Nerja, Andalusia, Spain.

Our stop at Malaga, Spain, featured an excursion to a cave network and something mysteriously called “The Balcony of Europe.” It was a mystery until we saw it, and the concept became clear. The location is named due to its impressive cliff tops overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The promenade offers a panoramic view that resembles a balcony overlooking the vast expanse of water, hence the name. It’s a popular spot for strolling, people-watching, and enjoying the stunning scenery. We were dropped off by the cruise ship bus driver and spent about two hours wandering around the shops and enjoying the views.

Though we had a full bus, the area was large enough to not feel crowded once the tour guide let us go on our own. Several directions were available to the group, so everyone split up, and each smaller group went their own way.

Two small beaches are nestled beside the promenade leading to the European Balcony. On this early morning in April, very few people were on the beach.

Three cormorants were likely hunting for breakfast on a rock outcropping just below the beach.

Two cannons lent a bit of nostalgia for the protection of the Mediterranean coast. Nearby, a statue of King Alfonso XII looks over the beach. The king stood at this high point along the coast, marveled at the view, and coined the name of the high bluff, “The Balcony of Europe.”

The balcony is in the city’s heart, which has a population of about 20,000. The coastline is in the south of Spain and faces the Mediterranean Sea. Famous for its beautiful beaches, historic sites, and friendly atmosphere, it’s a popular destination for tourists seeking a vacation and cruisers who stop for a day’s excursion.

The wide, bright streets near the balcony plaza are welcoming. We boarded our bus and went to our next stop, the Caves of Nerja. The caves were quite a distance underground, and we were advised there would be a turn-around in case we needed it. Going down was easy, but we cut the cave tour short due to the steep ascent from the depths of the caves. I only took a few photos from the cave and will feature them in a Cellpic Sunday or two as I wisely opted not to carry my heavy camera gear into the cave. My cellphone was up to the task. More to come on Nerja.

John Steiner