It’s no secret that Nerja is the home of some of Spain’s most beautiful coastline which makes it a hotspot for local and international travelers alike and one of the hottest places to stay in Costa del Sol. The first thing to do when planning your vacation is of course to find out where to stay in Nerja.
Nerja is a beautiful resort town that lives up to its name which means Abundant Source. And truth is, Nerja is abundant in so many aspects.
Magnificent architecture, pristine waters, stunning beaches, prehistoric caves, and not to mention the breathtaking view of the Sierra de Almijara posing behind the coastal town make this a true paradise all year round.
There is no secret that Nerja is one of my absolute favorite beach towns in Andalucia and I will help you find the best places to stay in Nerja Spain.
While the town is not extremely big, and you can easily walk between the different neighborhoods, the different areas offer a completely different vibe.
And if you want the Andalusian village feel, why not stay in the enchanting hillside village of Frigiliana overlooking Nerja just a few minute’s drive away?
Nerja is by far one of the most beautiful places to stay near Malaga and offers epic things to do in Costa del Sol.
Read on to explore the best areas to stay in Nerja, Spain to start planning your perfect vacation.
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IN A HURRY?
HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR WHERE TO STAY IN NERJA SPAIN
LUXURY: Parador de Nerja – located on the cliff right above Burriana Beach, it boasts exquisite views, an outdoor pool, on-site parking, and a high-end restaurant and bar.
MID-RANGE: Hotel Paraíso Del Mar – located near Burriana Beach, this is a lovely adults-only hotel with a pool with a view, hot tubs, and a sauna.
BUDGET: Hostal Sol y Mar – basic accommodation in the Old Town with a rooftop terrace with views.
Table of Contents
Where to stay in Nerja
Nerja Old Town – Best area to stay in Nerja for first-timers
Best Place To Stay In Nerja for:
- Travelers on a budget
- Nightlife lovers
Recognized as the heart of Nerja, the old town hosts a majority of the hotspots. This includes the best shopping in Nerja, restaurants, hotels, villas, bars, and apartments. The old town is also home to several of Nerja’s beaches.
The best part about all this is that it’s all within walking distance. So you can do a quick shopping trip and head down to the beach to enjoy the breeze.
Speaking of beaches, four beaches you certainly want to visit in the old town are Playa Calahonda, Playa Chorrillo, Playa la Caletilla, and Playa el Salón.
They are basically located beneath Balcón de Europa making them super accessible from the old town. That said, the beaches are not the best for people with mobility impairment, then you should head to Burriana Beach.
You can easily find hotels in Nerja Old Town that are budget friendly and still offer you a great view of the beach. The old town is no doubt the best area to stay in Nerja, Spain if it is your first time in the area.
BEST HOTELS IN NERJA – OLD TOWN
LUXURY: Hotel Boutique Sibarys – fantastic hotel with a rooftop pool overlooking the coast.
MID-RANGE: La Puerta de Nerja Hostal Boutique – a lovely boutique hotel with hot tubs on the rooftop with splendid views.
BUDGET: Hostal Sol y Mar – basic accommodation in the Old Town with a rooftop terrace with views.
Burriana – Where to stay in Nerja Spain for families
Where To Stay In Nerja for:
- Families
- Beach lovers
- Water sports
Burriana is loved for its fantastic beach and tons of amazing beach activities. Burriana Beach is not only located right next to the wild Maro coast, but it also offers a wide array of water sports, rental of sun loungers and parasols, and it has assisted bathing during the operating hours of the lifeguards making it the most accessible beach for anyone with mobility impairment.
So if you’re interested in trying out any water activity like a Nerja kayak tour along the captivating cliffs of Maro, Burriana Beach is a great place to begin. There are also other fun Nerja boat trips and coastal excursions to take from here.
This is why it’s very popular among children, families, and sports enthusiasts. This is why Burriana is among the top places to stay in Nerja.
Apart from the beach, Burriana also offers an interesting range of restaurants, bars, and of course beach shops where you can get snorkeling gear, waterproof pouches for your phones, or any other beach stash you might need.
However, this beach normally gets very crowded during summer, so if you are flexible on your dates, spring or fall are excellent times to visit (my favorite month is September!) Other than that you’re bound to have a good time at Burriana ass it offers some of the best things to do in Nerja.
You might also want to read my complete beach guide to Burriana here.
