12 Day Trips From Nerja That Are Really Worth Doing
Nerja is one of the best coastal towns in Costa del Sol; its pretty whitewashed streets, beaches with crystal clear waters and impressive caves make it worth visiting.
It isn’t far from my hometown, Malaga, so I’ve visited Nerja and its surroundings many times. I can assure you, there are amazing day trips from Nerja for everyone.
Whether you love a day packed with historic sites and museums or a relaxing one, you’ll find one.
In this blog, I’ll tell you the best Nerja day trips, including my favourites and how to get to these towns. All of them are less than 2 hours, so you can really have time to explore the destination.
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The best day trips from Nerja
1. Frigiliana and Acebuchal
🚗 Distance to Frigiliana: 7 km (12 minute drive)
If you rely on public transport, you’ll be happy to hear that Frigiliana is one of the best day trips from Nerja by bus.
It’s the prettiest town in Malaga and has been awarded the title of one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. The town consists of two parts: the new and the old town. But it’s the old town where you’ll find all the attractions.
The historic centre of Frigiliana is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets with whitewashed buildings decorated with pretty plant pots. It’s very picturesque, so there are plenty of opportunities for photos. I always spend hours taking pictures of the beautiful doors, streets, and little cats!
Also, if you love trying local products, I highly recommend Frigiliana’s sugar cane honey. Berenjenas fritas, a traditional dish consisting of fried aubergine slices often drizzled with this type of honey.
Exploring Frigiliana won’t take you the full day, so if you have a car, you can also head to Acebuchal, a beautiful rural village.
This town was referred to as the lost village. Although it has become a more well-known destination, it’s still a hidden gem.
How to get from Nerja to Frigiliana: You have two options: driving to Frigiliana, which takes 12-15 minutes, or taking the bus from the Nerja bus station. The bus is fast and regular, leaving you in the historic centre.
2. Torrox
🚗 Distance: 13,3 km (15 minute drive)
Torrox is among the most accessible day trips from Nerja. It’s very close and doesn’t feel as touristy as Nerja can be, especially during the peak season.
It’s a typical Andalusian whitewashed town with narrow, cobblestone streets and house facades decorated with plant pots.
In Torrox’s historic centre, you see several statues and monuments, a lovely square filled with restaurants and bars, and some important buildings, such as Casa Palacio de la Joya, the Town Hall, and the Arab Tower.
Another must-visit place is the beach promenade, which goes from the lighthouse to El Morche. It has plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious meal.
How to get from Nerja to Torrox: The quickest way is to drive to Torrox, which only takes 10 to 15 minutes. The other option is to take the bus to Torrox from Nerja bus station. The latter takes almost the same time as driving.
3. Torre del Mar
🚗 Distance: 25,5 km (20 minute drive)
Torre del Mar is a good day out from Nerja if you want a tranquil day. This coastal town is more popular among locals than international travellers, so it still gets busy in summer.
The best thing to do in Torre del Mar is to spend the day at one of its beaches, especially at Playa de Torre del Mar, the town’s main beach. It’s the best beach and was awarded a Blue Flag in 2019.
Torre del Mar Beach is family-friendly, with calm waters, dark sand and many facilities: public toilets, showers, lifeguards, sunbed rental and beach restaurants serving delicious fish dishes. My favourite seafood restaurant is Marisquería El Señuelo. I recommend the fried fish platter, it’s delicious!
Torre del Mar has few attractions, but you can still visit its churches, take photos of its beautiful lighthouses or visit Aquavelis water park.
If you visit it outside the summer months, you can walk its lovely beach promenade, considered one of the best in Malaga, as well as watch the sunset.
How to get from Nerja to Torre del Mar: The car journey to Torre del Mar only takes 20 minutes. An alternative is to get the bus from Nerja bus station. It takes 40 minutes.
4. Almuñecar
🚗 Distance: 21,9 km (25 minute drive)
Almuñecar, located just outside the province of Malaga, is a beautiful coastal town close to Nerja.
Here you can enjoy golden sand beaches with transparent turquoise water, which is ideal for snorkelling and other watersports. An example of this is Playa Costa Tropical, Almuñecar’s best beach.
