8 Fantastic Beaches in Nerja You Must Visit
Nerja, located 50 minute drive from Malaga, is one of the best towns in Costa del Sol to enjoy a summer holiday.
The diversity of beaches you find in Nerja, you won’t find anywhere else in Malaga. From beautiful golden sand beaches like Playa de Burriana to impressive coves and crystal-clear water in Playa de Maro.
Whether you want to top up your tan, enjoy a sunset on the beach while listening to the sound of the waves hitting the rocks or have a water adventure, there’s a beach for you in Nerja.
In this Nerja beach guide, I’m sharing with you my favourite beaches in Nerja and tips from a local so that you can make the most of your time in this pretty coastal town.
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The best beaches in Nerja
1. Playa de Burriana
Burriana Beach is the locals’ and travellers’ favourite beach in Nerja. Its crystal-clear water and fine golden sand make it one of the best beaches in Costa del Sol, and this is reflected in the Quality seal since 2018 and Blue Flag.
This is the perfect beach for any traveller as it’s accessible for everyone and has a great promenade with plenty of restaurants, beach bars and souvenir shops.
Whether you’re spending the full day at the beach or are nearby at lunchtime, I recommend going to Restaurante Ayo, where you can enjoy delicious wood-fired paella and typical dishes of Malaga, like espetos (sardine skewers).
📍 Exact location: Camino de Burriana, s/n, 29780 Nerja, Málaga, España
Main facilities and services:
- Free parking
- Lifeguard
- Restaurants and cafes
- Showers and restrooms are also adapted for those with disabilities
2. Playa de la Calahonda
Calahonda Beach is the most photographed beach in Nerja. Situated on the left side of Balcón de Europa, this small beach is surrounded by impressive rocky cliffs.
You can access the beach from a small entrance called Boquete de Calahonda, from Balcón de Europa.
It’s a beautiful beach where you can spend the day with family or friends or take photos. It isn’t surprising to see people taking pictures and videos of Calahonda Beach from Balcón de Europa.
There’s no visit to Nerja without visiting this unique beach!
📍 Exact location: Playa de la Calahonda, 29780 Nerja, Málaga, España
Main facilities and services:
- Showers
- Toilets
- Lifeguard
- Sunbeds
- Restaurants
3. Playa el Salón
On the right side of Balcón de Europa, you’ll find one of the most popular beaches in Nerja, Playa el Salón. Its central location makes it so easy to visit it on a day trip to Nerja.
This 200 metres beach has dark sand and a tranquil sea, so you won’t be surprised to find many families on this beach. El Salón Beach has many excellent facilities, too – from showers and sunbeds to a small refreshment stand to grab snacks.
However, if you get hungry, you’re a short walk from Balcón de Europa, home to many restaurants, tapa bars and ice cream shops.
Interestingly, this beach has a library! You can borrow books in different languages, such as English, French or Italian.
Local’s tip: If you happen to be in Nerja on the 14th of August, don’t miss out on Fiesta Blanca. This is an event in which locals and tourists go to Playa el Salón dressed in white in the evening. Expect live music, food and cocktails stalls and beautiful torches around the beach. The atmosphere is incredible!
📍 Exact location: Calle Iglesia, 6, 29780 Nerja, Málaga, España
Main facilities and services:
- Showers
- Lifeguard
- Sunbeds
- Close to restaurants and bars
4. Playa de la Caletilla
Located between Balcón de Europa and Playa el Salón, Playa la Caletilla is the smallest beach in Nerja.
This beach is often confused with Playa el Salón because both are very close to each other, and many travellers believe this is a private beach because Balcón de Europa Hotel offers direct access to this beach, but it isn’t.
It’s a tiny piece of paradise in the buzzing historic centre of Nerja – there are beautiful coves you can walk through and enjoy the sound of the waves.
