Travel guide
Nerja travel guide: Balcón de Europa, the caves and where to stay
Nerja lies east of Málaga, where the mountains run straight down to the sea. It has whitewashed lanes, small beaches between the cliffs and one of the best-known viewpoints in Spain. Here is what to see, and where to stay.
In short
For a first visit to Nerja, our pick is Hotel Balcón de Europa. It stands at the very tip of the viewpoint it is named after, with the beach directly below and the old town behind it, and guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.2. Nerja suits you best if you want charm and nature rather than big beach resorts.
Our first choice: See rooms at Hotel Balcón de Europa
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It is evening on the Balcón de Europa. A street musician under the palm trees is playing to a small crowd, and below the railings the waves break against the rocks. People wait for the sun to drop behind the mountains to the west, and when it does, the coast turns pink for a moment.
Things to do in Nerja
The viewpoint in the middle of town
The palm-lined promenade on the Balcón de Europa runs right out onto the headland.
Balcón de Europa
The Balcón de Europa is the viewpoint on a headland in the middle of town, with palm trees and views along the coast in both directions. The name is said to come from King Alfonso XII, who visited in the 1880s. Come early in the morning or at sunset, as it is packed in the middle of the day.
The Nerja Caves
A few kilometres east of the centre, by the village of Maro, are the caves that five young men discovered in 1959. The great halls are full of stalactites and stalagmites, and in summer concerts are held inside the mountain. The caves are among the most visited sights in Andalusia, so book ahead in high season.
The fisherman's cottage at Calahonda
The white cottage under the cliff at Calahonda is one of the most photographed sights in Nerja.
The beaches
Burriana is the biggest and liveliest beach, with restaurants along the sand. Calahonda is a small cove just below the Balcón de Europa, with a white fisherman's cottage under the cliff. To escape the crowds, head to the beach at Maro east of town, with cliffs all around and clear water.
White houses below the mountains
The white houses of Nerja climb towards the mountains of the Axarquía.
The old town
The old town is a web of narrow streets with whitewashed houses and little squares around the church on Plaza de España. This is where you find the tapas bars, and where everyone goes once the beach closes for the day.
Day trip to Frigiliana
Frigiliana is one of the most beautiful white villages in Andalusia, about a quarter of an hour's drive up into the mountains. Its old Moorish quarter is all steep lanes and steps. Buses run from Nerja.
Walking the Río Chíllar
Just outside town you can walk up the Río Chíllar, much of the way with your feet in the water, between tall rock walls. Wear shoes that can get wet. Check the current rules before you go, especially in summer.
Where to stay in Nerja
The beach below the hotel
From Hotel Balcón de Europa it is only a few steps down to the beach.
Hotel Balcón de Europa
The hotel stands at the tip of the headland by the Balcón de Europa, with the beach directly below. It has a pool and a sauna, and its restaurant, Don Enrique, serves local food. Ideal if you want both the old town and the sea on your doorstep.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Balcón de Europa
Sunset over the pool
The pool at the Parador sits right out on the cliff above the sea.
Parador de Nerja
The Parador stands on the cliff above Burriana, with a garden running to the edge and its own lift down to the beach. There is a pool and tennis courts, and the Balcón de Europa is about a quarter of an hour away on foot. A good choice if you want views and easy access to the biggest beach.
Book your stay: See rooms at Parador de Nerja
A pool on the roof
From the roof at Plaza Cavana you look out over the rooftops and the sea.
Hotel Plaza Cavana
Plaza Cavana is a small hotel on a square in the centre, five minutes from the Balcón de Europa. On the roof there is a pool with sea views. Rooms facing the square can be noisy in the evening, so ask for one at the back if you are a light sleeper.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Plaza Cavana
Evening by the pool
In the evening the facades around the pool at Ona Marinas light up.
Ona Marinas de Nerja Spa Resort
Ona Marinas is on the west side of town, with El Playazo beach right outside, and is the best choice for families. The resort has a pool and a spa with thalassotherapy, and the apartments give the whole family room. The old town is a stroll away along the sea.
Book your stay: See rooms at Ona Marinas de Nerja
A pool by the beach
The pool at Riu Monica sits right by the beach.
Hotel Riu Monica
Riu Monica is adults only and has the beach just outside, a 15-minute walk from the Balcón de Europa. It has indoor and outdoor pools and a spa, and guests rate it 9.2. A good choice for couples who want calm and a beach.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Riu Monica
Before you go
Plan on a bus or a car. There is no train to Nerja. The bus from Málaga takes around an hour and a quarter, and a hire car also gets you to Frigiliana and the beaches east of town.
Book the caves early. In summer, tickets for the Nerja Caves sell out quickly.
Stay central without a car. The old town and the Balcón de Europa are easiest to reach from the hotels in the centre.
Nerja: frequently asked questions
Is Nerja worth visiting?
Yes. Nerja has one of the best-preserved town centres on the Costa del Sol, with whitewashed lanes, small beaches between the cliffs and caves and mountains just outside. It is smaller and quieter than Marbella or Torremolinos.
Where is Nerja?
Nerja is east of Málaga, in the Axarquía region. It is about 30 miles from Málaga airport, around an hour by car.
What is the best thing to do in Nerja?
The Balcón de Europa and the Nerja Caves are what most people come for. Add an evening in the old town, a day on Burriana beach and a trip to Frigiliana and you have seen the essentials.
Where should I stay in Nerja?
Stay in the centre near the Balcón de Europa if you want to walk everywhere. Hotel Balcón de Europa and Hotel Plaza Cavana are both there. To be by the biggest beach, choose the Parador de Nerja above Burriana.
When is the best time to visit Nerja?
May, June and September bring warm weather without the biggest crowds. July and August are high season. In winter it is mild and quiet, and many northern Europeans spend the winter in town.