Carabeo Beach
A 120-metre cove below Calle Carabeo, 4 minutes from the Balcón de Europa: reached by a stairway, with a lifeguard, showers, toilet and kiosk in summer.
Carabeo Beach (Playa Carabeo) is a cove of about 120 metres right in the centre of Nerja, at the foot of the cliffs below Calle Carabeo, some 300 metres (a 4-minute walk) from the Balcón de Europa. You reach it down a long stairway from halfway along the street, and once you are down among the rocks, palm trees and white houses perched on the cliff, it is hard to believe the town centre is just above you.
Getting down to the beach
A long stairway leads down from Calle Carabeo to a small terrace with benches and palm trees above the beach, and from there to the sand. There are quite a few steps (you will feel them on the way back), but the path is easy. It is not accessible for wheelchairs or practical with a pushchair.
Facilities
In season there is a lifeguard, showers, foot taps and a free toilet, and at the bottom of the steps a kiosk sells drinks, coffee and ice cream, as well as parasols. There are no sunloungers for hire. For lunch, the bars and restaurants on Calle Carabeo and around the Balcón de Europa are a few minutes away. Dogs are not allowed.
What it is like
The shore is fine gravel and small pebbles, and once you are in the water the bottom turns to sand. It is sheltered between two rocky points and the water is usually very clear: the rocks at either end have small caves and lots of fish, so it is good for snorkelling. Some days the waves are stronger here than at the neighbouring beaches. In the afternoon the cliff puts it in shade earlier than other beaches, and in July and August it fills up: go in the morning.
To the east, past the Mirador del Bendito, is Carabeillo Beach, joined to Burriana; to the west, the coves of El Chorrillo and, below the Balcón, Calahonda. The old Carabineros path that linked these coves along the foot of the cliffs has been closed since 2003 because of rockfalls. Compare them in our guide to Nerja's beaches.
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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 Carabeo 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 (0.6 km), Playa El Playazo (2 km), Playa de Maro (3.3 km)
View
Paddleboarding (SUP)
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.6 km), Playa El Playazo (2 km), Playa de Maro (3.3 km)
View
Snorkelling
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.6 km)
View
Jet skis
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.6 km)
View
Parasailing
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.6 km)
View
Boat trips
Nearest: Playa de Burriana (0.6 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
The nearest is the Carabeo car park, open-air and right above the beach (about 250 metres, 3 minutes). It is paid: about €1.80 an hour, up to about €20 a day, open 24 hours, and it usually has space even in summer. It is the car park for this beach: from there, walk along Calle Carabeo to the stairway. If it is full, there is the underground car park at Plaza de España, below the Balcón de Europa, a little further away (about 400 metres, 5 minutes).
How to get to Carabeo Beach
By bus: the town bus stops in the centre are a few minutes' walk away.
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 173 most recent Google reviews (August 2017 – August 2026). These are visitors' opinions, analysed by EsNerja.
According to 173 recent reviews on Google (173): most mentioned: crystal-clear, clean water · beautiful rocky cliff setting · peaceful and charming atmosphere · good facilities and lifeguard.
Months with the best average rating
March, May, June
Based on review dates; not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
In the centre of Nerja, below Calle Carabeo, about 300 metres (a 4-minute walk) from the Balcón de Europa. It lies between the coves of El Chorrillo and Carabeillo.
By a stairway from halfway along Calle Carabeo, next to a small viewpoint with the beach sign. There are quite a few steps; there is no wheelchair access.
At the Carabeo car park, just above the beach, about a 3-minute walk away. It is paid (about €1.80 an hour and €20 a day), open 24 hours and usually has space even in summer. A little further away, about 5 minutes, is the Plaza de España car park.
In season, a lifeguard, showers, foot taps, a free toilet and a kiosk at the bottom of the steps selling drinks, coffee, ice cream and parasols. There are no sunloungers for hire.
Yes, during the bathing season, June to September. Outside those months there is no lifeguard.
Fine gravel and small pebbles at the water's edge; once in the water, the bottom is sand. Many people swim without water shoes, but they help when there are waves.
Yes: the water is usually clear and the rocks at either end have small caves and lots of fish. If you enjoy it, try Carabeillo Beach next door too.
In July and August, yes, especially in the afternoon: it is small (about 120 metres). Early in the morning and out of season it is very quiet.
No. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, except assistance dogs.
When the sea is calm some people scramble over the rocks towards El Chorrillo, but there is no path and it is not safe. The old Carabineros path along the foot of the cliffs has been closed since 2003 because of rockfalls. The sensible way is to go up to Calle Carabeo and down the steps of whichever beach you want.
What's nearby
El Chorrillo Beach
Carabeillo Beach
Showers · No pets · Litter bins · Parking
Calahonda Beach
Toilets · Showers · No pets · Litter bins
La Caletilla Beach
No pets · No traffic · Parking · No camping
El Salón Beach
Toilets · Showers · Kiosk · No pets
Burriana Beach
Wheelchair access · Kayak hire · Toilets · Showers
Keep exploring
Carabeo Beach
Nerja BeachesWhat visitors say
46 mentions in reviews