Things to Do in Nerja that You Just Can’t Miss
Sun and sand: the two things for which Nerja is most famous. And many visitors to the area don't get beyond them. Which is a shame, really, as there's much more to the area than just a great flop…
If you like to shop and like your designer brands then there aren’t many places that come close to Puerto Banus. Why? For the sheer concentration of designer boutiques in a relatively small area: Bond Street may have the designer staples in mega-boutiques, but Puerto Banus has a very heels-friendly, bite-sized offering.
Here’s our guide to the very best luxury Puerto Banus shopping – whether you’re mad about Michael Kors or love a bit of Lois Vuitton, there should be something for you in this little lot…
Versace
Conjunto Residencial Benabola, 8 (First shop into the port at the fountain)
No introduction is needed for this famous fashion house. Always a favourite for that evening dress to impress.
Gucci
Muelle Ribera, 15-16 (Near Salvatore Ferragamo)
Another shop front, another global fashion icon. Gucci’s PB instalment features lashings of the usual glamorous looks from the brand’s recent magazine front cover-conquering collection.
Tod’s
Muelle Benabola, 3 (At the entrance to Puerto Banus)
Household name Italian accessories designer Tod’s sells classic shapes in wearable colours. Their moccasins are a basic holiday necessity.
Carolina Herrera
Muelle Benabola, 5 (A little further along from Tod’s near Sinatra’s Bar)
Carolina Herrera is the high priestess of classic, high-end, stylish design. Head here for sheer sophistication.
Intropia
Calle Ribera
While Intropia can be found on most of the more desirable shopping streets in Europe they still have a unique edge compared to other high-end high street offerings. Their exquisite designs are ideal for wedding guest attire or summer evenings or… just any time, really.
Michael Kors
Muelle Ribera, 13
New York-based designer Michael Kors offers wearable, practical solutions for your wardrobe. The Puerto Banus boutique stocks his MICHAEL Michael Kors sports luxe range as well as his ready-to-wear collection.
Dior
Calle Ribera, Casa F, 15 (Second road from the port)
Oh, Dior! Raf Simons left the helm in 2015 and Maria Grazia Chiuri finally took over in 2016, she has brought Dior into a new era. However, customised accessories is where it’s at and Dior has just pretty much blown all other options out of the water. If you’re in sunnies this season make it Dior.
Tom Ford
Muelle Ribera, Casa F, 20
Tom Ford brought Gucci from the brink of bankruptcy in the 90s before setting up his own label in the noughties. Thank you Tom for having a store in Puerto Banus – we can’t get enough of the American chic, feminine designs.
Hackett
Calle Ribera, Casa L, 8 (Second road from the Port opposite Hermes)
Traditional British clothing brand Hackett is still doing what they’ve been doing since 1979. Expect the usual beautifully made men’s classics in their Puerto Banus store.
Hermes
Calle Ribera, 11 (Second road from the Port)
French label Hermes may be famed for its accessories (it’s a scientifically proven fact that you can never have too many Hermes silk scarves) but don’t overlook its ready-to-wear collection.
La Perla
Avenida de la Rivera, 33
Italian luxury lingerie designer La Perla’s Puerto Banus shop is a romantic, elegant affair full of pure silk, Chantilly lace, ribbon and feathers. They also have a gorgeous swimwear collection, too.
Salvatore Ferragamo
Muelle Ribera, 17K
Need shoes? Visit Salvatore Ferragamo. From classic heels to avant-garde statement shoes, the Italian designer’s shoes are a thing of legend.
Jimmy Choo
Muelle Ribera Casa N, 5-6 (Near Louis Vuitton)
One word: swoon. While Jimmy Choo’s sun-kissed Puerto Banus boutique couldn’t be further from his beginnings in East London, the clientele is much the same as anywhere else: fashion royalty and the international city jet set.
Louis Vuitton
Muelle Ribera, Casa N (At the end near Dolce & Gabbana)
Little introduction is needed for the French brand that managed to make luggage sexy. Suitcases and bags aside, you can pop in and browse their full range of holiday-friendly accessories and a ready-to-wear collection, too.
Dolce & Gabbana
Muelle Ribera 3-4
Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana have been at the forefront of fashion for nearly three decades. Always fresh and inspiring, their designs are youthful with killer tailoring.
High Street with Edge in Puerto Banus
Uterque
Calle Ramon Areces, 5
From the same house as Zara, Uterque is not luxury but it does do fashion accessories and some choice basic clothing items very well indeed. A good option to browse through for basic wardrobe-fillers.
