What to see in Nerja, 15 places not to be missed
A must in Andalucia
Nerja best things to see and visit in the jewel of the Costa del Sol

In this article, you’ll find the essential information on what to see in Nerja :
- A few words about Nerja
- What makes the town so famous
- Where is Nerja on the map?
- Visiting Nerja: what to see
- Best activities to do in Nerja
- Book accommodation in Nerja
- Things to see in Nerja on a map
- What to see around Nerja
- Some useful links
- Latest articles on Andalucia

Quelques mots sur Nerja
Nerja is located in Axarquia in the province of Malaga.
Nerja has a very privileged location. It is surrounded by nature and unspoilt beaches.
In my opinion, Nerja’s natural environment is unique: 14 km of coastline, most of it in a protected natural park.

For mountain hikers, the Pico del Cielo in the Sierra de Almijara, at an altitude of 1,505 metres, dominates the area around Nerja.

Nerja takes its name from the Al-Andalus period. The Moors gave it the name of Narixa (abundant fountain) due to the presence of several rivers (rio Higueron, rio Chillar, arroyo de la Miel, etc.).
The reasons for Nerja’s fame
In a curious way, Nerja’s reputation was born out of one of Spain’s first TV series.
Nerja was originally a fishing and farming village. It gained international fame in the early 1980s with the broadcast of the TV series Verano Azul.

La Dorada is Captain Chanquete’s boat from the series Verano Azul. You can see a full-size replica of this boat. It can be found at the car park in calle Antonio Ferrandis Chanquete.
There is also a sculpture of the captain that pays homage to this actor, at the mirador del Chanquete.
For those who have seen the Verano Azul series, here is a video of the opening credits.
Where is Nerja on the map?
What to see in Nerja ?
- The balcony of Europe
- Calahonda Beach
- Calle del Salón and Salón Beach
- The Nerja cave
- Plaza de la ermita
- Carabeo Street with its viewpoints
- Calle Almirante Ferrandiz
- Pintada Street
- Maro-Cerro-Gordo Protected Natural Park
- The Eagle aqueduct – Acueducto del Aguila
- The old sugar cane factories in Nerja
- Church of Our Lady of Wonders
- Nerja Museum
- El Artesano fish market
- Mesón José y Victoria
The Balcony of Europe, the iconic place to see in Nerja
The Balcony of Europe is often the place to be in Nerja. It is located just off the Plaza del Balcón de Europa.
This square is home to the beautiful 17th-century Church of the Saviour (iglesia del Salvador), in Baroque and Mudejar style. It is home to Nerja’s patron saint, the Archangel Michael.
Finally, from this promontory, the balcony of Europe, you can see the magnificent little beach of Calahonda and the beauty of the shoreline.
Calahonda Beach
This beach is another of Nerja’s landmarks, with its little cave house.
It’s a picture-postcard spot. It can be reached from the Calahonda boquete on Calle Puerta del Mar :
Calle del Salón and Salón beach
This is one of my favourite streets in Nerja. Every time I visit, I make a point of stopping off here. Calle del Salón is a real invitation to travel and escape.
And in this street, there is a door, quite simple, but undoubtedly one of the most beautiful entrance doors in the world…
If you continue down this street, you will come to the beach of the same name: la playa del Salón. The beach is home to a number of old fishermen’s cottages.
NB: local legend has it that the expulsion of the Jews living in this area in the 16th century was carried out from this beach. The last words of the Sephardim leaving by boat for North Africa were shalom. After the oral Spanishisation of the word, this is how the name Salón came about.
The Nerja cave, a wonder to behold Nerja
One of the treasures to visit in Nerja is, of course, the Cueva de Nerja, which extends over several kilometres of galleries.
In this cave, you can see one of the tallest columns in the world, standing 33 metres high.
If you wish, you can visit the Nerja cave. It is reputed to be one of the most beautiful caves in the world.
Note: A few years ago, cave paintings dating back to the Palaeolithic period, created by Neanderthal man, were discovered. They have been dated back 42,000 years, making them the only Neanderthal paintings in the world and the oldest traces of mankind known to date. They depict seals painted in red ochre.
Plaza de la Ermita
The Plaza de la Ermita is home to a hermitage (Ermita de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias) that you can visit, as well as several bars and small restaurants.
I really like the Andalucia atmosphere of this square.
Carabeo Street with its viewpoints
Calle Hernando de Carabeo, known simply as Calle Carabeo, is one of the most charming streets in Nerja. It starts right next to the Plaza del Balcón de Europa. It’s a beautiful, fairly quiet street. Walk along it and you’ll find another lovely balcony with incredible views of the sea.
From here you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the small beach of Carabeillo.
A little further on, you come to the mirador del Bendito, which offers a magnificent panorama.
Just below, you can enjoy the beautiful Carabeo beach (which is larger than the Carabeillo beach next to it).
If you take the path down to the left, you’ll come to the large and famous Burriana beach.
There are numerous beaches and coves in Nerja. There’s something for everyone. Of the 12 beaches in Nerja, 3 are ranked among the most beautiful in Andalucia.
Calle Almirante Ferrandiz
This pedestrianised street in the centre of Nerja is one of the city’s busiest.
There are plenty of small shops, bars and restaurants.
Calle Pintada
Calle Pintada is also a very lively street with plenty of shops. It’s just off Calle Almirante Ferrandiz.
Nerja is a very lively town during the day on these streets, as well as on the Balcón de Europa. In the evening, there’s a square with a rather unusual name that comes alive a lot: the Plaza Tutti Frutti.
Maro-Cerro-Gordo Protected Natural Park
This protected natural park is a thing of beauty. It is home to numerous hiking trails. It’s also a place where you’ll frequently come across Iberian goats – cabra montés – on the road and also on the cliffs!

