How To Spend A Weekend In Nerja – Itinerary With Top Tips
Nerja is one of the best destinations for a short getaway on the Costa del Sol.
It isn’t a destination packed with attractions, but it’s the perfect place to take in the sea views and laid-back atmosphere. I find it very romantic!
As someone who is from Costa del Sol, I must tell you that you can have different experiences in Nerja depending on the time of the year you come.
I personally love the off-season months. The weather is pretty warm, sunny and there are fewer crowds.
I always see travellers swimming at this time of the year. But it’s cold for locals like me. I’ll leave that decision for you.
If you have two full days in Nerja, keep reading. You’ll discover what to do in Nerja, where to eat and more.
I’ve created this itinerary based on my personal experience. This is how I spent one of my last weekends in Nerja.
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How to spend a weekend in Nerja
Day 1 in Nerja
Arrive in Nerja and check into your accommodation
First things first, check in your accommodation, leave your bags and get ready to explore and have lunch.
I often come to Nerja for a day, so I don’t stay overnight, but I decided to spend a bit more time and chose Hostal Boutique Plaza Cantarero.
It’s a family-run accommodation right in Nerja Old Town.
My partner and I received a warm welcome from the owner, Tanya, who gave us some recommendations on where to eat and the keys to the room.
The room was cosy, and we loved the attention to detail and the little details, like the elephant-shaped handles in the wardrobes. What I loved the most was that it didn’t feel like the typical chain hotel.
On top of this, the price per night was very affordable.
🛏️ Check the price and availability for Hostal Boutique Plaza Cantarero here
Have lunch
There are plenty of restaurants in Nerja, but if you fancy traditional Malaga fish and Andalusian dishes, check out Bar La Puntilla.
The decor isn’t fancy, but don’t judge a book by its cover. They have plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. If you’re going to sit down for a meal, you’ll be taken to the tables, but if you want a few tapas, you can eat at the bar.
It’s definitely a good place to order fish. I ordered grilled monkfish, pil pil prawns and ham croquetas.
My favourite was the prawns, which were very garlicky. However, the grilled monkfish was good too.
Spend time in Playa Burriana
Burriana is considered one of the best beaches in Nerja. It has been awarded blue flags year after year because of its cleanliness and facilities.
It’s probably the largest beach and the one with better facilities. I love its beach promenade with chiringuitos and plenty of bars and even bakeries.
If you love water sports, you’re spoilt for choice, too – from kayaking to paddle surfing and snorkelling.
I’d personally say that kayaking in Nerja is a great experience. You can also see beautiful cliffs and a waterfall.
Have an ice cream
With the mild temperatures all year round, ice cream is a good option!
I’m not the biggest ice cream person, but a tried and tested place near Burriana Beach is Heladería Tropy Sol.
Go to the bar to find all the ice cream flavours but I suggest looking at their menu for more options.
My partner ordered an After Eight sundae. From the photo on the menu, it looked like a normal-sized sundae, but when the waitress brought it, it was huge.
We also looked at other people’s table and saw that all the sundaes are big so you can definitely share one.
Watch the sunset in Balcón de Europa
There’s no better place to watch the sunset than Balcon de Europa. This emblematic viewpoint is beautiful from every angle.
It’s very romantic! I simply love to watch the sunset from the right side of the balcony overlooking the Balcon de Europa hotel while listening to live music from street performers.
For the best pictures, go during the golden hour, which is the hour before the sunset.
Have dinner at Oculto
If you’re after a unique culinary experience, I highly recommend Oculto.
This restaurant’s name means “hidden.” You must book in advance. You can’t turn up there.
They’ll send you a code to enter the restaurant and be ready to be surprised by the atmosphere, decor and food.
The menu was designed to include fusion dishes with local ingredients.
I really enjoyed the guacamole made with avocados from the Axarquia region and cheese from Ronda.
Another dish that was spot on was the salmon pistache. A piece of salmon topped with a pistachio crust and laid in a bed of pumpkin puree.
My partner had the imperial scallop, and that one was great, too.
Day 2 in Nerja
Visit Cuevas de Nerja and its surroundings
One of the places you can’t miss during your weekend in Nerja is Cuevas de Nerja.
These are located outside the old town, near Maro. You either need a car or take the bus from Nerja bus station. I did the latter and the bus was quick and cheap. It only cost us 1.39 euro.
If you’re going to take the bus, have small change with you! They don’t accept card payments.
Once in the Cuevas de Nerja complex, go to the ticket office, if you haven’t bought your ticket online.
