Balcón de Europa, Nerja

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The Balcon de Europa is a popular meeting place from morning til midnight and a good place to meet friends for a coffee or a bit of people watching.
Centrally located in Nerja it is close to many restaurants, shops, the Tourist Office, Post Office. THere are also several hotels in all classes, and self catering accommodation within easy walking distance.
There are good views from the Balcon over Calahonda Beach to the east and, to the west, the little cove belonging to The Balcon de Europa Hotel - a great place to catch the sunset.

The history of the town from the neolithic period to the mid 20th Century is an extraordinary cyclical tale of poverty and prosperity, war and peace, health and disease.

The 19th century brought the greatest combination of the best of all these making Nerja the centre of trade for the produce gown and harvested by the people . As the 20th century began so did another downward spiral - cholera, typhoid, drought,and Phylloxera, industrial unrest and civil war resulted in mass emigration and the decline of the town.
Through the discovery in 1958 of the caves the town was reborn and became famous as a tourist destination.

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From The Front Cover of Smile Nerja:) Issue 5

No visit to Nerja would be complete without a wander on the promenade at the Balcón de Europa (The Balcony of Europe).

Built in 1487 on the site of a 9th Century Moorish fortress, the Balcón de Europa, in the heart of Nerja, is a beautiful viewing point overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and down to Calahonda & El Salon beaches.

El Paseo, the promenade leading to the Balcón, is lined with palm trees and benches where you can sit in the shade and take in the scenery and the atmosphere.

During the day you can take a Horse and Carriage tour from here and enjoy some of the other sites Nerja has to offer. At night you can expect to be entertained by street performers or have your portrait or caricature painted.

Come fiesta time the Balcón is definitely the place to be as almost all pass through here.

Enjoy yourselves!

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One of the most popoular spots within the town of Nerja is the Balcón de Europa, built on the previous site of a 10th century castle, it just hangs over the cliffs and beaches to gain better advantage of the spectactular views.
High arches and trees shade horses and carts that are transport around the town.
Ancient cannons, which once spurned forth pirates and invaders, stand guard and add a touch of history.
The parish church of El Salvadoris beautiful, this is in the same area, its 17th century Baroque-Mudejar which has recently been restored.

Where the Balcony of Europe is now, there once was a 9th century castle. This has all vanished, because the allied destroyed the castle so that the French could not use it during that war of Independence. In 1487 the historical town center of Nerja was built in the surroundings of this viewing point, which sticks out from the cliffs and harbours a restaurant at this moment.
When the weather is ideal and your eyes are like the ones of a hawk, you can see North Africa at a very clear day from this point.

The Balcón de Europa (Balcony of Europe) was originaly the site of a Moorish Castle, today it has been turned into a promenade with great views along the coast and into the Mediterranean sea. Quiet coves surround it and a few cafes serve refreshments.