Discover Nerja

Nerja, Spain

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Nerja ➜ in the Costa del Sol ➜ and the TOP #36 Things To Do!

Nerja is a charming seaside town that everyone imagines when they think of a classic Spanish village. You know, the ones with the whitewashed houses, beautiful old towns with winding streets and alleys full of colorful flowers and vines clinging to the balconies, small squares full of quaint restaurants and tapas bars serving delicious Andalucian cuisine, and stunning white sandy beaches that meet the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean...

And, when people visit Nerja (and its pretty neighbor Frigiliana) they often comment... that these are the two MOST beautiful villages they've seen in Andalucia... AND, the two they enjoyed visiting the most.

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On your next Nerja holiday, don't miss visiting the towns of the Costa Tropical: Almuñécar, the sleepy fishing village of La Herradura, and Salobreña, all just minutes away...

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Day Trips to Nerja From Malaga or Granada

Nerja, a small Spanish town on the sunny Costa del Sol, is a popular day trip destination from either Malaga or Granada. You can plan an excursion on your own or take a guided tour which are available from each of these nearby cities... if you want to leave the planning to the professionals.

Read our guide to the TOP day trips to Nerja, Frigiliana and the Nerja Caves and why they're a must!

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BEST Hotels & Where to Stay in Nerja

We recommend prioritizing location when choosing where to stay in Nerja. It’s a small village, and if you love walking half as much as we do, consider one of these hotels within the old town. This way you don't need to worry about taxis or public transportation. Don't wait! Book your holiday in Nerja today!

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36 Incredible Things to Do in Nerja!

Tourism in Nerja has really exploded in the last few years... Why is that? Because this little village has some seriously amazing things to see and some seriously fun things to do, so don’t just waste your time lying around on the beach... well... do that too... But take advantage of these 36 amazing things to do while in Nerja. You won't regret it!

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One of the reasons why so many people come to Nerja is to see the world famous Nerja Caves! These caves are so extraordinary that they are in the "Guinness Book of World Records" for having the largest stalactite in the world! What is a stalactite, you ask? Read our article on The Ultimate Guide to the Nerja Caves to find out.

A trip to the Nerja Caves takes about 1-2 hours, but it's well worth it. The general ticket also includes entry to the Nerja Museum, but you can upgrade your ticket to include the Nerja Tourist Train as well. The kids will love it!

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Almost every town in Andalusia has a daily market, and Nerja is no different. You will always find a wide assortment of fruits, veggies, spices, teas, plants and flowers... as well as handmade pottery and handicrafts that make great gifts or souvenirs.

There are also a ton of Moroccan items... Nerja has two weekly markets you can visit: the fresh food and spice market and the Sunday Rastro (which is a flea market or car boot sale). If you have the time, visit both!

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Something the kids will LOVE is a ride on the Nerja train. This is a great way to get your bearings when visiting a new place!

The train departs from Plaza Fabrica de los Cangrejos, next to Playa Torrecilla, and runs from Nerja to the village of Maro (past some of the most important sites) and then on to the Nerja Caves.

Note: If you are planning to visit the Nerja Caves and don't have a car, this is a great way to get there...

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The thing that Nerja is best known for, besides its insanely beautiful beaches, is the Balcón de Europa at its center. 'Balcón de Europa' translates to 'Balcony of Europe'... and OH, what a balcony it is...

ALWAYS bustling with activity, you will find tourists admiring the stunning Mediterranean Sea views, enjoying a tapa in one of the cafes, watching the local artists paint, or just relaxing and taking in the festive atmosphere... The Balcón de Europa is truly a magical place to be!

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King Alfonso XII, King of Spain from 1874 to 1885 and son of Queen Isabella II, visited Nerja shortly after the great earthquake. It is said that he was so enchanted by Nerja's magnificent beauty and spectacular sea views that he declared... "He had found the balcony of Europe"...

This is how our beloved "Balcón de Europa" got its name.

