Enjoying Nerja

Nerja has plenty to offer throughout the year. Many visitors use it as a base to explore Andalucia.

Maro

A small village on the eastern side of Nerja, Maro is famous throughout Spain as the location of a group of magnificent caves. Discovered by young boys in the 1950s, the caves are a popular attraction. They host concerts in the summer. Look out for the adverts throughout Nerja for upcoming events.

To give you an indication of just how impressive these caves are - they are Spain's third most popular tourist attraction, the main cave is estimated at over 4,000 metres long, there is a burial chamber which has been determined to be over 8,000 years old and the caves contain some of the largest examples of stalactites and stalagmites in the world. 

Maro itself is a picturesque whitewashed Andalucian village perched on clifftops with a small secluded beach. There's a few bars and restaurants which are good value.

Frigiliana

Head 4 miles inland from Nerja and you'll reach Frigiliana - an award winning Andalucian hillside village. Originally a Roman fort base and then a Moor community it's a great place to spend a couple of hours pottering around the cobbled streets looking in the antique and curiosity shops. The bars and restaurants at the front of the village are overpriced though.

Favourite Restaurants

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Nerja and the surrounding area. If it's busy it's probably good and if the locals are in there it's probably good value for money. If you want a change from Spanish then you can choose from French, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian and Greek amongst others.

La Biznaga Tapas Bar Slap-bang in the centre of Nerja adjacent to the church, near the Balcon de Europa, La Biznaga is a popular place to people-watch. Many of the customers sit outside drinking a Cafe Solo without realising that there are great tapas available inside. A perfect lunch - albondigas (spicy meatballs), chorizo (sausage) casserole, croquettes, patatas bravas (roast potatoes with tomato sauce) with plenty of fresh crusty bread washed down with a couple of glasses of Rosado (Spanish Rose wine). Head round the back of the building and you'll find Cochranes Irish Bar which is handy for a late night drink.

Poseidon

This Greek restaurant is on Calle Gloria in the centre of Nerja. It's a real traditional restaurant with a wide variety of great dishes. If you time it right you'll get to participate in plate smashing along with a live rendition of Zorba The Greek. We recommend the baked feta cheese starter and the vegetarian moussaka.

Ayo

A visit to Burriana beach is an essential part of your Nerja holiday experience. The bay has won numerous awards for its beach and beach-front restaurants. It's a great feeling walking straight off the beach into an outdoor restaurant and they are all good at Burriana. Our favourite is Ayo's, founded by one of the boys who discovered the caves in the 50's, it's the place to get out of the sun for a couple of hours during the heat of the day. If you want to fit in with the locals then lunch should be taken around 2pm. Ayo's create an enormous paella every day which contains chicken, white fish and shell fish. It's better value than ordering your own paella and is often eaten with a salad to share. If you want a real surprise try the gazpacho (its more like a Bloody Mary than tomato soup). Sunday lunch is popular at Ayo's where they serve a traditional pork dish.

Chiringuito El Breine

Haed out of the Villa Isla, cross the main road and then enter the driveway of the hotel opposite. Bear left and walk round the apartments and you'll find yourself on Playa El Playazo beach. A mile of unspoilt beach with only a couple of restaurants. Yes, they look like shacks and yes, you'll be sitting on cheap white patio furniture, but it's worth it for the food. They serve racks of ribs (often just on a Saturday), incredible fresh grilled fish and the best Gambas Pil Pil (prawns in a garlic chilli oil) we've ever had. A few glasses of Rioja later and it's only a short walk back to the Villa Isla for a siesta.