Things to Do Around Nerja

Nerja is situated in the Andalucia area of Spain.

Nearby are the cities of Malaga and the historic city of Grenada and within a short distance are the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Balcon de Europe
The centre of Nerja is the Balcon de Europe, a favourite with locals and visitors alike. The promenade flanked on the left by arches and on the right by hotels, bars and restaurants, ends at a semi-circular viewpoint on the cliff top. There are lovely views over the Mediterranean and of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The area around the Balcon has lots of bars and places to eat. You can also pick up a horse and carriage ride for a tour around Nerja.

Burriana Beach
One of the most popular beaches (and closest to the apartment) is Burriana beach. A long stretch of coarse white sand with an array of restaurants bars and beach shops. Sun beds and umbrellas can be hired.

For those interested there is a Padi Dive centre that offers an introduction to scuba diving and also day cruises along the coast.

So whether it’s just an hour in the sun, or you want a full day at the beach, Burriana has everything you need.

Playazo Beach
Situated to the West of Nerja, sort of round the corner from Torrecilla beach, this is the longest beach in Nerja. Great for a stroll along or for sun-bathing the beach is a mixture of small to large pebbles with some fine sandy areas mainly close to the sea.

At the very eastern end there is a Hotel bar just off the beach for a beer and in the summer months there is a kiosk selling soft drinks crisps etc.

There are one or two bars heading West until you almost reach the Western-most end where the Nerja Marinas Hotel is, where there are a couple of Bar/restaurants grouped together.

Playazo beach is generally much less crowded than the other beaches mainly because of the fewer bars and facilities, although there are newly (2002) installed showers on the beach, and toilet facilities in the form of portable wooden chalets more or less at each end, but only open in the summer months.

You can easily drive your car right onto, and along the beach from the Western end, through Nerja Marinas. The track at the Eastern (Nerja) end is a little rough and bumpy.
Take a picnic and tables and chairs or settle down near one of the bars though, and you will have a great time.

Salon Beach
Immediately to the West of The Balcon de Europe, down the side of the Unicaja Bank, behind the Balcon de Europe Hotel there is a windy cobbled walkway that leads down to Salon beach. A pretty secluded and somewhat hard to find if you don’t know the way down. You can stop on route at Cochranes bar for a cool drink and an excellent view of the coastline. Well recommended!!

Torrecilla Beach
Located at the bottom of the Town centre (Calle Malaga/Castillo Perez/Chaparil all take you down there) this beach has had loads of money spent on it to make the beach area wider and deeper.

You can hire sun-beds and umbrellas, and maybe even a pedallo. There are showers on the beach too.

The new promenade makes a nice walk along to Playazo beach, and now extends East past the plaza de la cangrejo.

There are two bar/restaurants right on Torrecilla beach.

Carabeo Beach
There is a small cove just off C/Carabeo, which actually joins with Burriana beach, and is much less crowded than Burriana.

Church of El Salvador
The church of El Salvador is located in the the square of Nerja. It was built in 1697 as has recently been restored. It is well worth a visit.

Donkey Sanctuary
All animals at the Nerja Donkey Sanctuary have been rescued by SEPE & DONKEYAID and now living a new life to the full, working with kids and the handicapped to give them pleasure by meeting these gentle and loving animals. Well worth a visit with children who can feed them and get to know their name and history.

If driving along motorway (autovia) Take Nerja/Friglianna, turn off and head down hill towards NERJA - 2/3 small roundabouts then a big one at bottom of the hill - GO STRAIGHT OVER & BEFORE THE ROAD TURNS LEFT TO GO OVER THE BRIDGE - YOU TURN RIGHT - Follow road right to the end (on your Right you will see the big Nerja Arch then a big black anchor also on your right and you just drive for another 50 Ms ( it is a dead end!) and the sanctuary is there on the left, next door to builders merchants.

Nerja Caves
The caves of Nerja are situated 45 minutes east of Malaga, just outside the picturesque town of Nerja. The Caves of Nerja are the most magnificent that Spain has to offer. Local boys chasing bats, who exposed the entrance to a huge system of limestone caverns, first discovered them in 1959.

Frigliana
Frigiliana is situated 56 kilometres from Malaga and 7 kilometres north and inland from the coast at Nerja to which it is linked by several daily buses.
Situated in the foothills of the Sierra de Enmedio, a southern extension of the Almijara mountain range, Frigiliana is an extremely pretty village, which has received several awards for conservation and beauty. It enjoys spectacular views.

Gibraltar
When you first see the Rock of Gibraltar, whether it is from the air, from the sea or from either the Costa del Sol or the western end of the Bay, it is its impressive stature, towering isolated above the surrounding countryside, that causes the greatest impact. It has had this effect on people for many thousands of years. Gibraltar is a beacon that signals the position of the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrow neck that separates Europe from Africa and provides the only link between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Approx 2 hours drive from Nerja. Well worth a visit if you have time. Beware of the monkeys!!

Nerja Markets
There are two markets a week in Nerja.

Tuesday – From about 9am until 1pm. A large flea market selling everything from food to clothing. It is located beyond the Verano Azul Park, which is situated behind the large Supersol. Well worth a visit if you like markets.

Sunday – Lions club flea market – more of a car boot sale. At the top of Rodriguez Acosta by the Iranzo Supermarket turn right until the next roundabout. Here you need to turn left and follow the cars. This is also a 9.30ish start.