The Romeria de San Isidro is one of the most beautiful festivals in Nerja. San Isidro Labrador is the patron saint of farmers and peasants in Spain. The figure of San Isidro dates back to the 11th century.
San Isidro is the patron saint of farmers. For this reason, people who work in agriculture ask him for miracles and rain for the crops during times of drought.
San Isidro is on May 15th. The Nerja pilgrimage is one of the most beautiful festivals in Nerja along with the Nerja Fair and San Juan.
The parade of carts will again tour the streets of Nerja from the Balcón de Europa to the Hermitage of the Patron of the farmers in the enclosure of the Cueva de Nerja.
Mass in the Church of El Salvador
At half past eleven in the morning. In this act there will be a tribute to the farmers, enlivened by the choir of the Peña Nerjeña and the Folkloric Group of the elderly of the Municipal School of Music and Dance.
Start of the parade
The traditional pilgrimage will leave at half past twelve from the Balcón de Europa, enlivened by the Ortigosa family, going through C/ Pintada, Plaza Cantarero, Avda. de Pescia and the N-340 road to the Hermitage of San Isidro in the enclosure of the Cave of Nerja.
In the Cueva de Nerja we will enjoy live music with different local groups.
When is the Romería de San Isidro celebrated?
The festival of San Isidro is celebrated on May 15 in Nerja. In previous years it was also celebrated on the night of May 14, celebrating the “Eve of San Isidro” where the young people of Nerja and Maro met in the gardens of the Cueva de Nerja to celebrate the arrival of this festival.
Official Program of the Romería de San Isidro
You can download the official program from the Nerja City Council website – festivals and traditions – or see the latest news in the Nerja Lovers Facebook group. – San Isidro Nerja –
Where is San Isidro Celebrated?
San Isidro is a pilgrimage that parades from the Balcon de Europa to the Cueva de Nerja. The pilgrims and residents of Nerja walk from Nerja to Maro behind their patron saint “San Isidro”, the patron saint of farmers.
San Isidro Parade in Nerja
The parade of carts or the Romeria de San Isidro parades from Calle Diputacion in Nerja, passing by the Balcon de Europa, up Calle Pintada, Plaza Cantarero, and the entire national road next to the Hotel Nerja Club, Hotel Los Arcos, Mercadona de Capistrano, Oasis de Capistrano and follows the road until reaching Maro and the Nerja Caves.
San Isidro Schedules
The schedules are relative. Normally the San Isidro program is always similar. The carts and the parade of the pilgrimage usually pass through Nerja from 11am to 2pm. And arrives in Maro around 2pm or 3pm.
Photos and videos of San Isidro, Nerja.
San Isidro is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Here you can see some photos of the pilgrimage as it passes through the centre of Nerja. Thousands of people enjoy the spectacular parade of horses and floats decorated with flowers.
What to do in San Isidro Nerja?
This day is a public holiday in Nerja. Shops may close early or change their opening hours on this day. Please note that businesses may close early or change hours on this day. Supermarkets, shops and restaurants have other hours. Mercadona and Carrefour also have special opening hours. The restaurants that are open are usually celebrating, there is live music and a festive atmosphere. We recommend that you enjoy San Isidro in a different way.
If you like the pilgrimage, you can make your own float. You must request a permit (free) from the town hall. To access the Nerja cave. This is just the registration of the vehicle to participate in the pilgrimage.
You can also walk from Nerja to Maro with your beer in hand. Enjoying the journey, dancing and singing with friends.
Where to see San Isidro Nerja?
If you want to see San Isidro from the barrier. You can see the floats pass by in one of the streets through which the pilgrimage passes. You can also see it from a bar on this same street. Example: Calle Diputacion, Plaza Cavana, Balcon de Europa, Calle Pintada, Plaza Cantarero, National Highway from Plaza Cantarero to Maro. (avenida de pescia). Or sitting under a tree next to the oasis de capistrano urbanization.
Accommodations for San Isidro in Nerja
You can book anywhere in Nerja. The pilgrimage parades from Calle Diputacion in Nerja, passing by the Balcon de Europa, up Calle Pintada, Plaza Cantarero, and along the entire national road until reaching Maro and the Nerja Caves.
Anywhere in Nerja is perfect for staying. You can book a hotel with a pool to enjoy a few days of relaxation in Nerja, a villa on Burriana beach or a cheap apartment in Nerja.
Bus Nerja – San Isidro
On the 15th from midday, the party begins in the Nerja Caves. You can walk along the pilgrimage or take the bus from Nerja. In Nerja there is a shuttle bus service to San Isidro throughout the day. You can also find taxis and uber from Nerja to Maro. There are buses every 20 minutes from Nerja. Shuttle bus service Nerja – Maro to San Isidro throughout the day.
The celebration of San Isidro in Spain
San Isidro. Nerja on May 15.
Pilgrimage: Similar to Madrid, there is a pilgrimage in which participants go to the village of San Isidro, located in the Nerja Cave. They dress in traditional costumes and carry out outdoor activities.
Religious Event: People gather to pay homage to the saint “San isidro”. Everyone asks for fertility for agriculture.
Cultural Celebrations: Concerts and DJ performances in the Cueva de Nerja area. Music stand for young and old. Dances and fairs. Cultural and recreational activities in Nerja. Hundreds of people visit Nerja on San Isidro.
Origin of the Tradition
The tradition of San Isidro Labrador in Madrid dates back to the veneration of the saint for his role in rural life and his connection with water, a vital element for agriculture. The devotion spread to other regions of Spain, including the coast of Malaga, where Nerja has adopted the festival with its own local style.
The festival of San Isidro Labrador is one of the most important festivities. The festivities include:
A beautiful pilgrimage. People dress in traditional costumes and walk to the meadow of San Isidro. The event ends at the hermitage of San Isidro.
During the celebrations, there are performances of folk music, typical dances, and cultural activities that highlight Madrid’s traditions.
It is traditional to eat typical dishes such as “calamari sandwiches”, “patatas bravas” and “churros con chocolate”. The typical drink is “aguardiente de San Isidro”.
Over the years, these celebrations have come to symbolise not only the importance of agriculture, but also the cultural identity and traditions of the communities that celebrate them.