The best things to do in Nerja
In this article, you’ll find lots of ideas and all the best things to do in and around Nerja:
- A few words about Nerja
- What to do in Nerja
- Water sports and activities in Nerja
- Free things to do in Nerja Adventure activities in Nerja
- Excursions east of Málaga from Nerja
- Excursions in Andalusia from Nerja
- What to do with children in Nerja
- What to do in Nerja when it rains
- What to do around Nerja
- Booking accommodation
- The main festivities in Nerja
- Latest articles on Andalusia
A few words about Nerja
In this article, you’ll find the essential information on what you can do in Nerja to enjoy a wonderful holiday. Nerja, with its 12 beaches and natural surroundings, is a jewel in the crown of La Axarquía, on the Costa del Sol.
What to do in Nerja
Here is a list of things to do in Nerja. They are listed by theme.
Note: some activities may be listed more than once, depending on the theme.
Water sports and activities in Nerja
Sea kayaking
From Burriana beach, you can sign up for a sea kayaking trip. You’ll follow the Maro cliffs. Depending on the season, you may be able to enjoy an extraordinary waterfall.
Find out more and book.
Guided walk near the Maro cliffs
This hike along the cliffs of Maro ends in a cove where you can do some snorkelling if you wish. Find out more and book.
Boat trip (June to October)
This excursion, lasting a few hours by boat, allows you to discover this part of the Costa del Sol from the sea, and with a bit of luck see some dolphins 🙂 .
Find out more and book.
Paddle boarding
You can book a paddle from Burriana beach.
Find out more and book.
Note: for the water activities below, the meeting point is in Torrox or Nerja (bus stop).
Snorkelling
A diving centre in Torrox offers a magnificent snorkelling activity, in an area where the seabed is of outstanding beauty.
Find out more and book.
Diving underwater
The same diving centre offers several types of scuba diving, from beginner level upwards.
Find out more and book.
Free things to do in Nerja
Río Chillar walk
This is one of the most beautiful walks in the province of Málaga. All you need is an old pair of trainers. It should soon be possible to book in advance, in order to limit the number of hikers and preserve nature.
Click here to find out more about the Río Chillar hike.
Going to the beach
Nerja offers 12 beaches, some of which are very different from the others. If you have a car, try the wild beach of La Cala del Pino, a little gem.
Here’s a link to the 12 beaches and coves of Nerja.
Visit the old sugar cane factory
This is a derelict site, but it’s a great way to discover the industrial past of cane sugar production in Nerja.
You can find the location of the site here.
Adventure activities in Nerja
Here are three great activities suggested by David, an active tourism guide, starting out from Nerja:
The via ferrata at Zafarraya
The via ferrata at Zafarraya is a colourful ‘vertical hike’ in Andalusia. A via ferrata (which can be translated as ‘vertical hike’) is a route that is both vertical and horizontal, equipped with a variety of equipment.
Note: what you’ll find on a via ferrata: steel holds, chains, suspension bridges and tyrolean traverses, which allow you to safely reach areas that are difficult to access.
Here’s the link to find out more and book.
Book Canyoning rio verde
Canyoning in Andalusia in the Rio Verde is an outdoor activity in wonderful surroundings.
The descent will take in natural slides, jumps and abseiling. We’ll pass through caves and crystal-clear pools.
Click here to find out more and book.
Via ferrata Caminito del Rey
The Caminito del Rey has become one of the main tourist attractions in the province of Málaga. It has to be said that the site is absolutely majestic. Hiking the Caminito del Rey is one of the most popular activities in the whole of Andalusia.
However, few people know about the via ferrata of Caminito del Rey. You could say it’s the sporty version… Here’s a via ferrata to discover or rediscover this unique site.
Here’s the link to find out more and book.
Excursions to the east of Málaga from Nerja
Here are several guided tours departing from Nerja. They are all conducted in small groups, with a maximum of 8 people. These tours are therefore semi-private. The guide, Cipriano, is passionate about his region and will show you all the wonders of the surrounding area. The guide speaks Spanish, English and German.
The White Villages Tour (all year round)
Link to book this excursion.
Almond blossom Tour (January and February)
Link to book this excursion.
The Olive oil Tour (November to May)
Link to book this excursion.
Raisin Tour (late August-early October)
Link to book this excursion.
The Wine and Sun Tour (all year except September)
Link to book this tour.
The Tropical Fruit Route (all year round except harvest days)
Link to book this excursion.
Guided tour of Frigiliana and El Acebuchal
Link to book this excursion.
Excursions to Andalusia from Nerja
Local guide Cipriano also organises excursions 2 or 3 times a month to the most beautiful places to visit in Andalusia. The guide speaks Spanish, English and German.
Guided tour of the Alhambra and the Albaicin quarter (book 6 to 8 weeks in advance)
Link to book this tour.
Guided tour of Cordoba’s Mezquita and Jewish Quarter
Link to book this excursion.
