Nerja is well known as a seaside resort. A huge selection of beaches and coves are offered to bathers along the long coast. Looking for water sports, relaxation oases or a family outing? Nerja can serve all interests with its beaches. Many beaches in Nerja have been very well developed for residents and tourists. Most of the beaches have very good equipment like public toilets and showers to wash off the sand of your body. Even a place to buy snacks for in between can be found in many places. A beach visit is comfortable and fun in Nerja. Another good thing is a large number of lifeguard stations are located on the beaches in Nerja, which provide the necessary security for the visitors and help with minor injuries on site.
The beaches in Nerja – center
The choice is not easy. There are countless beaches and bays to discover on the 14 km long coast. This listing should help you with your decision. These are the most important and beautiful beaches in Nerja that are reachable from the center. I’ll show you where to find the beaches, who they are for and what facilities/services you can use on the beach.
Burriana Beach
The Burriana Beach is located east of Nerja and is easily accessible on foot from the center or by car via the main road in the direction of Maro. With over 700 meters of sandy beach, a boardwalk and a variety of services, Burriana is the most popular beach in Nerja. The beach is well filled in the summer by residents and tourists. On the beautiful beach promenade, you will find restaurants, bars, cafes and shops for a carefree stay. In the restaurants or chiringuitos, you can eat very good fish and seafood or at lunchtime a delicious paella in the “Chiringuito AYO”. For athletes there are volleyball courts, water sports facilities and several playgrounds for children. For those looking for a rest, sunbathe or sunbeds on the beach can be rented. Parking is available on the promenade or in the underground car park. Burriana beach is ideal for day trips and anyone looking for a great deal.
Suitable for: families, water sports and day trips
El Salón Beach
The El Salon Beach is located next to the Balcon de Europa and can be accessed via a small street near the Church of El Salvador, which is located on the Plaza de Balcon de Europa. The central beach is very well equipped and offers a beautiful view of the cliffs and the Balcon de Europa. Several colorful fisherman’s houses adorn the beach and give it a unique flair. The beach el Salon is used for events, such as the fiesta “Fiesta Blanca”, where everyone is dressed in white and takes place every year in August.
Suitable for: families
Calahonda Beach
The Calahonda Beach is probably one of the most famous beaches in Nerja. It is located right next to the Balcon de Europa and is accessible from a small entrance from the Plaza de Balcon de Europa. The beach is relatively small but impresses with unique cliff and rock formations. The beach is often a meeting place for wedding or hobby photographers. The Balcon de Europa shows the beach in all its glory. The beach is very well equipped with showers, toilets, beach furniture, and a lifeguard station. The beach should definitely be on your list due to its rare beauty, at least for a short visit.
Suitable for: families, photos and great views
Chorrillo Beach
Chorrillo Beach is located next to Calahonda Beach on the Balcon de Europa. This remote bay can be reached with some skill by going through the rocks east of Calahonda Beach. The bay is not always so easy to reach, depending on the water level. If you do not mind getting wet you can just swim there. A look into the clinging rocks is very impressive and felt like a little adventure the first time. A must for little adventurers and explorers!
Suitable for: little adventurers who want to go on a discovery tour
Caletilla Beach
Caletilla Beach is one of the small beaches in Nerja and is located directly on the Balcon de Europa. The public beach is located in front of the hotel complex “Hotel Balcon de Europa” and will, therefore, be used by many hotel guests. The beach is very well developed and offers good gastronomy from the hotel. There are two entrances to the beach: through the Hotel Balcon de Europa (private) or along the promenade from Calahonda Beach, which leads below the Balcon de Europa.
Suitable for: families
Torrecilla Beach
The 300 m long Torrecilla Beach is located just behind the large hotel complex Riu Monica. The beach is well maintained, well equipped and is located on a pedestrian promenade with many restaurants and cafes. Due to the good sand and water conditions, this beach is the first choice for many tourists. Due to the proximity of hotels and apartments, the beach is visited by many tourists. The Torrecilla Beach is a beautiful central beach that is easily accessible and has very good beach conditions.
Suitable for: families and who value good beach conditions
Chucho Beach
The Chucho Beach is located between the Playazo and Torrecilla Beach and is separated by a transition of the promenade from the Torrecilla Beach. The beach is small and cozy and is usually used by residents and tourists. It has good access via the promenade and very good facilities with showers, toilets, beach furniture and lifeguards. On the beach promenade to the east, the Playazo Beach can be reached.
Suitable for: families
Playazo Beach
With a length of 1,700 m, the Playazo Beach is the largest beach in Nerja. It is placed on the east side of Nerja on the border to Torrox and is a popular track for joggers for its spaciousness. The rustic sandy beach is very quiet and ideal for those looking for peace and relaxation on vacation. Along the beach there are private gardens, parking lots and some chirringuitos. In addition to a beach football field and a playground, there are also good conditions for kitesurfing here. At the western end of the beach is a small hotel and apartment area. There you can eat and drink in the Paraiso de Nerja and make yourself comfortable in the sunbathing area under the palm trees.
