View of Playa Calahonda from the Balcon de Europa
Continuing on from Málaga beaches.
The Beaches of Nerja are one of the towns´s biggest assets, the crystal clear waters and rocky outcrops the pepper the coastline make it a haven for snorkelling ans scuba diving. The steep cliffsides offer breath taking views; of course none as spectacular as that of the Balcon de Europa. The shape of the coves mean the waters are tranquil and the beaches protected from harsh winds. Restaurants, kiosks and chiringuitos scattered along the shoreline ensure that the beaches of Nerja are unmissable and well catered; a haven for both tourists and locals.
El Playazo
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| The Beaches of Nerja are some of the best on the Costa del Sol |
El Playazo beach lies to the West of Nerja town centre, between Urbanización La Tropicana and the mouth of the river Higueron; approximately 1.8km long. it is accessible from the N340 via the Rambla de Chillar.
The sand is typically mediterranean; dark with course grains.
Facilities include: showers, sunbeds, parasols and number of beach side restaurants located on the paseo, to the East of the beach, on the edge of the town. The excellent facilities and high standard of cleanliness have been recognised by the European Union who awarded it the Blue Flag.
Due to it´s size this beach remains relatively quiet even through the summer months, with tourists preferred to stay within the town centre.
La Torrecilla
La Torecilla is a small beach on the Western perimeter of Nerja town, at the end of Avenida Castilla. This beach is backed by urbanizations and the Paseo Maritimo which goes part of the way around Nerja´s coast; due to the undulating and rocky terrain the paseo cannot go all the way around the shoreline, to get to El Salon beach you have to walk slightly inland along the road.
Facilities include: beachside cafés and kiosks and a few parasols and sunbeds, but the size of this beach makes it difficult to add more facilites. This beach has also been awarded the Blue Flag by the European Union. It is mostly used by neighbouring urbanizations.
The beach takes it´s name from the nearby tower La Torrecilla. It is a small tower that was built to protect Nerja from raids by North African pirates. The tower was actuall destroyed by a British ship during the The War of Independence (much like the Balcon de Europa) but has since been restored.
El Salon
El Salon beach is flanked on either side by rosky cliffs, making it a little difficult to access. It is a small beach backed by urbanizations and hotels, as such it does not have many facilities, as it is mostly used by residents of the hotels or accomodation.
La Caletilla
This is a very small beach which is situated to the West of the Balcon de Europa. In spite of it´s size it actually offers better services than the Salon beach because of it´s central location, it has sun lougers, parasols, cafés, kiosks and parking you can even rent pedalo´s.
It is surrounded by rocky outcrops which make it a very attractive beach, it has crystal blue waters and it right in the centre of town, close to the tourist office and other main sites.
Scuba diving in the shoals around the Balcony
Calahonda, Chorillo & Carabeo
There are three very small beaches to the East of the Balcon de Europa, they are all separated by boulders and rocky cliffsides. The beaches are accessible via a footpath which passes along the cliff at the back, it is not an easy walk making it difficult for families with prams or wheelchair users. These beaches are ver picturesque and share beautiful blue waters, protected by the natural coves. They also have the added advantage of being situated in the centre of Nerja town, visible from The Balcon de Europa. These beaches are particularly popular for snorkellign and scuba diving because of the tranquil waters and clear shoals.
There are basic facilities here: restaurants, chiringuitos, sunbeds and parasols for hire.
Burriana
Playa Burriana is the most famous of Nerja´s beaches it is very popular with families because there is a childrens play area and a volley ball net. In spite of how busy it gets it is surprisingly spacious and clean. Like the rest of Nerja it is picturesque, flanked by cliffs on either side backed by some urbanizations but also wooded areas and gardens, as a result of this it retains a rustic feel and has few services.
There are pedalos, sun lougers and parasols to hire, also there are some showers and restaurants set back off the beach itself, along the promenade.
It is accessible from the N340 via Calle Bajamar, which links the main road directly to the beach car park.
The beach has received many awards, including the Blue Flag and the Spanish equivalent "Q" for quality.
Maro
A little to the east of Nerja, there is village called Maro which has a beach called Playa Maro. Accessible by car, down a steep tarmac road this small isolated cove beach can be found. There is a very small car park at the end of the road which soon fills up in the summer and parking overflows up the steep acces road. If you are driving down and reach the line of park cars be advised to park up and walk down the rest of the way. The beach is surrounded by beautiful wild vegetation and is worth the effort. It is popular for snorkel and scuba divers. It has showers and a beach bar. It has been recognised by the Blue Flag award for its cleanliness and good facilities.
Playa Maro is also the starting point of the Maro - Frigiliana Walk which is classified as a medium/difficult activity in GuyHunter Watts´s book, ´Coast to Coast Walk´.
The village of Maro has a blue flag beach, Playa El Maro
CANUELO
A little further east the next beach is part of the ACANTILADOS DE MARO-CERRO GORDO NATURAL AREA This is a unique stretch of near-virgin coastline which runs for 12km east of Nerja to La Herradura. Its dramatic rocky steep cliffs (acantilados) plunge down to the sea, leaving a few sheltered bays with beaches inbetween. due to the protected status it is not posible to drive down to track to the beach. The athletic may walk or cycle. This beach is served in the summer by a special minibus Park your car just of the N340 at 36.750473N,-3.783031W (map) and wait with the other tourists in the green tin shelter for the minibus. Return ticket is €2 per person, pay the driver. There are two popular beach bars where drinks, snacks and full lunch menu is served.
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