The holiday resort of Nerja lies 55km east of Málaga airport and is the most easterly resort on Spain’s Costa del Sol before this Mediterranean coastline becomes known as the Costa Tropical. Holidaymakers will find plenty things to do in Nerja although most days tend to be spent relaxing on one of its attractive beaches. Evenings often begin around the Balcón de Europa before visitors wander off to one of Nerja’s fine restaurants.
If you want a change from the beach then a half day trip to the nearby Nerja Caves is highly recommended as is a trip up the mountain to the beautiful village of Frigiliana. Full day trips from Nerja can be also arranged to the likes of the Alhambra Palace in Granada as well as the great Moorish cities of Córdoba and Seville.
A major part of Nerja’s appeal to tourists is that it has maintained its white village charms and property development has been mainly low rise. Wandering through some of its charming streets and looking out to sea beyond the local fishing boats is a world apart from some of the better known resorts to the west of Malaga.
Best Things to Do in Nerja
Visit the Balcón de Europa
The focal point of Nerja is the Balcón de Europa which is a man-made promontory stretching from the centre of town out into sea which provides a stunning viewing point from where you can see along the coast in both directions and high into the Sierra de Almijara mountains inland.
Although the Balcón de Europa appears to be a modern structure it actually has quite a history. Records show that in the 9th century it was home to a Moorish castle then a fortress was built there in 1487 which was destroyed by the French in the 18th century.In 1884 King Alfonso XII visited Nerja after the area had been devastated by an earthquake. He was responsible for naming it the Balcón de Europa. Today you can get your photo taken on the Balcón next to a statue of King Alfonso XII and the two iron cannons which provide a significant reminder of the Balcón de Europa’s strategic past.
The Balcón is always buzzing with activity as visitors wander to the farthest end to get panoramic views along the rocky coastline to the east beyond Maro. A fine time to visit and to get outstanding photos is in the early evening when the shadows on the Sierra de Almijara mountains provide a stunning backdrop to this pleasant resort. As the night goes on numerous street entertainers turn up on the Balcón including mime artists, singers and spray painters. The horse and carts are always waiting to take you on a short tour of Nerja from here.
Visit the Caves of Nerja
The Caves of Nerja are located just 4km east of Nerja town centre and one of southern Spain’s most significant natural attractions. They are a vast cave system stretches nearly 5km in length with a volume exceeding 800,000 cubic metres, although only 25% is accessible to the public.
Visitors enter through the Sala de Vestibulo and follow an illuminated route through several remarkable chambers including the Sala de Belen, Sala de la Cascada and Sala de los Fantasmas. The tour culminates in the impressive Sala del Cataclismo, a chamber over 100 metres long and 50 metres wide, featuring the world’s longest stalactite measuring 32 metres. The caves also contain prehistoric paintings dating back 20,000 years, although these aren’t open to public viewing. Each July, one chamber transforms into a unique concert venue for classical music performances.
Reaching the caves is straightforward from Nerja centre. Drivers should follow Avenida Pescia eastward until the roundabout past the old sugar mill, where clear signage directs to the ample parking area. Regular buses operate along Avenida Pescia, and a tourist train includes the caves on its route. Walking is popular among more active visitors, following the old coast road past Capistrano Village and the historic San Joaquin sugar mill. The route passes the impressive Eagle Aqueduct which is still used today for local irrigation.
Spend the Day on One of Nerja’s Beaches
Furthest east of Nerja’s beaches is Playa Burriana which is a popular lunchtime destination where you can enjoy paella cooked on an open fire. Another local speciality is ‘espeto de sardinas’ (grilled sardines on a skewer) which is popular along the whole Málaga coast. Heading west (towards town) from Burriana you can walk along Playas Carabeillo, Carabeo and Chorrillo all of which lie beneath the sheer rock face of Nerja without immediate access to facilities.
Just minutes away, however, is Playa Calahonda which is a popular, sheltered beach just down from the eastern side of the Balcón de Europa. On the other side of the Balcón de Europa is Playa el Salón which is accessible via a small alley next to the church.
Further west and not accessible along the beach from Playa el Salón is Playas La Torrecilla and El Playazo which mainly cater for tourists staying in the large hotels over in the west of town. You’ll need to walk through town to reach them. La Torrecilla is the pick of the two with El Playazo being quite pebbly with few facilities.
Go Shopping at Nerja’s Street Market
On Tuesdays the Nerja market takes place in the streets that make up the far western part of town so be sure not to leave your hire car parked there on Monday night or it will have been towed away the next morning. The market attracts locals and tourists from miles around to its hundreds of varied stalls.
Attend Some of Nerja’s Annual Festivals
Andalucía loves to celebrate its fiestas and Nerja is no exception. There are many celebrations throughout the year including San Isidro Labrador on May 15th, Virgen del Carmen on July 16th and the Feria de Nerja in October. Please refer to our Nerja Festivals page for a full listing of upcoming festivals.
Enjoy Nerja’s Fine Restaurants
Nerja’s nightlife is generally quite laid back and geared to families and mature couples rather than the 18-30 brigade. There’s a good selection of restaurants as well as numerous stylish terrace bars. A good place to start the evening is at the Balcón de Europa which is surrounded by café bars with terraces. From here you can head east towards Calle de la Gloria where the Bar Redondo is a good spot for drinks and tapas on a tiny street surrounded by restaurants. Alternatively, head west to Cochranes Terrace (Calle Salón, 12) for a pre-dinner cocktail on their huge terrace.
