Can you tell me about Malaga or Nerja for a short break?

[JacknDiane]

Want to go for a long weekend, 4 night break. Haven't been to either place. Love sea swimming and secluded coves. Hardly drink and eat very simply. Don't need nightlife. Don't drive. Just a nice relaxing break with things to do. Love old towns or villages and having a coffee and people watching.
Pretty limited budget.
Any advice would be lovely.

There's a park near the port in Málaga and some of the buildings round there are stunning. There are great little bars you can get great food in and there's plenty of history, shopping and beaches.

The times I have been Nerja seems to be at least 50% English people.

can’t speak for Malaga.

My friend lives there - always looks lovely - I think this would suit you OP -

We went on a family holiday to Nerja, but stayed outside in a village as it was quite busy in the town itself. It had a nice chilled atmosphere and lots of bars/restaurants. We did a lot of exploring, and there are some lovely quieter little towns along the coast.

Hire a car and go to Nerja. Drive east to lovely wild beaches.

Nerja can be split into 3 main parts. The centre, around the Balcon de Europe, is fairly flat. Lovely views from the balcon, and lots of narrow streets with bars, restaurants and tourist shops. All the beaches are at the bottom of low cliffs, so no promenade as you get at many Spanish resorts. There are lots if restaurants away from the centre, check on TripAdvisor.. One thing we missed on our first visit, a lot of the bars in the centre, have roof terraces, but some are tricky to find, having to go up narrow stairs at the back. To the Malaga side of the centre, is the main town centre shops, as opposed to tourist shops, and a beach by Riu Monica hotel. A good beach bar here. On the opposite side of the Balcon you have a few narrow roads, some good view points and then a path down to Burriana Beach. This is more commercial, fairly big, sunbeds etc. Some good bars and restaurants, including a long established place called Ayo's where at lunch time they cook Paella over an open fire. It is usually heaving, but quick service and a buzzing atmosphere. Days out? Frigiliana is a couple of Euros on the bus. A lovely Andalucian white village, steep roads, great views. Well worth a visit. It is also not too difficult to visit Granada and the Alhambra. We like both Nerja and Malaga. In Malaga, the old city centre is lovely, visit the cathedral, the Alcazar the Picasso museum and the old market. Lots of traditional tapas bars.

I really like Nerja it’s not a big city but lovely for a short break. I prefer it to Malaga. We stayed at an apartment on the beach it was lovely.

You can get a bus from Malaga to Nerja, takes about an hour or so

Train runs from the airport to the city centre. Only a few stops and runs every 15 mins or so. Dont worry about not speaking Spanish. Google translate is good, and you will get by.

Ohhh we have a place in Nerja and will be out end of August, beginning of September. There is a bus from Malaga airport to Nerja and it's very cheap. The Balcon is lovely for people watching. El Puente is my favourite restaurant. It offers good food and is reasonably priced. It is very popular with locals and tourists alike. If you need a break from the heat I highly recommend a tour of the caves (Fundación Cueva de Nerja). I think you'll have a lovely time there. 😊

Malaga is great for a long weekend. However we found the sea dirty. There were cruise ships docked nearby and the sea had a layer of oil/scum on top which put us off going in. Further down the coast would be better for swimming in my opinion.

I spent a month there a couple of years ago. Absolute gem of a place.

Malaga is great. If your skint you can mooch around town and go sea swimming. However shoppping is good. Id go self catering and shop at mercadona on my first day. Eat out at night g8 atmosphere.

I love El Puente, our favourite restaurant at that side of the coast. The waiter there was a young man when we first went and now is middle aged. 😀We lived on Costa del Sol for over 20 years and would go back in a heartbeat.
If I was going for a long week-end I would definitely choose Malaga though, more interesting things to fill in your time.
As far a speaking Spanish in concerned I wouldn't worry about it, lots of younger people speak better English than some Brits.

Haha that's funny because I've been going to Nerja for 30 years! So I think I know which waiter you mean as he's been there as long as I've been going! The last time I was there, I went with my children and parents. My mother hasn't seen him in over ten years and as soon as he saw her he came up to her and hugged her! Great place. Great guy!

Are you joking about everything being in Spanish ? In Spain ? Please say you are because I cannot believe I have read this .