Playa Burriana

The town’s busiest beach.

Offers a wide sandy shoreline, many restaurants and bars, water sports, beach volleyball field and sunbeds.
Parking spaces by the beach and one indoor parking facility.
Great for families and tourists. Lifeguards during high summer.
Blue Flag beach known for cleanliness and all facilities.

The favourite beach for many with all facilities you want for a whole day in the sun, alone, with family and/ or friends. High Season Tips: During high season, Burriana Beach fills up quickly, so the golden rule is to arrive early — both for parking and for sunbeds. Bring your own umbrella and chairs as a backup, since rentals are often gone by midday. Lunchtime at the chiringuitos can mean long waits, so either book ahead or eat a little earlier than the crowd. If you want a quieter moment, head for a stroll along the far ends of the beach where there’s usually more space.

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Playa Calahonda

A small, picturesque beach just beneath the Balcón de Europa.

Small beach right in the centre of the town.
Known for its photogenic white hut and cliff backdrop.
Accessed via a steep path, but worth the descent.
Close to all facilities in town.

Calahonda Beach, tucked just below the Balcón de Europa, is one of Nerja’s most photographed spots — and in high season it gets very busy. Space on the sand is limited, so it’s best to arrive early in the morning if you want a good spot. Bring your own umbrella and drinks, as facilities are fewer than at larger beaches. Later in the day, when the beach is packed, it’s still worth coming down for the atmosphere, a quick dip, or to snap those postcard-perfect views of the cliffs and boats.

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Playa El Salon

Small beach west of the Balcón de Europa, traditionally used by locals.

Limited amount of sunbeds available.
Offers calm waters and beautiful views.
Less crowded, with a relaxed atmosphere.

Salon Beach, just west of the Balcón de Europa, is a smaller cove with a family-friendly feel — but as all town beaches, in high season it fills up quickly. Arrive early if you want a good spot on the sand, and bring your own umbrella or chairs as sunbeds are limited. The beach is reached by a sloping walkway, or staircase from Balcon de Europa, so plan ahead if carrying lots of gear. Even when busy, it’s a lovely place for a swim and to enjoy the sheltered setting right in the heart of town. Sandy beach below some hotels. You can walk from Playa Salón to Playa Calahonda around the bottom of Balcon de Europa, by the big rocks, stunning clear waters and perfect for taking photos. Amenities are limited, but the beach is located near town centre. Salon beach can only be reached by foot.

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Playa La Torrencilla

Located on the western side of Nerja.

Popular for its accessibility ( including for people with limited mobility), nice promenade, and some facilities.
Lively, just by Riu Hotel, sand mixed with pebbles.
Life guards during summer and limited amount of sunbeds.

Torrecilla Beach has a lively, social feel with a promenade lined with cafés and bars. In high season it’s busy, but that adds to the holiday atmosphere, with families, friends, and visitors enjoying the buzz. Parking is available nearby with a few small car parks and street spaces, but they fill quickly in summer, so it’s best to arrive early. For a calmer experience, head there first thing in the morning for a swim or later in the evening for a relaxed walk and drink by the sea. You can walk the lovely promenade all the way to Playazo and to the Plaza de los Cangrejos – where you can find many restaurants for dining in the afternoon/ evenings. Most are open also daytime during spring/ summer/ autumn.

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Playa Carabeo

Small cove, sandy and pebble beach, surrounded by big rocks. Accessible by stairs from Calle Carabeo.

Very scenic and peaceful, surrounded by cliffs,
Not as crowded —good for a tranquil beach day (except high season).
Access by a picturesque staircase from Calle Carabeo.
Up the staircase - plenty of low cost restaurants and tapas bars.

Carabeo Beach is one of Nerja’s prettiest little coves, tucked below the old town with dramatic cliffs and clear water. It has a more intimate, hidden-away feel than the bigger beaches, which makes it especially popular in summer. Parking isn’t available right at the beach — you’ll need to leave the car in town and walk down one of the stairways that lead from Calle Carabeo. Space on the sand is limited, so arriving early is the best way to secure a spot, while evenings are perfect for a quiet swim and enjoying the golden light on the cliffs.

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Playa Carabeillo

A continuation of Playa Burriana to the west, but not as crowded.

Accessible via steps from Calle Carabeo and Mirador del Bandito.
Extension of Playa Burriana with an intimate feel.
Calm waters beneath stunning rocks.

