THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN: FIRST-TIMER’S GUIDE

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN: FIRST-TIMER’S GUIDE

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN: Balcon de Europa, Costa Del Sol, The Mediterranean
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN: Balcon De Europa, Costa Del Sol, The Mediterranean
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INTRODUCTION: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN: Are you planning a trip to the Mediterranean? Are you thinking of going to Nerja on the Costa Calida but you’re just not sure and you need just a bit more information before making your final decision? Then, look no more! This post will outline the main points of interest and highlights of Nerja (and the surrounding area) to help you make your decision and plan your best vacation ever. I’ve lived in the area for over a decade and have been up and down the coast exploring the different towns and cities and I’m glad to share my insider knowledge of this town on the Mediterranean Costa Del Sol.

Balcon de Europa
Balcon De Europa
Beach in Nerja
Beach in Nerja

Location

Nerja is on the southern Mediterranean coast of Spain and is located about 50km east of Malaga. It sits on the very eastern edge of the area referred to as the Costa del Sol. Unlike its more famous neighboring towns and cities, Nerja has escaped the commercial and residential developments and has managed to maintain its small-town charm. Located directly on the Mediterranean coast, it is a great seaside destination, absolutely worth visiting. 

(To find out more about this region see our related posts “Guide to the Mediterranean Coast of Spain“, ” Guide to the Mediterranean Coast” and “Costa Del Sol“)

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN: Balcon de Europa, Costa Del Sol, The Mediterranean

WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN?

Balcón de Europa

This lookout point originally served as a military fortress but has been transformed into a must-see tourist attraction. From this vantage point, visitors get an excellent view of the Mediterranean Sea and its coastline. 

Balcon de Europa
Balcon de Europa

Beaches in Nerja

Located directly in the town of Nerja is the golden sand beach of Playa Burianna. The beach is about 800 meters long with a promenade running its entire length. Along the promenade, you will find palm trees, beach bars, and restaurants. 
In addition to Burianna there are also a few other beaches in the area such as that are worth visiting:
-Playa de Maro, 
-Playa Playazo
-El Salón Beach
-Playa de la Calahonda
-Playa de Torrecilla

Balcon de Europa
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN: Beaches in Nerja, Costa Del Sol
Playa Playazo
Playa Playazo

Caves of Nerja

Back in 1959, a few locals discovered an entrance to a cave that contained prehistoric paintings and proved to be the starting point of a cave system that stretches for miles. A section of the cave has been turned into a tourist attraction which you can visit with the entire family. The main highlight of the cave is a 32m high stalactite. As of the writing of this post, access to the paintings is still not possible as authorities try to figure out how to protect them. 

Nerja caves
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA: Caves of Nerja, Costa Del Sol, Spain

Rio Chillar

This river runs in a north-south direction starting in the mountains to the north and going right through Nerja to the Mediterranean. This small river has carved out a very scenic gorge through the local limestone hills. At its deepest the river is 30cm deep so it is a great little river to explore and cool off in, just bring a good pair of water shoes as some of the rocks in the river have sharp edges.

Aqueduct

Back in the 19th century the “Aquaduct Eagle” was built and is an excellent example of 19th-century engineering. It is still operational today and as such isn’t exactly a tourist site, however, you can take walks in the surrounding area and get a good view of this large structure.

Pico del Cielo

If you are looking for a challenge and are interested in a hike with a rewarding view, then this is the trail for you. The summit of Pico del Cielo is located just outside of Nerja, has an elevation of 1508m, and can be reached via a 19km loop from start to finish. Make sure you have a good level of fitness before trying this hike. If you do take on this challenge you will be rewarded with an incredible view of the entire coast in this area and if the weather conditions are just right, you can even see the coast of North Africa.

Pico del Cielo
Pico del Cielo, Spain, Costa Del Sol

Cascada de Maro (waterfalls)

This waterfall located about 1km has a height of 15m and water falls straight down the side of a sheer rock face into the Mediterranean. The coastline is quite rugged at this point but the falls can easily be reached by kayak or you can take one of the local boat tours.

Water Sports and Activities

As with most locations in the Costa Del Sol, they are all located right on the Mediterranean and so there is a long list of activities that can be done in the water: swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kite surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, jet skiing and parasailing. Most of the equipment can be rented from local shops.
There are also boat tours that will take you up and down the coast for tours lasting anywhere from less than an hour to the whole day. Check with the local tour operators at the nearest marina for schedules and prices.

