5 Things to do in Nerja Spain!

 Treasures of Traveling in Nerja

Nerja is a beautiful and charming coastal beach town located along Spain’s sunny Costa del Sol that has kept its traditional charm with its narrow cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses. Nerja is well known for its spectacular coastline between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of the Sierras de Tejeda. If you are visiting Andalucia, the region of southern Spain, there are many cities like Granada, Sevilla and Cordoba that are filled with historical wonders, but Nerja’s coast will draw you in to relax for a few days under the Andalucian sun. It’s located between the larger cities of Granada and Malaga and Sevilla isn’t that far away. Nerja isn’t just a beach resort town and actually has many other things to offer, other than beaches. Read more about the five things to do in Nerja on the Treasures of Traveling website.

-- Luke Keeler    

The Best Beaches in Nerja!

Nerja is well known throughout Spain for its famous beaches and coves because many of them are featured as the best beaches in Spain. Nerja is one of Costa del Sol’s most well known destinations as this community has kept its traditional fishing village feel with its whitewashed store fronts and small town feel so it has become a well known seaside resort. The majority of people who visit Nerja come to vacation and relax on one of the many beaches along this stretch of Spain’s Costa del Sol. Many of the beaches are in stark contrast as some have long stretches of sandy shores, while the majority are small and tucked away in quiet coves between different rock outcroppings and cliffs. Many of these cliffs offer beautiful views, but one of the best views of the coastline in Nerja is from the Balcón de Europa. Many of these beaches are also in walking distance from the center of Nerja so it makes it easy to enjoy the beach and explore the town on the same visit. Even if you don’t feel like walking far, there are restaurants, stores, public restrooms and showers close to the shoreline. Another reason that makes a beach day in Nerja so comfortable is the large number of lifeguard stations located along the beaches in Nerja. There are actually so many different beaches in Nerja that you could visit a new beach each day of the week. Let’s take a closer look at seven of those different beaches by visiting the Treasures of Traveling website.  

--Luke Keeler 

Exploring Nerja’s Balcón de Europa!

 

If you plan to visit Nerja, the main focal point of this beautiful coastal town is the Balcón de Europa (Balcony of Europe). It’s one of the most famous landmarks in Nerja, where you can just wander along the palm-lined broadwalk to the large circular plaza at the end. This plaza is extremely popular for both locals and tourists to be seen and meet up with friends. It has a nice pedestrian plaza area with stores, restaurants and cafes. While visiting Balcón de Europa, I suggest stopping and ordering an ice cream from a gelateria as this Mediterranean hot spot just begs you to savor some gelato while enjoying the views from one of the many benches overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. One of the main reasons this viewing terrace is so popular with visitors is because of it’s balcony over the rocky cliff that has wonderful views of the Nerja coastline in both directions. You can view many of Nerja’s popular beaches, the Mediterranean Sea that stretches for miles and the rugged mountains of the Sierra de Almijara that surround this lively Mediterranean town along Spain’s famous Costa del Sol. Read more about the Balcón de Europa in Nerja on the Treasures of Traveling website. 

-- Luke Keeler 

4 Great Day Trips From Madrid!

4 Great Day Trips From Madrid!

Madrid has so much to see and do and is a great starting point on anyone’s trip to Spain, but there are so many other great day trips you can make that are close to Madrid as well. After spending a few days in Madrid you might want to escape the city for a day or two and explore a few other medieval cities around the central part of Spain. Madrid is just bustling with activity at all times, during the day and especially at night. Madrid has something for everyone, so take a look at the top 14 places to visit in Madrid and then check out these four great day trips from Madrid!

--Luke Keeler

8 Places to Visit on a Walking Tour of Toledo!

8 Places to Visit on a Walking Tour of Toledo!

Treasures of Traveling in Toledo!  

Toledo is a wonderful Spanish city to visit full of culture, history and treasures of traveling. Toledo is located only 45 miles south west of Madrid so it makes it a wonderful day trip if you happen to be visiting the capital of Spain. Toledo is the capital of Castilla-la-Mancha and is an ancient Spanish city that is full of interesting things to discover due to its history of the co-existence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultures within the city. Toledo is one of the many cities of Spain with stunning treasures of traveling to see and explore while visiting such a charming city. Everything in Toledo is within walking distance, which makes it easy to discover most of the city. The historic center is small and dense so you will have the best experience of the city by exploring it on foot. Walking tours are one of my favorite ways to discover a new city. Here are 8 places to visit on a walking tour of Toledo! 

-- Luke Keeler

16 Places to Visit on a Walking Tour of Segovia!

16 places to visit on a walking tour of Segovia! 

Segovia is a wonderful Spanish city to visit full of culture, history and treasures of traveling. Segovia is located in north western central Spain, in the autonomous region of Castile and Leon. Segovia has many famous landmarks from the Roman Aqueduct that runs through the city, to the Segovia Cathedral and el Alcázar de Segovia; three places you can’t miss if you are visiting this Spanish city. The Roman Aqueduct and the Alcazar of Segovia have been added as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but even more interesting, is that the entire old city of Segovia was added as a UNESCO site in 1985. Segovia is one of the many cities of Spain filled with stunning treasures of traveling to see and explore! Everything in Segovia is within walking distance, which makes it easy to discover most of the city. Walking tours are one of my favorite ways to discover a new city. Here are 16 places to visit on a walking tour of Segovia. 

