Getting Around Nerja: A Practical Transport Guide

Nerja is a small town with big views. The centre is walkable, the beaches are close, and a car opens up the stunning Axarquia coastline beyond.

The short answer: Nerja is wonderfully walkable. The old town, Balcon de Europa, and main beaches are all within easy reach on foot. For the famous caves, Frigiliana, or exploring the Axarquia coast, you'll need a bus, taxi, or rental car.

Nerja has kept its small-town character despite being a popular destination.

Unlike the sprawling resorts further west, everything here is compact and accessible. You can walk from your hotel to the beach in minutes, wander the old town without a map, and reach most restaurants and attractions on foot.

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The Quick Summary

Getting Around Nerja

Walking covers the town centre and beaches
Buses connect Nerja to Malaga, Frigiliana, and the caves
Taxis are available for short trips and caves visits
A rental car is useful for exploring the Axarquia coast
Parking can be tricky in summer; arrive early

Walking: The Best Way to See Nerja

Nerja's compact centre is made for walking. The Balcon de Europa sits at the heart of town, with the old streets, restaurants, and beaches radiating out from this famous viewpoint.

What you need to know:

The town centre is small, about 10-15 minutes across
Most streets are pedestrianised or low-traffic
Beaches are a short walk from the centre
The terrain has some hills, but nothing too challenging
Summer heat makes midday walking uncomfortable

Local tip

The best walking route in Nerja starts at the Balcon de Europa, heads down to Playa Calahonda, then along the coastal path towards Playa Burriana. Stop at one of the chiringuitos for lunch and walk back through the old town.

Walking Distances

From	To	Time	Notes
Balcon de Europa	Playa Burriana	15 min	Coastal path, some steps
Balcon de Europa	Playa Calahonda	5 min	Down steps to beach
Balcon de Europa	Old town centre	2 min	Flat, pedestrianised
Town centre	Bus station	10 min	Slightly uphill
Town centre	Parador hotel	10 min	Along the cliff path

The Beaches

Nerja has several beaches, all walkable from the centre:

Playa Calahonda: Directly below the Balcon de Europa, accessed by steps
Playa Burriana: The main beach, 15 minutes east along the coast
Playa El Salon: Small cove west of the Balcon
Playa Torrecilla: Western beach, 10 minutes from centre

Tip:

Playa Burriana is the most popular beach with the best facilities and chiringuitos. It gets busy in summer, so arrive early for a good spot.

Buses in Nerja

Nerja has a small bus station with connections to Malaga, the caves, Frigiliana, and other coastal towns. ALSA operates most routes.

Key Bus Routes

Destination	Journey Time	Frequency	Approx. Cost
Malaga	1-1.5 hours	Every 30-60 min	€5-6
Malaga Airport	1-1.5 hours	Several daily	€6-8
Frigiliana	15-20 min	Several daily	€1.50
Cueva de Nerja	10 min	Several daily	€1.50
Torrox	15 min	Regular service	€2
Granada	2 hours	Several daily	€12-15

Practical information:

The bus station is on Avenida Pescia, about 10 minutes' walk from the Balcon
Buy tickets at the station or on the bus
Buses to Malaga and the airport run throughout the day
Service is reduced on Sundays and holidays
Check return times before setting off, especially for Frigiliana

Local tip

The bus to Frigiliana is cheap and scenic, but the schedule is limited, especially on weekends. Check return times before you go, or plan to take a taxi back after a leisurely dinner.

Getting to the Cueva de Nerja

The famous caves are about 4km east of Nerja. You have several options:

Bus: About 10 minutes, €1.50, several daily
Taxi: About €10-12 each way
Car: 5 minutes, free parking at the caves
Walk: Possible but not recommended (no proper footpath on the road)

Tip:

If you're visiting the caves without a car, take the bus there and taxi back (or vice versa). Buses don't run frequently, and a taxi for one leg gives you flexibility.

Taxis in Nerja

Taxis are available in Nerja and useful for reaching the caves, Frigiliana, or the airport.

Where to find taxis:

Taxi rank near the Balcon de Europa
Taxi rank at the bus station
Call Radio Taxi Nerja
Ask your hotel to arrange one

Typical fares:

From	To	Approximate Cost
Nerja centre	Cueva de Nerja	€10-12
Nerja centre	Frigiliana	€12-15
Nerja centre	Malaga Airport	€75-95
Nerja centre	Malaga city	€70-85
Nerja centre	Playa Burriana	€5-7

What you need to know:

Fares are metered
Night rates and holiday rates are higher
Most accept card payment, but carry cash
No Uber or Cabify in Nerja
Book ahead for airport transfers

Warning:

Taxis in Nerja can be in high demand during peak season. For airport transfers, book a day in advance to guarantee availability.

Driving and Parking

A rental car is useful if you want to explore the Axarquia coast, visit smaller villages, or take day trips to Granada or the mountains. For staying in Nerja itself, you don't need one.

