While many visit Nerja for its sunny beaches, this Andalusian town and its surrounding area offer so much more to the eco-conscious traveller. Surrounded by dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and majestic mountains, Nerja is a playground for nature lovers. Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, or exploring caves, there’s an adventure waiting for you here.
- Snorkelling in Nerja’s Crystal-Clear Waters
- Kayaking Beneath the Cliffs of Cerro Gordo
- Discovering the Cueva de Nerja (Nerja Caves)
- Hiking in the Sierra Almijara
- Popular Hikes for Nature Enthusiasts
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
Snorkelling in Nerja’s Crystal-Clear Waters
The coastline around Nerja is full of snorkelling opportunities, especially for beginners and casual explorers. One of the best places to snorkel in Nerja is Playa de Maro, known for its clear waters and abundant marine life. Here, you can spot starfish, sea bream, wrasse, and even the occasional octopus.
For a more secluded experience, head to the rocky coves between Burriana Beach and Maro. The underwater landscape includes rock formations and patches of Posidonia oceanica (seagrass), which provide a vital habitat for sea life.
Handy Hint: Choose an eco-friendly snorkelling tour that supports marine conservation and avoids damaging the fragile underwater environment.
Kayaking Beneath the Cliffs of Cerro Gordo
For a thrilling sea adventure, rent a kayak or join a guided tour from Burriana Beach. Paddle along the dramatic Cerro Gordo cliffs, where the turquoise waters meet steep limestone formations. You’ll explore sea caves, natural arches, and remote beaches only accessible by water.
These guided kayaking tours often include stops for swimming and snorkelling in quiet, untouched spots – ideal for those seeking a peaceful escape.
Handy Hint: Evening tours let you witness the golden light of sunset reflecting off the cliffs – a truly magical experience.
Discovering the Cueva de Nerja (Nerja Caves)
No nature-focused trip to Nerja is complete without visiting the Cueva de Nerja, one of Spain’s most fascinating cave systems. Just a short drive from the town centre, the caves stretch nearly 5 km into the hillside and feature towering stalactites and stalagmites.
Inside, you’ll also find ancient cave paintings, some of which are thought to be over 40,000 years old. The caves offer a rare blend of natural beauty and prehistoric wonder.
Handy Hint: Adventurers can book a specialist tour that ventures beyond the main chambers into lesser-known parts of the cave network.
Hiking in the Sierra Almijara
Just inland from Nerja, the Sierra Almijara mountains rise above the coast, offering some of the most rewarding hiking trails in southern Spain. This area forms part of the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, a protected landscape of pine forests, rugged limestone peaks, and deep ravines.
Popular Hikes for Nature Enthusiasts
El Cielo Peak Hike: The highest visible peak from Nerja. A moderately challenging trail with panoramic views over the sea and mountains.
Rio Chillar Walk: A fun and unique hike through a riverbed canyon, ideal in summer. Expect shallow wading, waterfalls, and wildlife encounters.
Handy Hint: Download the Wikiloc app or a GPX trail map in advance – the mobile signal can be patchy in the sierras, and some paths are unmarked or washed out after winter rains. For longer hikes like El Cielo, a GPS-enabled offline map is invaluable for staying on course and avoiding goat tracks that lead nowhere.
Birdwatching and Biodiversity in Nerja
Thanks to its variety of habitats – coastal cliffs, river valleys, farmland, and forest – Nerja is a hotspot for birdwatching. You might spot:
- Kestrels
- Bee-eaters
- Hoopoes
- Bonelli’s eagles
Visit during spring or autumn to witness the spectacular bird migrations between Europe and Africa. Local naturalist groups occasionally offer guided wildlife walks, perfect for travellers looking to deepen their understanding of Nerja’s unique ecosystem.
Responsible Nature Travel in Nerja
As a destination rich in biodiversity, Nerja depends on thoughtful tourism to keep its natural beauty intact. Here are a few ways to travel responsibly:
- Stick to marked trails while hiking to prevent erosion and protect native plants.
- Don’t touch marine life or remove shells when snorkelling.
- Choose local eco-certified tour operators.
- Always carry out any rubbish and avoid single-use plastics.
