A Guide to Visiting Nerja
Nerja isn’t your typical Costa del Sol destination in Spain. In fact, this old fishing town couldn’t be any further away from that.
From traditional tapas to modern cuisine, cobbled streets to lovely sandy beaches, Nerja is an ideal holiday destination for couples, families and those seeking to just have a great time
Whether you’re planning to visit Nerja for your summer holiday or you’re already here and looking for local recommendations – we’ve got you covered in this post and throughout our Nerja blog.
What once was a sleepy fishing village but now a bustling hive of activity, Nerja is the ideal destination which brings together both the old and the new.
Known as the ‘Jewel of the Costa del Sol’, Nerja is a World away from the high rise package holidays and offers beautiful beaches, shops, bars and restaurants to suit your taste. Accommodation is also available in a range of types from traditional villas to modern luxury apartments overlooking the sea.
Whether you are after the “full English” experience or something a little more Spanish, Nerja has you covered.
With over 300 days of sunshine a year and average temperatures of 18 degrees in the winter, visiting Nerja at any time of the year is a great option. So sit back, relax and let us guide you through all you need to know about this characterful Spanish coastal town.
Enjoy Nerja Your Way
Nerja is that place in Spain that you’ve never heard of, and for good reason too.
It’s a hidden gem which is yet to be overdeveloped or overpopulated with swathes of tourists, but there is no doubt it’s getting busier every year.
And when it’s busy, it’s busy! Negotiating those narrow cobbled streets in Nerja old town at peak times can sometimes feel like a small place in the heart of a big city, but it has a quiet charm which gives it a relaxed vibe whenever you choose to visit. Whatever type of Nerja holiday you want, we’ve got all the information you need to plan your visit.
During the day you can soak up the sun on one of 12 beaches or by the pool with your Sangria. Or if shopping and local sightseeing is your thing then there’s plenty of options here too. We like to round off the day at a bustling tapas bar, but you’ll find plenty of choice available from British pub grub to fine European cuisine. The choice really is yours.
Getting There
See all of your options when it comes to getting Nerja once you’ve arrived in Spain
Where to Stay
Find the best self-catering apartments and hotels for your stay in Nerja
Things to See & Do
Whatever your motivation, there are plenty of options to keep you occupied
The Best Beaches
Explore what each of the main beaches have to offer when it comes to a lazy day by the sea
Food & Tapas
Follow the tourist trail or head to where the Nerja locals eat; the choice is yours
Nightlife
Get the lowdown on all the best places to drink and unwind or party the night away!
Is Nerja a Good Holiday Destination?
I’m probably not the best person to ask as I’m completely biased and fell in love with Nerja after my first visit.
But you only have to check out reviews on TripAdvisor to see how popular Nerja really is.
There are so many things to do in Nerja and will keep anyone of any age entertained, but at the same time it has a distinct charm that is lacking elsewhere along the Costa del Sol.
If you want traditional nightlife that’s offered elsewhere along the coast, then there’s an area for that, as well as the usual outdoor terrace nightlife which line the streets of old town at night. But you shouldn’t expect to see the pavements awash with half-naked drunken Brits.
People definitely know how to party though, especially around Plaza Tutti Frutti!
But on the other side of the coin, Nerja has lots of options to keep couples, families and older visitors occupied throughout your stay.
So, what is there to do in Nerja?
If you just want to eat, drink and be merry in the sun, then Nerja’s Costa del Sol location will of course tick lots boxes. It is everything us English want in terms of Spanish destinations, so you will not be disappointed.
But Nerja is so much more than that.
There’s a range of sights to visit if you want to add a splash of culture and there’s also ample opportunity to get the blood pumping through a range of other activities such as parasailing and scuba diving.
Below are some of the most popular things to do and visit in Nerja
Balcón de Europa
Take a stroll down to the end of the promenade (Paseo Balcón de Europa) and you’ll find yourself with one of the most breath taking views the Costa del Sol has to offer. Standing on this cliff edge gives you the perfect view up and down Nerja’s coastline to the east and west, and lots of blue sea and sky right ahead.
Some people believe they have found Africa almost 100 miles away across the blue water, but I think that probably shows how many pints they’d consumed before they turned in to a would-be Greco-Roman geographer.