Driving in Nerja:

The town centre has restricted access
One-way streets can be confusing
Summer traffic is heavy, especially on the main road
The coastal road (N-340) has beautiful views but is winding

Parking in Nerja

Type	Location	Cost
Blue zone street parking	Around centre	€0.50-1/hour
Free parking	Outskirts, residential areas	Free
Underground car park	Near bus station	€10-15/day
Supermarket car parks	Mercadona, etc.	Free while shopping
Playa Burriana	Near the beach	€2-3/hour in summer

Warning:

Parking in Nerja in summer is challenging. Arrive early or park on the outskirts and walk in. The free parking areas fill up quickly.

Renting a Car

Car rental is available in Nerja, but you'll find more options and better rates at Malaga Airport.

Tips for renting:

Book in advance during summer
Consider picking up at the airport on your way in
The coastal roads are scenic but winding
A car makes day trips to the Axarquia villages easy
Parking at your accommodation matters; check before booking

Getting to Nerja

From Malaga Airport

Malaga Airport is about 65km from Nerja, roughly an hour's drive.

Method	Time	Cost	Notes
ALSA bus	1-1.5 hours	€6-8	Direct service, several daily
Private transfer	1 hour	€70-100	Pre-booked, door to door
Taxi	1 hour	€75-95	Available at airport rank
Rental car	1 hour	Varies	N-340 coastal road or A-7 motorway

Local tip

The drive from Malaga Airport to Nerja along the N-340 coastal road is one of the most scenic on the Costa del Sol. If time allows and you have a car, take the slower coast road instead of the motorway.

From Malaga City

Bus: ALSA service, 1-1.5 hours, €5-6
Car: About 50km, 45 minutes to 1 hour
Taxi: €70-85

From Granada

Bus: ALSA service, about 2 hours, €12-15
Car: About 100km, 1.5-2 hours via A-44 and N-340

Day Trips from Nerja

Nerja is well-positioned for exploring the eastern Costa del Sol and the Axarquia region.

Easy by bus:

Frigiliana: 15 minutes, the prettiest white village
Cueva de Nerja: 10 minutes, the famous caves
Malaga: 1-1.5 hours, for museums, shopping, culture

Easier with a car:

Competa and Axarquia villages
Maro and the hidden beaches
Rio Chillar (river walk)
Alhama de Granada
The Alpujarras

Tip:

The Rio Chillar walk starts just outside Nerja and involves wading through a river gorge. It's a summer highlight, but you'll need a car to reach the starting point (no bus service).

Getting to Frigiliana

Frigiliana is the most popular day trip from Nerja, just 6km up the mountain. The white village has been voted Spain's prettiest, and it's an easy half-day trip.

Your options:

Bus: 15-20 minutes, €1.50, several daily (fewer on weekends)
Taxi: €12-15, about 10 minutes
Car: 10 minutes, free parking in the village

Local tip

Take the bus up to Frigiliana in the morning, explore the steep streets, have lunch, and taxi back if the bus schedule doesn't suit. The views on the way up are spectacular.

Accessibility

Nerja's terrain presents some challenges for visitors with mobility issues:

The old town has narrow, sometimes steep streets
Steps lead down to most beaches
The Balcon de Europa itself is flat and accessible
Playa Burriana has an accessible ramp and facilities
Newer areas of town are more accessible
Taxis are the best option for those with mobility concerns

Warning:

The beaches in Nerja are accessed via steps. Playa Burriana has the best accessible facilities, with a ramp and adapted services in summer.

Practical Tips

Before You Arrive

Book airport transfers in advance during peak season
Check Frigiliana bus times before your trip
Download offline maps of Nerja and the coast
Consider a rental car for Axarquia exploration
Bring comfortable shoes for cobbled streets

Best Times to Walk

Morning (before 11am): Cooler, locals shopping, best light for photos
Midday (11am-5pm in summer): Very hot, beach time
Evening (after 6pm): Town comes alive, sunset from Balcon de Europa
Night: Safe and atmospheric, restaurants fill the old streets

Money and Transport

Buses accept cash (have small change ready)
Taxis accept cards but carry some cash for tips
ATMs available in the town centre
Blue zone parking machines take coins and cards

Plan Your Nerja Trip:

The Bottom Line

Nerja is one of those rare places where you genuinely don't need transport for day-to-day life. The town centre, beaches, and restaurants are all walkable, and the slow pace of life here encourages exploration on foot.

For the caves and Frigiliana, the bus works well with a bit of planning. For exploring the wider Axarquia coast, the hidden beaches at Maro, or the mountain villages like Competa, a rental car for a day or two is worthwhile.

The best approach is simple: walk everywhere in Nerja itself, bus to the caves and Frigiliana, and rent a car if you want to venture further into the beautiful coast and mountains that surround this charming town.