Information on areas for accommodation in Nerja
For those who´ve not visited Nerja before the different areas in town need explaining so you can understand where they are and what they can offer.
Nerja Area 1. Balcon de Europa (Town centre)
- 0 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families
- Mostly flat
- Can be noisy
This area is the heart of Nerja, named after the promenade which looks out over the coast. There are lots of bars, restaurants, shops, hotels, guesthouses and a few apartments and villas. A hire-car is NOT needed for this area and not advisable as parking is difficult.
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Area 2. La Torrecilla (Town centre)
- 10/15 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families
- Mostly flat
- Can be noisy
This area is named after the Torrecilla beach on the newer West side of town. This is a very central location with an abundance of shops, restaurants, bars, apartments and a few hotels. Next to the beach is the Plaza de los Cangrejos which has lots of restaurants and cafés and in July/ Aug (in the evening) has bouncy castles, bungee jumping and an outdoor cinema and flamenco shows performed by local schools. To walk from La Torrecilla beach to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 10/15mins. A hire-car is NOT needed for this area and not advisable as parking is difficult.
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Area 3. Carabeo (Town centre)
- 2/5 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Can be noisy
- Parents beware! Some properties are on a cliff
- Mostly flat
The Carabeo is a quaintly old fashioned street next to the Balcon de Europa. To walk from Carabeo to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 2/ 5 mins. It´s very central, car hire is not advisable. There are 2 boutique hotels, 2 cheapish apt blocks and some fabulous luxury apts and villas. If you´re on the sea side of the street the views from here are the best in town.
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Area 4. El Parador (Town centre)
- 15 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families
- Mostly flat
- Can be noisy
This area is named after the hotel Parador it is a central location with some bars and restaurants, apts, luxury villas and a few hotels. To walk from hotel El Parador to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 15mins. A hire-car is NOT essential and finding parking in this area is difficult.
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Area 5. El Playazo ( West Nerja)
- 15/20 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families
- Mostly flat
This area is named after the beach which is next to the Torrecilla. It´s mostly residential with shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, apts and villas. Car-hire is not essential. To walk from El Playazo to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 15/ 20 mins.
Area 6. Burriana (East Nerja)
- 20/25 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families
- Steep hills
This area is named after the largest beach in Nerja. There are lots of merenderos (beach restaurants) bars, restaurants, a few shops & apartments. There are also water sports, pedaloes, diving and kayaking Jul/Aug. There are lots of apts and villas on the hill behind the beach but the hill is steep. To walk from Burriana beach to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 20/25 mins (there is a very steep hill to climb.) A hire-car is not essential though handy for grocery shopping. Street parking is difficult at mid-day in summer but there is an underground car park on the left hand side just before you reach the beach.
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Nerja Areas 7. Chimenea (East Nerja)
- 30/35 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Residential / Quiet
- Steep hills
This area is on the hill next to Burriana beach (far East side.) It´s mostly villas with no bars, restaurants etc. To walk from Chimenea to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 30/35 mins. A hire-car IS needed for this area.
Area 8. La Exotica and Area 9. La Noria (North Nerja)
- 30/35 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Residential/ Quiet
- Long gradual hill down to Nerja
These two areas are next to the industrial estate on the road to Frigiliana. They´re mostly made up of villas. La Noria has 1 gorgeous & very Spanish little restaurant called La Noria. Lidl is nearby. To walk from La Exotica/ La Noria to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 30/35 mins.
Area 10. Punta Lara (West Nerja)
- 40/45 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families/ Residential/ Quiet
- Steep hills
Punta Lara is mostly made up of villas and apts, many are residents. There are 2 restaurants, 1 guesthouse with a very good restaurant (Avalon.) To walk from Punta Lara to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 40/45 mins. If you walk back you will have to climb a very steep hill so add 10mins on to the time above. Buses pick up from Marinas de Nerja over the road every 30mins. Car-hire is essential here. Some of the villas are very high up on the hill which means you´d need to drive everywhere and like heights.
Nerja Areas 11. Capistrano San Juan (North-East)
- 35/45 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families/ Residential-Quiet
- Steep hills
Capistrano San Juan is a holiday/ residential village at the very back of Nerja. It´s very attractive and looks like old fashioned quaint cottages. Car-hire is needed here though there is lots to keep you from going into Nerja including a large swimming pool, kids pool, restaurants, bars and 1 shop. To walk from Capistrano San Juan to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 35/ 45 mins.
Area 12. Oasis de Capistrano (East Nerja)
- 35/45 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families/ Residential-Quiet
- Steep hills
Oasis de Capistrano is a holiday/ residential village on the far East side of Nerja. It´s very attractive and looks like old fashioned, quaint cottages. Car-hire is needed here though there is lots to keep you from going into Nerja including a large swimming pool, kids pool and 2 restaurants. To walk from Oasis de Capistrano to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 35/ 45 mins.
Area 13. Capistrano Village (North-East Nerja)
- 35/45 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families/ Residential-Quiet
- Steep hills
Capistrano Village is a holiday/ residential village next to Capistrano San Juan. It´s very attractive and looks like old fashioned quaint cottages. Car-hire is needed here though there is lots to keep you from going into Nerja including a large swimming pool, kids pool, restaurants, bars and 1 shop. To walk from Capistrano Village to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 35/ 45 mins.
Area 14. Capistrano Playa (East Nerja)
- 35/45 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Good for families/ Residential-Quiet
- Steep hills
Capistrano Playa is a holiday/ residential village behind Burriana beach. It´s very attractive and looks like old fashioned quaint cottages. Car-hire is needed here though there is lots to keep you from going into Nerja including a large swimming pool, kids pool and 1restaurant. To walk from Capistrano Playa to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 35/ 45 mins. To walk to Burriana beach from here takes 5mins passed the beautiful pond and waterfall, down the steps to the beach.
Nerja Area 15. Tamango Hill (West Nerja)
- 60 mins walk to Balcon de Europa
- Residential-Quiet
- Steep hills
This area is mostly residential though there are some villas here to let with stunning views. It´s set on the hill behind Punta Lara on the very (West) edge of Nerja. To walk from Tamango Hill to the Balcon de Europa takes approx 60 mins. Car-hire is essential. There are no restaurants, bars, hotels or shops here.
Nerja Area 16. Cortijo San Rafael (North Nerja/ Frigiliana)
- 10 mins DRIVE to Nerja
- Residential-Quiet
- Steep hills
Cortijo San Rafael is a residential estate set in the hills on the road to Frigiliana. It´s all luxury villas with pools and many with superb views. Nerja´s rich live here. It´s perfect for peace and quiet and seclusion but not great for those who want to be close to town. There are no bars, shops or hotels here. Car-hire is essential as you´d need to drive everywhere.
Nera Area 17. Rio Seco (West Nerja)
- 10 mins DRIVE to Nerja
- Residential-Quiet-Rural
- Steep hills
- Dirt track roads no taxi access
Rio Seco is an area of mostly farmland opposite El Playazo beach which has some beautiful villas on it. It´s not ideal for holidays except for those that want total peace and seclusion. There are no bars, shops or hotels here. Car-hire is essential as you´d need to drive everywhere. Taxis won´t go up here.