How to Get to Nerja from Granada

Located on the eastern Costa del Sol, Nerja is a town that captivates visitors with its characteristic fine sandy beaches. Thanks to its privileged climate, it is one of the most popular destinations for tourists, especially those looking to relax and enjoy the countless activities this coastal town has to offer.

From El Balcón de Europa, you can enjoy some of the best views of the Costa del Sol, with the cliffs and beaches of Nerja bathed in sunshine. Its proximity to the city of the Alhambra, just 93 kilometres away, makes this town one of the best excursions to complete your list of things to see and do in Granada.

An organised excursion is always an excellent option when planning a trip to any city. There is a wide range of excursions from Granada, as well as many ways to enjoy Nerja.

Booking an excursion has many advantages. For example, you won't have to worry about coordinating the schedules of different modes of transport, but can simply enjoy yourself, as everything is planned and arranged in advance by the organiser.

In addition, you will always be accompanied by an expert guide who will give you all the information you need to make the most of your visit to the city and ensure you don't miss a thing.

The day trip to the Costa Tropical and the famous caves of Nerja from Granada is a great option if you don't have much time in your overall itinerary and want to treat yourself to a visit to Nerja, its beautiful beaches, its port and, of course, its picturesque caves.

Nerja is a place like no other, with its blend of history and leisure, making it an excellent destination for a family visit. In the middle of the last century, the first paintings made by man were discovered in its famous caves.

Since then, guided tours have been organised to visit this important "time capsule". You can feel that you are breathing the same air as those early humans thousands of years ago, making it a truly fascinating adventure.

• Price: Excursions departing from Granada are available from 69 euros
• Duration of the tour: approximately 8 hours (full day)
• Advantages: You will be able to learn much more about the area in detail
• Disadvantages: Not the most economical option

To get to Nerja by car (either your own or a hire car), you will need to take the GR-30 motorway, which circles the city of Granada to the west.

Then continue on the A-44 motorway (the Sierra Nevada-Costa Tropical motorway) and the A-7 (the Mediterranean motorway), until you finally take the N-340 road to Almería, heading towards the city of Nerja.

The total journey is about 93 kilometres, almost all of which is on motorway, making the trip extremely easy, quick and safe. The total journey time is approximately one hour, as the roads are in very good condition and the route can be completed without any problems.

Of all the options, this is one of the most practical and convenient, as you can set your own departure and arrival times without any restrictions. You can also stop as often as you like along the way to enjoy the scenery.

Remember that a large part of this route runs along the stunning Sierra Nevada, so you will be surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. And if you are left wanting more, be sure to visit Sierra Nevada from Granada, it is an experience you will not regret.

For all these reasons, having a car during your visit is the option that gives you the most freedom. You can also reach the most remote beaches of Nerja, the less central ones, such as La Caleta de Maro, Las Alberquillas beach or the beautiful Cala del Pino, with its crystal-clear waters, ideal for diving and snorkelling.

• Price: You can hire a car from €60 or €70 per day.
• Duration of the trip: 1 hour
• Advantages: You can take your time and stop as often as you like to enjoy the scenery.
• Disadvantages: the visit is on your own, so you will have to find out about Nerja for yourself.

How to travel from Granada to Nerja by car share - An increasingly popular option among young people

If you want to enjoy the scenery and the comfort of travelling by car but are on a tight budget, you can choose to travel between Granada and Nerja by car sharing. This is a great option for saving a few euros and meeting new people.

Car sharing has become a very popular option, especially among young people. If you're up for it, this can be a great alternative for travelling between Granada and the city of Nerja.

• Price: The service costs between £7 and £10.
• Duration of the journey: approximately 1 hour
• Advantages: you meet other people and get to your destination very quickly
• Disadvantages: you may feel uneasy about getting into a stranger's car

Travelling from Granada to Nerja by taxi is an excellent way to make the entire journey in just 1 hour, enjoy the trip, and travel comfortably and safely. You can also decide and manage your departure and return times as you please, without having to accommodate other people's schedules.

Although a trip like this can be had for as little as £110 (one way) if you go direct, the good thing about travelling by taxi is that you can choose the route yourself and make as many detours as you like to visit the towns along the way.

To return to Granada, you will need to hire another taxi, bringing the total cost to €220. This is not so expensive when you consider that up to four people can travel in an average-sized taxi.

This is a very good option, full of possibilities, for organising a trip tailored to your needs. If you are just passing through Granada, you can book your taxi journey from Granada airport to Nerja directly, so you won't waste a single second.

• Price: The service costs around £220 return
• Journey time: approximately 1 hour
• Advantages: You arrive at your destination quickly and do not have to deal with other passengers
• Disadvantages: it is not a very economical option

If you are looking for a practical and economical option to get to Nerja from Granada, the bus is undoubtedly the way to go. Tickets cost between €10 and €15 (one way), which is much less than a taxi or a hire car.

There are a total of seven bus departures from Granada to Nerja per day, with the first at 7 a.m. and the last at 7 p.m. Depending on the route taken by the bus and the number of stops it makes, the journey can take between two and three hours.

Although it takes much longer than going by car, this option gives you the peace of mind of not having to drive, so you can simply sit back and enjoy the journey, read a book or do whatever you like.

The buses have Wi-Fi and air conditioning on board, so you can enjoy greater comfort during the journey.

Always remember to check the timetables and routes of the buses from Granada to Nerja to avoid any confusion or to find out about any last-minute changes to the itinerary (which are not common, but can happen).

As you can see, travelling by bus is definitely the most economical option for visiting Nerja from the city of Granada, and therefore one of the most popular choices. So, if you decide to take the bus, make your reservation in advance.

Keep in mind that the journey takes between 2 and 3 hours each way, which means you would be missing out on a good 4 to 6 hours of enjoying Nerja.

• Price: The service costs between £18 and £24 (return trip).
• Duration of the journey: Between 2 and 3 hours
• Advantages: You can relax and enjoy the ride
• Disadvantages: It takes much longer than a taxi or hire car

Here are some tips to keep in mind for this trip.

• Do some research on the different attractions Nerja has to offer, the essential details, its best beaches, its history. There is nothing worse than leaving a place without getting to know it properly, or missing out on treasures because you didn't do your research beforehand.
• If you're not in a hurry to return the same day, I recommend finding out about the best places to stay in Nerja. Spending the night in this picturesque town can be a great plan.
• Although it's a short journey, don't forget to bring some snacks and drinks for the road.
• Travel in comfortable clothing: Whether you choose to travel by car, bus or taxi, always choose comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the outside temperature.
• Use sunscreen. Keep in mind that a trip of one or more hours under the sun can cause uncomfortable sunburns that will prevent you from enjoying your time in Nerja.

Once you arrive, I recommend booking a table at La Fuente da Paolo, one of the best restaurants in Nerja.