Discover Nerja’s Wild Side
If you’re looking for more than just sun and sand, Nerja offers nature lovers a different kind of Andalusian adventure. From the depths of its prehistoric caves to the heights of its mountain trails, the region is a treasure trove of outdoor experiences.
Whether you’re kayaking beneath sea cliffs, hiking through pine-scented hills, or simply watching a hoopoe dart through the olive groves, you’ll discover a deeper, wilder side of Nerja – one that invites you to slow down, explore, and connect with the natural world.
Ready to explore Nerja’s natural wonders? Grab your gear and step off the beaten path. The sea, caves, and sierras await.
Where to Stay
Hotel Riu Monica – Adults Only: If you’re heading to Nerja to soak up nature then this hotel, with its sustainability certification, might well be the one for you. Located on the beach front, guests can literally step out onto the sand and enjoy stunning views from their private balconies. Amenities include an on-site restaurant with a Spanish culinary theme and live entertainment, a fitness centre, and an outdoor swimming pool. Scuba diving and cycling excursions can be provided by the hotel.
Villa with private pool: For those who prefer to self-cater but want something extra special, a private Nerja villa with its own outdoor pool is just the ticket. Recently renovated with a stylish Mediterranean twist, this 3-bedroom property offers breathtaking views of the mountains, sea and garden. Barbecue facilities are provided along with an outdoor dining area. Local beaches include Burriana, Playa Carabeillo and Caleta Beach.
Toboso Apar – Turis: An apartment complex located on the Nerja beachfront affording guests independence with fantastic on-site facilities. The complex includes an indoor, heated pool along with a sauna and gym. Of course, there’s also an outdoor pool and various dining opportunities. The central location makes these apartments the perfect base for exploring the natural surrounds. Return to your accommodation each evening to experience the urban chic as an elegant contrast. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen and sitting room.
How to Get There
There are many ways to reach Nerja, but whichever one you choose, start by making sure that you have arranged your Nerja transfer with Shuttle Direct. We will make sure that your holiday truly starts from the moment your aircraft touches down in Malaga Airport.
For travellers who come from the UK, there are multiple carriers who operate this popular and speedy route. Direct flights are available with easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2, Qatar Airways, Iberia, Vueling Airlines and American Airlines. With more than 1,700 flights per week, you can expect competitive ticket prices and a wide range of scheduling options.
Overview
UK to AGP flight time: approx 3 hours
AGP to Nerja distance: 73 kilometres
Shuttle Direct transfer time: approx 50 mins
Types of Transfer
When booking your Malaga Airport transfer, you’ll find that Shuttle Direct provides a range of services that all guarantee a prompt and reliable onward travel experience.
Taxi: Airport taxis from AGP to Nerja can be booked in advance to eliminate the strain of standing in a long queue and negotiating prices. One of our friendly drivers will be waiting for you outside the terminal.
Private Transfer: We also have a fleet of highly recommended private vehicles that can be booked in advance for a Nerja transfer in style. Our clean and modern vehicles are the pride of their helpful drivers, who will greet you in Arrivals and escort you to the door of your accommodation.
Shuttle Bus: One of our most popular airport transfer services is the shuttle bus route that we operate from Malaga Airport to Nerja. You can reserve your seat before you leave the UK. Reasonably priced, efficient and reliable, this is a widely recommended Nerja transfer option.
Minibus Transfer: Many of the Andalusian destinations are attractive for group holidays, either with friends or extended families. If you’d like to stay together as a group, you can book a minibus transfer from AGP to Nerja.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Organising a trip can be a headache, and we understand that our range of airport transfer options might be bewildering. How can you determine which is best for you? Basically, the choice comes down to cost and convenience.
Cost: All our Malaga transfers offer value for money, but if you want to keep costs down without sacrificing prompt and professional service, then our shuttle bus is the ideal choice for your Nerja transfer.
Convenience: Many travellers want to maximise the efficiency of their airport transfer and will pay a little more for a bespoke service. A private vehicle or airport taxi provides a door-to-door service at a time of your choosing.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is a market leader in global airport transfer services. We know the Malaga Airport to Nerja route like the back of our hand, and you can be assured that you are getting an efficient service, staffed by helpful and professional drivers.