Excursion to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas
Link to book this excursion.
Excursion to Marbella and Mijas pueblo
Link to book this excursion.
What to do with children in Nerja
Visit the Nerja cave
The Nerja cave is one of the most beautiful caves in the world. It is also one of the oldest places inhabited by Neanderthals, 30,000 years ago!
Here’s the link to buy tickets for the Nerja caves.
Visiting Nerja
Visiting Nerja is a great way to discover some of the city’s most beautiful sights. Here’s the link to visit Nerja.
Go to Calahonda and Burriana beaches
Calahonda beach with its little cave house:
Burriana beach
Go to a feria or fiesta near Nerja.
Here’s the link with all ferias in the surroundings.
If the children are over 10 and a bit sporty, they can also enjoy the adventure activities – mentioned above – offered by David, a great active tourism guide.
What can you do in Nerja when it rains?
Nerja’s subtropical climate means you can enjoy the sun all year round. However, it does occasionally rain, so here are a few ideas for outings on a rainy day:
Visit the Nerja cave
Here’s the link to buy tickets for the Cave of Nerja.
Visit the Treasure Cave in Rincon de la Victoria
Link to book a visit to this cave.
Visit the Picasso Museum in Malaga
Link to book tickets for this museum.
Visit the Carmen Thyssen Museum in Málaga
Link to book tickets for this museum.
Visit Malaga Cathedral
Link to book tickets for the guided tour of the Cathedral.
What to do around Nerja
Note: some of these activities require a bus, while others require a car.
Visit the world’s most northerly coffee plantation (approx. 30km away)
Manolo will show you around his tropical fruit plantation of several hectares and his coffee plantation.
Link to find out more and/or book.
Horse riding on the beach in Torremolinos
This equestrian centre offers several types of horse riding.
Link for more information and/or booking.
Astrotourism in Alhama de Granada
Flavia and Stéphane, two astronomy enthusiasts, have set up a stargazing centre in Alhama de Granada. Here’s another great experience.
Link to find out more and/or book.
Book tickets for the Caminito del Rey
In just a few years, the Caminito del Rey has become one of the most visited sites in Andalusia. It has to be said that the site is absolutely extraordinary.
Link to buy tickets.
Visit Frigiliana
Frigiliana, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, is just a few kilometres from the centre of Nerja. You can visit this magnificent village by bus.
Link to find out more about Frigiliana.
Visit Competa
Competa, known as the cornice of La Axarquía, is a magnificent white mountain village. A visit to the village will leave you with some wonderful memories. All you need to do is take a bus to visit it.
Link to find out more about Competa.
Visit Velez-Malaga
Velez-Málaga is the capital of Axarquía, the small region to the east of Málaga. All you need to do to visit it is catch a bus. Velez Malaga offers visitors plenty of beautiful things to see.
Link to find out more about Velez Malaga.
El Saltillo hike in Canillas de Aceituno
This is one of the most beautiful walks in the area. You’ll cross the third-longest hanging bridge in Spain!
Link to find out more about this El Saltillo hike.
Go to a fair or fiesta in the Nerja area
In this link you’ll find all the best ferias and fiestas, dozens of them, within 50km of Nerja. Simply select the month of your stay and then check the dates of each feria.
Link to the best ferias around Nerja.
Book accommodation
Below you will find all the hotels and accommodation available in Nerja, once you have selected your dates:
The main festivities in Nerja
Fiesta de San Anton in January, in Maro, a town in Nerja
Find out more about the Fiesta de San Anton.
Nerja Carnival in February
To find out more about the Nerja Carnival.
Gypsy Day in April
Find out more about Gypsy Day.
Romeria de San Isidro in May
Find out more about the Romeria de San Isidro.
Saint John’s Night in June
Find out more about St John’s Night.
Virgen del Carmen festival in July
Find out more about this Virgen del Carmen festival.
Feria de las Maravillas, in September in Maro, a town in Nerja
Find out more about the Feria de las Maravillas.
Nerja Fair in October
Find out more about the Feria de Nerja.
Latest articles on Andalusia
Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez de la Frontera is a city with many little wonders to discover. Of course, the famous Jerez wine cellars are one of them. Below is the weathervane of the Tio Pepe cellars.
If you have the chance, don’t hesitate to visit Jerez de la Frontera.
Tabernas Desert
The Tabernas Desert, covering 280 km², is officially the only desert in Europe. The landscapes, which have been used as scenes in numerous films, are absolutely spectacular. Below is a photo of the desert from the Nasrid castle overlooking Tabernas.
Here’s a link to find out more about the Tabernas desert.
Montefrio
If you’re heading towards Granada, here’s a white village that’s a must-see. Montefrío is known as the last frontier of Al-Andalus. For your information, National Geographic magazine has ranked Montefrío as one of the 10 villages with the most beautiful views in the world!
Here’s the link if you’d like to visit Montefrio.
