A Complete Guide To Nerja | Spain’s Prettiest Beach Town
Tucked away at the far end of the Costa del Sol, Nerja is a jewel in Spain’s coastal crown. Mediterranean views, postcard-perfect beaches, and palm-lined boulevards have been attracting bathers for decades, and for good reason. So, if you, too, are seeking Spanish sunshine, this Nerja travel guide will help you plan the perfect trip.
Nerja, located on Spain’s southern coast, is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns on the sun-soaked Costa del Sol.
Often overlooked by travellers in favour of more bustling resorts, Nerja is a pretty little Spanish beach town, with its best parts clustered around the sandy beaches and picturesque coves that dot the coastline. Overlooking the calm blue waters of the Mediterranean, ringed by the Sierras de Tejeda mountains, this seaside resort is as beautiful as they come.
Naturally, Nerja’s captivating beaches are the town’s biggest draw.
Clusters of colourful umbrellas, loungers, and beach towels scatter joyfully across the golden sands; small beaches pepper the coast, often hidden by high cliffs on either side. The sounds and smells of chiringuitos serving sizzling seafood are never far away, nor the glimmering, calm waters of the Med.
Inland, narrow streets meander through cobbled plazas and whitewashed facades topped with traditional terracotta roofs and pretty flower pots. A quaint church, sweeping coastal vistas, and a handful of boutique stores only add to Nerja’s charm.
But, beyond this, life in Nerja centres around its many wonderful cafes and restaurants, offering an array of local and international cuisines.
If you’re considering visiting Nerja on your next Spanish holiday, this guide will help you plan the perfect trip. Below, I’ll take you to the best boutique hotels, eateries to suit all tastes, the town’s best beaches, and beautiful places nearby for those who want to explore beyond the town.
Nerja travel guide | How to visit & what to do
Nerja attracts a mature audience, couples, and families, and, as such, not a lot happens in the town. But that is perhaps its biggest selling point. Nerja is a unique Andalusian seaside town that is very much worth visiting. Like many smaller Spanish resorts, the focus is sun, relaxation, and good food - and each is to be found in copious amounts.
My first visit to Nerja was in winter, and I enjoyed my trip so much that I returned on a much bigger Andalusia road trip in summer. I discovered irresistible year-round sunshine and reliably balmy temperatures; it’s little wonder that Nerja is a firm favourite with discerning holidaymakers.
Though not as popular as Benalmadena or as famous as Marbella, this gem on the Southern Coast is a serene and charming alternative perfect for a beach escape.
Where is Nerja
Nerja is a small coastal resort on Spain’s south coast, at the eastern edge of the Costa del Sol. Part of Andalusia, it’s only a 45-minute drive from Malaga and relatively easy to visit from any resort towns along the coast.
How to get to Nerja
By plane
The closest airport to Nerja is Malaga, located around 58km away. A busy airport, it is well-served by both domestic and international flights. For UK travellers, Jet2 has incredibly priced packages to Nerja from most UK airports throughout the year, includes luggage, flights, and transfers.
For self-guided travellers, the best way to reach Nerja from the airport is by private shuttle or renting a car. It is also possible by public transport; first, take a bus to Malaga Centre bus station. From there, you can catch a Nerja-bound bus. It is worth noting that the journey by public transport can take around 2 hours; by car, it’s 45 minutes.
By car
If you’re visiting Nerja from any of the other towns along the Costa del Sol or from cities like Ronda, the best way to get around is by car. Although you can catch public transport, it generally involves switching buses in Malaga and can be a long journey. I found this to be the case on my trips, and exploring southern Spain is best done in your vehicle, meaning you aren’t relying on or constrained by limited bus timetables and can travel at your own pace.
I tend to use Discover Cars for car rental, as they allow you to compare providers and book in advance, plus they have excellent insurance policies.
Tip / parking in Nerja is limited, so, if you have a rental car, its best to ensure your hotel has private parking.
By campervan
This car park doubles as an overnight stop and is the best place for campervans to stay the night in Nerja. I stayed here in my camper and can recommend, though there is a little road noise. It costs €20 for 24-hours and has facilities for water and waste. Plus you can book in advance, which removes the stress from finding an overnight stop (something that is increasingly difficult for campervans in the Costa del Sol).