When you’re ready for dinner, head east from the Balcón de Europa then along Calle Hernando de Carabeo to Restaurante 34 (Calle Carabeo 34) which has a lovely terrace overlooking the sea. Along this street you’ll also find A Taste of India (Calle Carabeo, 51) which serves excellent Indian cuisine and the Antica Roma (Carabeo, 12) Italian restaurant which has a nice terrace with views over the Balcón de Europa.
West of the Balcón de Europa, behind the church, is Plaza Cavana which is a lovely square which is home to a number of attractive terrace bars and restaurants including Cafeteria Cavana which is one of Nerja’s oldest bars. Continue along Calle Diputacion Provincial for two minutes and you’ll arrive at Restaurante El Refugio (Calle Diputacion Provincial 12) which probably serves the best steak in town.
Next to Plaza Cavana is Calle el Barrio which leads to a lively Mexican restaurant called Cielito Lindo (Calle el Barrio, 26) where a tequila slammer and a crash helmet are served at the end of your meal! Just opposite is an alley leading to Calle Malaga where you can stop for a cocktail at Hemingway’s (Calle Malaga 12) before dining at any number of excellent local restaurants. Restaurante LanSang (Calle Málaga, 12) serves up exquisite Thai and Lao cuisine whilst the neighbouring Naturale Pizza Bar serves excellent Neapolitan pizza on their outside terrace.
If you’re looking for late night bars and disco pubs after dinner then you should head for Plaza Tutti Frutti and Calle Antonio Millón.
Watch a Flamenco Show
Every Wednesday you can catch a flamenco show at El Colono Flamenco Restaurant (c/Granada 6). The show begins at 9pm whilst the club opens for dinner at 7.30pm. It’s a good idea to reserve during the summer months. There’s also a great flamenco show in the intimate Andalucían surroundings of El Burro Blanco Flamenco Bar (Calle de la Gloria, 3). Some hotels put on their own entertainment including flamenco throughout the year.
Excursions from Nerja
There are some great half-day and full-day excursions from Nerja to attractions in the region. Of course, the main local attractions are the Caves of Nerja which lie just 4km east of town and the Moorish town of Frigiliana which is up a mountain, some 6km to the north. Visitors who want to travel further afield can take a full day excursion to the magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada as well as visiting the great Moorish cities of Cordoba, Seville and Malaga.
Go Hiking and Scuba Diving
The nearby Sierra Almijara Natural Park provides various hiking trails suitable for different fitness levels. The Río Chillar walk, which involves wading up a river through a stunning gorge, is particularly popular in summer. The waters around Nerja offer excellent visibility and diverse marine life. Several dive centres in town provide courses and guided dives for all levels.
Nerja Tourist Information: FAQs
When is the Best Time to Visit Nerja?
Protected by the Sierra de Almijara mountains Nerja has its own micro-climate which includes approximately 320 days of sunshine per year – the best climate in Europe. It has a temperate climate which means that in winter the daytime temperatures rarely fall below 16ºC and in summer they do not reach the sweltering temperatures of inland Spain.
There is little rainfall but what there is tends to fall during the winter months of November, December and January. This does vary hugely from year to year and there have been some dry years recently. The good news is that even when it does rain you can be sure that the sun is never far away.
The weather in Nerja means that you can really enjoy the outdoor life both in summer and winter and there are tourists there all year round. Although it may not usually be hot enough in winter to swim in the sea or sunbathe you do get some days when it is.
What’s the Best Way to Get to Nerja from Málaga Airport?
By Bus: You need to take a bus or train from the airport to Málaga bus station from where there are regular services to Nerja throughout the day. There is one direct bus per day from the airport to Nerja. You can check bus timetables on the Alsa Bus Website. There are no train services to Nerja.
Taxis and Private Transfers: Official taxis are always available as you walk outside the arrivals area costing around €80 each way. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer and have a driver waiting for you on arrival.
Rent a Car: Probably the best option is to rent a car at Málaga airport as a week’s rental is often cheaper than a single taxi journey from the airport to Nerja. After you’ve collected your luggage just follow the signs that take you down a floor BEFORE you go through the doors into the arrivals lounge. Here you deal with the rental formalities then you’ll be on your way in no time.
Can You Recommend Some Places to Stay in Nerja?
There is a fine selection of accommodation in Nerja including apartments, villas, large hotels and family run hostels. Many visitors book all inclusive packages through the big tour operators but there are plenty independent travellers these days who book their accommodation privately and simply pick up a hire car at Malaga Airport. A few recommended places to stay include the following:
Hotel Balcón de Europa: Located right on Nerja’s Balcón de Europa this four star hotel is one of the town’s most desirable places to stay. Rooms at the front look right over the sea whilst side rooms overlook the Balcón itself.
Hotel Villa Flamenca: Located in a quiet residential area about a 20 minute walk from the town centre and about 10 minutes from the beach. Bedrooms and all have a balcony or terrace and there’s a pool set in lovely gardens.
Nerja Parador: This modern parador is located on a cliff next to the sea and can be reached from Burriana beach by means of a lift. Set in lush, green gardens with a beautiful swimming pool it is in a perfect spot for exploring the region.
Capistrano Village: To the east of Nerja, on the old coast road heading towards Nerja Caves is Capistrano Village. This long established residential area includes properties rising high above the original holiday accommodation built down near the coast road. Capistrano Village is so similar to a traditional Andalucián village that a number of families have made it their full time home
