The most eastern towns of Malaga province's Axarquía area (Torrox Frigiliana and Nerja) celebrated the “Día de las Cruces” on 3 May a tradition that is also still popular in the Granada and Cordoba provinces of the Andalucía region “El Día de las Cruces” sees large decorated crosses installed in local squares surrounded by items related to Andalusian culture and agriculture: copper and ceramic ware; flamenco dresses shawls or guitars and local fruits and vegetables This year 13 crosses were displayed across the town in the hope of a bountiful harvest for the local farmers Apcun Nerja (association of presidents of communities/residential developments of Nerja) brought together more than 100 members and guests at the town’s Algarrobo estate Apcun represents 62 of the many developments in Nerja and works with the town hall to improve infrastructures and services for these local residents introduced foreign residents to this quintessential Nerja festivity and with his team offered attendees an enormous paella a bar and barbecue and a selection of local sweet delicacies including loquats marcochas (popcorn dipped in sugarcane honey) as well as a bouncy castle for the children Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados Members / Associations / FollowersNerja, ‘Malaguista to the Core’ for the fourth consecutive yearThe Axarquía town will take centre stage this Saturday at La Rosaleda, supporting the first team in their match against Granada CF. A synergy that brings the Club and the province together to cheer on the team at home. Copy linkThe beautiful coastal town of Nerja will once again make its presence felt at La Rosaleda Stadium marking the fourth time it takes part in the 'Malaguista to the Core' initiative Nerja will be supporting Málaga CF in the Andalusian rivalry match against Granada CF taking place this Saturday 3rd May at 18:30 A large number of Nerja locals will attend the game wearing their Málaga CF jerseys to cheer on the team The stadium’s video scoreboards will display a promotional spot for Nerja young children will accompany the players onto the field as part of the ‘Escort Kids’ experience and representatives from the town will be present in the stadium's VIP box Nerja stands as one of the most iconic towns on the eastern Costa del Sol Located in the eastern part of Málaga province as evidenced by the cave paintings found in the Nerja Caves considered among the oldest examples of art in Europe meaning “abundant spring,” a name whose legacy lives on in the layout of its streets and the bright white façades of its houses the Balcón de Europa stands as the town’s emblem: a seafront viewpoint that bridges its touristic present with its historic identity Strolling through Nerja is like discovering a world between the mountains and the sea the Church of El Salvador with its Baroque and Mudejar style and the Águila Aqueduct with its 38 brick arches are must-see landmarks for every visitor form the cultural and natural heart of the town Nerja offers the best of both sea and land Grilled sardine skewers (espetos) served right on the beach refreshing ajoblanco (a cold almond and garlic soup) and hearty fennel stew reflect the town’s deep-rooted fishing and farming traditions and the International Festival of Music and Dance held in the Nerja Caves showcase how culture flows through generations in this vibrant community Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain Spanish guitarist Pablo Alcázar will present his new concert “Lifetime & Mediterráneo” on Saturday February 22, at the Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja The performance promises a mix of tradition and modernity blending classical guitar with contemporary influences Alcázar has built an impressive career during the years He studied at conservatories in Torre del Mar receiving training from renowned guitarists such as Álvaro Pierri Since 2017, he has been a member of the Málaga Guitar Orchestra (OGM) and has performed as a soloist in various cities including international concerts in London and Watford and his talent continues to gain appreciation Alcázar’s music caught the attention of famous Spanish actor Juanjo Artero alongside Nerja’s Councillor Ana María Muñoz Tickets for “Lifetime & Mediterráneo” are now available at www.giglon.com and also at the Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider beats UAE Team Emirates trio of Tim Wellens It was a strong showing from UAE, who had two out of three riders in the trio that contested the race final, and finished the day with three riders in the top four. Wellens and Pavel Sivakov used their numerical advantage repeatedly in an attempt to drop Van Gils but the 25-year-old Belgian held his nerve and remained with the duo heading under the flamme rouge Van Gils said after his victory: “It was a super hard stage There was not really a team that can control the race So it was just really important to not let them go and try to keep them together and predict everything on my final sprint I was really motivated to start the way I ended it last year “[UAE] have a really strong team here but I hope my team can handle it as well.” Following a year which saw the race almost entirely cancelled due to farmers’ strikes in the region the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol was back in full for 2025 with five rolling stages across the Andalucia region of southern Spain.  the Queen stage taking place on day one and setting the scene for the rest of the race The 162.6km challenge beginning in Torrox and concluding in Cueva de Nerja featured almost no flat roads whatsoever along its distance with the peloton heading up and down all day as they rode towards a final uphill drag to the finish line There were two non-starters prior to the race – AJ August (INEOS Grenadiers) and Vegard Stake Laengen (UAE Emirates-XRG) so 113 riders rolled out of Torrox and it was a group of eight riders which comprised the day’s early break accruing an advantage of just over four minutes over the bunch The status quo did not last for long though with a series of tough climbs along the profile and while the break fought it out for KOM points over the first four categorised climbs they were unable to stay together as the relentless ups and downs began to take their toll on the legs Back in the bunch, Q36.5 Pro Cycling took on the pace-setting early in the stage on behalf of their leader Tom Pidcock. Though as the race wore on, UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe added their weight to the chase, and the Emirati side sent Pavel Sivakov ahead as a satellite rider where he joined the remains of the early breakaway Thomas Silva (Caja Rural-Seguros-RGA) and Andreas Leknussund (Uno-X Mobility) were the final survivors from the early break but heading into the final 40 kilometres of the race Leknussund moved into the solo lead the peloton fractured into several groups as the gradients continued to exact their revenge with a small group of GC favourites coalescing as the race progressed over the rolling green Andalucian hills and back towards the coast.  Leknussund’s lead sat at 40 seconds from Sivakov and Silva with 38 kilometres remaining Pidcock launched an attack to try and close the leaders down The British rider used his daredevil descending skills to briefly gap the rest of the group but they were able to reel him back in as the road levelled out The group was 12-strong and as the road began to rise once again Van Gils and Clement Berthet (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) coming to the fore.  Van Gils led the charge to try to close down Leknussund with 20km remaining but Sivakov was able to latch onto the Red Bull rider as the pair were joined by Tim Wellens The trio shut down the courageous effort from Leknussund and moved into the lead on the final categorised climb of the day with a series of small groups spaced along the road behind Van Gils overcooked a corner and ended up off the road He fought his way back on though and an entente cordiale held as the final kilometres ticked away and with the chase group unable to close the gap the victory would be decided among the lead trio Wellens used two successive roundabouts to attempt to drop Van Gils but the UAE duo was unable to shift the confident Belgian who clearly backed himself on the final drag up to the line.  Results powered by FirstCycling The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox! Katy is a freelance writer and journalist Cyclist Magazine and the British Continental She also writes opinion pieces on her own website writebikerepeat.com and is a frequent contributor to the Quicklink podcast.  