The Best Areas Stay in Nerja, Spain
The Best Areas Stay in Nerja, Spain

Best Areas to Stay in Nerja, Spain

Where to Stay in Nerja: A Guide to “The Jewel of Costa del Sol”

Nerja is a coastal town located at the eastern end of the province of Malaga. This resort town is part of the Costa del Sol region and is famous for its fine sand beaches, a cave with prehistoric rock paintings and the natural landscapes of the impressive Sierra de Almijara. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in Nerja, Spain.


Why you should visit Nerja

Nerja is a complete tourist destination. Although most of the thousands of tourists who visit it come for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches, this Andalusian town also has several historical and cultural attractions. The main tourist attractions in Nerja include the nineteenth-century Aqueduct of the Eagle, the Museum of Nerja, Plaza De España, Villa de Nerja Cultural Centre and the famous Balcón de Europa. See accommodation in Nerja’s Old Town.

But if you are looking for the best areas to stay in Nerja, chances are you’re visiting this Costa del Sol town to enjoy its incredible beaches and sandy coves. The main beaches of Nerja are Burriana Beach, Carabeo Beach, Nerja Beach, La Caletilla Beach, Calahonda Beach and El Chorrillo Beach. See accommodation near the beach in Nerja.

From a natural point of view, Nerja is a paradise for hikers and adventure sports enthusiasts. Its location near the Sierra de Almijara makes this town an excellent nature destination. Some of the best natural sites near Nerja include Pico del Cielo, Los Cahorros del Río Chíllar, Cerro del Lucero and Cerro El Fuerte.

Probably the most important natural attraction in Nerja, and a must-see if you like natural history, is the famous Cueva de Nerja. This 5-kilometres-long complex of underground caves offers 42,000 years old Neanderthal cave paintings. Its extensive galleries host frequent concerts and recitals. You can book organized tours to the Nerja Caves here.


When to visit Nerja

Like practically all the coastal towns on the Mediterranean coast, the high tourist season in Nerja takes place during the summer, between the end of June and the end of August, coinciding with the holiday period in Spain and most countries in Europe. During the summer, the costs of accommodation in Nerja increase considerably.

To avoid the crowds and save some money, the best time to visit Nerja is in late spring. During May and June, the temperatures in southern Andalusia are already warm enough to enjoy days at the beach, and hotels still do not have their high season rates. The quietest time to visit Nerja is the winter. Between November and February, there are barely any tourists to be found, and prices drop, but many hotels, restaurants and bars are closed for the season, and temperatures are usually unsuitable for going to the beach.


Gettin there and moving around

Nerja is connected by air through the Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP). Located about 70 km from Nerja, this busy airport offers the largest variety of flights in southern Spain. Malaga airport connects the Costa del Sol with destinations all over the country, Europe (especially the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Scandinavia). Also, it offers some long-distance flights (to Africa, the Middle East and North America).

Nerja does not have any train connections, but it has bus services to other places on the Costa del Sol and to the towns of the neighbouring province of Granada. Additionally, long-distance coaches link the town to cities covered by the high-speed (AVE) network, such as Seville, Malaga, and Granada. See train and bus schedules, routes & fares.

The easiest way to move between Nerja and the Costa del Sol or Costa Tropical is renting a car. Other transportation options in the area include city buses, taxis and mobile apps.


Where to stay in Nerja

The best area to stay in Nerja is the Old Town. Nerja’s historic town centre is home to the main cultural attractions, the seaside promenade, the main urban beaches, and many restaurants, nightlife venues, and hotels. See accommodation in Nerja’s Old Town.

Other excellent areas to consider when deciding the best location in Nerja include Burriana Beach, Punta Lara and the charming little town of Frigiliana.

Keep reading to find out more about the best areas to stay in Nerja, Spain.

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The Best Areas to Say in Nerja, Costa del Sol

Nerja’s Old Town is located on a rocky cliff facing the Mediterranean Sea.

This beautiful area showcases the typical appearance of the Andalusian coastal towns; whitewashed houses decorated with flowers and steep and narrow pedestrian streets lead to terraces with impressive coastline views.

At its heart lies the Plaza de España, a lively public square full of restaurants and cafes where some of the town’s most emblematic buildings are located. Here, you’ll find the town hall and the Nerja Museum, which offers interactive exhibits, objects, works of art and artefacts related to the municipality’s history.

The old town of Nerja is also home to other attractions of historical value, such as the Church of El Salvador or the hermitage of Las Angustias.

On the outskirts of the historic centre of Nerja is the Parque Verano Azul, a green space dedicated to the iconic Spanish television series from the eighties.

