Nerja guide
The best beaches in Nerja
Nerja has around ten beaches, from wide Burriana to small coves below the cliffs. These are the ones we keep going back to. [Evelijne: one personal sentence]
- 1El Playazo
- 2Torrecilla
- 3El Salón
- 4Calahonda
- 5Carabeo
- 6Carabeillo
- 7Burriana
- 8Maro
- 9El Cañuelo
- 10Cantarriján
In short
- Best all-round beach: Burriana
- Most picturesque: Calahonda, below the Balcón de Europa
- Best for snorkelling and kayaking: Maro
- Most natural: El Cañuelo and Cantarriján, in the Maro–Cerro Gordo cliffs
- Most space: El Playazo, the longest beach in Nerja
Beaches in town
Burriana is Nerja’s largest and liveliest beach, with a Blue Flag, a promenade full of restaurants, sunbeds and kayak rental. It is our home beach: read our Burriana guide.
Calahonda is the little cove with the fishing boats, right below the Balcón de Europa, down a flight of steps. El Salón, just west of the Balcón, is reached through a narrow lane and stairs.
Carabeo and Carabeillo are two small, quieter coves between the old town and Burriana, both down steps.
Torrecilla, on the west side of town, has a Blue Flag, a promenade and easy access: good for families. El Playazo (El Chucho), further west, is the longest beach in Nerja, almost 2 km, with plenty of space and a Blue Flag.
Beaches beyond Nerja
Maro is a cove below the village of the same name, with clear water, a Blue Flag and kayak tours to the waterfall.
El Cañuelo and Cantarriján lie in the protected Maro–Cerro Gordo cliffs. In summer (roughly mid-June to mid-September) the road down is closed to private cars and a small shuttle bus runs from the car park at the top; check the current times with the Junta de Andalucía.
Burriana
Our home beach, with restaurants, kayak rental and the Paseo de Burriana.
El Salón
Calahonda
Carabeo
Carabeillo
Torrecilla
El Playazo
Maro
Playa de El Cañuelo
Cantarriján
When to go
The sea is around 15 °C from January to March and around 22–23 °C from July to September. July and August are busy: go early for a parking space. The weather block below shows today’s sea temperature at Burriana.
Playa de Burriana
Weather data: Open-Meteo · updated 19:34
Practical tips
- Water shoes help on the pebbly beaches and in the coves.
- Rent a parasol or bring your own; there is little natural shade.
- Follow the lifeguard flags in summer: green, yellow or red, plus a jellyfish flag when needed.
- Take the green beach towels from the house.
- [Evelijne: your own tip, for example the best time of day]
Our local tip
“[Our favourite beach is …, because … – Evelijne]”
Evelijne & Bas
Stay with us
Stay a 10-minute walk from Burriana Beach
Wake up, walk to the sea, and come back to your own heated pool.
Beaches FAQ
Which beach in Nerja is best for families?
Burriana and Torrecilla: both have a promenade, facilities and lifeguards in summer, and the water gets deeper gradually.
Are the beaches in Nerja sandy or pebbly?
A mix. Most beaches have dark, coarse sand with pebbles, and the small coves are more pebbly. Water shoes make life easier.
Can you swim in the sea in winter?
Yes, if you don’t mind fresh water: the sea is around 15 °C from January to March. Warming up afterwards in a heated pool helps.
How do you get to Cantarriján in summer?
In summer (roughly mid-June to mid-September) the road down to Cantarriján and El Cañuelo is closed to private cars. A small shuttle bus runs from the car park at the top. Check the current times with the Junta de Andalucía before you go.
