In Nerja one can prepare oneself for a concentrated load of activities. The beach Burriana offers almost all possibilities for water sports, from diving to kayaking. If that is not enough for you, there is a water park in Velez Malaga with slides and guaranteed fun for the whole family. Nerja not only scores as a seaside resort but also with its varied natural landscape. Mountain lovers will get their money’s worth. A hike in the surrounding mountains is a great alternative to the beach and the ideal activity for the winter season. Looking for some action? Take a buggy, jeep or horse through mountain and valley and discover another side of Nerja. Just a few kilometres away, the Baviera Golf course is a great place to play golf. That and much more await you in Nerja. I will show you the best activities in Nerja that you can do in summer and winter.
The best activities in Nerja for your summer holiday
Experience a hike through the Rio Chillar river in Nerja
The river hike in Rio Chillar is a popular excursion destination in Nerja. The trail takes you through the Chillar River, which flows through the Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Nature Parks. On your journey you will pass through a marble gorge, swim in natural pools and encounter a great waterfall. At high temperatures it’s just the right place for hikers to cool off. You can find more information about this hike in my article Rio Chillar.
Visit Aquavelis Water Park in Velez Malaga
With the motorway A-7 in direction Malaga you can reach Velez Malaga in only 30 minutes. There is the Aquavelis water park, which makes children’s dreams come true. Countless slides in different shapes and colours offer you and your family unforgettable bathing fun. With enough restaurants and bars you can spend the whole day splashing around. The new VR park in the water park offers you a nice change and gives you an insight into the virtual world. You can find more information about the water park on the Aquavelis website.
Explore the cliffy coast of Nerja with a kayak tour
The canoe tour from Nerja to Maro is a great trip that I can recommend to everyone. The tour impresses with steep walls up to 100 m high, unique cliff and rock formations, caves and waterfalls. Important for the tour is enough drinking water and sunscreen to protect against the sun. The canoe tour offers you a very good opportunity to get a closer insight into the unique cliff and rock landscape of Nerja. You can find more information about this tour in my article Kayak Tour at the Acantilado Maro Cerro Gordo Nature Park.
Admire the dolphins in the sea of Nerja with a boat tour
On the Costa del Sol you have the opportunity to experience a very special experience. Here you have a good chance to observe dolphins in their natural habitat. The best way to do this is to book a boat tour. Various boat trips along the coast of Nerja are offered by Aventumar, for example. The highest probability is with a professional crew. In Benamaldena, for example, there is the agency Costasol Cruceros, which promises an 82% chance of finding dolphins in the sea. The captain and crew also make sure that the trip has little impact on the environment and animals. If the excursion is too far away for you, you can also look out for dolphins by the sea from Nerja. If you are lucky you will find dolphins playing in the water.
Reach high speeds on the water with the jet ski
With the Jet-Ski you have enough horsepower in your engine to really crash on the beach of Nerja. Glide over the water at top speed and experience new freedom at sea. Like many other beaches in the world, you can find this experience in Nerja. You will find rental possibilities and tours for the jet ski experience for example at several providers at the beach Burriana in Nerja.
Immerse yourself in the underwater world of Maro
Not only the beaches of Maro are among the most beautiful in Spain but also the diving and snorkeling areas. In Maro is the nature reserve Los Acantilados de Maro – Cerro Gordo and is with its intact underwater world a paradise for divers. With a great variety of protected plants and animals the dive becomes a breathtaking experience. Of course you also have the choice to explore the underwater world on your own. All you need is snorkelling gear and fun swimming. Even for children, snorkelling on Maro beach is no problem. Some beautiful places can be reached within sight of the beach. If you are interested in a diving or snorkeling course, you can find it at the Nerja Dive Resort on Burriana beach.
Discover the coast of Nerja with the Stand up paddle
The new trend is called Stand up paddle. This invention makes it child’s play to move around in water. A beautiful alternative to the kayak and especially suitable for children. With a surfboard and a paddle you can discover the beauties of the Nerja coast in a whole new way. Rentals and tours for stand up paddling can be found for example at several providers on Burriana beach in Nerja.
Survive an exciting ride on the Banana Boat
The Banana Boat will give you an exciting ride on the waves that you can experience on the beaches of Nerja. On a Banana Boat, several people are seated one behind the other and are pulled through the water by a speedboat. It is not so easy to sit on the Banana Boat as soon as the driver leaves. After a few bends and turns, most likely everyone fell into the water. The principle sounds simple, but it’s a lot of fun! A sparkling adventure for the whole family. One provider, for example, is the agency educare aventura on Burriana beach.
Ride on the waves of Nerja with your surfboard
Nerja is not a big surf spot in Spain, but you will find the right waves to ride on the beaches of Nerja. The sport is particularly popular with young people who are looking for the perfect wave every day. Unfortunately, there are no schools or surfboard hire facilities in Nerja. Therefore you should bring your own equipment if you want to surf on the beaches of Nerja.