However, perhaps the most prominent tourist attraction in the centre of Nerja is the famous Balcón de Europa. This viewpoint was built on a cliff and offers stunning views of the sea. It is located on the Calahonda beach promenade.

At the foot of the Balcón de Europa you can find some of the most popular beaches in Nerja including La Calahonda, La Caletilla or El Chorrillo.

Since it is an area of ​​narrow pedestrian streets, the best way to get around the centre of Nerja is on foot. To reach other areas, the municipality offers three urban bus lines (one of which operates only in the summer) connecting the town centre with other neighbourhoods in the area.

The accommodation offer in the centre of Nerja is varied and ranges from inexpensive family-run properties to luxurious boutique hotels and many tourist apartments.

Best area to stay in Nerja - Historic Town Centre
Best area to stay in Nerja – Historic Town Centre
Best location for tourists in Nerja - Old Town
Best location for tourists in Nerja – Old Town
Where to stay in Nerja, Spain - Centro de Nerja
Where to stay in Nerja, Spain – Centro de Nerja
Accommodation in Nerja's Old Town - Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Nerja’s Old Town – Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Nerja, Spain:

  • Balcón de Europa
  • Beach areas
  • Tourist attractions
  • Wide accommodation offer

2. Burriana Beach

Burriana Beach is located approximately 1.5 km from Nerja’s Historic Town Centre.

This famous beach is one of the largest and most visited in the municipality and stands out for its wide sandy area and calm waters, suitable for swimming.

Playa de Burriana is a fully-serviced beach and offers showers, toilets, beach bars, sun loungers, volleyball courts and watersports equipment rental venues.

The district near the beach is a very modern area. It has many residential developments and luxury condominiums. Camino de Burriana street, which serves as the area’s promenade, is full of restaurants, bars and beach clubs.

Although Burriana can get crowded with tourists during the summer, visitors looking for a little more tranquillity can find quieter bathing areas in the nearby Carabeíllo beach.

Lines 1 and 2 of the Nerja bus system connect Burriana Beach with the city centre and nearby developments.

The surroundings of Burriana Beach offer a large number of hotels and tourist apartments.

Where to find accommodation in Nerja - Burriana Beach
Where to find accommodation in Nerja – Burriana Beach
Best location in Nerja for beach lovers - Burriana Beach
Best location in Nerja for beach lovers – Burriana Beach
Accommodation near Burriana Beach - Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area
Accommodation near Burriana Beach – Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Nerja, Spain:

  • Burriana Beach
  • Beach bars, pubs and restaurants
  • Large number of accommodations

3. Punta Lara

Punta Lara is a residential development located about 4 km west of the centre of Nerja.

This recently created complex of compounds is characterised by its mix of residential and holiday apartments and villas.

Being a planned area, Punta Lara does not have an urban centre. Most of its shops, bars and restaurants are scattered around the different urbanizaciones.

The main attraction making Punta Lara one of the best areas to stay in Nerja is no doubt El Playazo Beach. This massive and semi-virgin beach survived the overdevelopment of the rest of Costa del Sol and is surrounded by farms and sugarcane plantations.

Other nearby beaches include Playa Güilche and Playa Calaceite.

The local bus network’s Black Line covers some areas of Punta Lara and connects some of its compounds and the town centre.

However, the best way to move between this area and the town centre is by car.

Best location to stay in Nerja - Punta Lara
Best location to stay in Nerja – Punta Lara
Best districts to stay in Nerja, Spain - Punta Lara
Best districts to stay in Nerja, Spain – Punta Lara
Accommodation in Punta Lara - Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Punta Lara – Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area

Por qué es una zona recomendada donde hospedarse en Nerja, Andalusia:

  • El Playazo Beach
  • Exclusive area
  • Luxury tourist apartments and villas

4. Frigiliana

Frigiliana is a small mountain village located about 7 km north of the historic centre of Nerja.

This charming town is situated in the mountains of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, and a short distance from Los Cahorros del Río Chíllar.

Its old town is considered one of the most beautiful in the province of Malaga. It has several attractions, such as the San Antonio de Padua church, the Archaeological Museum – Casa del Apero, the Castle of Lizar and the Plaza de las Tres Culturas.

Frigiliana is also home to the Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana. Also called El Ingenio, this industrial colony and sugarcane factory was built around a 16th-century manor palace.

The small town of Frigiliana offers tranquillity and an idyllic setting surrounded by nature and history. The hotel offer in the town, and its surroundings includes inns, hotels and rural accommodation with spectacular views.

Where to stay in Nerja - Frigiliana
Where to stay in Nerja – Frigiliana
Accommodation in Frigiliana - Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Frigiliana – Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Nerja:

  • Charming village
  • Quiet area
  • Natural attractions

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