Nerja > towns

Maro

Maro is Nerja's eastern neighbour, located just within the administrative confines of the Municipality of Nerja with the two being closely tied together administratively speaking. It's a village which despite attracting many tourists, primarily thanks to the Caves, retains a great deal of the traditions of the area and fiercely holds on to it's own identity. Officially Maro only has approximately 700 inhabitants and as a result is a wonderfully quiet and at times sleepy little village.

Despite being so small it's probably one of the most fortunate villages in Andalusia with the caves, referred to as the Nerja caves right on the doorstep (they should really be called the Maro Caves), Andalusia's best beach of 2013 being found here, two natural parks a short walk from the villages centre and a number of historical monuments such as the restored watchtower on the eastern side of the village and the Eagle Aqueduct (Acueducto del Águila) to the west.

Ferias and events

Like many villages in the region Maro has its own events which take place throughout the year mixed in with other regional and national celebrations. Here's a quick rundown of the villages traditional calendar.

• Fiesta de San Antón (16-17 Jan) – At the beginning of each year the village hosts a fiesta in honor of Maro's patron saint, San Antón.
• Carnivals are celebrated throughout Andalusia in February and Maro also takes part in this somewhat surprising tradition. To read more about the February carnivals take a look here.
• Easter Week (March / April) – Known as Semana Santa or Saints week in Spain. Every village will embrace this religious holiday whether they be large or small.
• Cruces de Mayo (3rd May) – A popular tradition across the region read more about it here.
• Festival of San Juan (23rd - 24th June) – A festival celebrated all over Spain to mark the coming of the summer solstice. On the coast many people bathe in the sea at midnight, Maro beach being an ideal location for this.
• Feria de las Maravillas – Probably Maro's biggest event of the year, the towns summer feria. Take a look here for more information and photos.
• Maroween (31st October) – A bit of a play on words for a festival that coincides with Halloween. This is an annual celebration, with live music and ghoulish costumes, of chestnuts and sweet potato's, which are roasted and given out for free to participants.