She is obsessed with the narrative element of bike racing from the bigger picture to the individual stories She is a cyclocross nut who is 5% Belgian and wonders if this entitles her to citizenship Her favourite races are Ronde van Vlaanderen and La Vuelta In her spare time Katy is a published short fiction and non-fiction author Nerja Residents Day was celebrated in the town's Plaza de España on Sunday The celebration was supported by over 20 local organisations and companies The event kicked off at midday with the Nerja municipial band MC Paula Anthony followed the first act to welcome the international audience who explained - in Spanish and English - how proud of their international residents the town hall feels Nerja is home to over 100 different nationalities and through this diversity has become renowned for its club and association scene This year's special recognition award was granted to The Royal British Legion - Nerja for their commendable fundraising and community spirit demonstrated the generosity and social awareness of international residents of Nerja They presented cheques of 500 euros to both Taller de la Amistad (Nerja) and Ciudad de los Niños (Malaga) Representatives of Taller de la Amistad were given the opportunity to explain how their organisation empowers Nerja residents with disabilities the afternoon saw performances from Spanish dancing to traditional Irish music and indie rock all manned by representatives of Nerja's local clubs and associations allowed visitors to try dishes from across the globe The Plaza de España was full of hundreds of residents and tourists who came together to experience the varied cultures of Nerja residents: singing stormed to victory in the opening stage of the 2025 Vuelta a Andalucía Ruta del Sol covering 162 kilometers from Torrox Costa to Cueva de Nerja featured five mountain passes and an intense sprint finish On Wednesday, February 19, Van Gils outpaced UAE Team Emirates XRG duo Tim Wellens and Pavel Sivakov in the final meters, crossing the line in 4 hours His victory also secured him the leader’s jersey giving him an early advantage in the general table has been a professional since 2021 and is regarded as a strong climber and classics specialist He made his breakthrough at the 2022 Saudi Tour where he won both stage four and the overall classification His impressive results include podium finishes at major one-day races such as third at the 2024 Strade Bianche and La Flèche Wallonne Van Gils also won the 5-kilometer time trial at last year’s Vuelta a Andalucía and secured his first UCI WorldTour victory in May 2024 at Eschborn-Frankfurt I was confident in my sprint against Wellens so I focused on keeping the group together.” Van Gils’ career hasn’t been without controversy he was fined and docked 10 UCI points for striking fellow rider Georgios Bouglas after the finish line He later apologized for the incident and avoided disqualification from the results Now, the Belgian faces the challenge of defending his lead against UAE’s good lineup in the coming days. However, with his team behind him, he remains optimistic about his chances in what promises to be a highly competitive edition of the race Almost a month after he was reported missing It was hikers who discovered the body near the La Coladilla ravine - an area close to the Al-Andalus hotel and the Nerja Cave The strong smell was what led them in the direction of the bushes The body has been taken to the institute of legal medicine (IML) in Malaga for the autopsy Although confirmation of identity is pending the clothes and footwear match those that Miguel was wearing on the day of his disappearance The initial inspection of the body found no signs of violence Two citizen searches were organised in the first days after the disappearance with the participation of the Local Police The canine units of the police also joined the search The long awaited coastal train project aiming to connect Nerja with Algeciras has taken a significant step forward this ambitious initiative seeks to improve mobility and connectivity along the Costa del Sol benefiting both locals and the many expatriates living in the region competing to carry out the feasibility study (Estudio de Viabilidad) this study will play a crucial role in determining the project’s viability and its potential to ease travel across the region The study will be carried out in five separate sections The first will focus on the Eastern Costa del Sol while the remaining four sections will assess the expansion of the railway network towards the Western Costa del Sol The feasibility study will explore several aspects and the socio-economic benefits of the project This in-depth analysis will determine if the train is a practical and sustainable transportation solution for the area offering a real alternative to current transport options If successful, the new railway line will not only make Nerja more accessible but also help integrate the town into a broader transportation network making travel more convenient for both locals and tourists across the region Around 30 foreign associations and groups based in Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol will be gathering on the town's Plaza de España on Sunday 27 April to celebrate Residents' Day aims to promote the town's foreign community as almost a third of its more than 22,000 residents are not Spanish highlighting in a statement that the main objective "is to strengthen the bonds between the more than one hundred nationalities registered in Nerja and Maro" The event will begin at 12 noon with a concert by the Nerja music band and there will be other live entertainment throughout the day The event is open to all and is a good way to find out more about the different clubs and associations based in and around Nerja has announced new opening hours for the municipal citizen services offices (OMAC) located on the ground floor of the town hall and in the Maro office The new opening hours of the OMAC in Nerja will be from Monday to Friday with the aim of offering a more accessible service to all residents The Maro office will be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays A new exhibition arrives at the Nerja Museum: “Mona Guerra 2022-2025.” It will be located in the Ana María Márquez Hall until Sunday The Nerja Museum is unveiling its second temporary exhibition of the year 2022-2025.” The exhibition opens on Friday at 8:00 PM and will be available for viewing until May 11 in the Ana María Márquez Hall who was born in Madrid and now lives in Málaga This exhibition continues the recognition efforts by the University of Malaga (UMA) to highlight Mona Guerra’s significance both for her creative value and for her perseverance as a woman in a post-war era when few female artists were allowed to occupy space Guerra’s greatest achievement has been her ability to transcend her time thanks to her great talent and personal style Mona Guerra has experimented with different genres which has been the central theme of her creative work since childhood Her paintings are characterized by an original style where color and line form a conceptual puzzle the viewer must piece together Guerra’s use of lines and color creates a dynamic and evolving perspective of her subjects she introduces a new dimension to her work offering multiple viewpoints depending on the observer’s position Read here more news from Axarquia The real estate market in the Axarquia region continues to see significant growth the issue of access to affordable housing remains a pressing concern a luxury real estate developer from Seville has recently announced the launch of GS Nerja Sapphire which underscores its continued focus on the premium market The total investment for the project is €32 million. With this launch, the company continues its strategy of investing in prime locations offering high-end residential properties to meet the increasing demand for luxury housing in Nerja and its surroundings GS Nerja Sapphire is situated on the central Calle Málaga a stone’s throw from the famous Balcon de Europa Its prime location places it just a short walk from popular areas like Plaza Cavana Plaza de los Cangrejos or La Torrecilla Beach This proximity to key landmarks and services makes it an attractive option for those looking for the balance of tranquillity and convenience that Nerja offers The development consists of homes ranging from 120 to 200 square metres with two or three-bedroom options available Each property is designed with high-quality materials and premium finishes The homes are equipped with the latest home automation systems and offer spacious terraces The properties are also designed to be energy-efficient with climate control systems that reduce environmental impact and optimise energy consumption The site for the development spans 5.200 square metres with construction expected to take around 20 months providing a significant boost to the local economy is known for its commitment to delivering high-quality residential developments in key locations across Spain The company currently manages more than a thousand real estate assets and is actively involved in 24 projects at various stages of development across Spain The company’s portfolio includes projects in major cities and regions Grupo GS is planning to continue its expansion with eight new projects scheduled for 2025 and an estimated investment of €80 million in land acquisition Nerja known for its beautiful beaches like Burriana and Calahonda is becoming an increasingly popular destination for expatriates seeking a coastal lifestyle combined with cultural places GS Nerja Sapphire is positioned to cater to this demand offering a luxurious living experience in ‘one of the Costa del Sol’s jewels’ What are the most beautiful beaches in Malaga Beaches that even stand out from the rest of the coastline bathed by the sea in Andalucía Five of the eight Andalusian provinces have access to the sea whether they are surrounded by the Mediterranean or the Atlantic the Costa Tropical and the Costa del Sol (in Cadiz Granada and Malaga respectively) add up to 1,100 kilometres of coastline full of untouched beaches extensive and unique sandy beaches with crystal clear waters and a sun that never fails to shine Now National Geographic magazine has compiled a list of the 20 most beautiful beaches in Andalucía - five on the coast of Malaga are featured The magazine pointed out that some of the region's beaches are among the best in Spain Among the most beautiful Andalusian beaches are Mónsul and Los Genoveses beach (Níjar Matalascañas beach in Huelva and Playazo de Rodalquilar beach (Almeria) Here are National Geographic's most beautiful beaches in the province of Malaga appears in fourth position on the list after the Ensenada de Mónsul (Níjar) the beach of Los Genoveses (Níjar) and the beach of La Caleta (Cadiz) This small Malaga beach of sand and dark gravel is located in the centre of Nerja Zig-zagging stairs lead down to Calahonda beach from where you can also access Caletilla beach continuing along the promenade that runs along the foot of the Balcón de Europa At number 11 on the list is the Costa de Maro Nerja was once a fishing village; today its narrow sloping white houses attract tourists to the province of Malaga Nerja's beaches are regularly listed among the best in Spain has crystal clear waters and vegetation that reaches the edge of its coarse The peculiar cove is located in the Paraje Natural Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo a protected stretch of coastline that extends into the sea and offers travellers some of the most spectacular scenery in the region In 18th place in