However, this town isn’t only a summer destination; you can visit its fantastic historical sites. Castillo de San Miguel is the most emblematic building in Almuñecar. This castle was once the residence of Nasrid royalty.
Palacete de la Najarra is another must-see. It’s like a miniature version of the Alhambra Palace; you can grab a map of the city as the tourism office is inside it.
Finish your day trip to Almuñecar by visiting the botanical gardens with various plants from all over the world.
How to get from Nerja to Almuñécar: The fastest way to get to Almuñecar is by driving. The car journey takes 25 minutes. However, if you rely on public transport, take the ALSA bus from Nerja bus station.
5. Salobreña
🚗 Distance: 32,8 km (30 minute drive)
Salobreña is one of the most charming towns in the Costa Tropical. The Moors had a profound influence, evident in the historic buildings and streets.
This Nerja day trip offers a fantastic combination of sightseeing and relaxing activities.
Start the day by visiting Salobreña’s main attractions, like its castle, the most emblematic building in the city, and by exploring its historic centre, home to hilly streets and incredible viewpoints. I love the views from Mirador Enrique Morente.
Then, try some of Salobreña’s typical dishes, like the octopus stew, and tropical fruits, and finally, relax at the beach.
How to get from Nerja to Salobreña: The fastest way to get to Salobreña is by car. The journey takes 30 minutes. However, if you want public transport, get the ALSA bus from Nerja bus station.
6. Competa
🚗 Distance: 25,7 km (40 minute drive)
Competa is a lovely town on the mountainside, 45 minute drive from Nerja. It’s a fantastic place to explore in half a day alongside other nearby towns like Canillas de Aceituno.
A few things make Competa famous: being a starting point for beautiful hiking trails and having delicious sweet wine. However, you’ll also love exploring the whitewashed streets of this quaint town.
In Competa, visit the old town home to picturesque cobblestone streets, check out Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Church, take in the beautiful mountain views and see “Casas Colgantes”, the hanging houses. The latter consists of houses built on cliffs (quite impressive!)
Last but not least, if you love a good glass of wine, head to Bodegas Almijara, where you can taste and buy the best sweet Malaga wine.
The wine is so good that one of the town’s main events is Noche del Vino (Night of the Wine), celebrated on the 15th of August every year.
How to get from Nerja to Competa: The only option is driving. The journey takes 40 minutes.
7. Malaga
🚗 Distance: 58.4 km (50 minute drive)
If you’d like a day trip that offers a combination of sightseeing and beach, Malaga ticks all the boxes.
Malaga has many things to do in a day. The two main historical sites are Alcazaba and Castillo de Gibralfaro.
Alcazaba is a palace complex that dates back to the Moorish period in the city. Inside, you can explore its jasmine-scented gardens with beautiful fountains, learn about its history and walk on its walls to contemplate wonderful views of Malaga.
Castillo de Gibralfaro is Malaga’s main castle. Although it doesn’t have much inside like the Alcazaba, it’s worth visiting for its views.
Other great activities in Malaga include visiting the cathedral and Picasso Museum, taking a food tour and relaxing at La Malagueta Beach.
How to get from Nerja to Malaga: The quickest way to travel from Nerja to Malaga is by car. However, you can also take the ALSA bus from Nerja bus station. The bus journey takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.
8. Comares
🚗 Distance: 49,2 km (55 minute drive)
Located in the region of the La Axarquía, Comares is a lovely small town to visit from Nerja. It isn’t packed with attractions, but it’s definitely a great place to visit.
Beautiful whitewashed buildings, lovely bougainvillaea flowers and delicious local products make it worth visiting.
If you love wine, don’t forget to try the delicious sweet wine of Comares. You can try it at Restaurante El Molino de los Abuelos. I absolutely love the atmosphere of this restaurant, and it offers incredible views of the mountains.
During your visit to Comares, you can explore other small villages like El Borge and Almáchar and go on a raisin tour as the area grows the best raisins.
How to get from Nerja to Comares: The only direct way to travel to Comares from Nerja is to drive. The car journey takes 55 minutes; however, be aware that the road is very windy, and you might take longer to get there because of driving slowly.
