Batcaves, Beautiful Beaches and Paella: Nerja, Spain

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Advisor - Sandhya Moraes
Curated By

Sandhya Moraes

  • Adventure Travel

  • Arts & Culture

  • Beaches

  • Food & Wine

  • Spain

  • Beach Town

  • Relaxation

  • Sightseeing

This image depicts a viewing area with a antique canyon, telescope and view of the coastline, mountains and ocean on the Balcony of Europe (Balcón de Europa) in Nerja.
Curator’s statement

The Costa Del Sol is a vein of golden beaches and pretty whitewashed villages running along Spain’s southern coast. Nerja is a quiet jewel, with gorgeous beaches, plentiful chiringuitos and is wonderful for couples, families and retirees.

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Where to stay in Nerja, Spain

Sibarys Hotel

Sibarys Hotel is a boutique hotel offering a unique blend of comfort and elegance in a prime city location.

HC Calahonda Beach Nerja

HC Calahonda Beach Nerja is a charming seaside hotel providing guests with stunning ocean views and easy access to the beach in Nerja.

Hotel Plaza Cavana

Hotel Plaza Cavana is a stylish hotel located in the heart of Nerja, featuring modern amenities and a rooftop pool with stunning views.

Hotel Riu Monica

Hotel Riu Monica is an adults-only beachfront hotel in Nerja, offering modern accommodations, a relaxing ambiance, and direct access to the beach.

Hotel Paraíso del Mar

Hotel Paraíso del Mar offers luxurious beachfront accommodations with stunning ocean views, blending comfort and elegance in the heart of the coast.

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Things to do in Nerja, Spain

A photo inside dark caves with dripping rock formations in Cueva De Nerja, a tourist spot in Nerja.

Nerja has a gentle slowness during the day, perfect for walking through the markets, and plentiful food options with excellent seafood. The easy proximity to Malaga is great for seeing Picasso’s birth home and the Moorish Alcazaba.

* Nerja Caves are the vast bat caves with glittering stalagmites found by five young boys, and a must-must-see.

* Plaza Balcón de Europa is the central node of the town, with incredible views of the surrounding coastline as well as the beaches below it. Go to the beach. This is the Costa Del Sol, and the beaches are lovely and serene. Go find your own special patch of sand.

* Playa Burriana, a beach with a scene. Enjoy Burriana’s energy and inexpensive drinks.

* Playa Calahonda, with turquoise waters and dramatic rocky cliffs, this pebbled beach is generally packed and fun.

* Playa El Salón is a sandy and busy beach, and quite small like many of the local beaches.

* Playa de Mayo is a small, precious beach with lovely kayaking.

* Church of El Salvador is a small white church, serene and cool inside. This is one of the rare churches that acknowledges three archangels.

* Nerja Town center has sweet cobbled streets, small bars and all the little boutiques to browse in.

* Museo de Nerja is a quick stop. It allows you to understand the deep, deep history of the many peoples that made up this small part of Spain’s coast.

Walk through the chiringuitos, the small, often seasonal, beach bars, near the beach as the bustling atmosphere itself is an experience.

Frigiliana is a gorgeous, historic Andalusian village that is absolutely worth the visit.

Day trip

Frigiliana
Frigiliana is one of the exquisite white villages of Andalusia, often called the prettiest. It has been inhabited all the way back from the Phoenicans, the Romans, the Moors and the Christians. The architecture is witness to a true ancient melting pot. Walk around the steep streets and enjoy the fierce devotion the inhabitants put into their curb appeal! It is a short bus or car ride away from Nerja.

Places to eat & drink in Nerja, Spain

A large beautiful white building with outdoor patio seating, palm trees, red flowers and umbrellas for shade at La Bottega Food & Wine an Italian laid-back restaurant with a terrace & sea views.

La Bottega Food & Wine: Mediterranean and Italian food and wine with a sea view.

Restaurante La Fuente: Italian food and gluten free options as well.

Goa Town Indian & Nepalese Restaurant Nerja: Tasty Indian food, and very very spicy vindaloo.

Restaurante Paparazzi: A fun pizza and more spot.

Tetería Zaidín: A sweet little tea spot before you head back out to the beach.

El Pulgilla: A Spanish marisqueria, essentially a seafood spot, with plenty of inexpensive tapas, drinks and atmosphere.

El Sotano Viejo: Affordable, Spanish food restaurant that is popular with locals.

Also try the sardine skewers and seafood paella at the chiringuitos, the small, often seasonal, beach bars.

Advisor - Sandhya Moraes

Travel Advisor

Sandhya Moraes

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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Spain. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out Josie Arnold's guide, Three Days of Wine & Tapas in La Rioja, Spain Wine Country