-- Luke Keeler

Exploring the Alcazar of Segovia!

Exploring the Alcazar of Segovia!

Segovia is a wonderful Spanish city to visit full of culture, history and treasures of traveling. Segovia is located in north western central Spain, in the autonomous region of Castile and Leon. Segovia has many famous landmarks from the Roman Aqueduct that runs through the city, to the Segovia Cathedral and el Alcázar de Segovia. The Alcazar of Segovia is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but was also one of the European castles that inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. It is one of the many stunning treasures of traveling to see in the charming Spanish city of Segovia. 

Read more about the Alcazar of Segovia on the Treasures of Traveling website!

-- Luke Keeler

Exploring the Segovia Aqueduct!

Exploring the Segovia Aqueduct! 

Segovia is a wonderful Spanish city to visit full of culture, history and treasures of traveling. Segovia is located in north western central Spain, in the autonomous region of Castile and Leon. Segovia’s most famous landmark is the Roman aqueduct that runs through the city. This aqueduct is one of the most well preserved in Europe and is a stunning sight to see in this charming Spanish city. 

Read more about the Aqueduct of Segovia on the Treasures of Traveling website. 

-- Luke Keeler

Top 14 Places to Visit in Madrid, Spain!

Top 14 places to visit in Madrid!

Madrid is the capital city of Spain and is full of treasures to explore. It is central to the entire country and is the seat of the central government. It is filled with grand boulevards full of shopping and restaurants. 

There are world famous parks like El Retiro, where you can relax and watch people enjoying themselves away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Madrid has world famous museums filled with European art, like the Reina Sofía and the Prado Museum showcasing works by Goya and Velázquez, just to name a few. 

Last, but not least, I can’t forget about the Royal Palace and the many famous city plazas filled with art and street performers. Madrid is just bustling with activity at all times, during the day and especially at night. Take a look at the top 14 places to visit in Madrid on the Treasures of Traveling website.

  — Luke Keeler

Spain’s Civil War Memorial, Valley of the Fallen and why it is Controversial

Spain’s Civil War Memorial, Valley of the Fallen and why it is Controversial

Madrid is the capital city of Spain and is full of treasures to explore like the Royal Palace of Madrid, and other famous Spanish squares like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, but other Spanish treasures are located just outside Madrid that make for a great day trip. One of those treasures is San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a monastery and royal site. The second site generally isn’t considered a Spanish treasure because it has so much controversy surrounding it. It is Valle de Los Caídos or in English, the Valley of the Fallen and is a monument and basilica dedicated to Spain’s Civil War. 

What is Valley of the Fallen/Valle de los Caídos?

Valle de los Caídos is Spain’s Civil War Memorial located in the Guadarrama Mountain Range (Sierra de Guadarrama), just outside of Madrid. It is about 14 km north of El Escorial and 68 km north of Madrid. It is a memorial to those who died in the Spanish Civil War and it is said there are over 45,000 civil war soldiers that are buried there now. The Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, who commissioned the construction of this memorial was also buried underneath the altar of the basilica ever since his death in 1975, until October 24, 2019 when Franco’s body was exhumed and moved to Madrid. The memorial consists of a basilica, built into the mountain side, an abbey and a gigantic cross. 

Read more about the controversies of Spain’s Civil War Memorial on the Treasures of Traveling website. 

-- Luke Keeler

Visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid!

Visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid!

Madrid is the capital city of Spain and is full of treasures to explore like the Royal Palace of Madrid. In Spanish, it’s known as Palacio Real de Madrid. It is the official residence of the Royal Family, but they don’t actually live here. Today, the Palace is mostly used for state ceremonies. Right next to the Royal Palace is Madrid’s Cathedral that was completed in 1994! The Palace is also just a short walk from other famous Spanish squares like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor.   

The current location of the palace is located on the site of a 9th century Moorish Alcázar, (Muslim fortress), after it burned in 1734. King Felipe V decided to construct a new Royal Palace on the same site. During this time, the palace was also known as “Palacio Nacional”. The palace was built in the form of a square and was inspired by sketches made by Bernini he construction of the Louvre in Paris. The palace is made up of over 3,000 rooms, which makes it one of Europe’s largest castles and is now filled with multiple artworks and antiques. 

Read about the history of this Royal Palace and what to see while visiting this Spanish treasure on the Treasures of Traveling website. 

-- Luke Keeler

The Top 6 Things To See in Puerta del Sol, Madrid, Spain!

Top 6 Things to See in Puerta del Sol!

Madrid is the capital city of Spain and is full of treasures to explore like Puerta del Sol. Some consider it the beating heart of Madrid and one of its most famous central squares, as it is a junction for many of the city’s historical and busiest streets and the starting point for all major national roads. It’s actually just a short walk from another famous Spanish square, the Plaza Mayor. Puerta del Sol is another great place to start your visit of Madrid. Read about the history of this square and the top six things to see and do in this famous Spanish square on the Treasures of Traveling website! 

-- Luke Keeler