the table is La Caleta beach The publication reminds us of the history of the area: that the Caleta neighbourhood appeared in Malaga at the end of the 19th century when the Malaga bourgeoisie began to build mansions and villas to escape from the city centre The beach's namesake is from the bourgeois neighbourhood to which it belongs La Caleta has one kilometre of fine sand and is usually full of bathers due to its proximity to Malaga's city centre It's easily accessible and equipped with everything necessary for a nice day at the beach Bajamar beach is located in the municipality of Vélez-Málaga It takes 19th place in National Geographic's list It's a small beach with dark sand (barely 800 metres long and 25 metres wide) it's far less busy than other beaches in the area making it ideal for a day at the beach away from the hustle and bustle is considered the best in the town of Nerja so it should rightfully be among the best beaches in Andalucía It is located at the eastern end of the town and due to its fame it is usually very busy is gearing up for its biggest celebration of the year with the 2025 Carnival set to take place from 27 February to 2 March Deputy Mayor Ángela Díaz and Councillor for Popular Traditions Elena Gálvez have presented the official poster and full programme of events This year’s festivities will kick off on Thursday with the Carnival opening speech by Miguel Hermoso at the Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja at 8 PM The event will include performances by local street bands and promises a lively start to the celebrations the spotlight will be on the younger participants the Children’s Costume Contest will take place followed by the Junior Ninfa and Momo contest at 6:30 PM the adult Ninfa and Momo will be selected in a highly anticipated event The Carnival reaches its peak on Saturday with the eagerly awaited Grand Parade, starting at 5 PM. The streets of Nerja will come alive with colourful costumes The festivities will close on Sunday with the traditional Entierro del Chanquete at 5 PM The parade will move through the town centre before ending with a fireworks display at Playa de Calahonda the 2025 Nerja’s Carnival promises to be an unforgettable event There is still no trace of Miguel Ramírez Fortes the 66-year-old man from Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol who has dementia and was reported missing on Saturday 29 March Volunteers were once again divided into groups of 12 to comb the more than 300 hectares of land comprising the so-called 'vega de Maro' and Tetuán areas but there are also steep mountain areas and large cliffs Ramírez Fortes was last seen after spending the afternoon of Saturday 29 March with one of his sons in a house in Maro The son initially claimed that his father had taken a bus to Nerja it is not clear that he took public transport At least the driver of the vehicle has told the Guardia Civil that he did not see him Another person claims they saw him in a taxi heading in the direction of Nerja afterwards and another claims they saw him in a bar in Maro There are also witnesses who said they saw him last Sunday near his house in Nerja All the leads have so far been unsuccessful The Guardia Civil is in charge of coordinating the search for Miguel Ramírez Fortes with the help of the Local Police and Civil Protection Sources consulted by SUR have pointed out that it has not yet been decided whether new citizen searches will be carried out in the coming days in addition to the drones which have also been working in the area in recent days Nerja has launched its festive activities for the Christmas season this year with fun for all the family and an exciting line-up Nerja has well and truly welcomed Christmas 2024 with the impressive lighting of the Balcón de Europa the inauguration of the Municipal Nativity Scene on the ground hall of the Town Hall and the exciting opening of the festive Christmas market in Plaza de España The City Council has launched Christmas with a bang amid a line-up of more than 80 activities across Nerja and Maro to suit all ages and tastes lights shimmered with angels decorating either side of the promenade José Alberto Armijo and the Councillor for Popular Culture had the honour of pressing the big button of the switch on followed by a beautiful candlelight concert by violinist Klara Gomboc The mayor did not hold back in expressing his satisfaction at the launch of the festive season for the area and highlighted that Christmas in Nerja is synonymous with joy and tradition He said: “I hope that neighbours and tourists enjoy everything that the Department of Popular Culture has planned for these special dates.” The Nativity scene in Nerja is particularly worth visiting with more than fifty handmade figures bringing to life traditional scenes And don’t forget the wonderful Christmas market with a wide variety of artisan products Read more about Axarquía  A middle-aged Spaniard was arrested by Local Police officers in Nerja on Monday 17 after several witnesses saw him spraying graffiti and reported him who signed as 'El Barto' (referring to Bart Simpson from The Simpsons) was caught writing 'Paiporta limpia el barro de todos no solo el tuyo' and 'Paiport banco de cachondeo dana inier santi' on the main facade of the El Salvador church and on the wall of another institution Both sites are located in the Balcony of Europe area which is one of the town's most famous spots His graffiti refers to the 'dana' disaster in Valencia in October 2024 While the police are investigating the suspect's potential involvement in two other acts of vandalism the Nerja town hall has already removed the graffiti recovering the original appearance of the walls The Nerja se Queja Instagram profile has published a video showing the arrest When Robert Edwards' parents decided to sell up in the UK and move to Spain in the early 1970s to start a family-run hostel the then 20-year-old didn't think twice about joining them "I was young and single and loved Spain as we had been on a number of family holidays," he explains Robert's older brother also moved out with his wife and two young children who by then had children in school and jobs The family had first discovered the Costa del Sol when they holidayed in Marbella in the 1960s purchased a plot of land in the town with a view to building a house to which he would retire in the early 1970s the family was introduced to Nerja the family swapped the land in Marbella for a penthouse in Nerja but then identified a business opportunity in 1972 with a hostel on Calle Alejandro Bueno which was under construction The Fontainebleau Hostel eventually opened its doors in 1974 The family settled on the name The Fontainebleau for the hostel as the building had a patio with a fountain which has appeared in many films including James Bond - Goldfinger as well as Scarface and The Bodyguard Robert reveals that his parents had "zilch experience" of running a hostel although he had worked in hotels back in the UK The family found themselves "immediately at loggerheads with oddball expats With family tensions rising "and bankruptcy looming" Robert describes in his book about the hostel how their only hope "was luck and a gritty determination to succeed" In 1979 the hostel and indeed Nerja appeared on the popular British holiday programme Presenter Judith Chalmers also visited El Capistrano village already home to a number of foreign residents and in particular a growing British community the town's legendary chiringuito (beach bar) Robert recalls that it was impossible to watch the programme in Spain when it aired back home so one of his sisters called the family in Nerja and held her telephone close to the television set so that they could at least hear it He also remembers the filming of the iconic Spanish television series which was happening at around the same time as Wish You Were Here was filming in the town The two events really established Nerja as a favourite holiday destination for the Spanish and British as well as a handful of other European countries The Edwards sold the hostel to a fellow Brit in 1980 who kept it open until 1996 when The Fontainebleau closed down for good Robert explains that the building was eventually knocked down and Apartamentos Tobozo now occupies the site While some of the family returned to the UK Robert decided to stay in Spain and he now lives in Torrox Costa "I have seen the development of Spain," he says The long-term resident has witnessed the rise in tourism on the Costa del Sol and remembers going to Gibraltar in the family's Rolls Royce "before Franco closed the border" along with his friend and the Nerja-based British author Paul Bradley have co-written a book recalling the Edwards family's adventures trials and tribulations while trying to open up a hostel in 1970s Nerja "The Fontainebleau is the result of a chance meeting during Covid" between Robert and Paul "After two hours of chatting and many coffees in Plaza Cavana Paul agreed to help co-write a story that I had envisaged for forty years," Robert explains smooth-talking London bookie Jimmy Edwards was horrified by the daunting prospect of a tax-grabbing socialist government he sold up and voted with his feet," the introduction starts "Seduced by the balmy climate and low costs he crammed the family into the Rolls Royce and headed for Spain still under the iron fist of a Fascist regime linguistically inept and with no relevant experience they purchased a half-finished hostel from a dodgy developer in the quaint fishing village of Nerja," it continues The book was published in September and Robert says he has been delighted with the reaction so far He adds that he hopes to get it translated into Spanish at some point as many of his Spanish friends and acquaintances have asked him to do so Copies of The Fontainebleau are available to buy in Smiff's English bookshop in Nerja and online via Amazon Storm Jana has not only brought heavy rainfall to Malaga province At around 3am on Monday 10 March a sudden gust of wind which is being investigated as to whether it could have been a small tornado or a waterspout that came ashore wreaked havoc in