000+
Nerja is quite a spread-out town of around 20,000 residents and where best to buy is key. Some buyers like being right in the heart of the old town, whilst those who like to be away from the hustle and bustle – the so-called ‘Parador area’ (around the Parador Hotel) is a calm residential district, just 10 minutes from the busier areas behind Burriana, Carabeo and Torrecilla beaches. Capistrano is another sought-after area of Andalusian style white villas built in villages, whilst Punta Lara and Pueblo Rocio are popular areas on the outskirts.
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Read more:
- Buying a Spanish Property - How Much Does It Actually Cost?
- Number of foreign buyers in Spain higher than before the pandemic
- The Pros and Cons of the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa
