10 is the magic number for beach lovers heading to Nerja
Monday, 2nd Jul 2012by Richard Speigal, Editor
Sandy coves sheltered by the Sierra de Almijara mountains - ‘The Jewel of the Costa del Sol’
Ten. No not the late 70s Blake Edwards film with a scantily clad Bo Derrick walking in slow mo over the sand (see how we did that?). We are talking beaches. Nerja has ten good beaches to choose from, making it a perfect destination for sun worshippers and lovers of all things sand and sea.
Nerja is a seaside resort of sandy coves sheltered by the Sierra de Almijara mountains and is often referred to as ‘The Jewel of the Costa del Sol’.
There are over nine kilometres of beaches, from small secluded coves to large sandy areas, which means there is something for everyone. We’ve picked 10 top beach spots.
1. Burriana
This is a popular and therefore busy 2km beach with beautiful sand, kayaks, paddle boats, a dive centre, parasailing and jet skis. But if that’s a bit too active, you may want to hire a lounger, which comes with bar service! There are excellent facilities such as toilets, showers and changing rooms and the beach is patrolled by life-guards and the Red Cross. There are plenty of shops too on the promenade so you won’t go short on ice cream and beach toys for the kids.
Burriana is a popular 2km beach with beautiful sand and a range of water sports
If you're driving, turn off the 340 National Road onto Calle Filipinas and follow this road all the way down to the end until to get to the coast. Or you can walk from the town centre, passed the front of Hotel Parador de Nerja, across the roundabout and down the lane for 3 minutes.
2. Carabeillo
Go west along the sand from Burriana beach and you reach the palm-backed sands of Carabeillo. This is perhaps the best way to approach the beach as the other access is down some very steep steps. This is less crowded than Burriana but it’s a cosy cove with some character. There are toilets, showers and a lifeguard (summer only) but no beach bars or cafes.
The alternative route to the beach is down the 100 steps from Calle Hernando de Carabeo.
3. Calahonda
One of the most photogenic beaches of the region, Calahonda is sandy and sheltered and located under the Balcon de Europa, a well-known panoramic restaurant that was formerly part of a 14th century castle. Old fisherman’s cottages and storerooms are still there, built into the rocks, while modern day fishermen still use the beach, so it has plenty of character. There are good facilities - beach showers, toilets, lifeguard, sun beds, first aid and a restaurant.
One of the most photogenic beaches of the region, Calahonda is sandy and sheltered
Access is via a walkway to the left of the Balcón de Europa. The path weaves down to the beach but it’s not too steep.
4. Carabeo
A sandy 120m long beach that is sandwiched between Calahonda and Carabeillo, Carabeo is a small cove accessed via some steep steps on Calle Carabeo. A small and simple beach suited for sunbathers, Carabeo doesn’t have the best of facilities but that’s not a massive problem. There are showers and toilets and a small refreshment kiosk plus a lifeguard in the summer.
5. El Playazo
This is a popular beach with Spanish tourists in the summer months and certainly one of the longest beaches in the area. Prices tend to be less touristy with facilities not as advanced as other areas, although there are apparently plans to develop the area with a promenade and shops. If you are looking for something undeveloped then this is a good spot, for the moment at least. There are a few reasonably-priced beach restaurants and the beach is good for playing games and swimming.
6. El Chucho
Located between Torrecilla beach to the east and El Playazo to the west, El Chucho is about 250m long and good for swimming as it doesn’t really shelve. There are sun loungers for hire, toilets, showers and plenty of options for food and drink. A new promenade sits behind the beach and the mouth of the Rio Chillar borders the beach on the west. Parking is limited on the street.
7. Torrecilla
This is one of Nerja’s most popular beaches. A 300m stretch of sand with some palm trees, Torrecilla is a Blue Flag beach and has a full range of facilities, including toilets, showers, sunbed hire, lifeguards, restaurants, shops, a lending library in the summer, a first aid post and a beach barbecue (one for fish lovers).
Reached from Plaza de los Cangrejos, at the end of Avenida Castilla Perez, or from several points along its length, Torrecilla also has disabled access
View from the famous Balcon de Europa which has easy access to several beaches
8. El Salon
Another Blue Flag beach, El Salon is cosy and compact and picturesque (at least looking across the beach towards the Balcon de Europa). It is located just to the right of the Balcon de Europa and accessed via a path which zigzags down the cliff, behind the palm trees. Facilities include showers, changing rooms, toilets, lifeguard (summer), refreshment kiosk, sunbeds and disabled access.
9. La Caletilla
This is a small beach, about 50m in length with dark volcanic sand. It is used primarily, although not exclusively, by the Hotel Balcon de Europa guests – the hotel provides the services for the beach. If you don’t go through the hotel you can access it via Calahonda beach. It is worth noting that the beach can disappear under the tide, with water right up to the hotel terrace wall.
10. Maro
Another small clean beach that has a sense of the tropics about it, as it is flanked by cliffs and palm woods. It can get very busy in the summer. There is an old Moorish watchtower on the hill overlooking the beach. The road to the beach is quite steep with hairpin bends but it’s worth the trip down. There are showers, toilets, sunbeds, parasols and kayak trips. There is a café for food and refreshments too.
Tags: beaches, costa del sol
Related holiday pages: Costa del Sol, Nerja
About the author
Richard quit his job and founded España Breaks with wife and business partner Lisa back in 2002. The couple enjoyed a life in Spain for some years and brought back a passion for all things Spanish. They now run their company from Bath where they live with their very lively son Oscar. Richard remains madly enthusiastic for everything Spain, travel and web related.
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