the centre of Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol The wind broke several branches from the ficus trees on Plaza Tutti-Frutti and knocked down metal sheets as well as dragging tables and chairs and knocking over parked motorbikes The strong wind also knocked down a wall next to the town hall on Plaza de España The fallen wall is about 20 metres long and two metres high The square currently has restricted access due to the danger of the wooden structures falling The awnings were being removed by the hotel and catering business owners and the town hall has done the same with the wooden pergolas Nerja town hall staff spent Monday morning cleaning up the damage in the streets and on the two squares No personal injuries have been reported although many residents reported being woken up in the early hours of the morning by the strong wind friends and different police forces have entered another day in the search operation for Miguel Ramírez Fortes 'Luis el Reloj' (Luis the clock) who disappeared in the Maro district in Nerja on Saturday 29 March who flew in from England to join the search Local Police and Civil Protection volunteers have all joined forces during the extensive investigation Miguel's son reported having taken his father to the bus stop in Maro on Saturday but the bus driver said that he hadn't seen him Several witnesses have reported having seen Miguel at a hotel at the church square in Maro a few hours after his son dropped him off Others have said that they saw him in a taxi going to Nerja Some have even stated that Miguel was seen in the village on Sunday who retired after decades working as a cook in various restaurants in Nerja does not have a mobile phone and does not use medication despite his condition it is unusual of her father to deviate from his routines his main leisure activity being fishing on the beach Missing persons association SOS Desaparecidos has classified him as "a vulnerable person" NERJA’S high street is pulling out all the stops this festive season with a flurry of fun-filled activities and giveaways to boost local shopping and spread Christmas cheer joined forces with local business leaders Enrique López Cuenca and Antonio Villasclaras to unveil an exciting line-up designed to encourage residents and tourists to shop local Highlights include the return of the popular “My Favourite Shop” drawing competition where Year 3 pupils sketch beloved shopfronts for prizes Shoppers can also bag top-tier goodies in the festive raffle – think a 55-inch Smart TV or a luxury spa circuit pass – all for making a purchase and entering a ballot And here’s the cherry on top: Santa himself will roam Nerja’s busiest streets handing out over 200 free tickets for the magical Christmas Park opening Friday Nerja’s ready to make this Christmas unforgettable Read more news in English from around Axarquia Find more news in English from around Spain The Red Cross in Nerja has launched three training courses aimed at unemployed residents to improve their job prospects The initiative is backed by the Nerja Town Hall president of the humanitarian organization One of the courses is kitchen assistant training an activity which will begin on March 24 in a blended learning format Participants will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internships at Hotel Villa Flamenca allowing them to develop practical skills in a real work environment the Red Cross is offering two online courses one about sustainable gardening and pool maintenance another about sales activities with POS systems and digital devices Both courses include internships with partner companies to further enhance participants’ work experience Councilor for Human Resources Ángela Díaz expressed her support for this Red Cross initiative and she spoke about the importance of promoting training programs that facilitate access to employment in Nerja Interested individuals can obtain more information at the Red Cross office in Nerja When the history of the train service that runs along the coast of southern Spain is written the date of 26 December 2024 will occupy a prominent place in the timeline This was the date promised a month ago by the Ministry of Transport's secretary-general for sustainable mobility after the first of the roundtable meetings on mobility between the Junta de Andalucía Malaga's Diputación provincial authority and the town halls along the Costa del Sol and beyond the Ministry of Transport put out to tender the preliminary feasibility study for a new rail corridor running from Nerja to Algeciras This is an historic step forward insofar as it addresses the possibility that the rail links will connect the entire Costa del Sol in the future: the Malaga part it is going to be done in a format that will have legal validity to ensure it moves forward as this is the first mandatory administrative step for any infrastructure work to be executed which is the object of the contract up for grabs will be that necessary to comply with the stipulations of article 5.3 of the Railway Sector Act," as specified in the contract offer to which SUR has had access and which has already been sent to the BOE (official state gazette) for publication the Transport ministry in Madrid plans to award the contract for 1.2 million euros (including IVA services tax) to an independent consultancy firm Despite the execution period being 18 months (active from the moment the contract is awarded and signed) Transport minister Óscar Puente announced last week that he intends to know in at least a year's time what the ideal proposal for the route will be (mejora de línea C1 actual) + nuevo corredor Fuente: Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible Estudio de viabilidad para el tren de la Costa del Sol Soluciones basadas en estudios anteriores The commissioned study will start with an in-depth analysis of the current Malaga-Fuengirola C1 commuter line The transport engineers looking at the feasibility of it all will have to evaluate all the possible options for improvement: from reinforcing the existing infrastructure to building a new line In the second phase the experts will be expected to study a possible extension to the west to reach Algeciras in Cadiz province and to the east as far as Nerja As such the feasibility study will be structured in five sections: Nerja-Malaga The ministry takes the current C1 line as the heart of the transport system on the Costa del Sol "It has an important demand as it connects Malaga city with Malaga Airport fourth in the country in terms of passenger traffic and with medium-sized towns located on the western Costa del Sol: Torremolinos Benalmádena and Fuengirola," says the tender document electrified and equipped with double track in part of its route "in which improvements and investments have been made in recent decades but which still has certain limitations and does not satisfactorily meet the mobility needs of the population so it is necessary to study options to improve the service," is the argument given in the document In addition to improving communications in this area the Ministry "is committed to bringing the benefits of rail transport to the rest of the people living on the Costa del Sol as currently the line does not serve densely populated municipalities west of Fuengirola such as Estepona or Marbella nor does it reach the eastern Costa del Sol." One of the key elements of the work to be done will be a study of the potential demand for each of the five sections "based on a model built specifically for this action" as well as an assessment of the financial and socio-economic profitability "The figures on socio-economic profitability will be used to help make decisions on the suitability of the project While the findings of this study must be fully considered in the future as this is the protocol that must be followed internal studies carried out by the Ministry's own transport specialists already point to a favourable result at least for the section of line between Malaga and Estepona SUR reported a short while back that there already is an initial proposal for the line that involves using the central reservation of the A-7 motorway wherever possible setting it a trench and thereby reducing costs there is a formula and we are going to develop it," confirmed Óscar Puente last week "When you start a study you can already see whether it is going to be favourable or not and I have a lot of confidence in the director-general of the railway sector at the ministry who is a very brilliant technical specialist and he already has in his head what the alternative could be." In the meantime a preliminary estimate has been calculated as to the potential demand for this railway line This was included in a report pulled together by José Alfonso Gálvez Salinas director-general of mobility strategies at the Transport ministry's office for sustainable mobility The report finds that a train service from Nerja to Algeciras would move around 60 million passengers per year although the stretch with the greatest potential - from Malaga city to Estepona - would add up to 46 million passenger journeys almost three times more than the current C1 railway line last year the latter reached its all-time record with 16 million users intercity service between Malaga's María Zambrano and Madrid's Atocha stations moves around four million a year Continuing this analysis with the help of the Transport ministry's big data tech resources and assuming the line runs a Cercanías stopping service some initial doubts are raised regarding the extension to the line going east to the Axarquía and west to the Campo de Gibraltar the estimated number of passengers is close to ten million a year Looking at the final stretch between Estepona and Algeciras demand is estimated to be much lower at 4.9 million passenger journeys the central part of the rail corridor - Malaga-Fuengirola and Fuengirola-Marbella-Estepona - is initially assessed as "recommendable" for the first leg and "potentially recommendable" for the second without the need for any support measures for the other two parts to be feasible this report warns that "important complementary measures" are