Attractions Near Nerja

If you want more from your holiday than sitting on the beach or by the pool, there are lots of places to visit in the Málaga area to interest the whole family. Below is a selection of the attractions available in the area, in order of approximate distance from Nerja, starting with the closest.

El Aguila Aqueduct

viaduct-nerjaA beautiful piece of 19th century engineering work, this aqueduct was built to transport water from a spring in Maro to the San Joaquín de Maro sugar factory. It can easily be seen from the N-340 from Nerja to Maro, before arriving at the motorway, close to the Nerja caves.

There is a layby to park in just after the bridge and you can safely view it and take photos from the bridge itself.

Nerja Caves (Cueva De Nerja)

attraction-nerja-caveThese caves are some of the best in Europe and are the third most visited attraction in the whole of Spain – and they are only a few kilometres from the centre of Nerja. Take the main road (N340) towards Maro and the caves are signposted from there. The caves were discovered in 1959 by some boys chasing bats who discovered the entrance to a huge system of limestone caverns. The caves are protected and have been well preserved with many parts still closed to the public, including areas with prehistoric paintings of animals and human figures. It is estimated that the caves were inhabited between 20,000 BC and 1,800 BC.

During the last two weeks of July, there is a festival of music and dance held inside the caves.

Open all year except January 1st and May 15th. Please check their website for opening hours and times of guided visits.

The entrance fee is 15€ for adults (13+) and 13€ for children aged 6-12 (under 6s go free). Tickets can be bought online in advance or on arrival. Allow around 45 minutes for the visit.

You can also buy a ticket that includes return transport by the Nerja tourist train, leaving from the centre of Nerja and taking you right to the caves. Further information on times and prices can be found on the website.

Aquavelis

Not the largest water park on the Costa del Sol, but the nearest to Nerja (only a 20 minute drive along the motorway). Open in the summer only, opening times vary. There is a discount on the daily price if you arrive mid-afternoon. More information at www.aquavelis.es/en

Aqualand

This one claims to be the biggest water park on the Costa del Sol. Located in Torremolinos, it has a wide selection of slides, rapids etc, as well as an area for younger children to enjoy. Open in the summer only, more information at www.aqualand.es/torremolinos/en

Crocodile Park

Located in Torremolinos, you can buy a combined ticket to Aqualand and Crocodile Park. In Crocodile Park you will find yourself in front of prehistoric monsters which have miraculously survived 200 million years of evolution. You can observe giant crocodiles of different species only 2 metres away from you. Open all year, times vary. More information at www.cocodrilospark.com/en

Selwo Marina

A unique marine park set in the heart of the Costa del Sol. Located in Benalmádena, Selwo Marina boasts the only Dolphinarium and Penguinarium on ice in Andalucia. More information www.selwomarina.es/en

Sea-Life Aquarium

Located in Benalmádena, this large aquarium complete with Pirate mini-golf has sharks, rays and the Amazon!

Open daily from 10am. More information at www.visitsealife.com/benalmadena/en/

Teleférico

attraction-of-nerja-cable-carLocated in Benalmádena (you’ll see it passing over the motorway!). Get a bird’s eye view of the Costa del Sol with this cable car ride, which as well as the views offers a donkey ride, falconry and horse riding expeditions as well as hiking. It is open most of the year from 10am.

More information on www.telefericobenalmadena.com/en

Bioparc Fuengirola

In the centre of Fuengirola. The zoo has been designed to replicate the different habitats of the tropical forests. During the summer season, Fuengirola Zoo is open at night, offering you a unique opportunity to stroll by moonlight through the jungles of Africa and Asia, taking in the startling array of animals which live there. There is also a large children’s play area.

Open every day from 10am, more information on www.bioparcfuengirola.es

Lobo Park (Wolf Park)

Antequera, about 1 ½ hours from Nerja, inland. A unique nature, experience and study park in the heart of Andalucia. Four large enclosures with European wolves, Iberian Wolves and the rare white Alaska – Tundra wolves (polar wolves).

Open every day from 10:00, more information on www.lobopark.com

zoo-nerjaSelwo Aventura

Located in Estepona, this is an adventure park with a difference.

You can enjoy the natural surroundings and also experience a safari both on foot and in a 4X4, visiting the different areas within the park and seeing some of the 2,000 animals from 200 different species that live there in semi-freedom.

There is also the possibility to spend the night in a safari lodge, consisting of African style huts set in the heart of the park.

Opening hours vary by season. More information at www.selwo.es/en

We hope that this guide will help you get the most from your stay in Nerja. We don’t have first-hand experience of all these places, so if you visit any of them, please let us know what you think and whether you recommend them to others.

Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information, The Away Company will not be held responsible for any loss, damage, or inconvenience whatsoever caused as a result of any inaccuracy or error within this website.