Playa Carabeillo is one of those little beaches in Nerja that feels like a secret, even though it sits right next to the town’s most famous stretch, Burriana. Tucked beneath the cliffs and framed by lush greenery, this sandy cove is smaller and quieter, giving it a more intimate feel than its busier neighbor. Soft sand, calm waters, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it perfect for swimming or just soaking up the sun without too much hustle around you. Unlike Burriana, you won’t find endless restaurants and bars right on the sand, but the location means you’re only a short stroll from chiringuitos and tapas spots in town. It’s a beach that feels like a little hideaway, yet still connects seamlessly to Nerja life above.

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Playa El Chorrillo

Three small coves next to Playa Calahonda.

Secluded and sheltered—great for snorkelling and relaxing.
Accessed by footpaths from the Balcón de Europa.
3 Beautiful Coves next to Calahonda

Playa Chorrillo is one of Nerja’s most picturesque little corners, made up of three small coves separated by rocky outcrops just beneath the Balcón de Europa. The mix of dark sand, natural rock formations and turquoise water gives it a wild, almost hidden feel, even though it’s right in the centre of town. Parking is only available up in town, so the walk down is part of the charm. Out of season, Playa Chorrillo turns into a calm retreat, where you can enjoy the sound of the waves echoing off the cliffs and the sense of being in a tucked-away paradise.

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Playa El Playazo

Longest and wildest beach in Nerja, stretching west toward Torrox.

Wide and flat, with fewer cliffs—ideal for long walks.
Popular with campers and less touristy than central beaches.
3 popular smaller beach bars/ restaurants “chiriguitos”
Lots of parking spaces in the open fields.

Most “natural” long beach with good access to toilets and showers. Here you have space to put up gazebos for whole family or big crowd of friends and to have picnic. Its our favourite during high season, the longest beach in Nerja stretching from Chucko right out to the western edge of town. Even in the busiest weeks of July and August, its wide sands give you room to breathe, unlike the smaller coves where every inch fills up fast. With three large car parks close to the beach, you don’t have to circle endlessly for a spot, and once you’ve settled in you’ve got three chiringuitos to choose from for fresh fish, cold drinks and long, lazy lunches. Many locals bring their own umbrellas and picnics, making the atmosphere laid-back and friendly. Out of season, it transforms into a wide, open stretch perfect for long walks, cycling along the beachfront path, or catching the sunset in peace.

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Playa La Caletilla

Playa La Caletilla is a beach next to El Salon by the Balcón de Europa.
Almost hidden between the cliffs and the hotel buildings above.
Feels more like a secret cove than a town beach.

Because of its size, La Caletilla has an intimate, peaceful feel. In the height of summer you will find sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and a lifeguard service, while out of season it becomes a quiet place to enjoy the sound of the sea against the rocks.

The access is down steps from the Balcón de Europa, or via Calle Salón, with the nearest parking in town. Many visitors even mistake it for being private but in reality it is open to all, and its golden sand and calm, clear water make it one of the most charming little corners of central Nerja.

Its best feature is its location: you can take a refreshing dip here and then step straight into the old town for a coffee, some tapas or a wander through the shops. It may not have the space of Nerja’s larger beaches, but for a central, cosy spot with plenty of character, Playa La Caletilla is hard to beat.

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Playa El Chucho

Between Torrecilla and Playazo - can be seen as part of Playazo.
In front of Hotel Perla Marina
Clear waters with pebbles, restaurants nearby.

Playa El Chucho sits at the western edge of Nerja, between Playazo and Torrecilla, offering a long stretch of sand that feels a little more relaxed and less crowded than the central beaches.

With its mix of dark sand and pebbles, backed by low-rise apartments and open views of the sea, it has a simple, unpolished charm. There are nearby restaurants right on the beach that serves up fresh fish and cold drinks, making it an easy place to spend a lazy afternoon.

Unlike the hidden coves near the Balcón, El Chucho is wider and flatter, ideal for laying out a towel, playing games, or just watching the fishing boats drift by. It’s also a good starting point for a seaside walk—heading west will take you along the Playazo, Nerja’s longest beach, while east connects you with Torrecilla. Parking can usually be found nearby in eastern side of town, making it one of the more accessible beaches for a no-fuss day by the sea.

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