necessary and the solutions would have to come from collaboration between the Junta and the respective municipal councils an extended coastal train line alone would not be the total solution For this reason the same document points out several other transport solutions One such solution could be improvements to the frequency of bus services on lines with high occupancy the creation of express services to areas of high business or industry activity (by means of buses) Another option is to provide more 'Bus-VAO' lanes (the Spanish for an exclusive traffic lane for buses and high-occupancy vehicles) and bicycle lanes Other ideas include updating the ticket concessions map for these services and the creation of park-and-ride facilities and transport interchanges Nerja has been collaborating in the battle against gender violence to mark the International Day against violence against women To commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Nerja has ratified its commitment to the cause in a very special manifesto The local manifesto which had been drawn up conscientiously to reflect changing times and the current situation regarding gender violence in Spain was read allowed in Nerja’s Town Hall It remembered the 41 women and 8 minors who died at the hands of gender violence this year alone has stressed the importance of working collectively to eradicate gender violence stating that “this violence has no place in our society.” He highlighted the importance of creating a society where women and men can live with equality Women’s associations in collaboration with the Municipal Women’s Information Centre organised a moving tribute to victims of gender violence who were named and flowers and toys were placed in the Cerote tree on the Balcon de Europa in their memory Rather than being a sad reflection on a society still scourged by sexist violence the day served as a reaffirmation that things are changing and that Spain will not stand for injustice towns and villages nationwide symbolised their solidarity through purple illuminations on famous landmarks or through distributing purple ribbons as a poignant reminder of the cause Read more about Axarquia  Researchers at the Nerja cave on the eastern Costa del Sol have discovered a new species of spider which they say is native to the space Scientists Pablo Barranco from the University of Almeria and Cristian Pertegal from the University of Cordoba-CSIC who form part of an the interdisciplinary research project of the Nerja cave have just published a paper in the scientific journal Zootaxa in which they describe the spider they have named 'Anapistula delrosalae' It is named after one of the researchers of the Nerja team "This spider is distributed throughout the cave given that its size is around a millimetre," the Cueva de Nerja Research Institute said in a statement posted on social media The researchers say that there are more than 1,500 Ibero-Balearic species of spiders although not all of them are strictly cave-dwellers the importance of underground ecosystems as reservoirs of planetary biodiversity a treasure often undervalued despite the indisputable potential they harbour," the scientists explain According to in the scientific publication this new species of the genus Anapistula Gertsch "is the second record of the family Symphytognathidae in Europe" from the tourist galleries to the new galleries which are not open to the general public." The researchers explain that "detection of the species is challenging due to its small size which has probably caused it to go unnoticed until now" Diagnostic techniques used by the team have only detected females of the species so far The team explain that the techniques have been useful to distinguish the new species from the already known Anapistula ataecina Cardoso & Scharff which is native to the Frade cave system of Lisbon also invite visitors to enter what has been christened the 'Cathedral of Prehistory in the southern Mediterranean' The immensity of the cave is home to unusual wildlife including several species that are native to the area The best known and easiest to see are bats which were precisely what guided the five young discoverers an independent real estate agency based in the heart of Nerja with an office in the center of Nerja for the past three Owned by Swedish entrepreneur Anna-Lena Roshag the agency is known for its personalized service and local expertise Anna has lived and worked as a real estate agent in Nerja for over nine years establishing herself as a trusted name in the community Isabel Toro Núñez brings 19 years of experience in real estate across Nerja The agency specializes in helping clients buy and sell properties along the eastern Costa del Sol España Estates offers a tailored approach to match clients with their ideal homes whether they are looking for a permanent residence or a holiday retreat España Estates prides itself on providing a more personal and dedicated service than larger chains With a passion for the area and an in-depth understanding of the market Anna and Isabel guide clients every step of the way in the property journey visit España Estates’ office on Calle El Barrio 53 in Nerja or contact them at +34 691 536 146 You can also reach them by email at info@espanaestates.com or visit their website espanaestates.com to see what nice properties they have for sale right now Nerja has ended 2024 on a strong economic note recording a 14.9 per cent decrease in unemployment the highest improvement in the Eastern Costa del Sol region According to data from the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística) and the Argos Observatory of the Junta de Andalucía (Regional Government of Andalucía) this drop means 237 fewer people are unemployed compared to the previous year Mayor José Alberto Armijo described the figures as ‘very positive,’ emphasising the town’s strong economy and steady job creation He credited Nerja’s appeal to both residents and businesses as a major factor in this success with high visitor numbers in 2024 leading to more jobs in hotels This growth has not only helped reduce unemployment but also strengthened the town’s economy reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to active employment policies She highlighted the importance of programs that support job seekers and pledged to work closely with local businesses to create even more job opportunities With a growing economy and strong employment figures Nerja is positioned as a leader in the region and local government support continues to create a thriving job market ensuring long-term economic stability for the town Read more Axarquia news, articles and events here APAA Nerja works tirelessly to rescue and rehome abandoned and abused dogs in the Nerja area To help raise awareness and improve the lives of these furry friends APAA is changing its weekly dog walks to Sunday mornings These walks offer a fantastic opportunity to get some exercise give the dogs some much-needed time out of the kennels Each dog benefits immensely from one-on-one time with volunteers which significantly enhances their chances of finding forever homes The walks kick off at 10 am and usually last for two to three hours rewarding experience that not only helps the dogs but also builds a sense of community among the group If you’re interested in joining the pack and making a real difference in the lives of APAA’s dogs Your time and love could help these pups on their journey to a happy new home For more Axarquia news, articles, and events click here Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE! Covering the Almeria, Axarquia, Costa Blanca North, Costa Blanca South, Costa del Sol , Costa Calida, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home. With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close. Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE. Download our media pack in either English or Spanish. Nerja Museum, which belongs to the Cueva de Nerja Foundation on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol, is opening a new temporary exhibition to commemorate the life of the American artist Roberty Harvey who lived in the Axarquía for many years. The exhibition coincides with the centenary of the birth of the artist who lived in Frigiliana and Macharaviaya in the Axarquía. The exhibition, ‘Robert Harvey, One Hundred Years’ will run from Thursday 19 September until 17 November in the museum’s Sala Ana María Márquez Hall and is free of charge. The exhibition includes 23 acrylics and eight engravings by Harvey. It is a retrospective in which pieces from different years have been selected, “from 1973 to 2003, just one year before Harvey's death”, according to a press release from the Cueva de Nerja foundation. Harvey was born in Lexington, North Carolina, on 16 September 1924. From the age of six, it was clear to him that he ‘already was’ a painter when he was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. Thus, with such a clear vocation at such an early age, he began studying fine art in 1942, at the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. In 1944 he moved to New York and began working at the House of Heydenryk, a Dutch frame manufacturer through which he met numerous European artists who had come to America in those years to escape Nazi Europe. This sparked his interest in Europe and in travelling. His first solo exhibition was in 1948 in New Mexico. In this way doors opened for him and dreams came true getting exhibitions in well-known international galleries. In 1971 Harvey moved to Spain for good, choosing the Axarquía, where he rented a house in Frigiliana and bought an orchard in Macharaviaya. For this reason, the director of the Nerja Museum, Juan Bautista Salado, has defined him as “American by birth, but ‘Axarqueño’ by life and heart”. The opening is taking place on Thursday 19 September at 7pm and is open to the public. Registered office Málaga, Avda. Dr. Marañón, 48. As a sound chronicle, some passages from the show Nerja, by Rafael Riqueni from the XXIII Biennial of Flamenco from Seville. Held at the Alcázar of Seville on September 24, 2024. Guitars: Rafael Riqueni, Salvador Gutiérrez and Manuel de la Luz. Special intervention by Alejandro Hurtado. email and website in this browser for future purposes Privacy Policy Agreement * I agree to the terms and conditions of the Privacy Policy. