Or, take a tour of the Lanjaron Castle Ruins, an impressive complex of ruins set on top of a rocky outcrop. The area offers unmatched views of the surrounding mountainscape from a balcony among the ancient stone walls.

If you prefer a direct transfer, you can enjoy maximum comfort and convenience with Daytrip’s swift and safe service that will bring you door to door.

The main beach in Nerja is Burriana Beach, where visitors can enjoy swimming as well as kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, with rentals available by the hour available from the top of the beach. The shore is also dotted with a few beach bars and eateries serving Paella as well as local favorites like fried fish and squid.

The Sierra Almijara mountain range backs the town, preventing large development and preserving the quaint atmosphere, with winding streets and whitewashed houses with lush gardens. One of the most iconic features of the city is the Balcón de Europa, the “Balcony of Europe”, a hike that leads to a cliffside promenade offering unmissable views of the Meditternatian seascape below. The area becomes even more magical at sunset and is well worth the long walk up.

You will also gain peace of mind from the flexible booking policies and the control you’ll have over your itinerary. You’ll have the option to add sightseeing stops and choose your departure time without being restricted to public transportation timetables.

Prepare for hills

In Nerja, you will be walking on somewhat hilly streets as you navigate to the beach and the main attractions around town. It’s important to pack comfortable walking shoes and bring a reusable water bottle with you to beat the summer heat while you explore.

How to get from Granada to Nerja

There are a few transportation options for your trip from Granada to Nerja including public transport and private car services such as Daytrip. The best option for you will depend on your priorities, but the private car transfer offers a balance of value and convenience that many travelers find worth it along these short-distance transfers.

Bus from Granada to Nerja

There is a direct bus from Granada to Nerja that takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes, dropping travelers off just outside of the center of town at Maro Empalme Bus Station. The bus tickets cost around $8-13. The departure timetables vary across bus companies. Certain buses do require a transfer to a second bus halfway through the journey, so try to avoid those.

Train from Granada to Malaga, Bus to Nerja

It is not possible to take a train trip all the way from Granada to Nerja, but you can take a train to Malaga first before boarding a bus to Nerja. This adds travel time and will cost more than simply taking a direct bus or other transportation method from Granada to Nerja.

Private car transfer from Granada to Nerja

The best option for many travelers is to opt for a private car transfer with Daytrip. It's the fastest choice, covering the distance from Granada to Nerja in only an hour and 10 minutes, with the added convenience of door-to-door service.

This route is also fairly scenic, offering coastal views along the way and turning your travel day into a relaxing introduction to the region. You can even stop for sightseeing at places like the medieval Castillo de Salobrena, or Frigiliana, perhaps the prettiest village in the region.

Plus, this is a great choice for those flying into the Granada or Malaga airport, as the private transfer is more flexible with scheduling than the public bus timetable, meaning you can customize your departure time to best suit your flight arrival time. Choosing a private car service also eliminates the hassle of renting a car to do the drive yourself. This journey starts at about $34 per person.

Relax at Playa Burriana

The largest and most popular beach in Nerja is the Playa Burriana, offering a bounty of water activities as well as local eateries for travelers to enjoy during a day in the sun. It is also the only beach accessible from the center of town on foot, though those with limited mobility can also choose to take a taxi directly to the beach. There are plenty of kayak and paddle board rentals available as well as several beach volleyball courts and the option to take water based tours to the Maro cliffs.

Visit the Acueducto Del Águila

This is an impressive aqueduct that is accessible via a 30-minute walking trail from the Nerja caves, or it can be reached from the center of town. The imposing structure played a key role in the development of Nerja in the 19th century, and now makes for a fantastic multi-colored backdrop for photographs.

Try the local food

Nerja is home to restaurants serving a variety of international fare, but the stand-out dishes are the traditional Spanish recipes and niche delicacies of the region. One of the most famous of these dishes is the espeto, sardines roasted on long spits over simmering coals. This method was originally used by fishermen in the area to deal with surplus catch and is practiced in much the same way as it was in the late 19th century.