Where to stay in Nerja
The best hotels in Nerja are those who put you near the beach, restaurants, and attractions. Here are some of my top hotel recommendations:
Hotel Balcón de Europa | in the heart of town, overlooking the Med. This is my favourite Nerja hotel because of it’s gorgeous location.
MB Boutique Hotel | modern, adult-only option in the town centre.
Hotel Puerta del Mar | town centre boutique hotel.
Check out these exceptional Nerja holidays which include hotels, flights, luggage, and transfers.
Nerja day trip
If you’re looking to visit Nerja on a day trip, chances are you’ll be travelling from nearby Malaga or other Costa del Sol towns. Firstly, it’s entirely possible to see Nerja’s best parts in one day; be sure to bring your beach towel, as much time in this Spanish beach town is spent soaking in the sun.
Secondly, for those travellers with their own car, be aware that parking is limited in Nerja. After much research, I found this car park on the town's outskirts is the best option. You can reserve a space in advance; it’s only €1.90 per hour, plus there’s always (in my experience) plenty of spaces. From the car park, it’s a 15-minute walk into the resort centre, but it’s a lovely one, as you can follow the promenade to the beach.
Best things to do in Nerja
If you’re looking for the perfect beach escape, look no further than Nerja. There are heaps of beautiful beaches and pretty coves to choose from. However, there are a handful of unmissable things to do in Nerja besides sunbathing - here are my favourite activities:
Wander the Town Centre
The oldest part of Nerja, the old town centre, is where you’ll find its prettiest streets and the town's liveliest area. Wander the narrow streets and explore the winding alleyways, passing traditional Andalusian facades and whitewashed buildings.
The easiest way to reach the town centre is by heading to the Plaza Balcon De Europa, a palm-lined boulevard and pedestrianised plaza of pretty tiles. Here, you’ll find a lovely church, Iglesia El Salvador, along Calle Iglesia, flower-filled streets and vibrant gardens.
Follow the narrow alleys - some lead to the cliffs and sea views, others hide holiday homes and ocean-fronted bars.
In the opposite direction, behind the white archways of the balcony, follow Calle Prta del Mar to bustling streets and a myriad of ice cream shops (Tramontana is the best), little boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and tapas bars.
Balcón de Europa
The jewel in Nerja’s crown is undoubtedly the Balcón de Europa.
Here, a historic balcony lined with palm trees juts out, high above the bright blue waters of the Med. The cobbled plaza is a popular spot and especially beautiful at sunset; indulge in ice cream, listen to street performers, and listen to the calls of the colourful parrots who’ve made their home in the swaying palms. At the end of the plaza, the mirador - or viewpoint - is genuinely breathtaking.
During the day, grab a seat on the most beautiful cafe terrace overlooking the balcony - this is the perfect spot for a coffee with gorgeous ocean views. Or stop by later in the evening for a cocktail or cold beer.
Take a kayak tour of Nerja cliffs & Maro waterfall
On the shores of the calm Med, Nerja is a water lovers paradise. Snorkelling and paddling are favourite daytime activities amongst beachgoers, and it’s easy to see why holidaymakers flock to this coastline for laidback watersports.
Nerja’s cliffs hide a world of secret coves and caves, including the incredible Maro Waterfall. Best seen from the water, I recommend this guided kayak tour from the excellent Educare Aventura. They operate small group tours with a professional guide at the helm, lasting around 2.5 hours. Spend the day on the water, exploring caves, swimming, and paddling under the waterfall!
Spend the day at the beach
Nerja's coastline has many beaches and coves, but my favourite is the postcard-perfect Playa de la Calahonda.
This little sandy beach is the iconic sandy cove directly beneath the balcony. And it’s famous for a reason. One of the prettiest spots on the Costa del Sol coast, this sheltered bay, backed by cliffs and an old fisherman's house, is simply gorgeous.
A handful of loungers and umbrellas dot the sands, though most sun-seekers arrive with their towels, prepared for a day of paddling and sunbathing. Arrive early to guarantee your spot in the sand.
Playa de Burrina is the largest beach along the coast, with several restaurants, bars, and services along its shore.
Nerja Caves
A natural wonder, Nerja Caves (or Fundación Cueva de Nerja) is not to be missed. I was blown away by these underground caves—a cathedral-like, vast, cavernous space with skyscraper-sized stalactites.