📍 Exact location: Pl. Balcón de Europa, 1, 29780 Nerja, Málaga, España
Main facilities and services:
- Restaurant
- Sunbeds
5. Playa de Maro
A 10 minute drive from Nerja, you’ll find Maro Beach, one of the prettiest beaches on the outskirts of the town. Its lush green surroundings, alongside the sea colours, make you feel like you’re in paradise.
If you love nature and water activities, this is the perfect beach for you. Maro is known for its numerous water activities, such as snorkelling and kayaking. I especially love this kayak tour because you’ll discover beautiful waterfalls and caves along the way.
But even if you don’t fancy doing these activities, its tranquil crystal-clear water allows you to see the beautiful corals and fishes hidden between the rocks.
Despite its more secluded location, Maro Beach gets crowded during the summer. Many people from Malaga City and other towns travel to spend the day on this special beach. Therefore, I highly recommend visiting it early morning. There’s no better place to watch the sunrise than in Maro.
Another piece of advice, if you plan to do a water activity, is to book your water activities in advance to avoid disappointments.
📍 Exact location: Playa de Maro, 29780 Maro, Málaga, España
Main facilities and services:
- Free parking
- Lifeguard
- Restaurant
6. Playa el Chucho
Playa el Chucho is a lovely dark sand beach on the west side of Nerja and is located between two beaches: Torrecilla Beach and El Playazo Beach.
It’s a great beach for families because the water is shallow, has good access (including one for travellers with disability), and isn’t as busy as other Nerja beaches, but I’d avoid visiting it on a Sunday in summer.
Local’s tip: Pack lunch with you as there aren’t any bars and restaurants on this beach. Alternatively, you can go to Narixa Restaurant, the restaurant inside the Hotel Perla Marina. However, the prices are higher than those of other restaurants in Nerja.
📍 Exact location: Playa El Chucho, 29780 Nerja, Málaga, España
Main facilities and services:
- Toilets
- Showers
- Lifeguard
- Refreshment stalls
- Sunbeds
7. Playa del Carabeo
Not very far from the historic centre of Nerja, you’ll find Playa del Carabeo, a beautiful small sandy beach. Despite being so central, the way it’s built-in feels secluded.
It’s a great beach to spend the day with friends or family, but it’s important to know that it isn’t easy to access for everyone as there are lots of stairs to go down to the beach, and there aren’t many facilities on the beach.
📍 Exact location: C. Hernando de Carabeo, 74B, 29780 Nerja, Málaga, España
Main facilities and services:
- Showers
- Toilets
- Lifeguard
- Refreshment stall
8. Playa Torrecilla
Close to Playa el Chucho, another amazing beach to visit in Nerja is Playa Torrecilla. This beach was considered one of the best beaches in Nerja in 2018, and it was awarded a Blue Flag too.
Torrecilla Beach has a mix of coarse sand and fine pebbles and a lovely promenade home to a few restaurants where you can enjoy a meal.
It’s a beach perfect for everyone because it’s effortless to access Torrecilla Beach. There are not one but five different accesses, including ones for travellers with disabilities.
Another reason to visit this beach is its Biblioplaya (beach library), which you can also find on Salón and Burriana beaches. Borrow and read a book while listening to the sound of the waves.
Local’s tip: If you love a scenic view, go to Mirador de la Torrecilla, the viewpoint next to the Atalaya Tower. This is a beautiful place to enjoy the sunset.
📍 Exact location: C. Torrecilla, 2, 29780 Nerja, Málaga, España
Main facilities and services:
- Toilets
- Showers
- Lifeguard
- Bars and restaurants
- Sunbeds for 4 euros all-day
- Free parking
Map of Nerja Beaches
On this Nerja beaches map, you’ll find the must-visit beaches mentioned above. Save it for later!
Tips for visiting Nerja beaches
- Check out the type of sand on the beach you plan to visit. Not all the beaches in Nerja are sandy. Some have lots of pebbles, especially on the shore, so I recommend packing some water shoes.