338B
Calle Ramon Areces, 16B
This compact shop pulls together a youthful selection of clothes and accessories from recognised labels including Ted Baker (thank goodness), Highly Preppy and Sam Edelman (more shoes) among others.
Adolfo Dominguez
Centro Comercial Marina Banus
Also on the same road as Uterque and 338B is a shopping centre (Centro Comercial Marina Banus) with some high street stores inside. One of note is Adolfo Dominguez. It’s always worth visiting as it hits trends in a classic, effortless way with its easy to wear everyday favourites.
El Corte Ingles
El Corte Ingles is the department store in Spain, it sits somewhere between the British stores of House of Fraser and Selfridges – or similar to Browns, if you’re North American.
The usual suspects are all present and correct in the cosmetics hall with the likes of Bobbi Brown, Bare Minerals, Chanel, Kiehl’s and Estée Lauder on offer. Elsewhere there are accessories from Bimba y Lola (a Spanish fashion brand to love, think Jonathan Saunders with uniquely bold, easy to wear designs – they also have a full boutique on Calle Ribera), whole floors of women’s and men’s designer fashion (Burberry, Emporio Armani and Missoni to name but a few brands), as well as a good children’s department (yes there’s a Petit Bateau). Other floors include homeware, electrical goods and food departments – everything you’d expect from a large department store, basically.
Liking our guide to the best Puerto Banus shopping, but in need of more top retail therapy? Check out our edit of the very best Marbella shopping.
LindsayLVC
Array
(
[0] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 42015
[post_author] => 5
[post_date] => 2019-04-11 15:08:18
[post_date_gmt] => 2019-04-11 15:08:18
[post_content] => Sun and sand: the two things for which Nerja is most famous. And many visitors to the area don't get beyond them.
Which is a shame, really, as there's much more to the area than just a great flop and drop break.
From wonderful walks to fabulous fiestas and, yes, some of the most beautiful beaches around, we've picked out just a few of the very best things to do in Nerja.
Happy exploring.
1. Laze on the Beach
There's a pretty solid chance that if you're after tips for what to do in in the vicinity of Nerja, then a beach day is going to be fairly high on your checklist.
Thankfully, there are no fewer than 12 beaches to choose from in and around Nerja. Three of our favourites in town are Playa de Calahonda, Playa de Burriana and Playa El Chorrillo.
2. catch the sunset from the Balcon de Europa
After a long, lazy afternoon on the beach, there's only one place to head: the Balcon de Europa.
Grab an ice-cream, saunter down to the end of the promenade and watch the sun slowly melt into the Mediterranean. Altogether now... WOW.
3. Be amazed by the caves of Nerja
Funnily enough, the sun doesn't even shine in Nerja's biggest attraction. But that doesn't make it any less spectacular.
The Caves of Nerja is a 5km complex of caverns that includes the largest stalagtite in the world, some Bronze Age remains and, it's thought, mankind's oldest artwork - which dates back some 42,000 years. Remarkable.
(Carretera de Bajada a Playa de Maro, s/n, 29787 Nerja, open 0930/1000-1530.)
4. Go Snorkelling from One Cove to Another
Just a mile or two to the east of Nerja the sparkling coves of the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural park stretch away.
Snorkeling, sea kayaking or paddle boarding (see below) trips set off from Playa Burriana or Playa Carabeo for you to enjoy the crystal-clear sea teeming with sea life.
5. explore the coast by paddle Board
The beaches of Nerja itself are urban, which comes with the distinct plus side of there being plenty of bars and restaurants on hand to choose from.
But running away to the east is a stunningly wild, cove-lined coast that's great for exploring via paddle board. Rental and guided tours are available from Playa Burriana and Playa de Maro.
6. get out to a nearby village
Venture from Nerja and the idyllic whitewashed mountain villages of the Axarquia are within easy reach. Competa, Maro and the lovely Frigiliana (pictured) are some of the most inviting.
7. Eat Fresh Fish Cooked on a BBQ on the Beach
Espetos de sardinas - sardines skewered and cooked on a BBQ until they're deliciously tender - are a local delicacy.
One of the best spots to try them in Nerja is at the far westernmost end of town in Chiringuito Mauri (Playo Playazo, 29780 Nerja). Best washed down with an icy beer or two, of course.
8. walk the rio chillar
Even by southern Spanish standards Nerja is surrounded by some pretty top-notch walking. Soaring above the town are the jagged peaks of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Mountains.
For something just a little less adventurous, the most famous walk around Nerja is up the Rio Chillar.
You follow a beautiful, ankle-cooling river as it babbles its way down from the hills, discovering narrow ravines, waterfalls and rock pools along the way.