Stretching for almost 5km, follow a path between caverns that are deep underground. After, take a virtual reality tour back in time, complete with a ‘flyover’ of the Balcón de Europa—a very, very excellent experience for adults and children. There’s also a botanical garden and a small restaurant to explore.
The best way to visit is with queue-jump this ticket.
To get to Nerja Caves, take the tourist train from this stop in the town centre directly to the cave entrance; it runs every 30 minutes in summer and costs only a few euros. The caves are 4km away, and the journey takes around 20 to 30 minutes.
Beach walkway
The beach promenade is the best option if you’re looking for a leisurely walk in Nerja. Start (or end) at the balcony and follow the alleys and promenade as they pass along Nerja’s coastline, eventually reaching Playa El Chucho, a pebbly beach on the other side of town.
Along the way, visit Atalaya de la Torrecilla, the remains of an ancient watchtower, Nerja’s rainbow steps, the cluster of excellent restaurants and bars at Parque Plaza de los Cangrejos (here), and a host of pretty beaches and clifftop viewpoints.
It is an easy 2-hour circular walk, perfect for a sunny day. Be sure to stop at the chiringuitos (seafood BBQ shacks) and ice cream stands along the way.
Visit Frigiliana
If you’ve spent any time in Andalusia, you’ll know the region is famous for, amongst other things, its postcard-perfect white villages. Known as pueblos blancos, they dot the mountains of Southern Spain, and one of the prettiest is the charming village of Frigiliana.
Only a 15-minute drive from Nerja, Frigiliana is a beautiful place with traditional terracotta roofs and stairways lined with flower pots.
Though busier and perhaps a little more touristed than my favourite white villages, such as pretty Casares, Frigiliana is worth a visit. Amongst the streets, you’ll find boutique stores selling crafts and stylish gifts, eateries, and small boutique stays.
For the best views over the sea and tiled roofs, wander up the steps to the village’s highest point.
For those driving, there’s a large car park by the roundabout at the foot of the village. From there, be prepared for a steep uphill walk.
Take a day trip
If you’ve spent time on the Costa del Sol, you’ll know that this region is brimming with things to do, from historic cities like Malaga and Granada, castles like Colomares, and famous beach resorts like nearby Marbella.
Nerja is perfectly placed for day trips and exploring along the coast; other than Frigiliana, the day trips I recommend the most are:
Malaga | 1-hour
Granada| 1-hour
Colomares Castle | 1-hour
Marbella | 1.5-hours
Ronda | 2-hours
Where to eat in Nerja
There is a seemingly endless supply of restaurants and cafes in Nerja, most sprawling out onto streets and plazas come evening. Thanks to the weather, al fresco dining is big here, and the best eateries serve up enviable views AND delicious, authentic Spanish food.
My favourite Nerja eateries are:
Restaurante Oliva for a special treat (reviews)
Meson Patanegra for authentic Andalusian dishes (reviews)
Pizza Bar Naturale for perfect pizza (reviews)
El Pulguilla for excellent tapas and seafood (reviews)
Coffee Mar for coffee, cakes, and breakfast.
Balcon de Pico for town centre sea views.
La Bottega Food & Wine for traditional Mediterranean dishes (reviews)
Nerja travel guide: wrap up
Stretching from Estepona in the west to Nerja in the east across 150km of coastline hemmed by lush mountains, the Costa del Sol is a vast area encompassing beautiful beaches, seafront hotels, and modern resorts.
Nerja, the last stop on the coast, is a charming old town that offers sun-seeking travellers a chance to slow down and relax away from the bustle of the more popular resorts, all while soaking in the sun-drenched climate amongst a backdrop of foodie gems and dazzling beaches.
A week in Nerja is the perfect amount of time to relax and explore Andalusia’s nearby historical wonders, and it is worth adding a day trip to Granada, Malaga, and Frigiliana.
Those on a Southern Spain road trip will likely find an overnight stay is enough time to see Nerja’s best parts.
Yes, there are more modern, built-up areas and, surprisingly, a handful of music venues for those inclined towards late nights. But these are easily avoided by staying near the beaches, and pretty boulevards Nerja is rightly famous for.
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