Cantarriján Nudist Beach
Crystal-clear naturist beach at the end of the Maro cliffs, with two coves and two beach restaurants. In summer you go down by shuttle (€3) or on foot.
Cantarriján nudist beach (Playa nudista de Cantarriján) is the easternmost cove of the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs, at the foot of Cerro Gordo and about 15 km from the centre of Nerja. It is one of the naturist beaches with the longest tradition in Andalusia: about 400 metres of pebbles and very clear water, split by rocks into two coves, with two beach restaurants and no other buildings in sight. In summer you cannot drive down: you go by shuttle bus or on foot.
Getting down: the summer shuttle
From the N-340, a 1.5 km asphalt road leads down to the beach. From mid-June to mid-September a barrier closes it to traffic: you leave the car in the two free car parks at the top, by the barrier (about 160 car spaces, plus motorbikes and bikes), and go down on the Andalusian government's shuttle bus, which in 2026 runs daily from 9 am to 9 pm, every 10-15 minutes, and costs €3 return (there is a weekly pass for €15.75 and a ten-day pass for €22.50). You can also walk down the road: about 20-25 minutes down and over half an hour back up, in the sun. The rest of the year you drive down to the car park by the beach, which fills up early at weekends when the weather is good.
Facilities
In the first cove there are two beach restaurants with sunloungers and parasols for hire (about €8 per person in 2026) and service at your lounger. The best known is La Barraca, serving fish, seafood and paella, which also opens outside the summer. Prices are somewhat higher than in Nerja. There are showers, but no public toilets or lifeguard, and hardly any natural shade: swim with care, especially when there are waves. No regular bus comes here.
What it is like and where the nudist area is
The shore is pebbles and dark gravel, with stones getting into the water: bring water shoes and, rather than a towel, a thick mat or a chair. The water is among the cleanest on this coast and you can see fish from the shore, so it is very good for snorkelling. The first cove, with the beach restaurants and sunloungers, is nudist but these days very mixed: nudists and swimmers in costumes share it. At the left-hand end, facing the sea, a passage between the rocks leads to the second cove, with no beach bar, which is nudist only. Respect the naturist character of the beach and do not take photos of other people. In July and August, especially at weekends, it gets busy.
To the west are El Cañuelo Beach, which also has a summer minibus, and Torre del Pino cove; all the coves in the area are in our guide to Maro beaches.
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Beach information
Beach fact sheet
Weather
Expected crowds
Tides
In the Mediterranean the tide is very small: today the difference between high and low tide is only about 40 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 Maro (5.7 km), Playa de Burriana (8.3 km), Playa El Playazo (10.6 km)
View
Paddleboarding (SUP)
Nearest: Playa de Maro (5.7 km), Playa de Burriana (8.3 km), Playa El Playazo (10.6 km)
View
Snorkelling
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (8.3 km)
View
Jet skis
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (8.3 km)
View
Parasailing
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (8.3 km)
View
Boat trips
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (8.3 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 Cantarriján Nudist Beach
The rest of the year: the road is open and you drive down to the car park by the beach.
By bus: buses between Nerja and La Herradura do not stop here, so the practical options are car or taxi.
By kayak: from La Herradura, where kayak and snorkelling trips along the cliffs stop at Cantarriján.
Plan your route here: enter your starting point and choose how you want to travel.
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Review profile
Summary of the 1,002 most recent Google and Tripadvisor reviews (August 2015 – September 2026). These are visitors' opinions, analysed by EsNerja.
According to 1,002 recent reviews on Google (702) and Tripadvisor (300): most mentioned: crystal-clear water, great for snorkelling · beautiful natural setting · beach bars and sunbeds with service · reachable by kayak.
Google vs Tripadvisor
Google 4.6 · Tripadvisor 4.3
Both platforms agree.
By review language
Spanish 4.5 (591) · English 4.2 (99)
Language hints at who is reviewing (locals and Spanish visitors, or foreign visitors).
Last 12 months
4.7 (92) vs 4.3 (131) the year before
The rating is rising.
Months with the best average rating
February, March, May
Based on review dates; not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
On the N-340 from Nerja towards Almería: after the El Cañuelo roundabout, take the signposted turn-off “Playa nudista de Cantarriján” on the right. In summer you park at the top and go down by shuttle or on foot (1.5 km); the rest of the year you can drive down.
In 2026, €3 return, with a weekly pass for €15.75 and a ten-day pass for €22.50. It runs daily from 9 am to 9 pm, every 10-15 minutes, from mid-June to mid-September.
Not in summer: a barrier closes the road and you go down by shuttle or on foot. The rest of the year you can, to the car park by the beach.
In summer, in the two free car parks at the top, by the barrier (about 160 spaces). Out of season, in the free car park by the beach.
Yes, along the same asphalt road: 1.5 km, about 20-25 minutes down and over half an hour back up, with no shade.
No. In the first cove, with the beach restaurants, nudists and swimmers in costumes share the beach. The second cove, reached through the rocks at the left-hand end facing the sea, is nudist only. Respect the naturist character of the beach.
Two beach restaurants in the first cove, with service at your lounger. The best known is La Barraca, serving fish, seafood and paella, which also opens outside the summer. Prices are somewhat higher than in Nerja.
In 2026, about €8 per person with a parasol. In August and at weekends it is worth arriving early.
No: buses between Nerja and La Herradura do not stop at Cantarriján. You need a car, a taxi or a kayak from La Herradura.
No: according to the official local tourism information, Cantarriján has no lifeguard service. Swim with care, especially when there are waves or if you have children with you.
Pebbles and dark gravel, with stones getting into the water. Bring water shoes and a thick mat or a chair.
Not during the bathing season.
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Cantarriján Nudist Beach
Maro BeachesWhat visitors say
272 mentions in reviews