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA: snorkeling

Cycling

Nerja is an excellent area for cycling. The weather is nice all year round and you have a network of roads and trails through the entire area. Bicycles can be rented out from some of the local bike shops and they are also a good source of information as to what are the best places to go. For an excellent source of cycling information and downloadable maps, visit Cycling Friendly.   https://cycling-friendly.com/en/items/cycling-nerja/

Nerja Traditional Dishes

Emblanco

This is a hot fish stew made usually with hake, usually made with potatoes and vegetables. 

Espetos

Skewered sardines cooked over a beach fire 

Sweet Potatoes with Cane Honey

Fried sweet potatoes served with cane honey (pressed from sugar cane in nearby Frigiliana) Other ingredients used to make this dish are anise, cinnamon, or clove.

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN: Espetos
Tapas

One of the traditions in this area of the Costa del Sol is to go on a tapas tour or “Ir de Tapas”, which involves visiting several bars and restaurants and sampling different foods and drinks.

Day Trips

Frigiliana

Located 3km north of Nerja is Frigiliana. This is a beautiful whitewashed Andalucian town with narrow, winding cobblestone streets full of shops, tapas bars, and restaurants.

Frigiliana
Frigiliana

Malaga

The Capital of the Costa Del Sol lies only 40km west of Nerja. If you are looking for a big city experience on the Mediterranean coast then a trip to Malaga is definitely worth it. With several historical sites right in the “Old Town”, a bustling shopping district, and lively nightlife, Malaga is a great day trip destination. (see related post on Malaga to find out more)

Malaga, Roman Amphitheater
Malaga, Roman Amphitheater

Granada

Visit Granada, the capital city of the province, which has a rich history, with traces of human occupation in the area dating back to 5500 BC. Several cultures have lived in this area over the last thousands of years and you can see traces of this in various locations in the city. The most famous in Granada is the Alhambra, a fortress representing one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in the world with construction beginning in 1238.

Granada
Day Trip Granada

Trivial Pursuit and Nerja

Who doesn’t like a success story, right? Back in the early 1980s, a couple of Canadians, Scott Abbott and Chris Haney, were brainstorming an idea for a new board game. They had the basic concept but they still had to spend time making up thousands of questions and answers. As it turned out, Abbott’s parents had a vacation house in Nerja, so Abbott and Haney, quit their jobs, packed their bags, and headed to Spain. They then spent several months in Nerja making up 6000 thousand questions and answers. 

Once they felt they had enough questions they returned to Canada and were finally able to approach investors to back them up. The game was called “Trivial Pursuit” and was released in 1983 and in 1984 sold 15 million copies, becoming a global success and surpassing even Abbott and Haney’s wildest dreams. By 2017, the game had earned over $2 billion and made these two men multi-millionaires. 
So if you have a dream or a goal, and you’re looking for a place to inspire you, then look no further than Nerja. 

Practical Travel Information

Best Time to Visit Nerja Spain

The busiest time in Nerja, as in most places on the Mediterranean coast, is during July and August when the weather is at its hottest.
The best time to visit, however, if you can manage it, is in the spring or fall. The weather is still exceptionally nice in May, June, Sept, and October, and you can avoid the bulk of the summer crowds. Accommodations, flight tickets, and car rentals are usually cheaper,  restaurants are less busy, there are no lineups in most places and things are much less hectic.

How To Get There

The nearest airport option for Nerja is to fly into Malaga. From there you can take the bus or taxi to Nerja. 

THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA: Visit Aquaduct Eagle
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN: Aquaduct Eagle

Accommodations

The main industry in the Costa del Sol is tourism so there is no shortage of hotel accommodations in the area. However, as mentioned above, summer is the busiest time in the area so I recommend that you book well in advance. There are hotels and Air BnBs in all of the different locations on the Costa del Sol and this includes Nerja. Your best bet is to check online for available places and book as soon as you can. Check out the link below for places available right now.

Mirador de la Torrecilla
Mirador de la Torrecilla

FINAL THOUGHTS: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN NERJA SPAIN

If you are looking for a vacation destination on the coast of Spain that is not overly commercial and overdeveloped then Nerja is an excellent choice. It offers a great combination of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking an authentic Spanish coastal experience. Directly on the Mediterranean Sea, with beautiful sand beaches, excellent weather, and a large variety of entertainment and activity options to choose from, Nerja is a great vacation destination, second to none.

“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”

How about experiencing the Mediterranean first hand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!

Reg Auge

Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.

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