The king died of cholera in 1885 and a bronze statue was erected in his honour. It stands at the end of the Balcón de Europa promenade and is very popular with tourists.

Don't forget to have your photo taken with the King while you are in Nerja!

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Just before you reach the Balcón from the shopping area, there is a doorway that leads down to Calahonda beach (behind the blue fountain). Take the stairs down to the beach and follow the path under the Balcón, past Playa Caletilla, and up the stairs on the other side until you reach Playa el Salon. From there you can take Via Calle Salón back to the Balcon Plaza and past the Church of El Salvador.

This is a wonderful place to stroll in the evening and admire some of Nerja's incredible sunsets. During the summer months, there are often artists selling jewelry and other interesting crafts.

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This pretty church in Nerja sits at the western end of the Balcón de Europa and is host to many weddings, festivals, and religious processions throughout the year... most of which include singing, dancing, music, laughter... and lots of confetti.

Even in its quieter moments, the Church of El Salvador is worth a visit. The interior is less ornate than others but it contains representations of all three archangels (one of the few churches in the world to do so). The archangel of St Michael is highlighted as he is the patron saint of Nerja.

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Another fun thing to do with the kids in Nerja is to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through town. This option is only available during the summer months, but it is a fun and relaxing way to see the town. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes.

  Nerja Horse & Carriage Tours:

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Walking from the Balcón de Europa on Calle Puerta del Mar you will come across a maze of small streets and alleyways full of interesting shops and galleries. The area forms a loop and can easily be covered in an hour or so. It's also full of great restaurants, cafes, and tapas bars if you need a break from your shopping.

What Kind of Shops Will You Find? Nerja has everything from clothing boutiques (men's, women's, and children's), art galleries, pottery shops, local craft shops, locally-made leather goods, to well-known chain brands like Desigual and Springfield. There are also specialty food shops, book stores, Moroccan goods, small supermarkets, and so much more...

Second Shopping area: Leaving the Balcón (behind the El Salvador Church) cross the plaza and turn left. You will find many more shops. As you walk towards the 'Plaza Fabrica de los Cangrejos' you will find four or five small souvenir shops that are great for buying gifts.

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One of the most interesting sites in Nerja is the STILL working Eagle Aqueduct, also known as el Puente del Águila or "The Eagles' Bridge" in English. You'll find it on the road to Maro, heading east, just before you get to the Nerja Caves... and it's quite impressive!

The Aqueduct is regarded throughout Andalucia as a "historic jewel of Spanish architecture". It was built in the 19th century and has been in use ever since. In recent years the aqueduct has undergone a "mini facelift" with parts of the arches being painted yellow...

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Nerja was made famous back in the 1980's by a Spanish TV series called 'Verano Azul', which translates to 'Blue Summer'. The show was about a group of kids and their lives while on holiday in a typical Spanish Mediterranean village on the Costa del Sol. It was extremely popular with Spaniards and had up to 20 million viewers at the time.

One of the main characters in the show 'Chanquete' lived on an old fishing boat... a replica of which can be found in the Parque Verano Azul at the western end of Nerja. Have a look!

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On the northern side of Nerja, you will find this small, but lovely, 18th-century chapel located in the 'Plaza de la Ermita'. The Ermita de las Angustias is a tribute to the patroness of Nerja, "Our Lady of Anguish", and was recently renovated and its colorful murals were restored. It's definitely worth a visit!

Just behind the Chapel, you will find the Sala Mercado or "Exhibition Hall". Various art and photography exhibitions are held here throughout the year. If you are nearby, pop in and you might find something interesting...

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Nerja is known for its nightlife! Unlike some of its quieter neighbors, this town likes to party!

If you are traveling with younger people or those who like to 'party into the night'... Nerja is the place to be!

Start with cocktails in the old town, the busiest area is along "Calle Almte Ferrandiz" where you will find the Buddha Bar Lounge and several other great tapas bars. Later, head over to the Tutti Frutti Plaza, where you'll find no fewer than 10 bars and music venues that open around 11pm and stay open until late.

