Nerja combines the allure of a Mediterranean beach vacation with all the charm of a traditional Andalusían small town. Just up the coast from Málaga, Nerja has a decidedly different energy from some of the Costa del Sol’s more developed resort towns. On the many beaches that make up its ten miles of coastline, you can still see local fishermen’s cottages built into the rocks. The main beach, Playa Burriana, offers watersports and chiringuitos (beach bars) serving paella and sardines, but there are several others worth exploring between it and El Playazo, Nerja’s longest beach, located on the western edge of town. The town itself is a typical pueblo blanco whose cobblestone streets are lined with garden villas, souvenir shops, tapas bars, and scenic plazas where you can easily lose an afternoon watching the world go by. When the sun goes down, visitors stream into the pubs and bars of Plaza Tutti Frutti to dance the night away.

Nerja is located some 40 miles east of the Malaga airport, about 45 minutes away by taxi. You can also get from the airport to Nerja by bus. Take a train to Malaga center (15 minutes), then get on the bus toward Nerja; the journey will take 60 to 90 minutes depending on whether you get the local or direct bus. Same goes for those arriving in Malaga by train from Madrid, Seville, or other cities within Spain. Renting a car is recommended if you want the flexibility to explore the area on your own time (including the lovely but hard to reach Playa del Cañuelo), but not strictly necessary for getting around the town.

Nerja enjoys more than 300 days of annual sunshine, making nearly any season a good time to stay in one of the city’s apartments. The busy season coincides with its hottest months, from about the middle of June to the middle of September, when temperatures hover in the mid- to upper-80s Fahrenheit. The water is warmest in August, reaching an average temperature of about 74 degrees. Things begin to cool down around mid-November, when air temperatures dip into the mid-60s. By January, you’ll want to pack something warm to ward off the overnight lows in the mid to upper 40s. Pack hiking shoes if you plan to explore the mountain trails.

Nerja Caves

These caverns were inhabited by humans and cave hyenas from about 25,000 BCE until the Bronze Age, but the treasures they contained were unknown to modern society until some teenagers stumbled upon them in the late 1950s. Amid stalagmites, stalactites, and otherworldly rock formations you’ll find more than 500 rock paintings dating back to the Paleolithic Era, some of which you can view on a 45-minute guided tour. You can also get here via the shuttle that departs from the Nerja Museum at Plaza de España and includes a stop in the nearby town of Maro.

Balcón de Europa

Built on the site of a 9th-century watchtower, this terrace is perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, offering great views of the Sierra de Almijara mountains — perfect for a sunset photo op before strolling back to the old town for tapas and drinks.

Frigiliana

Highlights of this well-preserved nearby village include a 16th-century working molasses factory, historic churches, and the ruins of the old Moorish castle of Lizár — there’s not much left of it, but it does offer stellar Mediterranean views.