Nerja

Insider’s Tip – Although we said Nerja is a good place to walk, this beach is not that easy to get to by foot from the centre of town. It’s a long way and not very direct because of the jagged coastline. If you have kids or a lot of stuff, it’s better to drive, get the bus, or a taxi.

The most special beach is Playa de Maro, a stunning beach about a ten-minute drive from Nerja. It is regularly voted one of the best beaches in Spain, as it is secluded and in a protected area tucked into the cliffs, with amazing snorkelling. There isn’t much there, but you can get a sun lounger if you get there early enough and there’s a great little restaurant which does fantastic fish and seafood.

Insider’s Tip – Invest in some beach shoes so you can explore the beaches and rocks, as it’s quite hard on your feet. Head away from the chiringuito along to some rocks jutting out in the sea and on the right is a magical little cave which you can explore, with fresh water coming down through the cliffs, it’s beautiful.

The Nerja Caves

These caves are spectacular and stretch almost five kilometres. There are three galleries with different halls, all of which are beautifully lit and have amazing stalagmites and stalactites. The Nerja Caves boast the world’s largest stalagmite, which is 32 meters high! There are walkways around these halls, which are easy to navigate. If you are visiting in June, look out for the concerts that take place inside the cave’s halls, they are fabulous. There are important cave paintings in the caves, but unfortunately they are not accessible for visitors, head to the Nerja museum in the centre of town to find out about them.  Find out more on the Nerja Caves website

Insider’s Tip – You are not allowed in with flip-flops and you also can’t take pushchairs or prams, so visitors with young children will have to carry them. While in the area check out the newly opened botanical gardens to see the 200 species of plants and enjoy the 1.6 kilometre walking route.

Get Active in Nerja

Nerja is a great place to get active! Highlights include stunning walks along the Rio Chillar riverbed with beautiful scenery and a chance to visit a gorge and waterfalls. You can do this without a guide, but make sure you have shoes that can get wet and be prepared to walk in water.

If you want to take this to the next level, try canyoning, where you explore the waterfalls, cliffs and rapids, hiking, climbing, swimming and sometimes abseiling. This is for people with a good fitness level and head for heights, but it’s a great way to experience the natural beauty of Nerja.

Take to the sea in a kayak for a wonderful tour of the rock formations, caves and coastline of Nerja. The most common route is from Burriana beach over to Maro. You have a guide and a kayak which can take two adults and a child and will explore the stunning coastline for around 2 hours. Beware, you need to be strong and fit to do this and it is a slog back to the start, but it is an amazing experience. If that sounds too much like hard work, just take a kayak out for an hour and explore.

We definitely recommend taking a trip to Nerja if you’re staying in one of our vacation rentals in Marbella. You can hire a car and drive there very easily, or we can organise a private tour where including transport and a guide to take you around the best places in Nerja.

A trip to Nerja truly is a wonderful addition to any Marbella holiday.