If you're still up for it... there are a couple of late-night discos that don't close until around 4am... Don't forget to drink plenty of water!

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Nerja's Best Bars:

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Tucked away behind the Ayuntamiento (town hall and visitor center) in the Plaza de España you will find the Nerja Museum. It houses interesting items excavated from the nearby caves, including a very impressive skeleton of a woman thought to have lived in the caves more than 18,000 years ago.

Explore its three floors of interactive exhibits that will give you a complete overview of the history of the area, from the Palaeolithic to the present day.

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Ahhhhh... THIS is why you come to Nerja... For its exquisite sandy beaches and spectacular Mediterranean Sea views.

Nerja has 10 beaches for you to enjoy, all offering a wonderful assortment of water sports activities, delicious seaside chiringuitos, a shallow surf, and gentle waves. Rent a sunbed for the day and go for a swim! A day spent on any of Nerja's beaches would be a day spent, well... in Spanish heaven...

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Nerja's TOP 10 Beaches:

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While you are in Nerja, take advantage of being so close to so many other amazing towns and villages and visit them all! Most of them can be reached in less than 30 minutes... The Costa Tropical is known for the beauty of its beaches, its tropical fruits and veggies, Roman aqueducts, and a Moorish castle.

Check Out: La Herradura, Almuñécar, Salobreña, and Motril.

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Just beyond Nerja, in the Sierra de Almijara Natural Park, you will find one of the "most beautiful villages in Spain"... Frigiliana.

Frigiliana is a small, typical whitewashed Andalucian village that can be easily explored in just a few hours. Take a stroll through its winding streets and alleys, browse its charming boutiques and craft shops, visit its historic sights, and then enjoy a tapas on one of its balconies overlooking the mountains with the Mediterranean Sea and Nerja in the distance... It's simply breathtaking.

• Check Out This Tour to Frigiliana & the Lost Village of Acebuchal... from Nerja
• If you're planning a visit... Read our "Guide to the Best Restaurants in Frigiliana!"

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Just to the east of Nerja is the small village of Maro, a picturesque farming village that sits on the edge of the Mediterranean with stunning views over the Costa del Sol, and well known for its natural beaches (Maro Beach) and waterfall...

Maro is located right in front of the Nerja Caves, so you can visit the caves and then take a walk through the old town of Maro. Once you cross the small footbridge, you will find the parish church, an old sugar mill and a small square where you can enjoy a light meal or a coffee...

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Starting in Maro and heading east is the magnificent Maro / Cerro Gordo Nature Reserve, the best way to see this area is by car. It takes about 15 minutes to drive from Maro to the end of the reserve (La Herradura).

The Paraje Natural de Maro / Cerro Gordo is an untouched area along the coast of Malaga (Nerja and Maro) and Granada (La Herradura), with rocky cliffs that drop dramatically into the sea... creating small coves and bays.

The reserve boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, ancient Roman towers, Iberian mountain goats (which have found a home in the reserve), the Maro waterfall (only visible from the sea), fantastic hiking trails, and a wealth of flora and fauna.

• Guided tours are available within the reserve, either by land or by sea.

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If you have a car, there is a LOT more you can see nearby in Andalucia; the Camino del Rey, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Mudejar-style white villages, and much more... See our FULL list of excursions FROM Nerja to take advantage of your time here!

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Here are 5 of our favorite places to visit:

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Top 11 Outdoor Activities in Nerja - Hiking & More...

One of the great things about Nerja is that although it’s a very touristy resort area it’s also right next to the Costa Tropical, which is well-known for its outdoor adventure activities.

Nerja is also right on the doorstep of a large mountain range, the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park, which straddles the provinces of Málaga and Granada and is fantastic for those who enjoy hiking... It's easily accessible from Nerja or any of the nearby villages.

Below are the 11 most popular activities you can do in and around Nerja...