9. Devour Baby squid at El Pulguilla
OK, so you don’t have to have baby squid - although we highly recommend you do - but you definitely should grab a quick tapas and a beer/wine in this stalwart of a restaurant in Nerja.
Elegant fine dining it ain't, but it is a great way to experience a typical Malaga fish restaurant. (Calle Almte. Ferrándiz, 26, 29780 Nerja; 952 52 13 84)
10. View the Aqueduct
This 19th century aqueduct was built to supply the surrounding sugar cane factories with water.
During the summer it's a sweaty 10-minute walk from the centre of Nerja, but (as you can see in the image above) it makes for a spectacular photo opportunity when you get there.
11. Pause for Thought in Ermita de las Angustias
Built in 1790 this church is the home of Nerja’s patron saint, Our Lady of Anguish (Plaza de la Ermita, 11, 29780 Nerja).
It might not be the grandest of churches, but it is a lovely, cool little spot to catch your breath in for five minutes or so on a hot summer's afternoon.
12. Plan a Trip Around a Fiesta
Nerja is in Andalucia. Which means, inevitably, it's a place that's serious about letting its hair down every once in a while.
The five festivals that Nerja goes for in a big way are Easter, Carnival (February), San Isidro (May), Virgen del Carmen (July 16th) and the Epiphany (5th January).
Nominally religious they may be, but trust us, they're also really just a good excuse to P-A-R-T-Y.
13. See Authentic Flamenco
Nearby Velez-Malaga has one of the most vibrant flamenco scenes in Malaga province, thanks to the efforts of local flamenco-cultural initiative, Flamenco Abierto (Flamencoabierto.com).
So if you want to catch some real flamenco, as opposed to the tourist nonsense that's so often served up, the Peña Flamenca Niño de Vélez on a Friday evening is the place to head.
14. Eat at Sollun
Before opening this lovely little restaurant in Nerja chef Juan Quintanilla helped put Skina in Marbella on the Michelin-starred map.
As soon as you sit down, though, it's clear that Sollun is an even more personal project. If you choose to work from the short menu, the chef himself will come out of the kitchen and recommend what's particularly good that day.
The tasting menu is a thing of beauty: it features a selection of dishes with a heavy local focus, each paired with a suitable wine.
(Calle Pintada, 9, 29780 Nerja; 653 68 94 52)
Like our pick of things to do in Nerja and looking for more recommendations on the Costa del Sol? Have a browse through a few of our favourite Marbella day trips.
Alternatively, if you're after a beautiful country villa nearby, check out our Axarquia luxury villas collection, here.
[post_title] => Things to Do in Nerja that You Just Can't Miss
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => things-to-do-in-nerja
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2019-05-01 08:13:09
[post_modified_gmt] => 2019-05-01 08:13:09
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => http://theluxuryvillacollection.com/?p=42015
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
[1] => WP_Post Object
(
[ID] => 37138
[post_author] => 5
[post_date] => 2019-03-12 12:50:30
[post_date_gmt] => 2019-03-12 12:50:30
[post_content] => Marbella: the perfect spot for a lazy, sun-soaked break in southern Spain. But what is there to do should the pull of the pool begin to wear thin?
From beautiful beaches and natural parks to dazzling white villages and grand, historic cities, there are plenty of great day trips from Marbella to keep you busy.
1. Caminito del Rey
This incredible gorge-clinging walk offers some light exercise, incredible views and is a great day out for the whole family. Tickets need to be bought beforehand - book here.
Distance from Marbella by car: 1 hour 15 minutes
2. Ronda
Head inland to the north west of Marbella and you come to a beautiful town perched on a gorge. This is Ronda. See the oldest bull ring, Moorish baths, a lovely old palace or two and, if you have time, whip round a quick wine tour.
Distance from Marbella by car: 1 hour 5 minutes
3. Gibraltar
Crossing the border from Spain to the UK at Gibraltar is certainly a novelty. This slice of Britain in Spain is interesting enough, but scratch a little deeper and there's a fascinating history to uncover, too.
Don't miss the caves or the wild apes while you're on what locals fondly call 'The Rock'.
Distance from Marbella by car: 1 hour 5 minutes
4. Antequera
Known as the 'Town of Churches', Antequera has more places of worship than any other town in Andalucia. The fortress at the top of the town (pictured) and cathedral are the highlights, but don’t miss the ancient dolmens on the edge of town, either. Eat at Arte de Cozina (Artedecozina.com) and you'll have a thoroughly Andalucian day out.