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password The Balcon de Europa – Nerja’s pride and joy – is about to undergo a €85,000 facelift Mayor Jose Alberto Armijo has announced that local firm Jimedux S.L.U has bagged the contract to get this iconic spot back to its former glory The restoration is set to fix up the surrounding wall give the whitewashed wall a much-needed lick of paint and bring new life to the three circular benches But that’s not all. They’re also tackling the worn-out steps and, get this, they’re finally getting rid of those pesky architectural barriers that make accessing El Salvador Church a hassle. The Nerja Fair is wrapping up soon and the works are expected to take just a month and a half With a shiny new healthcare facility being developed in Nerja Work has begun to update the perimeter and circular benches on the iconic Balcón de Europa in Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol explained in a statement that the work "not only seeks to preserve this important tourist and historical enclave but also provide a better image for the enjoyment of residents and tourists who visit our tourist flagship every day" The work is being carried out by Nerja-based Jimedux S.L.U. with a total investment of 85,239 euros and is co-financed by the town hall and the Andalusian regional government through a specific subsidy for the conservation and improvement of tourist and cultural spaces The project will take approximately two months to complete and includes restoring the steps at the main door of El Salvador church The three circular white marble benches located in the same space will also be renovated The Balcón de Europa is one of the most iconic places in Nerja This spur of land that juts out into the sea was for centuries the site of a medieval castle known as Castillo Bajo which is affectionately known by locals as 'El Paseo' who enjoy the spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and the backdrop of the Sierra Almijara mountain range with its peaks of over 1,800 metres above sea level was decorated with the Order of the Merit of the Local Police of Andalusia The ceremony took place at the Edgar Neville Auditorium of the Diputacion de Malaga This recognition was given to him in honour of his actions on June 29 he demonstrated immense courage and quick thinking when he encountered a troubling situation at the Balcon de Europa He had noticed a young woman teetering dangerously close to the edge and seemingly about to fall extending his arm just in time to grasp her wrist and pull her back to safety The mayor highlighted the professionalism and efficiency of Cordero when facing a situation of extreme gravity congratulating him on behalf of the Municipal Corporation “Manuel Cordero did not hesitate for a moment to intervene His performance is a source of pride for our people and a clear example of a vocation for service,” he stressed Find more local news and activities. Prefer to read your news in one place?  Check out our FREE online newspapers If you’re in Nerja and in the mood for some tasty tapas La Puntilla should be at the top of your list this beloved Spanish restaurant is a favourite for locals and tourists of all nationalities La Puntilla stands out for its dedication to quality From the freshest seafood to perfectly cooked meats It’s no surprise that the restaurant has earned a reputation as one of the best tapas bars in town They’re also known for their strong support of local charities and associations making them an integral part of the community The welcoming staff makes every visit feel like you’re dining with friends and you can always count on quality and care with each dish Whether you’re enjoying a sunny day on their outdoor terrace or settling in for a cozy evening inside La Puntilla is an absolute must on your list With its unbeatable food and inviting vibe it’s easy to see why it’s a favourite of so many Read more top tips and recommendations here The popular Nerja cave tourist attraction on the eastern Costa del Sol continues to be the focus of scientific debate in southern Europe together with the Spanish national research council (CSIC) and the universities of Cadiz (UCA) and Alcalá (UAH) has started a new scientific debate through a specialised seminar for the in-depth study of the importance of the sea in prehistoric communities The aim of the academic initiative is to publicise research projects on prehistoric sites related to the sea "evaluating the exploitation of the enormous resources provided by the sea as a great medium that facilitates the movement of people and also as a space for the relationships established between coastal and inland areas," the Cueva de Nerja Foundation said in a statement The ‘Looking at the Sea: visions from prehistory’ seminar was held online with 25 speakers from 13 different projects on the subject and more than 50 attendees The video conference format allowed scientists from Spain Portugal and Italy to share their experiences and for students and other people interested in the subject to join in Cristina Liñán and Yolanda del Rosal from the IICN hosted the meeting which was attended by important scientific advisors including Juan F Cubas and Gerard Remolíns from the CSIC and the UAH Among the projects discussed were the prehistory of the Nerja cave; the Strait of Gibraltar as a bridge during prehistoric times; the Cantal caves in Rincón de la Victoria; the arrival of the first homo sapiens in Portugal and Neolithic navigation in the Marmotta settlement (Italy) Other topics covered included Mediterranean and Neolithic navigation from Pisa (Italy) the Cueva del Toro in Benalmádena; the Mesolithic-Neolithic in Portugal; the Mesolithic-Neolithic in the Cantabrian Sea; the Bronze Age in the River Guadalquivir and studies on the Mediterranean diet during Prehistory The event "aroused great scientific and academic interest," said the foundation They added that they recognised the advantages of the online format a lower organisational cost and a great scientific projection There is one house in Nerja that could easily be described as one where love lives but also their love for their Spanish home have renovated their Nerja home in a way that everything has been preserved this special house attracts the attention of passers-by many of whom stop in admiration and might even be invited inside for a better look Sune and Benita met through their work about 15 years ago "At the very beginning of our relationship 'How can we get away from the not-so-pleasant winter in Sweden?' First of all we tried to find the answer in Asia We had travelled a lot to my father's place in Thailand This meant that we had a fair amount of knowledge of exotic countries Eventually we both realised that our nesting place should be in Europe Spain was chosen and that's where we went looking for a house," Benita told SUR in English The search lasted more than five years and covered a distance of more than 600 kilometres Benita and Sune began searching in Alicante province which is a particular favourite among Scandinavians Though their financial situation could have allowed them to buy a house in Marbella the association with glamour crossed this town off their list of interests seemed like a good option to the Swedish couple it was just a place they had passed every time they travelled between the Costa Blanca and the western Costa del Sol this charming town immediately captivated the couple tempting them with an offer that Benita and Sune could not refuse Benita said this is where we should settle down it wasn't until November 2016 that we stopped in Nerja By that time we had viewed about 50 properties Right by the main attraction of the Balcon de Europa we saw a sign saying 'Se Vende' and immediately contacted the seller we ended up cancelling our trip to Estepona and buying the apartment the next day," Sune said Buying the perfect home means buying a place where you feel at home The magnificent view of the Nerja coastline is somewhat reminiscent of the limitless shores of Northern Sweden and the Norwegian fjords "We know that Andalusians prefer to have more rooms and less light value spaciousness and sunlight whenever and wherever possible That's why we couldn't do without redesigning the apartment we needed someone who could understand our Nordic preferences and who could incorporate them into Andalusian style We were lucky enough to find a Swedish entrepreneur who had a team of Andalusian builders here in Nerja We did a grand renovation in 2017 and lived in this apartment until 2020 which was when we found our gem in the centre of the old town," explained Sune This “gem” was a house hidden in a small pedestrianised street which is considered the most beautiful in Nerja due to the stone mosaic of the pavement The old house and the street immediately charmed Benita and Sune as not far from the centre they were able to feel the Andalusian atmosphere and literally touch its history that was visible in its columns "The house was last renovated about 40 or 50 years ago we were genuinely excited about the renovation because it brightened up our routine in the midst of the pandemic and quarantine and thus dispelled our dreariness The house was remodelled in Moorish and Andalusian style We tried our best to do everything possible to preserve the character and authentic flavour of the house We are very happy with the result," Benita and Sune proudly stated Today the house reflects the past of Andalucía and the essence of today's owners The columns are the oldest features of the house perhaps even dating back to the days of Moorish rule Sune and Benita's house has all these in abundance The pool in the 'patio' seems as if it had been brought from the Alhambra itself Persian carpets on the floor add an oriental flavour to the atmosphere of the house The fountain and downspouts go back to the Catholic times of Andalucia Swedish motifs are represented in some pieces of