At the foot of the cliffs, almost hidden, Calahonda Beach is one of the secrets Nerja keeps well. With barely 120 metres of mixed sand and access down a flight of steps beside the El Molino beach bar, plenty of visitors walk right over it without knowing it’s there. Those who find it come back.
Getting there
There’s no car park of its own. The practical approach is to leave the car at the Balcón de Europa car park (€1.50/hour) and walk down for about 10 minutes via the cliff steps. The access itself is a staircase next to the El Molino beach bar, at the lower end of the Balcón. By public transport, the Málaga–Nerja coach stops in the town and everything from there is on foot.
Facilities
- ✓ Lifeguard in high season
- ✓ Beach bar
- ✓ Showers
- ✓ Sunbed hire
The secret of the turquoise water
On easterly days, when the wind stirs up the open sea, the water at Calahonda turns an intense turquoise that few Mediterranean beaches can match. The combination of the white cliff behind, the turquoise water and the moored fishing boats produces one of the most recognisable photographs in Nerja. If that’s the image you’re after, this is your beach.
What to do nearby
From here you can walk to the Balcón de Europa, Nerja’s old town and the best fish restaurants in the area within minutes. For organised water activities, Burriana (15 minutes on foot) has kayak and snorkelling operators running daily trips.
Places to stay nearby
Central Nerja, a few minutes’ walk away, has the greatest concentration of apartments and boutique hotels in the area. The best sea views are from the terraces of the apartments around the Balcón.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Calahonda Beach in Nerja hard to reach?
- Access is down steps from the Balcón de Europa. It isn’t suitable for people with reduced mobility, but the walk is short.
- Does it have a Blue Flag?
- No, but the water is clean and there’s a lifeguard in high season.
- Is there parking nearby?
- The nearest car park is the Balcón de Europa one (paid). There’s no parking at the beach itself.
- Does it get crowded in summer?
- Moderately. Being small and somewhat hidden, it never reaches Burriana’s levels.
The verdict
Calahonda is for people who want Nerja without the crowds. Small, authentic and with one of the prettiest views on the Málaga coastline. Walk down the Balcón steps on an easterly day and you’ll understand.
