Nerja - is it over developed and have a Brits Abroad feel?

[pooperscoops]

Or is it a sophisticated and authentic Spanish vibe?

Am after some winter / spring sun (not sun bathing) early next year - just milder days and clear skys somewhere with a bit of character.

Depends on what you'd call authentic, doesn't it? Nerja's a tourist magnet that, like most Spanish destinations, provides a touristic version of a Spanish vibe. Dual-language menus. Lots of English expats and holiday homes. It's nice: thriving old town; good beaches; caves; challenging walks.

You will, in fact, be a Brit abroad 😆 If you want to be the only Brits, you'll have to go a long way off the beaten track. If you want to be surrounded by Spaniards doing Spanish life, go to a big city. I'm certainly feeling you on the winter sun - wherever you end up, have a nice time!

Frigliana is a pueblo blanco 10 minutes away and completely beautiful. Has a Spanish feel with some great restaurants.

We stayed in an AirB&B in the centre of town. It had a roof terrace and was just perfect. We went in February and spent out days hiking and e-biking. Car hire was very reasonable.

You can bus into Nerja very easily and it takes about 10 minutes.

I loved Frigiliana, and I'd go there over Nerja. At that time of year, you won't be wanting the beach (to sit on), and that's the only thing Nerja has over Frigiliana.

There are loads of other lovely villages to visit close by (including the 'lost village' - a must see), plus you have easy access to the coast for walks etc.

We stayed in the old town (it really is a town of 2 halves, with a much more modern part, and a proper old (pedestrianized) part), and loved being able to wander round the narrow streets in the evenings, enjoying the sangria (and wine), and views out to see from the rooftop bars. It was lovely.

Somewhere in between!

There are a lot of properties, quite tightly packed so you could say overdeveloped. But the pro of this is it's quite easy to walk around and into restaurant areas etc. without using a car all the time. The main centre also has lots of traditional (not tourist) style apartment blocks and has a proper Spanish town feel. Nerja has a huge number of restaurants of all styles, very Spanish ones and Brits abroad style and is just a nice place to wander about IMO. Weather seems particularly good too!

Ohh I am excited now ... lots to do at that time of year for a quick refreshing break - thanks.

It's a working Spanish town which attracts a lot of tourists. Definitely better to visit off season, the summer months can get crowded. Lots of lovely places to eat, narrow streets to wander round, little shops, wine & tapas. Heaven.

We went slightly out of season at the end of May and absolutely loved it. There is a lot to do as well in the surrounding area, we stayed at a villa close to Frigiliana as PP's have mentioned.

Nerja is nice but defo has an ex-pat feel. Irish bars etc - nothing wrong with that if that’s what you want. It’s still a lovely place imo - I’ve been loads of times as I have friends near there). Further out, eg Frigliana as mentioned, is lovely too.

I found it very Brits abroad, Frigliana is nice. La Herradura is more Spanish and less Brits.

It's not overdeveloped but especially in summer there are a lot of brits.

As others have said further up in the hills is more Spanish (frigiliana is not easy to get around if you have mobility problems though)

Went out of peak season and loved it. Lots of lovely eateries.
It was unusually warm for that time of year and quiet

I really hate that expression 'Brits abroad'. People thinking that they, and their holiday choices are superior to others, and that they are 'not that kind of Brit'.

But in answer to your question, @Purplecatshopaholic is correct that Nerja has a lot of ex-pats and British people who own their own homes there, but it isn't a place full of budget all inclusives.

And it's interesting that people are saying how much nicer Frigiliana is - as there has been so much new development taking place around Frigiliana (from people wanting a holiday home in somewhere 'more authentically Spanish'?), its in danger of being spoilt itself.

Nerja is different from the resorts to the east of Malaga in that there are a lot of separate beaches in little coves, rather than a long flat stretch with a walkway. And accommodation tends to be more self catering and smaller hotels.

I like it a lot - and you can't beat a bit of out of season sun just a short flight away.

Sorry I meant different from the resorts to the West.