Discussion
Nerja isn't as nice as it used to be. Not up to date in terms of restaurants etc as I've stopped going there, but it is worth hiring a car and going to Granada - the Alhambra is superb and a day in itself - be aware though that you need to buy timed tickets so buy in advance online if you do plan to go. Also worth heading into the mountains towards two villages called Bubion and Capileira - also Trevellez. Well worth a visit with some great walking on the mountain above Capileira especially. The south faces the Med - the north side comprise the ski ranges that drop down to Granada.
The type of people visiting has changed. It's effectively a bit more downmarket so that means many of the restaurants etc have dropped their standards as they don't have to try so hard any more. Had some poor meals and service last time I was there, more litter, just generally didn't feel as nice as it did 10-15 years ago when I first started going. Shame as it used to be really nice.
I used to live near Nerja, and I have to agree that things have changed in the last few years, although I think a lot of it is due to the financial situation in Spain at the moment, shops closing etc. If you have never been there before though I can't see you would be disappointed at all. Hire a car and there are some beautiful places to go, take the coast road, the N340, (not the motorway) towards Malaga to the west, or Almunecar to the east and you will go through some great little towns and the scenery is stunning. If you travel inland from Torre del Mar on the A356 you will go up into the mountains past lake Vinuela which is also a beautiful area.
I don't know what your budget is but the hotels in Nerja itself are pretty good, the Monica and Hotel Balcon de Europe are nice but quite expensive, cheaper but still ok is the Nerja Club or Villa Flamenca, although these are on the edge of town. The area around the Balcon has the most bars and restaurants, and the atmosphere down there in the evening is very relaxed. The beaches are pretty nice, Burrianna being a good one with beach bars and restaurants a plenty.
My favourite places along the coast are Torrox, la Herradura, Almunecar, Torre del Mar, Friglianna, and don't forget Malaga itself, lots to see and do, and very busy.
Hope this helps.
I don't know what your budget is but the hotels in Nerja itself are pretty good, the Monica and Hotel Balcon de Europe are nice but quite expensive, cheaper but still ok is the Nerja Club or Villa Flamenca, although these are on the edge of town. The area around the Balcon has the most bars and restaurants, and the atmosphere down there in the evening is very relaxed. The beaches are pretty nice, Burrianna being a good one with beach bars and restaurants a plenty.
My favourite places along the coast are Torrox, la Herradura, Almunecar, Torre del Mar, Friglianna, and don't forget Malaga itself, lots to see and do, and very busy.
Hope this helps.
Cheers Bluey. Good tips there. I've contacted the Monica and booked in direct. It seemed better placed for walking into town for a dawdle. I looked at the Arcos and Flemenco but were a bit out.
I agree with the comments about the current financial situation. It is all over the EU. I never go AI so I can at least spend my cash on the locals. AI is fine for a hotel in the middle of nowhere for chilling out, but when you have loads of places to eat and drink on your doorstep it is just mad. I also get mad at people that go AI and them moan about how many places were shut or empty.
I agree with the comments about the current financial situation. It is all over the EU. I never go AI so I can at least spend my cash on the locals. AI is fine for a hotel in the middle of nowhere for chilling out, but when you have loads of places to eat and drink on your doorstep it is just mad. I also get mad at people that go AI and them moan about how many places were shut or empty.
Interesting - I always felt that the Monica was in the more 'beer and football' end of the town.
We always stayed up in the area around the Parador. Easy access into the town and the Balcon and the restaurants were much more local. The second was access to Burriana which has some great beach bars - Ayos in particular is very much a locals place and while you can get seated easily at the others there's always a queue at Ayos. Behind the beach bars are more restaurants - some OK and some excellent.
Back for seconds of Ayos legendary paella:
Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor
The caves are good for a visit and dependent on the time of year the festival at Frigliana is entertaining. If you've got kids the water park at Almunecar is fun.
We always stayed up in the area around the Parador. Easy access into the town and the Balcon and the restaurants were much more local. The second was access to Burriana which has some great beach bars - Ayos in particular is very much a locals place and while you can get seated easily at the others there's always a queue at Ayos. Behind the beach bars are more restaurants - some OK and some excellent.
Back for seconds of Ayos legendary paella:
Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor
The caves are good for a visit and dependent on the time of year the festival at Frigliana is entertaining. If you've got kids the water park at Almunecar is fun.
Ayos for paella on the beach on a Sunday afternoon is nice, if you can park, otherwise don't expect too much down there.
The restaurant at the caves is nice for lunch but is rarely busy and can lack atmosphere, but the food and service is good.
Hotel carabao is very nice, as is their restaurant "34". Scarlettas and pinocchios are ok if they are still there. Theres a good tapas bar on a corner near tutti fruitti plaza, but I can't remember the name. Hotel balcon is nice for a coffee and brandy but is pricey, I'd steer clear of eating too near the balcon, have had a few indifferent experiences.
I have been going on and off for 25 years, it's still lovely, but as others have said different to how it was, I still rate it and will be going in October. Enjoy your trip and if you find somewhere worth recommending post I up please!
The restaurant at the caves is nice for lunch but is rarely busy and can lack atmosphere, but the food and service is good.
Hotel carabao is very nice, as is their restaurant "34". Scarlettas and pinocchios are ok if they are still there. Theres a good tapas bar on a corner near tutti fruitti plaza, but I can't remember the name. Hotel balcon is nice for a coffee and brandy but is pricey, I'd steer clear of eating too near the balcon, have had a few indifferent experiences.
I have been going on and off for 25 years, it's still lovely, but as others have said different to how it was, I still rate it and will be going in October. Enjoy your trip and if you find somewhere worth recommending post I up please!
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