furniture and curtains "There is no feeling here that you are in the very centre of the town the roof terraces with lots of plants and fruit trees help us with this One of the terraces with a barbecue is for us only because the way there is through our bedroom The other terrace with a lounge is good for receiving guests this is where we interact with our neighbours We have almost a dozen of them in the six houses around us," Benita added Benita and Sune are becoming more and more integrated into Andalusian society we have met many Scandinavians living here in Nerja We have been surprised how happy they look much happier than those who stay back in the north for the winters we both think that the quality of life here in Spain is very high indeed," Sune said Sune and Benita could not bear to sit in a house in Sweden in winter and watch the fog Nerja allows them to spend their time outdoors and keep their spirits high Benita and Sune are not even annoyed by uninvited “guests” "It is never too late to change your mindset and habits A good example is what in Sweden can be annoying and even frightening is already ok with us almost everyone who passes by our house stops Some of them knock on the door to tell us what an amazing house we have we are very pleased to hear these kind words," Benita and Sune said After years and years of delays and frustration Nerja’s very own long-awaited health centre is finally becoming a reality Locals have watched with bated breath as the foundation slab for the €9.2 million project funded by the Minap Plan and EU Feder Funds It looks like an excellent addition to the town’s strained healthcare infrastructure Mayor Jose Alberto Armijo and Patricia Navarro – the Junta de Andalucia’s top official in Malaga – were on-site on Friday Nerja is finally getting the top-notch health centre it deserves The brand spanking new health centre will be three storeys high and span 4,520 square metres This won’t be your run-of-the-mill local surgery Nerja has been calling for this kind of facility to meet its growing healthcare needs for years It’s been absolutely ages since the idea was first conceived but this centre is exactly what the town needs to cope with its booming population The project is expected to wrap up in just 18 months. This new healthcare facility will be a wonderful addition to Nerja and to the Axarquia area as a whole Stay tuned – this is just the beginning The Nerja Fair will take place from October 8 and 13 with wild fun activities for both children and adults were in charge of announcing this year’s festivities and a wide range of attractions at special subsidised prices From October 8 to October 12 activities will cost €3.50 The official opening of the Fair was on October 8 at 8 pm The 2024 Grand Gala took place at the Municipal Tent at 10.30 pm the Councillor announced live gigs by bands like Mojinos Escozios who will perform at the Municipal Tent throughout the week On October 9- The selection of the Children’s Queen and Knight along with the Senior Queen (for older participants) These ceremonial titles are part of a long-standing tradition at Spanish festivals where community members of different age groups are honoured The selection of the Senior Queen will take place during the first tribute lunch for the elderly recognising their contribution to the community the Mass in honour of the Patron Saints will be held at the Church of El Salvador followed by a procession through the streets of Nerja October 11 – Nerja’s second tribute lunch for the elderly will be held, where the “Grandparents of Nerja 2024” awards will be presented October 12 – Religious services will be officiated in honour of the Virgin of Pilar An important feature of this fair is the daily music blackout period specifically designed for children with special needs The Nerja fair will include festivities such as: Get more news about Axarquia Nerja town hall has appointed a new officer for its foreigners department which is located in the town's tourist office Rosa Armijo took up the post in January following the departure of Jacky Gómez who retired from the job in July last year The office is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and contact can also be made via email: extranjeros@nerja.es or by phone on 952 548 401 On Friday February 23, hiking enthusiasts from the Axarquia region will have the chance to explore the scenic trail connecting Frigiliana and Nerja through the beautiful Tejeda part of the 2025 hiking programme by Almuñecar offers participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy ecological and cultural landscapes The trail, which lasts approximately six hours, is categorized as medium difficulty. Hikers will pass through nice spots like the Higueron and Chillar rivers, El Esparto fountain, the El Pinturillo recreation area, and the La Coladilla gorge. These locations offer panoramic views and a direct connection with the park’s biodiversity where participants can relax after their journey Checking the weather forecast before the hike is also advised in order to avoid any surprises The 2025 hiking programme by Almuñecar features various routes throughout the year to encourage physical activity and showcase the region’s natural beauty This new trail offers an excellent opportunity to discover the richness of the local areas while enjoying an outdoor adventure Hiking in Axarquia has been growing in popularity with numerous trails weaving through the mountains and along the coast providing access to less discovered places The area is rich in landscapes and diverse ecosystems which makes it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike This new addition highlights at the same time the region’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism and healthy living The Axarquía region is aglow with festive spirit, and now it’s Nerja and Maro’s turn to shine adding their own touch of magic to the celebrations and the Axarquía region is already shimmering with festive cheer as Christmas lights illuminate the towns it’s time for Nerja and Maro to join the celebration and add their sparkle to the festivities Nerja and Maro promise a fun line-up of light More than 80 activities look to brighten up the streets fun-filled Christmas countdown for residents and visitors Christmas will start on Monday 2 with several craft workshops before the official Christmas Market inauguration on December 5 in Plaza de España at 5pm set your sights on the beautiful Nativity Scene on the ground floor of the Town Hall before being dazzled by the big switch-on from the Balcón de Europa at 7 p.m In addition to Nerja’s festive favourites  – Santa Claus Parade New Year’s Eve Party and the Living Nativity Scene – this year there will be a few extra surprises Join the Christmas Fairies on December 6 or the youth party in Giner de los Ríos car park on December 14 don’t miss the Beauty and the Beast musical Rapunzel or the Disney musical tribute at the Villa de Nerja Cultural Centre The City Council encourages all from Nerja and Maro to join the fun share the joy of Christmas and wishes everybody season’s greetings A man’s body has been discovered in a ravine around the Maro-cerro Gordo cliffs in Nerja The decomposed remains of the body were found in the Costa del Sol beauty spot by hikers on Saturday November 16 and was immediately reported to the Guardia Civil the body was located near the watchtower and became the unpleasant find of several walkers The body had been there for some time due to its state of decomposition and is now awaiting autopsy and identification the corpse could possibly relate to the disappearance of 63-year old Rincón de la Victoria resident who vanished without a trace on November 5 His car had been tracked in the area but despite a wider search of the region Civil Protection volunteers and Local Police officers the SOS Desaparecidos association (SOS Disappearances) announced that the missing poster for Mauro was being removed and the alert had been deactivated suggesting that the body found was that of the 63-year-old this has not been confirmed and social media posts relating to the incident have also been taken down Find other articles on Costa del Sol  Work has finished to reform the iconic Balcón de Europa in Nerja on the eastern Costa del Sol was for centuries the site of a medieval castle The area welcomes thousands of people every day with its peaks that reach over 1,800 metres above sea level Together with El Salvador church the area is a historic landmark for local residents said in a statement that the restoration "not only ensures the conservation of our heritage "The Balcón de Europa is a tourist landmark and with this intervention we guarantee that it will continue to be an emblematic place" both for tourists and locals The town hall has restored the perimeter bench and repaired areas that had been broken the steps leading to the main door of El Salvador church have been renovated providing the entire surface with new flooring of higher quality and durability The project has involved an investment of 85,240 euros co-financed by the town hall and the Andalusian regional government's tourism department through a grant for the conservation and improvement of tourist and cultural spaces Bridget Peirson-Davis was "delighted" to be asked to provide entertainment "with a nautical theme" for the town's 41 Club summer party sang a few of the classics from Rodgers and Hammerstein and I Am the Captain of the Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan "with a willing team of five gentlemen as my chorus of backing singers complete with paper sailor hats and a rubber ring" She explains that she was working with a lady called Janet Tate "who loved Nerja" and often holidayed there with her husband Arthur "She insisted I visit Nerja," Bridget recalls She believes that Janet and Arthur eventually retired to the town but they lost contact when Bridget got another job and she never visited them Bridget "finally got around to visiting Nerja" She quickly understood what the attraction was and "soon fell in love with the beauty of the place the people and the warm weather," so decided to move to Nerja