WHERE TO STAY IN NERJA – BURRIANA
LUXURY: Parador de Nerja – located on the cliff right above Burriana Beach, it boasts exquisite views, an outdoor pool, on-site parking, and a high-end restaurant and bar.
MID-RANGE: Hotel Paraíso Del Mar – located near Burriana Beach, this is a lovely adults-only hotel with a pool with a view, hot tubs, and a sauna.
BUDGET: Hostal Casa Mercedes – only a 10-minute walk from Burriana Beach, this is a great budget option with an outdoor swimming pool and outdoor space with views in a quiet part of town.
Punta Lara – Best for couples
Best Place To Stay In Nerja for:
- Upscale/ luxury apartments
- Beach lovers
Punta Lara is what I like to call the planned part of Nerja. Located in the far western part of town, it’s a mix of residential and holiday apartments. Punta Lara contains some of the most luxurious apartments in Nerja.
If you feel Punta Lara is lacking the allure other parts of Nerja provide, you’d be wrong. Because Punta Lara is the location of El Playazo Beach, one of the best beaches there and also one of the biggest.
This lovely beach is circled by beautiful sugarcane plantations and some farms, and still fairly untouched compared to the more central beaches in this vibrant beach town.
You can walk into the old town, but some might prefer to either have a rental car or grab a cab.
Punta Lara is also home to two other beaches; Playa Güilche and Playa Calaceite. And for your shopping and eating pleasure, this place also has a couple of bars, shops, and restaurants sprinkled around the place. So, if you’re a beach lover, Punta Lara is certainly one of the best places to stay in Nerja.
WHERE TO STAY IN NERJA – PUNTA LARA
APARTMENT: Rio Marinas Apartments Casasol – the apartment sleeps 4 and has a pool and outdoor space.
MID-RANGE: Rio Marinas Apartments Casasol – apartment hotel with a lovely location by Playazo Beach with a pool and spa with Turkish baths and a sauna. Perfect for couples who want to retreat from the hustle and bustle of town.
Frigiliana – Best Place to Stay Near Nerja for Hiking
Best Place To Stay In Nerja for:
- Peace and tranquility
- Hikers
- Lovers of history and architecture
This is one of the prettiest white villages in Andalucia, elegantly situated on the hillside overlooking Nerja and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. Frigiliana is the perfect place for people who seek peace in nature.
If you’d like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city, to the calm and tranquility of the village, then Frigiliana is the best place to stay in Nerja.
Among the Nerja neighborhoods, Frigiliana is one of the most popular places to stay for anyone wanting to spend more time in nature and retreat from the hustle and bustle that Nerja Town offers.
Even though Frigiliana is a small village, it still offers a satisfying array of restaurants, boutiques, and fascinating architecture.
Frigiliana is the center of history and culture, as it is home to various buildings that are bound to make one nostalgic like San Antonio de Padua church, Casa del Apero, the Castle of Lizar, Palace of the Counts of Frigiliana and the Plaza de las Tres Culturas.
Among the best things to do in Frigiliana for nature lovers is to go hiking in Rio Higueron. Unlike other places to stay in Nerja Spain, Frigiliana has no beaches but it’s still one of the best places to stay with several apartments and hotels.
Nerja, Costa del Sol’s jewel, is only a 15-minute bus ride away, so you will have the best of both worlds by staying in Frigiliana.
HOTELS NEAR NERJA – FRIGILIANA
MID-RANGE: Posada Morisca Charming Hotel Boutique – a charming boutique hotel with an outside pool area overlooking the coast, a fantastic restaurant, and a bar.
BUDGET: Hotel Villa Frigiliana – a good budget option with an outdoor pool and exquisite coastal views.
APARTMENT: Carmen Apartamento Susanne – a fantastic pet-friendly apartment that sleeps up to 3 people.
Reflections on the Best Places to Stay in Nerja
Nerja, Spain is one place you’d never regret visiting being one of the best beach towns near Malaga. Hopefully, from all the locations listed in this article, you can find one place or two that’s the perfect fit for you.
If it’s your first time in Nerja and you like to enjoy a little of everything then Nerja old town is perfect for you.
If you’d like a place that’s filled with architectural wonders, calm, quiet, and great for hiking, then you must visit Frigiliana. But if you’d like somewhere more upscale and luxurious, then there’s Punta Lara.
So you don’t have to bother too much about where to stay in Nerja, Spain as it is all pretty close. Besides, it is awesome to use the town as a base for day trips from Nerja to surrounding towns, cities, and natural sites.
Happy travels!