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Take a Buggy Buggy Tour and experience the thrill of driving through rugged terrain, splashing through streams, and navigating through off-road trails. Along the way you'll stop at scenic spots to enjoy a picnic and take in the coastal views. These adventurous buggy tours (leaving from Almunecar / La Herradura) will take you on an unforgettable journey through the mountains of the Costa del Sol just behind Nerja... It's a great day out for the whole family!

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A cruise along the coast of Nerja or the Costa Tropical is an incredible way to explore the beautiful coastline of southern Spain. From the deck of a sailboat or yacht, you can take in breathtaking views of the rugged cliffs, golden beaches and crystal clear waters of the Maro Nature Reserve. But the real highlight of a sightseeing cruise is the chance to spot some of the local wildlife, including dolphins, which are a common sight in the area.

Here is our list of the top 10 sightseeing cruises along the entire coast of Nerja, Malaga, and Granada.

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The Rio Chillar, ("Los Cahorros") walk, is a unique and incredibly beautiful experience. It starts just behind Nerja heading into the Sierras de Tejeda mountains. The walk gets its name from the narrow gorges that you have to pass through on your way to the first pools. Part of the walk itself is through the Chillar river, so plan on getting your feet VERY wet, it's a unique experience and very pretty.

There are two options for this walk, both are rated "medium difficulty".

Option 1: Hike to the Nerja Dam "La Presa". This is the longest option and will take you 6 to 7 hours. It's 8km each way, there and back.

Option 2: A much shorter walk and fun for the kids, this option takes you to the first pool called "Vado de Los Patos", which is about a 5km walk round trip.

• Make sure you wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting wet and bring plenty of snacks and water if it's hot! You can start the walk near the Nerja weekly market.

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The "El Cielo" walk is also a very popular walk and the scenery is amazing. El Cielo translates to "the sky" which is roughly where you will be when you finish. Just like the Rio Chillar walk, there are several options you can take...

Option 1: If you walk to the tip-top of the "Cuesta del Cielo" (Hill of the Sky), the hike will be about 9 km each way and take you 4 to 5 hours. The peak is 1,505 meters and is crowned by a mirrored cross... this is the most difficult walk.

Option 2: Another option is to walk until you reach "El Pinarillo" and the "Fuente del Esparto" which is a nice picnic and barbeque area about 5 km from the start of the walk. This option will only take you about 1 hr 15 min.

Option 3: Your third option is to continue walking past "El Pinarillo" until you reach the town of Frigiliana.

All of these walks start just before the entrance to the Nerja Caves and continue through a beautiful pine forest. After about 1 hour there is a fork in the road that will take you to either 'Option 1' or 'Options 2 & 3'. The path is fairly flat or gently sloping most of the way for options 2 & 3, but option 1 gets pretty steep! If you make it to the top, the views are well worth it!

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Paddle Surfing is a unique way to see the prettiest corners of the Nerja and Maro Cliffs. Paddleboards can be rented on most of the Nerja and Maro beaches.

OR, if you want to go in a guided group, there are some awesome tours available!

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Rent a kayak and explore the coastline around Nerja, Maro, and the Costa Tropical. Kayaks are available from Playa Burriana and Playa La Herradura.

You can also take a VERY POPULAR guided kayak tour through the Maro Nature Reserve. On this tour, you will pass the Sea Wolf Cave, the Maiden's Waterfall, the Seagulls House on the Cliff and eventually reach the Maro waterfall. Several stops are made along the way for swimming and enjoying the sea.

During the summer, these tours leave every hour and fill up fast, so it's important to book in advance...

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If you want to explore the coast on your own, renting a boat at Marina del Este in La Herradura is a great place to start. Located just a short drive from Nerja, this marina offers a wide range of boats for hire, including motorboats, sailboats and catamarans. The marina is well equipped with restaurants, shops and parking. However, it's important to book your boat in advance, especially during the high summer season, as availability can be limited.

You can also hire a boat directly from Nerja on Playa el Playazo and you don't need a boating licence.

Rent a boat and spend the day exploring the Costa del Sol. See all sightseeing cruises here.

