One Day in Nerja: The Best Paella and Amazing Beach Playa de Maro

Last Sunday we went to Nerja – a town which is located on the east of the Costa del Sol and looks more like a typical Spanish village than a modern resort. This is a real wild corner of nature, captivating with spectacular beaches and splendor of caves. The beaches are quite typical for Mediterranean resorts, but the so-called “zest” is brought in by the huge cliffs and rocks that cut into the coast and give it a special flavor.

The first settlements on this territory appeared in the prehistoric era, which was evidenced by the rock paintings found in the caves. The first drawings were found quite by accident, they were reported by local boys in 1959. Since then, thousands of tourists have come from all over the world to see them. Most of the excursion routes are also associated with outlandish caves, some of them have been converted into the Archaeological Museum and keep collections of valuable finds.

Since there are more and more visitors every year, this requires the expansion of tourist complexes. But the city still lacks high buildings, instead you will see typical two or three-storey houses. An observation deck called the Balcony of Europe, built on one of the rocks near the coast, has become a favorite place for walking. There is a large glass-walled restaurant nearby, which also offers great views. In the city you can find a huge number of open-style bars and restaurants, most of which are located on the cliffs towering over the sea. In general, the city can be described as calm and quiet, there are no noisy discos and nightclubs, but there is a huge selection of tourist routes that will certainly appeal to fans of outdoor activities and sports.

The most interesting historical building is the Aguila aqueduct, also known to many travellers under the unofficial name of the Eagle Bridge. The exact date of its construction is unknown; the beautiful bridge runs over a deep gorge and has about 40 arches. Surrounded by hills covered with vegetation, the bridge looks just mesmerizing. Usually tourists visit it as part of a sightseeing tour on the way to the famous caves.

Where to eat

Being in Nerja don’t forget to visit their famous chiringito (restaurant on the beach) called Ayo – there you will find one of the most delicious paellas in Spain which you can eat as much as you want for 1 portion. Several years ago, their chef, which has been working in this restaurant since 1969, even won the prize for the best paella in Spain. You can also see how traditional paella is cooked. The wine and tapas are also delicious. The only downside is that you probably need to wait a long line in order to get in. 

The best beaches

Playa de Maro, also known as La Cala de Maro, is one of the best beaches in Spain, located in the municipality of Nerja. It is a small beach with crystal clear waters and an unrivaled atmosphere that make it one of the favorite, although little known, on the east coast of the Costa del Sol.

Fishing is not allowed in this area, a restriction that has existed for many years has led to an explosion in the diversity of marine life. The amount of fish that can be seen here never stops to amaze. Add to that the crystal clear waters and we have one of the best snorkeling and diving areas in Andalusia.

Several rivers end right here, forming impressive waterfalls, as does the Guaro River. The largest waterfalls are the Virgo Falls and the Grande de Maro Falls. A kayak trip next to such an impressive waterfall is a great idea for your time on Maro Beach. The route from Burriana to Maro is especially beautiful and does not require professional skills to pass.