along with her son Thomas "This required a lot of planning," Bridget admits Bridget has a BA (hons) degree in Music and Drama and is a member of the actors' union Equity and the Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS) "From an early age I had taken singing lessons and was taught in the classical style I had a wonderful singing teacher who passed on her knowledge of various genres of classical music," Bridget explains From there the performer moved on to musical theatre and got involved with an amateur operatic group in Bedford landing her first lead role at the age of twenty-one as Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls it clearly pleased Bridget who went on to play lead roles in operas and operettas and her directing debut was Anton Chekhov's The Seagull She's also directed musicals including Sondheim's Sweeney Todd Arlen and Harburg's Wizard of Oz and her last job before moving to Spain was directing an adaptation of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment a Flemish town just south of Brussels due to her then husband's job Bridget would remain in the country for 18 years "My husband and I separated after just a couple of years but as my son was at the British School of Brussels where I was also teaching singing I decided to stay put," she explains While in Belgium Bridget taught private singing lessons from her home and worked as a freelance voice-over artist for English language courses Something else Bridget did while in Brussels was take part in Belgium's Got Talent having already participated in the programme in the UK I got through to the second round on three occasions," she explains It was a friend who encouraged her to try the Belgian programme where they both got through to the finals which was recorded for television In the end Bridget says that performance wasn't televised but admits that "it was a great experience not to be missed." Now she's on the lookout for opportunities to continue performing and entertaining in Nerja and the surrounding area "I hope there is a good pianist out there somewhere who'd like to join me with a view to presenting concerts of classical and musical theatre repertoire," she says While Bridget looks to make some artistic contacts she says she also enjoys pottery and silver jewellery making and hopes to start selling her creations she's either looking after all her animals or watching Star Trek with her son the 66-year-old Nerja resident who disappeared last Saturday in the nearby village of Maro took part on Thursday afternoon in a search in the Vega de Maro area to try to locate the man who worked as a cook for several decades until his retirement had appealed to the public through social networks to join the effort which has also been supported by Nerja town hall forming part of one of the 15 groups that have been created to explore the many other areas in which the search perimeter has been divided The trail of Ramírez Fortes was lost late last Saturday afternoon at the bus stop in Maro located next to the roundabout that gives access to the small village which has a population of just 800 inhabitants He had spent the afternoon with one of his sons in a house in Maro who explained that he left him at the stop to catch the bus it is not clear that he got on the bus: the driver of the vehicle told the Guardia Civil that he had not see him Another witness places him in a taxi heading in the direction of Nerja afterwards And there are witnesses who said they saw him last Sunday near his house in Nerja Thursday's search took place between 4pm and 8pm SUR has accompanied several of the groups that have combed rural roads irrigation channels and agricultural estates in the area between the town of Maro and the eastern part of Nerja town centre and in the area around the Nerja wastewater treatment plant "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack there are too few of us to cover such a large area," said Antonio Gallardo one of the participants in the search around Maro beach it seems that the earth has swallowed him up poor man," said another of the participants with the help of the Local Police and Civil Protection teams Sources consulted by SUR have pointed out that it has not yet been decided whether further searches by members of the public will be carried out in the next few days The three-year alliance sees the Cueva de Nerja Public Services Foundation's logo prominently displayed on the pre-match shirts of Málaga CF's first team The Spanish football club, Málaga CF have entered into a three-year sponsorship deal with the world-famous, Cueva de Nerja. This strategic alliance sees the Cueva de Nerja Public Services Foundation, responsible for the conservation of the jewel of Málaga’s logo prominently displayed on the pre-match shirts of the club’s first team. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Málaga CF (@malagacf) renowned for its awe-inspiring stalactite and stalagmite formations is a major tourist attraction drawing millions of visitors annually The partnership marks a unique collaboration between sports and cultural heritage “It is a great honour to wear the Cueva de Nerja logo on our pre-match shirt The relationship with the subdelegation of the Government of Spain in Málaga is extraordinary and we are grateful for their trust We are convinced that this union will be fruitful for everyone.” The collaboration is expected to enhance the visibility of both partners Málaga CF will introduce the natural beauty of Cueva de Nerja to a global audience The football club will benefit from associating with such a prestigious and iconic landmark This partnership is anticipated to have a positive impact on the local community and boost regional tourism Cueva de Nerja is a breathtaking natural wonder spanning nearly 5 kilometres the cave’s largest chamber has even hosted concerts transforming it into a natural amphitheatre A visit to Cueva de Nerja offers an unforgettable underground experience showcasing the raw beauty of nature Cueva de Nerja also joined MGS Seguros as a premium sponsor in the last month Los Blanquiazules will kick off their Segunda División campaign with an away match against Racing de Ferrol on August 17 at 8:30 PM IST is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MediaInc Communications Private Limited The parent company is a commercial entity with interest in the business of sport The platform is designed as an online community dedicated to report timely and precise information on the trends in the sports world Contact us: hello@sportsmintmedia.com © SportsMint Media. Designed and developed by Haywire Digital The dead body of a man was found on a beach in Nerja a caller alerted the emergency services control room that at around 9pm he found the body of a man who appeared to be deceased on the shoreline of Carabeillo The victim appeared to be a man in his fifties Call centre operators quickly mobilised the 061 health emergency services Local Police and Civil Protection protection volunteers from Nerja Police sources told 112 Andalucía that the deceased No further information has been released about his identity or the circumstances of his death Granada-based British drummer Stik Cook and his jazz quartet are performing with Nerja's Ventana Abierta at Hotel Plaza Cavana this Friday 22 November The quartet will mainly perform jazz standards often inspired by the style of legendary hard-bop trumpeter Freddie Hubbard "which will serve as a framework for improvisation" While Stik says all the music will sound familiar to the audience there will also be some original compositions and the Peruvian influence of guitarist Pierre Huarniz "ensuring that the evening will undoubtedly be a memorable musical experience" is originally from Yorkshire and comes from a musical family His grandfather made a living from selling pianos in the early 20th century and his father still plays the piano having also always performed with jazz bands Stik says it was definitely the influence of his forebearers which encouraged him to literally pick up the baton and his dad sat him behind a drum set as a small boy The musician has been in Spain for around 20 years and has combined playing in jazz bands with his work as an osteopath in Ronda where he has built up a loyal base of mainly Spanish and some foreign clients While living in Cadiz he performed at the American military base in Rota the soldiers based there "want American music" So "local Spanish musicians learnt to play American Jazz Stik plays at the jazz club in Ronda and is very involved with the relatively-recently established Ool Ya Koo jazz club in Granada (named after the response that Dizzy Gillespie gave when someone asked him what bebop was Trumpeter Dani Cano is from Granada but spent over 10 years in London before returning to his native city Double bassist José Luis Lopretti is from Uruguay and spent many years in Amsterdam before moving to Granada Pierre Huarniz also heard of the growing jazz scene in Granada and moved to the city Tonight's concert starts at 8pm and booking is recommended GRANADA-born athlete María Pérez secured two Olympic medals at the Paris 2024 Games a gold in the mixed relay race alongside fellow athlete Álvaro Martín and a silver medal in the 20 km race walk María Pérez has strong ties to the town of Nerja Although not officially counted as medals for Malaga Pérez’s journey as an athlete started at the age of 15 with the Nerja Club she has built lasting friendships and cherishes the time she spends in the town Pérez shared that she often returns to Nerja to relax with family and friends making it her favourite spot to celebrate achievements At 28 years old, María Pérez’s career, shaped in Nerja has reached new heights with her gold medal win in Paris Spain had an impressive showing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games securing a total of 18 medals across various sports Here’s a breakdown of Spain’s achievements: Spain’s medal haul highlights the country’s strong performances across a range of disciplines reflecting both the depth and breadth of its sporting talent at the Paris 2024 Games For more Axarquia news click here