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If you are looking for an adventure you will not soon forget... try sailing through the skies over Nerja.

On any given day along the coast, the sky will be dotted with colorful sails floating gently overhead. If you are thinking of trying this, one of these companies will be happy to help...

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Another popular sporting activity along the Nerja coast is scuba diving or snorkeling. Nerja sits right on the western end of a huge nature reserve that is well-known for its spectacular underwater sealife.

If you are looking for scuba diving options, there are several diving centers / schools in the area, one on Playa Burriana and others in neighboring La Herradura (5-min by car), which is one of the TOP diving areas in southern Spain.

These companies will provide you with all the equipment you need for a day of diving plus transportation to and from the best dive sites.

If you are new to diving, they can also get you certified with a PADI diving course that is personalized to your needs.

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Just up the road from Nerja and into the mountains behind neighboring Almuñecar is an amazing nature reserve called the "Junta de Los Rios", or "Where the Rivers Meet".

This hike takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way and at the end you will be rewarded with a beautiful waterfall and a crystal clear turquoise pool. ➜ Junta de Los Rios - Complete Hiking Guide!

If you go, you will notice a lot of "canyoners" in the area... groups of people repelling and jumping from the rocks into the river as they make their way down from the waterfall. It's an exhilarating adventure that anyone can do!

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Cruise the streets of Nerja on a bike or scooter... it's a great way to see the sights at your own pace! Gatygo Rent has a wide range of vehicles for you to choose from, including scooters, cars and bikes. Their rentals are well maintained and and ready to go...

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• Check out: "The Best 20 Nerja Restaurants"

• Check out: "The Best 3 Frigiliana Restaurants"

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For More Information About Nerja:

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Important Nerja Travel Information

1. Distances to Other Important Towns from Nerja:

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2. When is the Best Time to Visit Nerja

• During May and October, you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures in Nerja that fall between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F).
• The hottest months in Nerja are June, July, August, and September.
• Nerja has dry periods in June, July, August, and September.
• On average, Nerja's warmest month is July.
• On average, Nerja's coolest month is January.
• November is the wettest month in Nerja. This month should be avoided if you are not a big fan of rain.
• July is the driest month in Nerja.

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3. Nerja's Gastronomy

Nerja's gastronomy is centered around its natural environment. It's known for its typical healthy Mediterranean diet and most of its popular dishes come from fresh products harvested from the garden, vineyards, local farms, and the sea.

Nerja, as part of Malaga, feasts mainly on stews, grilled fish, gazpachos, rice dishes (paella), and fresh salads.

In addition to enjoying the special flavors of the day, the Nerja people are also known to frequent the beach bars and chiringuitos to combine the joy of eating with the magnificent views and spectacular nature all around them.

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4. Festivities in Nerja

If you plan to visit Nerja during any of these festivals below, be sure to check with the town hall as to what activities will be taking place...

Nerja’s top celebrated fiestas are:

The Nerja Fair - Mid-October - One of the biggest celebrations of the year in Nerja with processions, singing, dancing, eating, and drinking.

La noche de San Juan - 23rd of June - This festival is celebrated every year in Nerja with people staying out late and even camping on the beaches.

San Isidro and La Virgen del Carmen - 15th May & 16th July - These are two celebrations in honor of two highly regarded patron saints. Nerja honors them with flamboyant processions and huge parties.

The Three Kings Parade - 5th January - On the afternoon of January 5, the people of Nerja put on their best costumes to receive the procession of their Majesties... the Three Wise Men.

San Juan in Nerja

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Nerja ➜ How to Arrive & Directions

Nerja is an easily accessible town, only 45 minutes east of Malaga and 50 minutes south of Granada.

You can easily make a day trip to Nerja from either of these two cities. A visit will take about half a day... but if you have the time, we recommend staying for a day or two! There is plenty to see and to do in the area.

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That should be all you need for an amazing vacation in Nerja! Don't wait! Book your holiday in Nerja today!! ;-)

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