Nerja is a fringe village on the Spanish Costa del Sol. I have already enjoyed the miraculous natural beauty, beautiful beaches and beautiful architecture here.
Nerja has been renovated in a year from Malaga – you can come here for one day. Or take a look at the beaches of Nerja, which, in my opinion, are more beautiful than most of the beaches of the Sonic coast of Andalusia.
Nerja attracts an older audience, bets and families, and there is not much in the place for young people (although there are a couple of clubs with parties). This calm Nerja, perhaps, is his greatest advantage. As in many other Spanish resorts, here the main respect is given to the sun, especially the savory hedgehogs.
From now on I will tell you how beautiful Nerja is, what beaches I have been blessed with, so I can marvel at this little place and eat deliciously.
1. Nerja Caves
Discovered in 1959, the Nerja Caves are vast caves stretching for almost 5 kilometres. They are home to the world’s largest stalactite, measuring 60 metres high. The caves also feature prehistoric cave paintings that offer a glimpse into the ancient history of the area.
I highly recommend buying tickets in advance on the caves website – at least a day in order to get into the cave at a time convenient for you. If you buy tickets at the box office – it may not be at the moment when you arrive. Or you will be waiting for huge queues.
Download a free guide to the caves on the website of the cave complex. When we visited them, we chose a more modern option – a very interesting English-language tour, which you can listen to in your own headphones for free.
What you need to know before visiting the Nerja Caves
- It is located at an altitude of 159 meters above sea level and is over 20,000 years old.
- It is 4,823 meters long and is the most topographically developed cave in Andalusia.
- The Nerja Cave is formed by a complex of halls and corridors almost 5 kilometers long.
- It is home to the largest stalactite in the world, 33 meters high. This stalactite can be seen in the Hall of the Cataclysm.
- The cave is of fundamental importance for the knowledge of prehistoric times, as there are organic remains of frescoes over 42,000 years old.
- It is one of the most visited places in Andalusia today. You should take this into account when buying tickets.
- Parking near the caves is also paid for by visitors. But buses go here.
2. Balcones of Europe
This iconic spot in the heart of Nerja’s old town offers panoramic views of the sea and coastline, as well as the nearby Mediterranean beaches. Once a 9th-century fortress, this spot is now a bustling promenade lined with cafes and street performers playing guitars on benches under huge palm trees.
3. Nerja Beaches
Rest on the beaches of Andalusia is an opportunity to sunbathe in the spring, as well as swim in the sea in the summer and even in the fall. We swam in the sea in Nerja at the end of September, the water was quite warm +22 ℃. I really liked the beaches of Nerja. They are diverse – from large sandy beaches to small beaches in bays with small pebbles. The water in the sea is a wonderful blue color.
Playa de Burriana beach is a favorite beach among visitors to Nerja. This sandy beach has a fairly gentle sunset into the sea. With clear water and various water sports. The promenade is full of restaurants serving local delicacies.
Playa Carabeillo beach: located in two bays, as if divided in half by a rocky cape. With shallow pebbles, partly sandy.
Beach: Playa El Chorrillo: a small cove with sand and small pebbles – we stayed here when we came to Nerja.
Playa de Maro: a quiet place away from the tourist center of Nerja, ideal for snorkeling and kayaking, surrounded by natural beauty.
Playa del Molino de Papel: a hidden gem, known for its natural freshwater pool formed by the confluence of the La Miel River and the Arroyo de los Colmenarejos.
4. Outdoor adventures
- Kayaking and paddleboarding: explore the coast and nearby coves, especially around the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Park.
- Hiking: The Sierras Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park offer routes with breathtaking views, suitable for different levels of skill
5. Cultural and historical sites of Nerja
- Church of Salvador: A 17th-century church that showcases Baroque and Mudejar architectural styles.
- Aqueduct of El Iguila: A 19th-century aqueduct with four tiers of superimposed arches, reflecting the engineering prowess of its time.
6. Nerja promenade
The beach promenade is the best option if you’re looking for a stroll around Nerja. Start (or finish) at the Balcony of Europe and follow the lanes and promenade that run along the Nerja coast, eventually reaching Playa El Chucho, a pebble beach on the other side of town.
Along the way, visit the Atalaya de la Torrecilla, the remains of an ancient watchtower, Nerja’s rainbow stairs, the cluster of great restaurants and bars in the Plaza de los Cangrejos park, and plenty of beautiful beaches and clifftop viewpoints.
This is an easy 2-hour circular walk, perfect for a sunny day. Be sure to stop at the chiringuitos (seafood barbecues) and ice cream stands along the way.
7. What to try in Nerja restaurants
- Espetos de Sardinas: sardines on skewers and grilled over an open flame in the sand – best ordered on the beach at open-air cafes – chiringuitos.
- Paella: a traditional Spanish rice dish, often with seafood, available in many local restaurants.
8. Nerja – where to stay
Nerja has accommodation options for every budget, from beachfront hotels to guesthouses in the city centre.
The best hotels in Nerja are of course those close to the beaches, restaurants and attractions. Here are some of our top hotel recommendations:
- MB Boutique Hotel – Adults Recommended -A modern adults-only hotel in the heart of the city, with its own swimming pools.
- Hotel Bajamar Centro – A nice small hotel in the city with a rooftop pool.
- Nerja 1ª linea de Playa de Burriana , terraza grande al mar – The hotel is located on the first line near the beach (you have to go down the stairs), with a magnificent view of the sea.
- Nerja VG Hostal Boutique – boutique hotel in the city center.
9. How to get to Nerja
Nerja is located on the eastern edge of the Costa del Sol in Andalusia. The town is just a 45-minute drive from Malaga and relatively easy to reach from any resort town along the coast.
By airplane
The nearest airport to Nerja is Malaga, located approximately 58 km away. This airport is well served by both domestic and international flights. For travelers from Ukraine, it is convenient to use Ryanair flights, which fly from many airports on the border with Ukraine: Bucharest, Krakow, Warsaw and others.
For independent travelers, the best way to get to Nerja from the airport is a transfer or a rented car. If you are not afraid of transfers, there is also public transport: first take a bus or metro and head to the Malaga Centre bus station. From there you can take a bus to Nerja. It is worth noting that the journey by public transport can take about 2 hours, as by car – only 45 minutes.
By car
ЯIf you are visiting Nerja from any other town along the Costa del Sol or from cities like Malaga or Ronda, the best way to get around is by car. Although you can use public transport, it usually involves changing buses and can be a long journey. I found this out when I first came to Andalusia – we travelled by bus and train. Cheap but not very convenient. The second time I decided to explore southern Spain in a rental car so I wouldn’t have to rely on the limited bus schedule and could travel at my own pace.
I always use Rentalcars for car rentals, as they allow you to compare suppliers and book in advance the price for car rental conditions.
Please note: parking in Nerja is limited, so if you have a rental car it is best to make sure your hotel has private parking. Or look for parking outside the beach area and the old town center.
Find free parking in Nerja is here (almost constantly busy) and here (we parked the car without any problems.). A large paid parking lot in the center is located here.
Useful articles and links:
- Top 7 cities worth visiting in Spain
- Barcelona neighborhoods – where to stay for tourists
- Barcelona – what to do in three days
- Seven districts of Rome – where it is best for tourists to stay
Travel medical insurance with discounts can be purchased from HotlineFinance
Hotel and apartment bookings – Booking.com
Timetable and train tickets in Europe – Trainline
Rent a car – Rentalcars.com
