Why Nerja is a must-visit destination

If you have never been to the beautiful Mediterranean seaside town of Nerja you don’t know what you are missing. Located east of Malaga on Spain’s popular Costa del Sol, Nerja and the surrounding area was spared the building boom of the 60s and 70s and retains much of its old-world charm.

Nerja is also blessed with one of the best climates to be found anywhere in Europe making it not just a summer destination, but a place to come and explore year-round.

Things to see and do in Nerja

Nerja Caves

The most famous attraction in Nerja and one of the most visited places in all of Spain is the Nerja Caves. Discovered by a group of boys out hunting bats in the late 1950s the Cuevas de Nerja are a series of caverns that stretch for almost five kilometres. The caves are open to the public year-round and offer a unique look into subterranean life.

Balcón de Europa

The Balcón de Europa is the focal point of Nerja and is were locals all meet up before a night out. A Mirador with sweeping views over Burriana Beach and the Mediterranean Sea the Balcony of Europe was built on what used to be a 9th-century Moorish fortress. Completed to honour the visit of King Alfonso XII in the late 1800s the viewpoint got its name after the King declared it as being the “Balcony of Europe”.

Frigiliana

Often called one of the prettiest white villages in all of Spain, Frigiliana is known for its Moorish Quarter full of ceramic decorated narrow streets. In the town’s main square you will discover rooftop restaurants with sweeping views down to the sea. Recently, Coca Cola used Frigiliana as a setting for one of its television commercial.

Maro

While visiting Nerja be sure and rent a sea kayak on Burriana Beach and paddle along the rocky cliffs to Maro. Along the way, you will discover hidden coves and waterfalls that cascade into the sea. With the entire area being a marine reserve, the water is crystal-clear and teeming with fish making it one of the best places in Spain to go snorkelling.

Food & Drink

As well as having plenty of things to see and do, Nerja has a fantastic variety of restaurants serving up not only Spanish but different cuisines from around the world. You will also find plenty of bars to choose from, some of which attract world-class entertainers during the busy summer months.

Getting to Nerja

With no train connection to Nerja from Malaga, you will need to either take a bus or rent a car. If neither of these are an option, then Nerja Taxis can be prebooked online for your journey from Malaga Airport to Nerja.

Bus

From Malaga Airport you have the choice of either taking the train or bus into the centre of Malaga and then catching a bus from the main bus station to Nerja.

At the airport walk across the plaza to the bus stop and take the A-line into the city. The bus will pull into the station next to stand 38 from where you can catch the bus to Nerja.

Spanish bus operator ALSA runs the buses between Malaga and Nerja stopping at Velez Málaga and Torrox on the way.

The journey takes around an hour and costs 4.65€.

Car

If you hire a car at Malaga Airport (AGP) you will need to exit the airport in the direction of Malaga following signs for the Granada. Drive straight along the MA-20 and then take the A-7 motorway which is signposted Motril, Almeria and Rincon de la Victoria. Drive for around 50 minutes until you see an exit sign for Nerja and Frigiliana.