They aren’t accessible for some as they’re underground and you’ll have to go down many stairs.
As you go down, stop along the way to admire the impressive stalactites and take photos (without flash!)
I felt like I was in a different world! And although I’ve visited other caves on the Costa del Sol, you can’t compare them to this one.
Cuevas del Tesoro in Rincón de la Victoria is my second favourite.
After the caves, you can visit the virtual experience, although I skipped it.
What I really recommend is walking in the botanical garden. It’s small compared to others, but it’s abundant in a wide variety of plants. You’ll find local trees and crops like olive, avocado and custard apple trees.
🎟️ Get your tickets to Cuevas de Nerja here
Walk in the old town
The old town of Nerja consists of a net of narrow pretty streets, characterised by the Andalusian white painted buildings and cobblestone flooring.
It’s the perfect place to do some shopping. You can buy souvenirs or unique items from independent shops.
I especially love the bohemian dresses in summer. But if you want something to remind you of Nerja and the Axarquia region, get sugar cane honey or a leather bag.
Besides shopping, you’re also spoiled for restaurants and bars.
Have lunch
Nerja old town is a good spot to eat with such a big selection of restaurants. You’ll find anything from traditional Spanish bars, perfect for tapas, to Italian restaurants and curry houses.
These are my recommendations based on the different cuisines:
- El Pulguilla. Best for Spanish tapas. It’s an old traditional bar, so don’t expect beautiful aesthetics but good food.
- La Fuente. This restaurant offers all things Italian and some Spanish dishes too. Looking for gluten free? They have gluten free options.
- Namaste Nepalese-Indian Restaurant. Good Indian restaurant with vegetarian and vegan options. I enjoyed the dishes, but as happens with most Indian restaurants in Spain, the curries are quite mild, at least to my taste and comparing them to the ones in the UK.
Go to Museo de Nerja
If you’re into history and culture, the local museum will be worth visiting.
Learn all about Nerja and its traditions since prehistory. Expect to see unique items and beautiful pottery, as well as canyons and more.
I also recommend checking out the event calendar, as they host kids’ workshops, book releases and concerts.
See the colourful stairs at Playa La Torrecilla
Who said Nerja doesn’t have colourful spots? The most colourful one is the rainbow stairs.
These are a bit hidden! I actually found out the location on another website. It’s on the right side of the RIU hotel.
It’s definitely an Instagram spot in Nerja. However, many people don’t know about this place, so it doesn’t get crowded.
Have an ice cream at Heladería Calahonda
Whether it’s summer or you love ice creams, another good ice cream shop is Heladería Calahonda near Balcon de Europa.
They have a wide variety of flavours! My favourite was the strawberry. My partner also approved the lemon and mint chocolate ice creams.
Spending a long weekend in Nerja?
If you add an extra day in Nerja, here are my two suggestions:
Day trip to Frigiliana
Nerja is only a short drive from the picturesque town of Frigiliana, nestled in the mountains of La Axarquia region.
Frigiliana is one of my favourite small towns in this area. The whitewashed houses, cobblestone and hilly streets and ocean views make it an unmissable location.
There aren’t many attractions, and I can guarantee that you won’t spend a day there, but it’s a place to take in the views and explore it at a leisurely pace.
Wander the streets, check out the indie shops with unique gifts, and stop by La Tahoma for tapas and wine, which have a view of their rooftop terrace.
Hike in Acantilados de Maro
If you prefer exploring natural spaces, then this option is definitely better for you.
The Maro Natural Park is a gorgeous hiking destination. The flora and cliffs will amaze you.
I haven’t hiked here yet, but I’ve heard good things about it. It’s next on my list.
Conclusion on what to do in Nerja in two days
Two days in Nerja is enough to explore the town. However, I recommend staying longer if you plan to spend time at the beach.
If you come in summer, explore the natural beauty of Nerja by kayak! You won’t be disappointed.
Do you have any questions about Nerja?
Leave it in the comments below or join my Facebook group, which is the perfect place to ask questions and connect with me.
Enjoy your time in Nerja!
Cristina
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Things to do before visiting Nerja
- Compare and book cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport here.
- Book accommodation for your Nerja holidays with Booking.com.
- Have a look at this Malaga food guide to indulge yourself in eating authentic food.
- Are you planning to visit other nearby destinations? Check out these day trips from Nerja.
- Rent a car to travel with ease around Malaga and Costa del Sol.
- Get travel insurance; this is a must for any trip!