At night, the ‘Balcony of Europe’ is one of the highlights of any trip to Nerja. Grab yourself an ice-cream from any of the nearby outlets and enjoy. Thank me later.
Church of El Salvador
Located in the heart of Nerja close to the Paseo Balcón de Europa, you cannot miss the white-washed Iglesia El Salvador.
Originally built in 1505, it was reconstructed at the end of the 17th century with further modifications during the period of 1776–1792.
You don’t have to be religious to appreciate it’s beauty and it’s well worth a look inside to view it’s captivating architecture and artefacts.
Burriana Beach
Let’s start with the obvious. This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol, never mind Nerja.
Not only that, but the promenade is packed with bars, restaurants and shops to ensure you have everything you need for the day.
Located on the eastern side of Nerja, away from the centre, Burriana beach itself has ample facilities including showers and childrens play areas, beach volleyball nets as well as sunbeds and shade for rent as far as the eye can see. You can even get massages if you want!
During peak season you can hire jet-skis, pedalos, inflatables and kayaks, or take your breath away with a bit of parasailing and enjoy the views across Nerja and the blue water beneath you.
Cuevas de Nerja (Nerja Caves)
The Cuevas de Nerja is an attraction that every visitor should explore.
This 5km stretch of caves will captivate people of all ages and is the home of the largest stalagmite not just on the Costa del Sol, but the WORLD. For the record, it’s 32m high with a 13m by 7m base.
You can explore the caves on your own or take a guided tour if you would like more information during your trip.
Is Nerja Safe?
Nerja is as safe as any other town of its kind. Levels of crime are extremely low, but where there are tourists, there are opportunists.
During Nerja’s peak season, you should be vigilant and bear in mind that pickpockets and thieves operate in the area, as well as the beaches.
However, it’s very rare to find yourself concerned for your safety walking around Nerja at any time of the day or night.
Is Nerja worth visiting?
Nerja is perfect for a week, even better for two I think. It’s one of those places that has enough to keep you busy and more importantly, happy.
So if it’s good for fourteen days, then it’s perfect for just a few.
It’s close enough to get to from a city like Malaga or Granada and spend the day visiting, but with so much to do, it’d be a shame not to spend a few beautiful days and nights before heading back to a bustling city.
Staying in Nerja
There are three main types of accommodation in Nerja. Self-catering villas, apartments and hotels. Where you choose to stay all depends the type of break you want.
You might want to be right in the heart of things in the town centre with a terrace balcony to soak up Nerja town atmosphere, or perhaps you want something less hectic a mere 20 min walk away (see El Capistrano Village here) or be near Burriana beach so you can soak up the glorious Mediterranean sun for hours on end.
But wherever you stay, you are only ever a short walk or taxi ride away from what you want, whether it’s peace and quiet or some exciting nightlife.
Where in Spain is Nerja?
Nerja is 56km east of the centre of Malaga on the Costa del Sol and is well connected by public transport. Nerja is set in the Andalusia region of southern Spain and is nestled on the coast at the foothills of the Sierra Almijara mountain range. This provides stunning scenic views for miles around whichever direction you are looking in.
What airport do you fly to for Nerja?
The closest airport to Nerja is Málaga Costa Del Sol airport and is the fourth busiest in Spain.
It’s served by all of the major airlines operating out of the UK and Ireland including Aer Lingus, British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair and TUI Airways. So there are plenty of available to get here from your regional airport.
The next closest airport is in the city of Granada about 70 miles away.
How do I get from Málaga to Nerja?
From the airport you can reach Nerja by hopping on a bus or getting a taxi transfer. It’s advisable to book a Nerja taxi for a return journey before you fly out. This will save you a good few Euros instead of paying a metered taxi. Alternatively, your accommodation may organise transfers for you.
You can also reach Nerja from Malaga by train and bus, but just make sure you do your research first.
Summary Guide of Nerja
With over 250 bars and restaurants, 12 beaches and around 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s easy to see the appeal of a vacation in Nerja. But it’s not all just about sun, sea and sangria!
There’s designer shops, the famous Nerja Caves, the breath-taking Balcon de Europa, as well as the historic Church of El Salvador to appease culture vultures. And it’s easy to take the Sierra Almijara mountain range for granted too. Peak season is mid-June to August, but Nerja is perfect any time of year.