Distance from Marbella by car: 1 hour 10 minutes
5. Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park
With a mix of jaw-dropping 2000-metre peaks and labyrinths of caves, this natural park near Ronda is truly spectacular. There are plenty of opportunities to go trekking, caving, 4x4 touring, mountaineering, mountain biking or horse riding. Nearby villages El Burgo, Istán, Monda, Parauta, Tolox and Yunquera are all worth a visit, too.
Distance from Marbella by car: 1 hour 15 minutes
6. Los Alcornocales Natural Park
Spanning Cadiz and Malaga provinces, Los Alcornocales is very different to the Sierra de las Nieves. Famed for its cork oak trees and humid conditions, it’s actually the rainiest place in southern Spain and so has a large network of rivers and streams. Organise a hike through this park with lunch in one of the area's pretty, remote villages.
Distance from Marbella by car: 1 hour 25 minutes
7. Tangier
Yes, Africa is a realistic day out from Marbella! You can charter a boat and travel to Tangier in Morocco for a day. On top of the fantastic boat ride across the Mediterranean, it's wonderful for lunch and a spot of souk shopping. (Or see our trusted partner Toma & Coe's Tangier trip, here.)
Distance from Marbella by car and boat: 3 hours
8. Rio Guadalmina
If you like a bit of adventure, walk the Guadalmina river and jump into rock pools, shower under waterfalls and hike through the gorgeous countryside. A guide can be arranged.
Distance from Marbella by car: 25 minutes
9. Casares
This picture-perfect whitewashed village makes for a lovely day out. Stroll about, take in the views and have a spot of traditional villagers’ lunch. A great contrast to the more sophisticated and cosmopolitan Marbella.
Distance from Marbella by car: 40 minutes
10. Setenil de las bodegas
A trip to Andalucia is as much about hanging out in small towns and villages as ticking off the big historic sights in cities. Setenil de las Bodegas has an incredible street where the houses are built into and under an overhanging rock face (pictured above). An utterly unique place.
Distance from Marbella by car: 1 hour 20 minutes
nearby cities
Five of Andalucia's finest cities are within easy reach of Marbella. Each has their own allure...
11. Malaga
Malaga is a city with A LOT going on. With plenty of great restaurants, historic sights and art galleries to pop in and out of, there's more than enough to keep you busy all day long. (For more information on Malaga, see our guide.)
Distance from Marbella by car: 55 minutes
12. Granada
If there's one thing you have to see above and beyond all others in Andalucia, it's the Alhambra Palace.
A breathtakingly romantic 12th-century Moorish palace, it’s beautiful whether you're inside, outside or looking onto it from the pretty Albayzin area of town (pictured). Make sure you buy tickets before you go. (See our guide to Granada here.)
Distance from Marbella by car: 2 hours
13. Jerez de la Frontera
A great day trip from Marbella is Jerez de la Frontera. A relativity small city, it's perfect for strolling old streets lined with handsome palaces or lingering in lovely, historic squares. Don’t miss the Spanish Riding School (Realescuela.org) or one of the Sherry bodegas for a tour and a tasting.
Distance from Marbella by car: 1 hour 50 minutes
14. Cadiz
Southern Spain's longest continually inhabited city, Cadiz has great beaches and a lively but laidback vibe. Visit the cathedral, eat in the market and see the city from above via the 'Camera Oscura' (Torretavira.com).
Distance from Marbella by car: 2 hours
15. Cordoba
As the Alhambra is to Granada, so the Mezquita is to Cordoba. A cathedral inside a mosque, it's a mesmerising building. There’s also a Roman Bridge, a beautiful 17th-century main square, the Plaza de la Corredera, and a network of narrow old streets to explore, too.
Distance from Marbella by car: 2 hours 10 minutes
So, that's our pick of the best day trips from Marbella. You can plan your day yourself or get in touch with us and we can organise it all for you. One way or the other, though - happy exploring!
Alternatively, if you're looking for a beautiful villa in Marbella to rent, check out our selection.
[post_title] => Perfect Day Trips from Marbella
[post_excerpt] =>
[post_status] => publish
[comment_status] => open
[ping_status] => open
[post_password] =>
[post_name] => marbella-day-trips
[to_ping] =>
[pinged] =>
[post_modified] => 2019-05-01 07:56:23
[post_modified_gmt] => 2019-05-01 07:56:23
[post_content_filtered] =>
[post_parent] => 0
[guid] => http://theluxuryvillacollection.com/?p=37138
[menu_order] => 0
[post_type] => post
[post_mime_type] =>
[comment_count] => 0
[filter] => raw
)
)
1
You might also like
Perfect Day Trips from Marbella
Marbella: the perfect spot for a lazy, sun-soaked break in southern Spain. But what is there to do should the pull of the pool begin to wear thin? From beautiful beaches and natural parks to…