Hola! If you’re dreaming of a sunny escape on Costa del Sol, Nerja is the perfect place to add to your bucket list. This charming coastal town is famous for its stunning beaches, breathtaking Balcon de Europa viewpoint, and impressive caves – but there’s so much more to discover! From wandering whitewashed streets to tasting delicious tapas, Nerja has a little bit of everything that makes Andalusia so special. Vamos, let’s show you the best things to do in Nerja, Spain!
This website uses affiliate links thanks to which we may earn a commission for purchases you made at no additional cost to you. If you like the content, consider using those links to support us. Thank you!
Nerja, Spain FAQ
Nerja is a small coastal town located in Andalusia in the Province of Malaga. It’s close to Malaga, and other beautiful smaller white villages like Frigiliana, Benalmadena, or Mijas Pueblo.
Even if you come to Nerja just to admire scenic views with sandy beaches and mountains as a backdrop, it would be an unforgettable visit. Add to that exploring a small but very charming old town, and you have one of the most delightful stops on the Costa del Sol.
Nerja is one of the most popular coastal towns in Andalusia – and for good reason! It’s best known for the spectacular Caves, whitewashed old town that has kept its traditional Andalusian charm, and its beautiful sandy beaches. Plus, the views of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding mountains are simply unforgettable!
Nerja is perfect for a day trip from nearby towns – in just a few hours you can explore most of the main attractions, stroll through the charming old town, and enjoy a delicious meal. But if you have more time, Nerja is also an amazing beach holiday destination and a fantastic base for exploring the region at a slower pace.
Things to do in Nerja, Spain
Nerja Old Town
Strolling around the picturesque old town streets is one of the best things to do in Nerja if you want to soak up Andalusian vibe. This beautiful area is full of cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses decorated with bright flowers. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, tapas bars, cozy cafes, and shops selling handmade products. Perfect for a relaxed afternoon!
In Nerja Old Town, you’ll find points of interest like the Balcon de Europa, El Salvador Church, Plaza de España, and the Museum of the Village of Nerja.
Nerja Tourist Office is located on Calle Carmenm close to Balcon de Europa viewpoint. It’s a great place to pick up maps and get helpful sightseeing tips.
Balcon de Europa
Visiting the viewpoint named Balcon de Europa is, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular things to do in Nerja. This round balcony sits on a cliff and offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastline.
In the past, it was part of an Arab fortress watchtower, used to keep an eye out for pirates. Balcon de Europa got its name in 1885, during the visit of King Alfonso XII (whose statue you can also admire on the balcony).
Church of El Salvador
Church of El Salvador is located just a step away from the Balcon de Europa. It was built in the 17th century and the bell tower was added a little later, in 1724. Last time it was restored in 1997.
Interesting fact: it’s one of the few temples in the world that features representations of all three archangels.
Museum of the Village of Nerja
The Museum is located in Plaza de España and it’ll take you on a journey through Nerja’s past, from Paleolithic times to the 20th century. One of its most fascinating exhibits is the skeleton of Pepita, a young woman who lived in the caves thousands of years ago.
Entrance to the museum is free if you already have a ticket for the Nerja Caves. Otherwise, the entrance costs €5 for adults, and €4 for children 6-12 (May 2026). To check out current prices and opening hours visit cuevadenerja.es website.
Beaches in Nerja
Spending some relaxing time on the beach is another of the best things to do in Nerja. The town has some beaches in the center and several more on the outskirts. Most of them offer amenities like restaurants, bars, toilets, showers, sunbeds, or even jet skis to rent.
Playa de Burriana is the largest and most popular beach in Nerja. Other favorites include Playa la Caletilla, Playa Torrecilla, Playa de la Calahonda, Playa El Chorrillo, and Playa el Salon. We also loved the smaller Playa Carabeo.
Need more beach ideas to choose from? Check out Playa El Chucho, Playa de Maro, Playa de las Alberquillas, Playa de Cantarriján (a nudist beach), Calas Torre del Pino, Playa del Molino de Papel, or Cala del Canuelo.
Mirador del Bendito
While wandering through Nerja Old Town, sooner or later you’ll reach Mirador del Bendito, located right next to the Playa de Burriana. This viewpoint is a great place to relax for a little while admiring beautiful views over the sea and a beach.
Nerja Caves
Visiting the Nerja Caves (Cuevas de Nerja) for many travelers is the main reason to come to the town. They were discovered in 1959 by a group of young locals who were on a late-night walk searching for bats.
In 2012, researchers announced the discovery of Neanderthal cave paintings dating back 42000 years, though these aren’t open to the public to protect them from deterioration. The caves are best known for housing the world’s largest stalactite, which reaches 32 meters in height with a base measuring 13×7 meters! No wonder that visiting the caves has become one of the most popular things to do in Nerja!
Entrance to Cuevas de Nerja costs €16 for adults and €12 for children 6-11 (May 2026). To check out current prices and opening hours, and to buy online tickets, visit cuevadenerja.es website. Visit is relatively short, shouldn’t take more than 1 hour. There’s parking available on site.
Explore local attractions
How to get to Nerja, Spain?
Nerja is located 7km from Frigiliana, 55km from Malaga, 90km from Mijas Pueblo, and 100km from Antequera. The most convenient way to get to Nerja is by car or by bus.
Where to park in Nerja?
There are many paid parking lots in the area. We left our car in Parking Balcon de Europa, located very close to the old town and viewpoint.
Airports near Nerja
The closest airport to Nerja is located in Malaga, 80km away. From it, you can reach the town by bus, car, or taxi. To check connections that might interest you, visit rome2rio.com website.
To Nerja by public transport
You can easily get to Nerja by bus. There are direct and usually cheap connections from many places like Mijas, Malaga, Marbella, or Estepona. Please check the connections you are interested in on rome2rio.com or alsa.com website.
Unfortunately, there is no train station in Nerja. The closest one is located in Malaga, about 65km away, and from there you can take a bus or taxi to Nerja. You can check out a map of available train connections on acprail.com website.
Things to do in Nerja, Spain – Summing up
As you can see now, Nerja truly captures the charm of southern Spain. From exploring charming old town streets and impressive caves to spending relaxing time on the beaches, there’s something for every type of traveler in Nerja. One thing is for sure – these Andalusian gems make for an unforgettable stop along your Andalusia itinerary.
Our opinion about Nerja
For us, a visit to Nerja was a day trip from Mijas where we lived for a few weeks during our first season of digital nomads life. We combined it with a visit to the nearby Frigiliana. We visited Nerja in November and during that time the town was pleasantly calm and free from big tourist crowds. Exploring everything we wanted took us about 3 hours at a very slow pace.
What can we say, we truly enjoyed Nerja – strolling among its peaceful old town, admiring breathtaking views from the viewpoints, and relaxing on the beach was an absolute pleasure. Nothing to complain about!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Nerja?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Nerja:
Nerja, the best destination in Malaga!! Our town has a lot to offer visitors. Beaches, gastronomy, good accommodations and nature. thank you for these beautiful words about Nerja.