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El Salvador Church

The parish church of El Salvador is the main church in Nerja, located between Plaza Cavana and the promenade of the Balcón de Europa, next to the 'Cerote' tree. Inside this church, we can find a mural dedicated to the Incarnation by Francisco Hernández and the Christ of B

Iglesia de El Salvador is the main church in Nerja and one of its most emblematic religious buildings. Situated between Plaza Cavana and the promenade of the Balcón de Europa, in the very heart of the historic centre, it occupies a privileged place on the tourist route through the city centre.

Completed at the end of the 17th century and in an academic Baroque style, it stands out for its bell tower and for an interior that houses works of great interest, such as a mural dedicated to the Incarnation and a bronze Christ by the sculptor Aurelio Teno. It is also one of the churches with the greatest presence of the three Archangels, with San Miguel being the patron saint of Nerja. In front of its door stands the popular “árbol cerote”, a century-old araucaria that a Nerja man who had emigrated to Chile brought back to his home town in the early 20th century.

Its location, next to the Balcón de Europa, means that a visit to Iglesia de El Salvador fits naturally into any walk through the centre. Stopping in front of its façade and discovering its interior is a way to get to know the history and spiritual identity of Nerja.

Mass times at El Salvador Church

Winter (from 13 October)Summer
Tuesday to Friday19:3020:00
Saturdays and eves of holidays19:3020:00
Sundays and public holidays10:30 (international Mass, in English), 12:00 (family Mass) and 19:3010:30 (in English) and 20:00; in July and August, also 21:00

There is no Mass on Mondays. On winter Thursdays there is prayer before the Blessed Sacrament at 19:00. Confession: in winter, half an hour before each Mass; in summer, an hour before the 20:00 Mass.

Parish office: in winter, Wednesdays and Thursdays 17:00–18:30; in summer, Wednesdays 18:30–20:00. Address: Plaza Cavana, 13. Phone +34 952 520 291, email nerja.elsalvador@diocesismalaga.es. Times from the Diocese of Málaga (October 2026); they may change at Easter and on public holidays.

Services & facilities

Wheelchair accessibleCity centreEasy accessNo petsParkingRestaurants

Video

1 video

El Salvador Church — video 1

Where to park

If you are going to El Salvador Church, there are 2 car parks nearby:

Plaza de España car parkGiner de los Ríos car park

  1. Balcón de Europa car park: this public car park is right under Plaza de España. It is paid and fully supervised.
  2. Giner de los Ríos car park: next to Plaza de España, with access from Calle Manuel Marín. It is free and unsupervised.

How to get to El Salvador Church

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Review profile

Summary of the 612 most recent Google and Tripadvisor reviews (April 2016 – September 2026). These are visitors' opinions, analysed by EsNerja.

According to 612 recent reviews on Google (312) and Tripadvisor (300): most mentioned: central spot beside the Balcón de Europa · cool, peaceful and well-kept interior · photogenic bell tower and facade · free entry and occasional concerts.

Google vs Tripadvisor

Google 4.6 · Tripadvisor 4.3

Both platforms agree.

By review language

Spanish 4.4 (210) · English 4.4 (192)

Language hints at who is reviewing (locals and Spanish visitors, or foreign visitors).

Last 12 months

4.8 (46) vs 4.7 (48) the year before

The rating is steady.

Months with the best average rating

April, May, August

Based on review dates; not a forecast.

Frequently asked questions

In winter (from 13 October), Tuesday to Saturday at 19:30, and Sundays and holidays at 10:30 (in English), 12:00 and 19:30. In summer, Tuesday to Saturday at 20:00, and Sundays at 10:30 (in English) and 20:00, plus 21:00 in July and August. There is no Mass on Mondays.
Yes. El Salvador Church holds an international Mass in English every Sunday at 10:30, in winter and in summer.
At Plaza Cavana 13, right in the centre of Nerja, at the start of the Balcón de Europa promenade.
By phone on +34 952 520 291 or by email at nerja.elsalvador@diocesismalaga.es. The parish office opens in winter on Wednesdays and Thursdays 17:00–18:30, and in summer on Wednesdays 18:30–20:00.
Yes, on Sundays it is open 11:00 to 13:30.
The nearest beach is El Salón Beach, 100 m (a 1-minute walk) away; the Balcón de Europa is 150 m (about a 2-minute walk) away; and nearby you can visit Nerja Old Town (100 m).

El Salvador Church has a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Google from 312 reviews. Seventeenth-century church opposite the Balcón de Europa, much liked for its location, bell tower and calm, well-kept interior. Free to enter; a few visitors find it modest in terms of artworks.

What people like most:

  • Central spot beside the Balcón de Europa
  • Cool, peaceful and well-kept interior
  • Photogenic bell tower and facade
  • Free entry and occasional concerts

What's nearby

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El Salvador Church

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