Kite- and Windsurfing at the beach Playazo in Nerja
On windy days the athletes are drawn to the beach Playazo in Nerja. On this beach you will find very good conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Unfortunately, there are no schools or rental facilities for surf equipment in Nerja. For those who have their own equipment, Playazo beach in Nerja is one of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol for surfing.
Enjoy a beautiful view from Nerja while parasailing
Parasailing takes you high up into the sky. From there you can enjoy a beautiful view of Nerja and the Balcon de Europa. An exciting experience that is even possible for two. You can book this unforgettable trip to the heights for example at the agency educare aventura at the beach Burriana.
You can also enjoy these activities in Nerja in winter
Climb the local mountain Pico del Cielo in Nerja
The Pico del Cielo or El Cielo is a 1.508 m high mountain in the National Park Sierras de Tejeda Almijara y Alhama. The route begins at the caves of Nerja and leads you along a 13 km long circular trail to the local mountain of Nerja. The hike can last up to 8 hours and should therefore be done in the winter months. The pleasant to cool temperatures during these months make the ascent much easier. Arrived at the summit cross, a beautiful view with a view of the sea awaits you. You can also do this with a guide.
Visit the Caminito del Rey with its impressive gorges
For a long time the popular climbing path Caminito del Rey (King’s Path) was closed, which also became known in the media as the most dangerous path in the world. Since 28 March 2015, the trail has been officially reopened, leading visitors through a breathtaking landscape of gorges and valleys. The Caminito del Rey is less than two hours away from Nerja and a great recommendation if you have enough time for a day trip. It is worth to book a ticket for your visit in advance, as there is only a limited number of participants for the entrance.
Book your ticket for your trip to Caminito del Rey right here:
Play a game of golf on the Costa del Sol
You like to play golf? The Costa del Sol is famous for its excellent golf courses by the sea. The closest golf course to Nerja is directly on the coast of Caleta de Velez and can be reached in 20 minutes by motorway A-7 in the direction of Malaga. The Baviera Golf has a very well maintained course with 18 holes and enchants with a beautiful view of the mountains and the sea. Those who don’t want to miss this view during a game of golf should visit the Baviera Golf in Caleta de Velez. Further information can be found on the Baviera Golf website.
Discover the mountains of Nerja by jeep
The unique thing about the landscape of Nerja is the mixture of sea and mountains. If you don’t just want to splash around in the water, but also want to experience the mountains, you could really enjoy a tour in an off-road vehicle. The agency Life Adventure offers professional tours through the mountain landscape of Andalusia. Those who want to explore the landscape on foot can also do this on a guided hiking tour. Offers and tours can be found on the website of Life Adventure.
Take the buggy to the hinterland of Nerja
Fight your way through gravel and sand in the Nerja hinterland and overcome any obstacle with a powerful buggy. Buggies with 500 cc and 4×4 all-wheel drive provide the necessary adrenaline rush. Thanks to the two-seater buggies you can also experience the adventure with your best friend. The driver needs a valid ticket for this Buggy Tour. You can book the guided tours through the Nerja hinterland at Buggytours, for example.
Book a Quad Tour in Nerja with your friends
The perfect trip with friends and family. In an approx. two-hour tour you will discover the rural areas around Nerja with a quad bike. The tour shows you the beautiful sides of the Nerja hinterland in a quiet and relaxed way. This tour is of course also suitable for larger groups, such as birthday parties, company parties or young people’s parties. You can book a quad tour with friends and family at Nerja Quad Tours.
Enjoy a horse ride to the beach of Nerja
For horse lovers, the Cortijo Hidalgo offers various horse rides. These lead to the surroundings of Nerja, to Frigiliana or to the beaches of the Costa del Sol. The tours in the surroundings of Nerja last several hours and are carried out by the operators Heidi and Antonio. The horses are cared for throughout the year on a large finca, where they get enough exercise and live with many other animals. Via the Facebook page of Cortijo Hidalgo you can contact Heidi and Antonio directly.
Fight for the trophy on the go-kart track in Almayate
Between Almayate and Torre del Mar lies the oldest karting track in Andalusia. The Karting del Sol is probably the best place to prove your driving skills. The track offers you and your friends the opportunity to compete for the trophy. Over several laps you have to keep up with your friends on the most challenging level. Here you can really get into the iron and have a lot of fun with family and friends. The go-kart track is about 30 minutes by car from Nerja. Further information and prices can be found on the Karting del Sol website.
Go skiing in the Sierra Nevada near Granada
It is hard to believe that it is possible to ski in one of the most popular swimming areas in the world. From Nerja you can reach the Sierra Nevada mountain range near Granada in less than an hour. In winter, when temperatures drop again, the lifts open for skiers and snowboarders. The Sierra Nevada is also a top destination for many other activities. Among other things, e-bike tours, mountain hikes and canyoning are also offered there.
Other activities and tours you can do in the Sierra Nevada:
Do you have any other tips for things to do in Nerja?
Have you already had any experience with these activities? Are there any other activities you liked in Nerja? I would be happy to hear from you in the comments.
Do you have any unanswered questions on this subject? Then just write me in the comments and I will answer them in the best possible way for you.
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Read more
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55 things to do and see in Nerja
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