Considered the center of Nerja The Balcón de Europa, has stunning views across the sea. Local legend would have us believe that is was so named by King Alfonso XII who when visiting in 1885 following a disastrous earthquake stood at the end of the Balcon and reputedly said “This is the balcony of Europe”.
There is a life size statue of the king standing by the railing.
The Balcón area was originally known as La Bateria, a reference to the gun battery which existed there in a fortified tower. This emplacement and a similar tower nearby were destroyed during the Peninsular War.
In May 1812, the British vessels Hyacinth,Termagant and Basilisk supported Spanish guerrillas on the coast of Grenada, against the French and on the 20th of May the Termangant or Hyacinth opened fire and the forts were destroyed.
The two rusty guns positioned at the end of the Balcón are reminders of these violent times. The huge lumps of rock, the remains of La Batería, are still visible in the sea at the end of the Balcón.
The area around the Balcón has lots of restaurants and it is a popular place for a stroll and to enjoy the views.
