Things To Do in Nerja

Midnight onwards is when Nerja’s Plaza Tutti Frutti’s young, dressed-up tourists and locals flock to the 25 bars that rev up for nights of happy hour cocktails and live rock, pop and traditional Spanish music. Just as lively is the Balcon area, a 15-minute walk to the east, where street artists, musicians, dancers and craft sellers bring the narrow streets to life.

Oliva is a 10-minute walk from Playa Burriana. Its stark white interior is offset with banks of sleek black tables, and great views of the Balcon. Food-wise, Oliva does Spanish with an experimental twist – unexpected touches include tasters of flaked parmesan lollipops, and pork cheek with parsnip chips. Portions are generous, but you may well want to leave room for desserts like crème brulée or cava sorbet.

Follow the sandy path from the Nerja tourist office to find Playa Calahonda, hidden behind rocks and covered in flat, dark shingly sand. It might only be 200 metres long, but it’s kitted out with sunloungers and a single beach bar. There aren’t many watersports around here – but if you want to get active, try taking a cliff-top walk from here to Burriana, past the famous Balcon de Europa.

The Calle Diputacion and Calle Pintada are where you’ll find everything from independent clothes boutiques to craft shops. Look out for the wine stores offering local-made sherries, too – sherry has to be made from Andalusian grapes to be authentic. There are larger shopping centres, as well – El Ingenio, a 15-minute drive away over in Malaga, even has an Ikea.

Just behind the Balcon de Europa is a network of pedestrianised streets topped with al fresco tables, where you’ll find all kinds of eating options – from Eastern-infused curry places to pizza joints. Follow the smell of sizzling chorizo to find the tapas places. Try the local salmoetes andaluza – made with red mullet, pescaito frito – fried fish platter, or solomillo – sweet sirloin beef or pork.

Three kilometres east of Nerja, these five-kilometre marble and limestone caves were first stumbled upon by a group of friends back in 1959. You’ll need sturdy shoes for the hundreds of steps into this enormous series of grottoes, but the sight of the world’s longest stalactite – or the live spectacle of summertime opera and ballet – are well worth the entrance fee.