9. Alfarnate and Alfarnatejo
🚗 Distance: 69,2 km (1 hour drive)
Alfarnate and Alfarnatejo are two small villages in the Axarquia region, but they border the province of Granada.
Both towns have their charm, but Alfarnate is considered one of the prettiest villages in the area. It’s also the highest town in Malaga, so you’re guaranteed jaw-dropping views.
Besides exploring its historical centres, which offer plenty of beautiful photo opportunities, another great reason to visit these villages is their food tourism.
Alfarnate is especially famous for its cherries, and a special event celebrates the cherry produce. This one is called Día de la Cereza and takes place at the end of June.
Another high-quality local ingredient is olive oil, and you can go on an olive oil-tasting experience.
How to get from Nerja to Alfarnate: Your only option is to travel by car.
10. Granada
🚗 Distance: 94.4 km (1 hour drive)
One of the most popular day trips from Nerja is Granada. This charming Andalusian city has fantastic things to do and see.
The Alhambra Palace and its gardens are indeed the main attractions. They take you back to the Muslim period in Andalusia, which has detailed Mudejar architecture and history.
Many travellers decide to go on a day trip to Granada just to visit the Alhambra, and the truth is that you can spend 3 to 4 hours there.
However, there’s more than the Alhambra. Wander the streets of Albaicin, indulge in delicious tapas and visit the Cathedral of Granada.
How to get from Nerja to Granada: You can drive or take the bus to travel to Granada. The fastest option is to drive, but if you aren’t planning to hire a car, the ALSA bus to Granada leaves from Nerja station.
11. Caminito del Rey
🚗 Distance: 120 km (1 hour and 30 minutes drive)
Do you love scenic hiking trails? Then, you must visit Caminito del Rey, once considered the most dangerous hike in the world.
Caminito del Rey has been completely transformed into a safe place, but it still offers a stunning landscape.
If you want to do this hike, you must book your tickets months in advance. I managed to visit it last September for the first time after attempting to get tickets many times.
How to get from Nerja to Caminito del Rey: The easiest ways to go to Caminito del Rey are: driving or taking this day tour. The car journey takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.
12. Cordoba
🚗 Distance: 210 km (2 hour drive)
Cordoba is a city that you can explore in a day.
One of the best things to do in Cordoba is to visit the Mosque-Cathedral, the most emblematic building that showcases the coexistence of two different cultures and religions.
Another unmissable attraction is the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, the former residence of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, with beautiful gardens.
Wandering the Jewish Quarter and visiting the Andalusian patios are other great things to add to your Cordoba itinerary.
How to get from Nerja to Cordoba: The only direct way to travel from Nerja to Cordoba is by car, and the journey lasts 2 hours. Another option is to travel from Nerja to Malaga by bus and take the AVE train to Cordoba from Maria Zambrano Station. The train takes just under 1 hour.
If you leave from Malaga, you might also want to check out this guided tour.
Frequently asked questions about Nerja
What is Nerja close to?
The closest city to Nerja is Malaga. Frigiliana and Almuñécar are also towns near Nerja.
Is it worth staying in Nerja?
Yes. Nerja has beautiful beaches, delicious food, and fantastic day trips.
What are the best places for day trips in Nerja?
Malaga
Frigiliana
Almuñécar
Granada
How far is Torrox from Nerja?
The distance between Nerja and Torrox is 22.8 kilometres, which is approximately 25 minutes.
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Conclusion of the best day trips from Nerja
Overall, Nerja has many fantastic things to do; however, it’s surrounded by beautiful towns and villages worth taking day trips to.
If you’re looking for an easy day trip, opt for Frigiliana, Torrox and Almuñecar. In case you want an excursion with plenty of sightseeing opportunities, go to a big city like Malaga, Granada or Cordoba.
If I had to choose my favourite day trips from Nerja, I’d say Frigiliana and Granada. Frigiliana for its picturesque streets and relaxed atmosphere, and Granada for its historical buildings.
Do you have any questions about the places to visit from Nerja? You can drop them in the comments below. I’ll be happy to help.
Enjoy your trip to Nerja!
Cristina x
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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 in eating authentic food in the region of Malaga.
- Rent a car to travel with ease in Nerja and its surroundings.
- Get travel insurance. This is a must for any trip!
