Is There Anything to See in Nerja, Spain?

Spain’s Costa del Sol is famed for its scenic coastline and beautiful sand beaches. As part of Andalusia, it’s an easy place to include on an itinerary that takes you through the intoxicating south of Spain. The most popular places to visit along the Costa del Sol are Malaga and Marbella, but after that it’s surely the resort town of Nerja.

During my trip to Andalusia, visiting Nerja was my brief coastal detour between cities like Seville and Ronda. Since I’m not such a big beach person, Andalusia’s historic cities tended to be what I was most interested in. Still, I wanted to see what the coast and beaches here were like and Nerja seemed to fit the bill. Thing is, I wasn’t sure that Nerja had anything more to offer other than beaches. If you’ve been wondering if there’s anything else to see in Nerja, then this article ought to have you covered.

Beaches of Nerja

Ok, so before we get to the other attractions of Nerja, let’s quickly talk beaches. With beaches in Nerja, you’re spoilt for choice. Around every bend of the town’s coast you’ll find a beach wedged between cliffs.

They come in all shapes and sizes too, from the compact Playa de la Calahonda to the nice stretch of sand at Burriana Beach. There’s enough choice here that you can switch it up each day, with maybe Carabeo Beach one day and Playa el Salón the next. One of the nicest I think is Playa Torrecilla, although others are closer to the very centre of town.

If all you want out of visiting Nerja is beach time, then you’re in luck. You’ll find that there are many places to stay in Nerja by the beach, across all budgets. Nerja isn’t a big town either, so even a block or two back puts you nearby but also squarely in the middle of town. For beachgoers, you really don’t need to read any further, but those looking to go sightseeing, here’s what else there is to do in Nerja.

Balcon de Europa

I think if there’s one big landmark attraction in the town of Nerja, it’s the Balcon de Europa. By a nice pedestrian plaza area, this viewing terrace is a popular spot for visitors. Jutting out from the rocky cliff, the balcony has wonderful views of the coastline in both directions. For holiday snaps, this is a prime place to go. It’s also a great place to get your bearings with regards to beaches, as you can get an idea of which most takes your fancy.

The Eagle Aqueduct

The one attraction that really caught my eye when planning to visit Nerja was El Acueducto del Águila, or Eagle Aqueduct. Found on the outskirts of town en route to the Caves of Nerja, it sounded quite impressive. And while it spans a deep valley and has been around since the 1800s, I was frankly left a little underwhelmed. Perhaps I was expecting too much or hoped to get closer, but whatever the case, I felt a little letdown.

Regardless, the walk out there and into the neighbourhoods around the Caves of Nerja was quite nice. I managed to time my attempt to see the caves poorly as they’re closed on weekends, something I constantly forget to check. Given the photos I’ve seen, the caves do seem worth a look if you have time.

Nerja Viewpoints

With its wavy coastline, there’s no shortage of views when it comes to Nerja. That means not only can you admire the Nerja landscape, but also watch some pretty awesome sunsets. Although the Balcon de Europa is the most popular viewpoint in Nerja, it’s by far not the only. One of the more popular is the Mirador del Bendito over Burriana Beach, which offers a great vantage point to the east.

For sunset though, I think the small rocky point to the west of Playa Torrecilla was my favourite. Sticking out between two long beaches, this point seemed to have no identifying name. With some small ruins of something, plus the cliffs below, it has some special views. Of my few surviving Nerja photos from that trip, many are from that viewpoint as it really was something.

Other Sights of Nerja

You’ll notice that so far I’ve barely mentioned the town of Nerja itself much. That’s because while Nerja does have some interesting streets and architecture, I was fresh off visiting Seville, Cordoba and Granada. It’s very hard not to suffer in comparison to those sorts of major destination. Others may find the town of Nerja more picturesque, but that was my impression.

During my time in Nerja, there were a few sights that I did miss along the way. One that was recommended to me was the nearby town of Frigiliana. Suggested by people in Nerja, I’m disappointed I didn’t get out to this historic hill town. After the fact, I learned that Frigiliana is a gorgeous white-washed Andalusian town, packed with history. It’s sure to feature on my next Andalusia trip.

Beyond that, it’s mostly the nature spots that have been mentioned earlier that I missed. For trips out of town, consider the Nerja Caves and the distant cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo. Without a car, most of these spots are harder to reach, although there is a bus to Frigiliana from town.

Tips for Visiting Nerja

Now that you know what there is to do in Nerja, here’s some advice on how to visit. The disappointing news is that Nerja does not have a train station. This leaves traveling by bus as your only option, whether it’s from Granada or Malaga. While Malaga is certainly closer to the coastal town, the trip from Granada goes past the spectacular scenery of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

An easy alternative to visiting on your own is to go to Nerja with a tour. Day trips to Nerja from Malaga are relatively popular, and tours typically pair Nerja with Frigiliana, so that you see both on the day. 

The other thing to think about before visiting Nerja is where you’re going to stay. As I’ve mentioned, staying near the coast is ideal, but you may find accommodation cheaper a little further inland. I stayed at Hostal Ana, a humble but comfortable hotel that I think budget travellers will be quite happy with. But there’s plenty of accommodation to choose from, so long as you don’t leave it to the last minute in summer.

Which most interests you of the sights to see in Nerja, Spain? Where else you recommend visiting along the Costa del Sol? Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments below.

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