Best things to do in Nerja – Costa del Sol, Spain

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Best things to do in Nerja and for beach holiday activities. If you have found my post about things to do in Nerja, I’m guessing you have booked your holiday in the Costa Del Sol and are at the very exciting stage of looking places to visit when you get there and what to do locally. Nerja is a beautiful town on the Costa Del Sol and I really don’t think you will be disappointed with your visit at all.  I have been on lots of holidays to Nerja, and there are plenty of things to do. It’s one of my favourite places to visit for a relaxing break in the sun.  In fact I just love Spain in general as a family friendly holiday destination.

How to get there:

One of the reasons I love visiting the Costa Del Sol is because getting from Malaga to Nerja is really easy.  I’ve often hired a car and picked it up from Malaga airport.  The drive is really straight forward and takes about an hour straight down the A-7.

If there’s a group of you travelling, and you don’t feel like you will use a car while you are staying in Nerja, an airport transfer is a good option too.  I’ve booked a taxi in advance from companies in Nerja to keep the cost down.  The cheapest travel option is to get a bus from Malaga Bus Station to Nerja. The journey time is around 2 hours but you need to get to the bus station from the airport. There is an airport shuttle, or the train,  but it isn’t always practical with a lot of luggage.

Weather in Nerja:

The other reason we love Nerja so much is the weather.  We tend to visit out of season as it’s a great winter holiday destination.  If you visit Nerja in October for example the average temperature is 18°C with little chance of rain.  It’s the perfect holiday when the weather in the UK is starting to turn wet and grey in the autumn and winter months.

Things to do in Nerja, Costa del Sol:

Here’s a full list of all the Nerja things to do to make the most of your Spanish holiday on the Costa Del Sol.

Balcon de Europa:

The Balcon De Europa is one of the main meeting points making it one of the main places to visit in Nerja to take a stroll and watch the world go by.  It’s one of the best spots in Nerja to enjoy views over the Mediterranean and the nearby beaches and coves without actually going on the sand.  It is surrounded by cafe’s and restaurants. However due to their location they will be a little more expensive than other places to eat in Nerja.

Eat Ice Cream:

Eating an ice cream is probably a tradition on any kind of sunshine holiday, but it’s still worth mentioning for things to do in Nerja, Spain.  In my opinion you will find the best ice cream kiosks on the Balcon de Europa. So if you are planning to take a look around here it’s the perfect place to grab an ice cream too.

Nerja Caves:

I cannot stress enough how amazing Nerja Caves (Cuevas de Nerja) are and they are worth a visit. Whether you are a first time visitor to Nerja or you are a regular to this part of Spain. They stretch over 5 kilometres and are home to some incredibly breathtaking stalagmites including the largest in the world!  If you are staying else where along the Costa Del Sol, it’s worth adding a visit to the Cuevas de Nerja to your list of things to do near Nerja.

Nerja Tapas Run:

Nerja is the perfect Spanish town to enjoy a tapas run. In fact it’s one of the best things to do in Nerja if you ask me.  There are so many good restaurants and bars that restricting yourself to just one place to eat would be utter madness.  Begin on Calle Almte. Ferrándiz and visit places like El Nino’s to kick off you tapas run/. Make sure you also visit Bar El Pulguilla for freshly cooked tapas including prawns and mini burgers.

Visit Burriana Beach, Nerja:

When you are thinking about what to do in Nerja, I’m sure a visit to the beach will feature on your list.  If you want to know which is the best beach in Nerja, Burriana wins hands down every time.  It’s lined with cafes and restaurants and we love Ayo’s for paella and Barboca for fresh sardines.  If you enjoy fresh fish and traditional Spanish food, these are the best places to eat in Nerja. Burriana beach is ideal for its beach holiday activities.

My only note of caution is it’s quite a steep walk up and down to this beach. So to hire a car can come in handy for families wanting to visit here during their holiday. However beware as parking can be problematic particularly in the summer months. The earlier you arrive, for your beach holiday activities in the morning, the better.Nerja parasailing tour on this popular beach.

Have you seen Nerja from heaven? Not yet? Well you are missing incredible views of the burriana beach, the cliffs of Maro and the balcony of Europe, but don’t worry because now  you can discover it climbed on the famous superman parasailing on the Nerja parasailing tour  flying in parasailing from the burriana beach. So you don’t have any excuses anymore…click on the following link for details Nerja parasailing tour 

Take the Nerja Land Train:

If it’s your first visit to Nerja or you are on holiday with kids, the Nerja tourist train is a great way to explore the old and new town.  It’s a fun way to find your way around Nerja and get your bearings for the rest of the holiday.

Visit the Nerja Markets:

Visiting the local markets is one of my favourite things and the best thing to do around Nerja.  Nerja has two markets per week, both in the north of the town at Calle Cisne.  The Tuesday market is perfect for local fruit, vegetables, spices and clothes and accessories.  The Sunday market is more like car boot sale with lots of interesting bargains to be had. Both are worth taking a look at if you enjoy exploring local Spanish markets.

Visit Frigliana:

Frigliana is a village that is about 6 kilometres north of Nerja.  It’s a traditional white town with cobbled streets and stunning views. There are also delicious local wine that has to be tried when you visit.  Market day is on Thursdays and is a great time to visit Frigiana and grab a bargain too.  Going to Frigliana is a must if you are looking for places to visit near Nerja. Exploring what to do to escape the beach holiday activities ? visit Frigiliana I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Day Trip to Granada:

Going to Granada is a great day out from Nerja and it will take you about an hour and fifteen minutes to get there by car.  Pre book some tickets to visit the Alhambra Palace  and park your car here for the day.  This Moorish palace is a beautiful place to visit in Granada. You can also catch a bus from here into the centre to explore more of the city and make the most of your day trip.

Whether you are looking for the best things to do in the Costa Del Sol and also some beach holiday activities. Or if you just want to spend a day exploring Nerja or you are going spend your entire holiday here. I really hope these ideas about what to do and visit in Nerja have inspired you. Which of these things to see in Nerja will you be adding to your Spanish holiday?  If I missed anything off the list, please do share your top things to do in Nerja in our comments page.