El Playazo Beach
Nerja's longest beach: 1.7 km between the Chíllar river and Punta Lara, with a Blue Flag, three beach bars, an accessible point and 700+ free parking spaces.
El Playazo is the longest beach in Nerja: 1.7 kilometres of open coast at the western end of the municipality, from the mouth of the Chíllar river, next to El Chucho, to the Torre Macaca cliff at Punta Lara. Behind it there are no buildings, just the farmland of the vega, with vegetable plots and greenhouses, and the mountains beyond: it is the beach in Nerja with the most space and the least crowded, even in August.
Facilities
It has a Blue Flag in 2026, shared with El Chucho, and in season lifeguards, showers, public toilets and sunlounger and parasol hire. It has an accessible point for people with reduced mobility, with a walkway to the water's edge and an adapted toilet, renewed by the town council in July 2026. In summer you can hire kayaks, paddleboards and small boats. For food there are three beach bars on the sand: Las Palmeras Beach Club, by the Chíllar; Chiringuito El Chankete; and Chiringuito Mauri, the best rated (4.5 on Google), with paella, sardine skewers and fried fish at good prices. Dogs are not allowed.
What it is like
It is a straight, open beach about 30 metres wide. The sand is dark and coarse, with lots of rounded pebbles: the Chíllar river brings them down from the mountains, and among them there are even pieces of marble polished by the water. At the water's edge and going into the sea there are stones and it gets deep quickly, so water shoes are almost a must, and a chair or sunlounger helps. In return, the water is usually very clear, with fish close to the shore. Being open, it gets more waves than the coves in the centre. There is no promenade: a track with car parks runs alongside it, and after dark it is practically empty. It has the widest sunset views in Nerja.
To the east, past the Chíllar river, come El Chucho and La Torrecilla, with a promenade all the way to the centre. Compare it with the rest in our guide to Nerja's beaches.
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Beach information
Beach fact sheet
Blue Flag 2026Jellyfish today
Today, 31/10/2026, the jellyfish risk is no risk. The water is at 20°C.
Latest sightings (1)
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
Activities you can do at this beach. Suitability is a rough guide based on today’s sea state: Calm sea (0.2 m), period 3s, wind 9 km/h (gusts 16). Tap any activity to see booking options.
Ideal todayKayak
Paddle around the nearby coves and cliffs.
View
Ideal todayPaddleboarding (SUP)
Stand-up paddleboard, ideal when the sea is calm.
ViewPedalos
Pedal boats for a family outing along the shore.
Best 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 El Playazo car park is the biggest in Nerja: over 700 free spaces on several dirt areas along the beach, so you park a few metres from the sand. Even in August there is usually space, although at midday the areas closest to the beach bars fill up. Parking on the beach track itself is no longer allowed.
How to get to El Playazo Beach
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Review profile
Summary of the 231 most recent Google and Tripadvisor reviews (July 2017 – July 2026). These are visitors' opinions, analysed by EsNerja.
According to 231 recent reviews on Google (203) and Tripadvisor (28): most mentioned: very spacious and uncrowded · easy parking nearby · showers and toilets available · clear water and some fish.
Months with the best average rating
May, June, August
Based on review dates; not a forecast.
Frequently asked questions
About 1,700 metres long and 30 wide: it is the longest beach in Nerja. It runs from the mouth of the Chíllar river, next to El Chucho, to the Torre Macaca cliff at Punta Lara.
Dark, coarse sand with lots of rounded pebbles brought down by the Chíllar river. At the water's edge and going in there are stones and it gets deep quickly: bring water shoes and, if you are staying for hours, a chair or sunlounger.
At the El Playazo car park, free, with over 700 spaces on open areas along the beach. Even in August there is usually space.
Three on the sand: Las Palmeras Beach Club, by the Chíllar; Chiringuito El Chankete; and Chiringuito Mauri, the best rated, with paella, sardine skewers and fried fish.
In season, lifeguards, showers, public toilets, sunlounger and parasol hire, and kayak, paddleboard and boat hire. It has an accessible point with a walkway and an adapted toilet.
Yes. In 2026 El Playazo and El Chucho share the Blue Flag.
Yes: it has an accessible point with a walkway to the water's edge and an adapted toilet, renewed by the town council in July 2026, and you can park a few metres away. Bear in mind that the shore is pebbly.
There is plenty of space, lifeguards and parking right next to it, which makes it easy with a family. But the water gets deep quickly and there are stones going in: with small children, water shoes and keep an eye on them.
It is the least crowded beach in Nerja: at 1.7 km, even in August there is space. The areas by the beach bars are the busiest.
No. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, except assistance dogs.
What's nearby
El Chucho Beach
Boat hire · Showers · Easy access · Kiosk
La Torrecilla Beach
El Salón Beach
Toilets · Showers · Kiosk · No pets
La Caletilla Beach
No pets · No traffic · Parking · No camping
Calahonda Beach
Toilets · Showers · No pets · Litter bins
El Chorrillo Beach
Keep exploring
El Playazo Beach
Nerja BeachesWhat visitors say
44 mentions in reviews