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Nerja - Five Fascinating Fact 4 - Party On

San Juan
Beach celebrations of San Juan

Nerja - Five Fascinating Fact 4 - Party On

by Fiona Flores Watson

Party On - Wash your sins away at the Noche de San Juan beach party

One of the biggest and most well-know all-night beach parties takes place on La Noche de San Juan (the eve of St John's Day). On the evening of 23 June, all the townsfolk of Nerja, and plenty of visitors too, head down to the shore, armed with tents, barbeques and copious liquid refreshment, to camp on the beach (normally prohibited) and grill sardines. At midnight, everyone rushes into the sea to wash away their sins, symbolising the baptisms of St John the Baptist, which is the official start of the festivities. There are bonfires (jump over them for good luck) and fireworks, and then everyone dances till dawn.

  • Fact 1 - Prehistoric caves, with the tallest natural pillar in the world
  • Fact 2 - Head just inland from Nerja to the prettiest village in Andalucia
  • Fact 3 - Nerja has beaches galore - in town, and more isolated
  • Fact 4 - Wash your sins away at the Noche de San Juan beach party
  • Fact 5 - See top international singers and dancers at the Festival Cueva de Nerja
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Las Cuevas de Nerja (the Caves of Nerja) are a series of naturally formed caves and caverns in the hills of Maro, 4km North-East of Nerja Las Cuevas de Nerja (the Caves of Nerja) are a series of naturally formed caves and caverns in the hills of Maro, 4km North-East of Nerja
Nerja - Five Fascinating Fact 1 - Stalactite City

The Nerja Caves were formed five million years ago. This 4km-long cave system was once inhabited - skeletons, pottery, ornaments and implements of stone, flint, copper and bronze dating from… More →

A narrow, cobbled street in Frigiliana winds between whitewashed houses under the warm Andalusian sun © Michelle Chaplow A narrow, cobbled street in Frigiliana winds between whitewashed houses under the warm Andalusian sun
Nerja - Fascinating Fact 2 - Frijiliana

Nerja offers an ideal base to explore the nearby mountainous region of Axarquia, famous for its dramatic scenery and unspoilt hilltop villages. The most famous of these is Frigiliana, 7km north of… More →

Calahonda Beach in Nerja – a small, picturesque gem, a picture-postcard views and classic Mediterranean charm.© Michelle Chaplow Calahonda Beach in Nerja – a small, picturesque gem, a picture-postcard views and classic Mediterranean charm.© Michelle Chaplow
Nerja - Five Fascinating Fact 3 - Beach Life

Nerja has a great selection of beaches: the sandy half-moons of Playa del Salon (west of the Balcon de Europa, separated from it by cliffs), Calahonda (to its east), next-door Carabeo and… More →

San Juan Beach celebrations of San Juan
Nerja - Five Fascinating Fact 4 - Party On

One of the biggest and most well-know all-night beach parties takes place on La Noche de San Juan (the eve of St John's Day). On the evening of 23 June, all the townsfolk of Nerja, and plenty of… More →

Top international singers and dancers at the Festival Cueva de Nerja, Including dancer Joaquin Cortes © Michelle Chaplow Top international singers and dancers at the Festival Cueva de Nerja, Including dancer Joaquin Cortes © Michelle Chaplow
Nerja - Fascinating Fact 5 - Festival Central

At the other end of the spectrum from San Juan, the Cueva de Nerja Festival (International Festival of Music and Dance), also in summer, is one of the most important cultural events on the Costa… More →

© Michelle Chaplow Noche de San Juan fireworks
Noche de San Juan fireworks
Fascinating Facts