NERJA, SPAIN - TOP BEACHES AND PLACES TO VISIT
Nerja was one of the locations we did not want to miss during our holiday in Andalusia. The streets full of life, the beautiful beaches with fine sand, the crystal clear water and the spectacular views were the aspects that tipped the balance regarding visiting this place. However, what mattered most in making the decision was the gorgeous Cascada de Maro, located nearby.
We spent 3 days in this place, more than enough for some people who are not beach lovers. We had time to explore the resort far and wide and at the same time to relax after 6 full days, in which we visited a lot of places. Find a separate article with our itinerary in Andalusia, where we talked about all the places seen.
The little town on the Costa del Sol attracts tourists from all corners of Europe, who come to enjoy the spectacular landscapes, the good weather that lasts almost all year round, the nightlife, restaurants with delicious food, but also some of the most beautiful beaches of Spain.
HOW TO GET TO NERJA?
The nearest airport is Malaga, approximately 60 km away from Nerja. International flights are operated at this airport from most European destinations.
There are buses from the airport that go to Malaga, from where there are connections to most resorts on the Costa del Sol, including Nerja. If you don't want to stress about public transport, you can choose to rent a car, right from the airport, or you can opt for a private transfer, which you can book here.
From Malaga, Nerja can also be reached as part of organized excursions, with a stop in Frigiliana.
WHERE TO STAY IN NERJA:
Hotel Puerta del Mar - accommodation unit with double, twin, triple or single rooms. It is located near the Balcon de Europa and has an outdoor pool, terrace, non-stop reception and on request transfer to the airport;
Carmen Rooms -- Boutique B&B by the sea - accommodation unit with double rooms or suites that can accommodate up to 4 people. It has an outdoor pool, parking and terrace;
Nerja VG Hostal Boutique - accommodation unit with double rooms, located 500 m from the beach. It has a terrace, outdoor pool and private parking;
Parador de Nerja - accommodation unit with double rooms, located approximately 200 m from the beach. It has an outdoor pool, a spacious garden, beautiful views and private parking;
Hostal Casa Mercedes - accommodation unit rated at two stars, which has double, twin or suite rooms. It is located near Burriana Beach and has an outdoor pool, bar and terrace. On request, a transfer to the airport can be provided;
PLACES TO VISIT, BEACHES AND ACTIVITIES IN NERJA:
A walk through the historic center is my number 1 recommendation, when we talk about the main activities you can have in Nerja. The narrow and cobbled streets, with modest houses, built in the specific Andalusian style, act as a magnet for tourists eager to either explore or shop, or are looking for places to enjoy some Tapas or a drink. These streets, which during the day are a bit quieter, once the evening falls, they become absolutely unfit for the multitude of tourists. The most interesting streets and buildings are: Sevillano, Calle San Jose, Calle Pintada, Tajillo.
Plaza Cantarero is one of my favorite squares in Nerja and it's probably not too hard to guess why. It is a very small square, and the terrace that is located right in the middle of it makes it seem even smaller. The urban landscape, with the artesian fountain, is very interestingly outlined by tall trees and climbing flowers.
Balcon de Europa is one of the most famous viewpoints in Nerja and Andalusia. Although one of the most popular locations in the resort, few know that Balcon de Europa was a fortress in the past, which was used to detect possible enemy ships. Nowadays, from this place you can admire the most beautiful views in Nerja.
El Salvador Church, located right next to Balcon de Europa, is one of the churches most often chosen by young people to get married. Built in 1697 in neoclassical baroque style, it is patronized by 3 archangels, including Mihail, who is representative of Nerja.
Nerja Cave is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Andalusia. This cave houses one of the largest stalactites in the world. Also here, more than 500 very old paintings were discovered, dating from the end of the Paleolithic. The cave is located a little further from the city, and if you have not opted for renting a car, you have the tourist train that goes to the cave and has Verna Azul Park, Plaza de Espana and Plaza de Maro as departure points. Another option to reach the cave is by bus from the Avenida de Pescia station. Tickets with audio guide, find here.
The Maro waterfall can only be seen from the water. To reach this waterfall you can rent a paddle or kayak from Burriana beach. The rental centers tend to rent them very quickly, so it is recommended to make a reservation in advance, in order to find something available. Also, to see the waterfall, I recommend the months of April-June or any other month after the rain. When we were there, at the beginning of September, the waterfall was already dry due to the lack of precipitation. You can book a tour here, or here.
Playa El Salon, is the centrally located beach, which can be seen from the Balcon de Europa, on the right hand side. It has fine sand and a relatively smooth entry into the water. Every year, on August 14, you have the opportunity to have fun here at Fiesta Blanca, a party on the beach with a white dress code.
Playa Calahonda is the emblematic beach of Nerja, located right next to Balcon de Europa, on the left hand side. It is mostly a free beach, with places for towels, but there are also areas with sunbeds and umbrellas. The water is clean and crystal clear, and the sand is pebbled.
Playa El Chorrillo is a slightly a wider beach than Calahonda, with areas for towels as well as areas with sunbeds and umbrellas.
Playa Burriana, the longest beach in Nerja, with fine sand and a smooth entrance to the water. The area is animated by terraces and restaurants, shops with various items for the beach, but also various centers for renting kayaks or paddles. There are areas with sunbeds and umbrellas, with four-poster beds, but also areas for towels.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT NEAR NERJA:
Rio Chillar is a hiking trail with a path right on the river bed. If you decide to do this route, avoid wearing slippers, because you risk injuring yourself. Instead, choose shoes with grippy soles that you don't mind getting wet.
Frigiliana is one of the white villages (pueblo blanco) that was voted the most beautiful in Andalusia. It is located in the mountain area and offers spectacular views of the Costa del Sol, and the white painted houses complement the landscape very well. It is only 15 minutes from Nerja, and for a complete experience, I recommend a guided tour, book here.
Aqua Tropic Almunecar is a water park in Andalusia, near Granada. I am convinced that the little ones, but also the big ones, would be excited to spend a day or a few hours in such a location.
Snorkelling at Playa La Herradura.
Herradura was one of the most recommended locations for snorkeling in this area. The location is approximately 20 minutes by car from Nerja. Unfortunately, the water was extremely cold and we couldn't really enjoy snorkeling. From what I understand, the water is cold in this area almost all year round because of the currents coming from the ocean. As a snorkeling location, it is quite ok for Europe. We could see several species of fish and a starfish;
The Aguilla Bridge is a spectacular viaduct built on three levels. The bridge itself is interesting, but there are no other activities to do in the area. I recommend visiting this location, if you are in the area, or if there are no other places to see;
CONCLUSIONS ABOUT NERJA
Nerja is a location that I wanted to visit for a very long time, especially because of the Cascada de Maro. Unfortunately, we did not manage to see the waterfall, but we discovered other places, for which it was worth visiting this town. Nerja is a location with beautiful beaches, spectacular views and vibrant nightlife, so it can offer a little bit of each for every type of tourist.
The whole region of Andalusia is fascinating, with many places that should be seen and if you arrive in this area, you must visit other locations as well. The 3 days we spent only in Nerja were enough to visit the tourist attractions and to enjoy the beach and snorkeling.
We spent a total of 8 days in the Andalusia area, so we managed to see many other beautiful places. I leave links to find out more information about locations such as: Marbella, Ronda, Frigiliana, 3 Andalusian villages, Malaga and Mijas Pueblo.
I also filmed a vlog in Nerja, you can find it on my Youtube channel.
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