Calahonda Beach
The cove below the Balcón de Europa: 120 metres of dark sand with fishing boats, reached through the Boquete de Calahonda. Lifeguard, showers and toilets.
Calahonda Beach (Playa de Calahonda) is the cove right below the Balcón de Europa, on the Burriana side: about 120 metres of dark sand between the cliffs, with fishermen's boats pulled up on the shore, their little white huts and a cave house set into the rock. It is Nerja's best-known postcard view and the most convenient beach if you are in the centre: from the Balcón you are down in a couple of minutes.
Getting down: the Boquete de Calahonda
You go down through the Boquete de Calahonda, a small archway in the Balcón de Europa itself, to the left of the arches as you face the sea and opposite the ice-cream parlours. Through it, a zigzag stone stairway leads to the sand. The same entrance takes you along the path at the foot of the Balcón to La Caletilla, on the other side. There is no wheelchair access.
Facilities
There is a lifeguard during the bathing season, showers and public toilets. In summer you can hire sunloungers and parasols (in July and August it is worth booking), and La Malaka Beach Club is right on the beach for food and drinks. There are no changing rooms. Dogs are not allowed.
What it is like
The sand is dark and coarse, with small pebbles that get very hot at midday, and the bottom soon turns to sand. The rocks on either side give some shade and shelter the water, which is usually calm and clear, although some days there are waves or seaweed. Along the rocks it is good for snorkelling and, when the sea is calm, you can swim to the neighbouring coves. It is small and very popular: in high season it fills up early, afternoons included, so arrive early.
To the west, below the Balcón, is La Caletilla and, beyond it, El Salón; above them, on a viewpoint, the Chanquete statue. To the east come the coves of El Chorrillo, Carabeo and Carabeillo, each with its own way down from Calle Carabeo. Compare them in our guide to Nerja's beaches.
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4 videosCalahonda Beach — video 1
Beach information
Beach fact sheet
Jellyfish today
Today, 31/10/2026, the jellyfish risk is no risk. The water is at 20°C.
No recent sightings recorded at Calahonda Beach.
No swimmer has reported jellyfish here in recent days. In these conditions swimming is usually calm, though it is always wise to stay alert.
If a jellyfish stings you
- Get out of the water and go to the nearest lifeguard post.
- Rinse the area with sea water (never fresh water) and remove any remains without rubbing.
- If there is no lifeguard, call 112 or Nerja Civil Protection.
Weather
Expected crowds
Tides
In the Mediterranean the tide is very small: today the difference between high and low tide is only about 41 cm, so it barely affects swimming.
Slightly larger variation than usual for the Mediterranean. Check the low-tide times for more beach space.
Water sports & activities
This beach has no water-sports service, but you can enjoy them very close by. We show you the nearest beaches where you can book them.
Kayak
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.9 km), Playa El Playazo (1.8 km), Playa de Maro (3.6 km)
View
Paddleboarding (SUP)
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.9 km), Playa El Playazo (1.8 km), Playa de Maro (3.6 km)
View
Snorkelling
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.9 km)
View
Jet skis
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.9 km)
View
Parasailing
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.9 km)
View
Boat trips
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.9 km)
ViewBest time to visit
The swimming season runs from June to October. The best months to enjoy the beach with good weather and fewer people are May, June, September and October.
Where to park
How to get to Calahonda Beach
Through the same archway, following the path at the foot of the Balcón, you reach La Caletilla beach.
Plan your route here: enter your starting point and choose how you want to travel.
Already on your way? Open GPS navigation:
Review profile
Summary of the 993 most recent Google and Tripadvisor reviews (April 2013 – October 2026). These are visitors' opinions, analysed by EsNerja.
According to 993 recent reviews on Google (690) and Tripadvisor (303): most mentioned: very photogenic, below the Balcón de Europa · showers, toilets and beach bars nearby · clear water and pleasant swimming · easy access by steps.
Google vs Tripadvisor
Google 4.5 · Tripadvisor 3.9
Google rates it 0.6 higher than Tripadvisor.
By review language
Spanish 4.4 (446) · English 3.8 (146)
Language hints at who is reviewing (locals and Spanish visitors, or foreign visitors).
Last 12 months
4.6 (84) vs 4.5 (111) the year before
The rating is steady.
Months with the best average rating
February, March, August
Based on review dates; not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
Right below the Balcón de Europa, in the centre of Nerja, on the side facing Burriana. It is the cove with the fishermen's boats and little white huts that you see from the viewpoint.
It is the small archway in the Balcón de Europa that leads down to the beach: to the left of the arches as you face the sea, opposite the ice-cream parlours. Through it, a zigzag stone stairway goes down to the sand. The same entrance leads to La Caletilla.
At the Plaza de España car park (paid), a 4-minute walk away. For free, at the Giner de los Ríos car park, about 5 minutes away, if you arrive early.
A lifeguard in season, showers and public toilets, and sunlounger and parasol hire in summer. La Malaka Beach Club is right on the beach for food and drinks. There are no changing rooms.
Yes, during the bathing season, June to September. Outside those months there is no lifeguard.
Yes, in summer. In July and August it is worth booking, as the beach is small and fills up.
Dark, coarse sand with small pebbles at the water's edge, which get very hot; in the water the bottom is sand. Water shoes help at midday.
Yes, along the rocks at either end, where there are fish. When the sea is calm you can swim to the neighbouring coves; some days seaweed or waves cloud the water.
Yes, it is one of Nerja's most popular beaches and only about 120 metres long. In high season arrive early; on weekdays and outside summer it is much quieter.
No. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, except assistance dogs.
What's nearby
La Caletilla Beach
No pets · No traffic · Parking · No camping
El Chorrillo Beach
El Salón Beach
Toilets · Showers · Kiosk · No pets
Carabeo Beach
Toilets · Showers · Kiosk · No pets
Carabeillo Beach
Showers · No pets · Litter bins · Parking
La Torrecilla Beach
Keep exploring
Calahonda Beach
Nerja BeachesWhat visitors say
176 mentions in reviews