- Don’t visit the beach on a Sunday, except if you don’t have any other option. Beaches, especially in Nerja, are jam-packed on Sundays because many locals don’t work. It’s scorching in summer, and many locals don’t have a pool or prefer the beach, so they head to the beach with their families or friends. I know some people who go very early to take a spot (by putting umbrellas, towels and chairs!)
- Pack snacks and lunch with you. Many beaches have chiringuitos (beach bars) and restaurants or are close to these. However, if you want to save money, packing snacks, drinks and a few sandwiches with you is your best option. Although some beach restaurants are worth trying, they might be a bit expensive for you. Also, if you visit beaches near Nerjas, in the outskirts, the chances of getting a meal or snacks are lower.
Where to stay in Nerja
The best hotel for a beach holiday in Nerja: Hotel Balcón de Europa
⭐ Reviews: 4.5 out of 1845 reviews on TripAdvisor
If you’re looking for a hotel on the beachfront close to all the attractions in Nerja, Hotel Balcón de Europa is your best choice. It’s located next to Balcón de Europa, as its name suggests, and it has direct access to Playa de la Caletilla.
This 4-star hotel has modern rooms with ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning in the summer months, a flat-screen TV, a minibar and free WiFi. Some rooms also include a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition to this, Hotel Balcón de Europa is home to two restaurants with Spanish and International dishes and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool.
📌 Check out prices and availability here
Other good hotels near the beach
Hotel Riu Monica (4-star). Located on the beach promenade of Playa de la Torrecilla. It’s an adults-only hotel with comfortable rooms and great facilities, such as two pools, two on-site restaurants (one à la carte restaurant with Spanish food), and a fitness centre.
📌 Check out prices and availability here
Hotel Villa Flamenca (3-star). 10 minutes from Burriana Beach, Hotel Villa Flamenca is a lovely hotel with affordable rates but doesn’t compromise on quality. The cosy rooms include comfortable beds with air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom with essential amenities. It has a lovely pool, and a delicious breakfast is included!
📌 Check out prices and availability here
Frequently asked questions about beaches in Nerja
Which is the nicest beach in Nerja?
Maro Beach, which is a 10 minute drive from Nerja historic centre. This beach has incredible coves and crystal-clear water. It’s also a fantastic beach for travellers who love water activities such as kayaking and snorkelling.
Does Nerja have a sandy beach?
Yes, Playa de Burriana is the best sandy beach in Nerja. Other sandy beaches in Nerja are Playa Calahonda and Playa Carabeo.
How far is Nerja from the beach?
Beaches surround Nerja, but if you stay in the upper part of it, it will take you approximately 10 to 15 minutes to walk to reach the beach.
What are the best beaches near Nerja?
Playa La Herradura and Playa del Peñoncillo are two lovely and less frequented beaches near Nerja.
Conclusion on the best beaches in Nerja
So, what’s the best beach in Nerja? It’s a difficult question because it really depends on the type of beach you like. For me, Playa de Maro and Playa Burriana are the best beaches.
Maro Beach is unique because of its coves, beautiful crystal-clear sea, and surroundings, and you can do exciting water activities there. In comparison, Burriana Beach is perfect for everyone because of how accessible it is, but it’s beautiful too.
If you want to explore beyond the beaches, go on a day trip to Frigiliana, a small town on the mountainside. This town is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Spain, and it’s very close to Nerja (about 10 minute drive).
If you have questions about visiting Nerja or anywhere else on Costa del Sol, leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to help you.
Safe adventures,
Cristina x
Save these Nerja best beaches on Pinterest for later
Things to do before visiting Nerja
- Book your cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) here.
- Look for accommodation in Nerja with Booking.com.
- Check out tours and excursions from Nerja and Malaga with Get Your Guide.
- Read this Malaga food guide to indulge yourself in eating authentic food in the region of Malaga.
- Rent a car to travel with ease around Malaga and Costa del Sol.
- Get travel insurance. This is a must for any trip!