Suitable for: families, relaxation and water sports
Carabeillo Beach
Carabeíllo Beach is located right next to the popular Burriana Beach in the east of Nerja. On foot, the beach is within a few minutes walk from the center. Surrounded by green cliffs and outstanding rock formations, this section offers a dreamlike atmosphere. The idyllic Carabeíllo is a quiet and little less crowded alternative to Burriana Beach. Despite the quiet location, all service advantages of the large neighbor Burriana can be reached in a few minutes.
Suitable for: families and relaxation
Carabeo Beach
The small but beautiful Carabeo Beach is located in the center of Nerja and can be reached via a steep staircase from the street “Calle Hernando Carabeo”. The beach is well visited in summer and offers a beautiful view of the rocky coastal landscape. In addition to the colorful fishing boats, you will also find showers, toilets, and a lifeguard station. Gastronomy is not on-site, but due to its central location, cafes and restaurants are within walking distance.
Suitable for: families
The beaches in Nerja – Outside the center
Some beaches in Nerja are located outside the center and can only be reached by car. Some hidden bays are only accessible via a rocky footpath. So you do not miss any of these beaches or coves, I’ll show you the most important in this overview.
La Caleta de Maro Beach (Cala chica)
La Caleta de Maro Beach is located in Maro, about 3.5 km from Nerja. The beach is better known as “Cala Chica”. The name comes from the series “Verano Azul (Blue Summer)” and was filmed in Nerja. The series showed the beach from the first to the last season in each episode. Caleta de Maro Beach is a natural place chosen by Spain’s largest television channel Antena 3 for the second most beautiful beach of Spain in 2014. The coastal walls at this point are very playful and the water around the beach invites you into a colorful sea world for snorkeling.
Suitable for: families and nature lovers
Maro Beach
As the name suggests, Maro Beach is located in Maro, 10 minutes by car from Nerja. The natural sandy beach has a good infrastructure and one of the most popular beaches in Nerja for the locals in summer. The beach is surrounded by green rock formations. A beach bar provides the necessary catering on site. For the right comfort and bathing fun kayak and sunbed, rental is available. You should definitely pack snorkels and glasses. The variety of fish and fauna in this section has made Maro one of the region’s most popular snorkeling and diving spots.
Suitable for: families, water sports and day trips
Alberquillas Beach
The Alberquillas Beach is a large rustic beach on the Andalusian cliffside of Nerja. A longer dirt road leads you to the quiet pebble beach surrounded by steep cliffs. Without tourist infrastructure, you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the coastal landscape. The Alberquillas Beach is one of the beaches in Nerja, which is very quiet and located in the nature reserve Acantilados de Maro – Cerro Gordo. The water in the sea has a very good bathing quality, is home to many fish and has an intact underwater world.
Suitable for: relaxation
Cantarriján Beach
The Cantarriján Beach is a popular nudist beach on the Costa del Sol and is located in the province of Granada on the border of Nerja. The beach has a very good infrastructure. Textile-free bathing allowed. The right place to drop your covers and enjoy the beach holiday in a different way.
Suitable for: textile-free bathing
Cala del Cañuelo Beach
The Cala del Cañuelo Beach is a beautiful beach in a natural environment. It combines a decentralized location in nature and a good infrastructure. At the parking lot, you will be transported by a shuttle service to the long pebble beach. To relax in the sun there are plenty of sunbeds and for the big hunger an exotic restaurant with delicious food. If you are looking for a natural beach with a great view of a rocky and hilly landscape and do not want to miss out on comfortable beach equipment, this is the place for you.
Suitable for: families, relaxation and day trips
Calas del Pino Beach
The Calas del Pino Beach are two sandy coves between the Alberquillas Beach and the Torre del Pino. A secluded natural beach with few bathers, located in the Natural Park Acantilados de Maro – Cerro Gordo. A good place for relaxation and tranquility. A steep descent path leads you to the 350-meter-long beach. Since there are no facilities at this beach, you should provide for your trip with food and drinks.
Suitable for: nature lovers and relaxation
Molino de Papel Beach
Molino de Papel Beach is one of the harder to reach beaches in Nerja. The pebble beach, which extends to the east of the Costa del Sol, is only accessible via a steep and difficult to walk footpath. Those who want to put effort into reaching this beach and do not care to lie on coarse gravel, reach a peaceful place with very few bathers. If you want to indulge in the beauties of nature and want some privacy it is the right place to go.
Suitable for: relaxation
Do you have any other tips for visiting the beach in Nerja?
Have you already had any experience on one of these beaches in Nerja? Are there any other beaches you liked in Nerja? I would be happy to receive an answer 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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