Nerja

Travel Guide
Nerja showing a coastal town, general coastal views and a sandy beach
This resort town on the Costa del Sol has an atmospheric old town, a lively late-night bar scene and pretty beaches set around sandy bays.

Nerja is the “Jewel of the Costa,” a charming coastal resort town on Spain’s famous Costa del Sol. Picturesque, endearing and energetic, Nerja attracts couples, families, history buffs and watersports enthusiasts. Delight in the 10-mile-long (16-kilometer) coastline peppered with attractive beaches and coves. Discover the history of tumultuous battles, visit millennia-old caves and spend evenings hopping between pubs and tapas bars.

Enjoy views of the coastline and Sierra de Almijara mountains from the Balcón de Europa. This headland terrace once held the watchtower of a 9th-century fortress established to protect the town from invaders. Visit this popular social meeting point and location for colorful festivals. Stroll along Paseo Balcón de Europa, a palm-lined promenade leading into the old quarter.

Visit the Church of El Salvador, built in the late 1600s and decorated with ceramic tile plaques and frescoes. Walk to the Nerja Museum on the stately Plaza de España. Browse the museum’s exhibits to learn about the town’s history from Paleolithic cave dwellers to its 1960s tourist boom.

Find several beaches close to Nerja’s town center. Mingle with local families at Salon Beach. Dine at chiringuitos (beach bars) and try watersports, such as kayaking, Jet Skiing and parasailing at Burriana Beach. Calahonda Beach and Carabeillo Beach are also just short walks from the town center.

Catch the tourist train to the fascinating Nerja Caves. Admire cave paintings, gaze in amazement at extraordinary rock formations and attend a concert inside a cavern. Afterward, browse the boutiques and galleries lining the village streets of nearby Maro.

Experience the friendly nightlife action at Plaza Tutti Frutti, framed by a collection of tapas bars, themed pubs and wine bars. Find bars, restaurants, ice cream parlors and souvenir shops on Calle Pintada and the pedestrian-only Calle Almirante Ferrándiz.

Reach Nerja by flying to Málaga and renting a car or taking a bus from there. Venture out of town on a daytrip to Granada, renowned for the Alhambra palace complex.

Where to stay in Nerja

Balcon de Europa featuring views and general coastal views as well as a large group of people

Nerja City Centre

5/5(16 area reviews)

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Nerja City Centre. A stop by Calahonda Beach or Carabeo Beach might round out your trip.

Nerja City Centre

Chimenea

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Chimenea and surrounding area, you can visit Burriana Beach and Carabeo Beach.

Chimenea
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Oasis del Capistrano

Oasis del Capistrano might not have many top sights, but Burriana Beach and Aqueduct of El Aguila are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Oasis del Capistrano
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Urbanización Ladera del Mar

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Urbanización Ladera del Mar and surrounding area, you can visit Torrecilla Beach and Salon Beach.

Urbanización Ladera del Mar
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Urbanización La Noria

While there might not be top attractions in Urbanización La Noria, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Carabeo Beach and Calahonda Beach.

Urbanización La Noria
Nerja VG Hostal Boutique
Nerja VG Hostal Boutique
3 out of 5
C. Pintada 74, Nerja, Málaga
The price is ¥12,442 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥12,442
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this 3-star hostal in Nerja. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (137 reviews)
"I stayed for 4 nights in mid-March, arriving on a Weds. Initially, the property was very quiet but it became much busier at the weekend. My room was spotlessly clean and everything was in very good condition. The pool area was very pleasant but being early in the season the sunbed area was in the ..."

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024

Nerja VG Hostal Boutique
Ona Marinas de Nerja Spa Resort
Ona Marinas de Nerja Spa Resort
4 out of 5
CN 340 Km 289,50, Nerja, Malaga
The price is ¥15,353 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
¥15,353
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Nerja. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (829 reviews)
"This is our third stay. All inclusive is fantastic, the range of food and drinks at every meal is superb. Stayed in a top floor two bedroom apartment, great size."

Reviewed on Feb 18, 2024

Ona Marinas de Nerja Spa Resort
Parador De Nerja
Parador De Nerja
4 out of 5
Calle de Almunecar, 8, Nerja, Malaga
The price is ¥26,102 per night from Apr 22 to Apr 23
¥26,102
per night
Apr 22 - Apr 23
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nerja. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (440 reviews)
"Welcoming, informative, comfortable, friendly and relaxing"

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2024

Parador De Nerja
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Toboso Apar-Turis
Toboso Apar-Turis
3 out of 5
Paseo Balcón de Europa, Nerja, Malaga
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Nerja. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Church of El Salvador and Salon Beach ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (303 reviews)
"Friendly, clean, comfortable and a great location"

Reviewed on Nov 13, 2023

Toboso Apar-Turis
Ona Marinas de Nerja Spa Resort
Ona Marinas de Nerja Spa Resort
4 out of 5
CN 340 Km 289,50, Nerja, Malaga
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Nerja. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (829 reviews)
"This is our third stay. All inclusive is fantastic, the range of food and drinks at every meal is superb. Stayed in a top floor two bedroom apartment, great size."

Reviewed on Feb 18, 2024

Ona Marinas de Nerja Spa Resort
Nerja Villas Capistrano
Nerja Villas Capistrano
2 out of 5
Calle de Ronda, s/n, Local 3 A, Nerja, Malaga
Stay at this aparthotel in Nerja. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Playa Piedra de Tarzán and Burriana Beach are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (129 reviews)
"The very large property is beautifully landscaped and maintained, peaceful and quiet. A 10 minute walk to two major supermarkets. Our villa in Capistrano was outstanding for a 2 week stay. It was very well stocked with everything a family would need to live and cook at home. Extra space-heaters were ..."

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2024

Nerja Villas Capistrano
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Nerja

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
25
" "5 - Excellent 75.75757575757575%
4 - Good
8
" "4 - Good 24.242424242424242%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

JO
Nov 24, 2019

there were so kind people. and that city was a really quiet and has nice view, too. that's why i wanna go to trip again.

5/5 - Excellent

NM
Oct 27, 2019

Loved it!!!! Beautiful

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 15, 2019

Beautiful area with great beaches, fabulous food, and clear water ocean swimming! We did a quick trip to the caves (Cueva de Nerja) and we were the only ones for the 1:30 English tour and ended up getting a private guide for our family of 3.

5/5 - Excellent

K
Oct 1, 2019

Charming, vibrant

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jul 17, 2019

So much fun to visit the town and beaches. Loved it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 13, 2019

Incredible beach town!

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