In this natural park, the Cerro-Gordo viewpoint is a unique place from which to observe nature, from both the sea and the mountains.
The watchtower, which was used to monitor pirate attacks on the coast, is also very well preserved.
At sunset, this is an exceptional place to be…
The Eagle aqueduct – Acueducto del Aguila
This aqueduct is a thing of beauty, even at night when it is lit up in blue.

This aqueduct was used to bring water to a cane sugar factory in Nerja – La Fábrica San Joaquín de Maro.
The old sugar cane factories in Nerja
Nerja was a major sugar cane-growing centre until the middle of the 20th century. Nerja even had 3 cane sugar factories.
Fábrica azucarera y alcoholera San Joaquín
This site is now abandoned. However, for fans of industrial tourism, the site is well worth a visit.
Ingenio azucarero de Armengol
This former cane sugar factory is also located in the town of Maro, which is part of Nerja. Its structure stands out from the rest. Just behind it, you can see part of a splendid estate belonging to the Larios family.
Next to this Ingenio is a café-bar with a superb view of the sea from its terrace.
Note: you can see the ruins of a third cane sugar factory. The Antonio Abad factory is located not far from the Nerja bus station.
Church of Our Lady of Wonders
This is a Mudéjar-style church.

From the café-bar in the square you can admire this small Mudéjar-style church.
Nerja Museum
The Nerja Museum is located in the large and beautiful Plaza de España. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm.
5 rooms tell the story of Nerja and its fabulous cave. You can also admire ‘Pepita’, a complete skeleton that is 8,000 years old.
Note: admission costs €4. However, entry is free if you present your ticket for the Nerja cave.
El Artesano fish market
There’s a place in Nerja where I particularly like to come for a drink and some tapitas. The place is rather unusual: it’s in a small fishmonger’s shop.
Here’s the name and address, right in the centre, close to the Balcon de l’Europe: Calle La Cruz, 25. You’ll find this tiny fishmonger’s on the town map: Pescadería El Artesano.
Mesón José y Victoria
Mesón José y Victoria is a fabulous little restaurant. It’s a great place for dinner.
Run by Lucrecia and Angela, the food is excellent, the welcome is warm and all the dishes are made ‘con mucho cariño’.
What can you do in Nerja?
There are plenty of things to do in and from Nerja.
In terms of nature, there are numerous walks, including the fabulous Río Chillar hike:
From Burriana beach you can also take a kayak tour to see the cliffs and the Maro waterfall. On the same beach you can then enjoy a paella at Ayo’s.
There is an incredible choice of activities in and around Nerja. You can go snorkelling, diving, via ferratas, canyoning, hiking and even paragliding:
There’s also an excellent local guide offering some great excursions from Nerja. Cipriano’s excursions include visits to typical, authentic villages and the main sites in Andalucia (Granada’s Alhambra, Cordoba’s Mezquita-catedral, etc.).
Finally, Nerja offers travellers the chance to enjoy several ferias

- Fiesta of San Antón
- Flamenco Festival Peña la Soleá
- San Juan Fiesta
- Fiesta del Carmen
- Nerja Carnival
- Feria de las Maravillas de Maro
- Fiesta de la Castaña y el Boniato (Maro)
- Romería de San Isidro :

This romeria is not to be missed if you’re in Nerja in May.

The pilgrimage, romeria, leads to the magnificent site of the Nerja caves, where you can enjoy a beautiful fiesta alongside the romeros and animals.
- Fiesta Virgen del Carmen, sea procession ! On July
- Fiesta of Nochevieja del Balcón de Europa
- Noche Blanco
- The International Romani Day on 8 April
Book accommodation in Nerja?
Below you will find all the hotels and accommodation available in Nerja, once you have selected your dates:
Places to see in Nerja on a map
Here is a map of the places mentioned in the centre of Nerja:
What to see around Nerja?
Nerja is surrounded by beautiful villages and nature spots to see. Here are some of them!
Frigiliana
Frigiliana is a beautiful white village 5 km from Nerja. It is one of the most beautiful villages in Andalucia and Spain.

El Acebuchal
This hamlet, on the heights of Frigiliana, offers a real haven of peace and quiet. To reach the hamlet, you have to take a dirt road for the last 2 kilometres.
El Acebuchal is known as the Aldea Fantasma – The Lost Village -. This nickname is linked to its peculiar history in the 20th century, when it was forgotten for almost 50 years…

Cipriano, a local guide, offers a guided tour of Frigiliana and El Acebuchal. He will pick you up at your place of stay and bring you back to the same place after the day’s visit.
The tour can be done from Nerja, Torrox and Torre del Mar.
Here is the link to get all the details and book: Frigiliana and El Acebuchal Tour.
Torrox pueblo
Torrox pueblo is a white village just outside Nerja (10km) that has kept its authenticity. This village has been called “Mejor Clima de Europa” and is well worth a visit!

Competa
Competa is located further away in the mountains but is also worth a visit! This white village is known as the Corniche of Axarquia and offers spectacular views! The village is particularly well known for its wine festival – La Noche del Vino – which takes place every year on 15 August.

Quelques liens utiles
- If you are in the western part of the Costa del Sol and would like to visit Nerja anf Frigiliana, you can use the following link to book a day trip from Málaga, Torremolinos, Mijas or Benalmadena.
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