On 16th July Nerja celebrates the day of the Virgen Del Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen and sailors. This year the festival begins with a floral offering in the El Salvador church on the night of the 14th, followed on the 15th by music and dancing and a huge bonfire in the Plaza de Cangrejos by Torrecilla Beach. There is entertainment for children, a bar, and free sardines. In many ways the 15th is the highlight of the festival.
On the 16th a procession begins at the El Salvador church near the Balcon de Europa, with the municipal band leading the way followed by the statue of the Virgen del Carmen. The procession route is as follows:
Balcon de Europa, Puerta del Mar, Pintada, Cruz, Animas, Granada, Plaza Cavana, El Barrio, Castilla Perez, Playa de la Torrecilla
The procession ends at Torrecilla Beach where much of the town is waiting to see the statue loaded onto a boat. From there it is paraded along the coastline, attended by all manner of boats, until it is brought back to land on Calahonda Beach. The festivities are concluded with a firework display, which lights up the by now darkened sea.
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