Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs

Discover the Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Park: 12 kilometres of dramatic coastal cliffs, hidden coves, crystal-clear waters and rich marine life between Nerja and Almuñécar.

Directions

The Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Area protects some 12 km of coast between Nerja (Málaga) and La Herradura (Almuñécar, Granada): cliffs up to 250 metres high, where the Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama mountains drop into the sea, with coves of very clear water in between. As well as a natural area, it is a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI).

What to see on the Maro-Cerro Gordo cliffs

The coves. From west to east: Maro beach, Barranco de Maro cove, Las Alberquillas beach, Torre del Pino cove El Cañuelo beach and Cantarriján.

The Maro waterfall, which drops straight into the sea and is best seen from the water.

The 16th-century watchtowers: the Maro tower, Torre del Pino, Torre de la Caleta and Cerro Gordo, which kept watch for pirates.

Wildlife. Stone pines, dwarf palms and mastic on land; seagrass meadows and orange coral underwater. Chameleons live here and in winter Iberian ibex come down from the mountains to the cliffs.

How to visit the cliffs: on foot, by kayak or by boat

On foot, the Maro-Cerro Gordo cliffs hike follows the clifftops with paths down to the coves. By kayak you reach the waterfall and the coves you cannot walk to: there are guided kayak trips from Nerja to Maro. And by boat, the sunset cruise along the cliffs shows them from the sea. To see underwater, try snorkelling in Nerja.

Rules of the natural area

Motor boats must stay more than 200 metres from the beaches and 50 metres from the rest of the coast, and may not land in the coves; anchoring is only allowed by day in the marked zones. Kayaks and non-motor boats can land on the beaches. As in any protected area, camping, fires and taking plants or animals are not allowed.

Video

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Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs — video 1

How to get to Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs

How to get to the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs:

1. By car:

If you prefer to get there by car, here’s how to access the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs:

From Nerja:
- Head towards the N-340 eastbound, towards Almería.
- After around 4-5 km, you’ll find signs indicating access to the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Park.
- Continue along the N-340 until you reach Playa de Maro. There you can park and access the cliffs area.
From Málaga:
- If you’re coming from Málaga, take the A-7 towards Almería and then follow the N-340 towards Nerja. The journey takes around 50-60 minutes.
Parking:
- There is a car park at Playa de Maro, but in high season it can fill up quickly. If you can’t find a space, you can park in nearby areas.

2. By kayak from Playa Burriana:

If you prefer a more adventurous experience, you can get there by kayak from Playa Burriana (in Nerja) to the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs, which will allow you to enjoy the coastline in a unique and spectacular way. Here’s how to do it:

Access to Playa Burriana:
- Head to Playa de Burriana. From there, you can hire a kayak from any of the water sports companies operating on the beach (for example, Nerja Kayak).
Kayak route:
- From Playa Burriana, paddling eastwards, you can follow the coastline and reach the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs.
- The route is approximately 4-5 km long. It is quite straightforward, but bear in mind that there may be some current and the sea can be rougher depending on the weather.
- During the trip, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the coastline, the coves and the cliffs. If the sea is calm, you can explore some sea caves and secluded beaches.
Estimated time:
- The kayak trip from Playa Burriana to the Maro Cliffs takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on sea conditions and your pace.

Plan your route here: enter your starting point and choose how you want to travel.

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Review profile

Summary of the 734 most recent Google and Tripadvisor reviews (July 2018 – August 2026). These are visitors' opinions, analysed by EsNerja.

According to 734 recent reviews on Google (703) and Tripadvisor (31): most mentioned: spectacular cliffs and sea views · clear water for snorkelling · peaceful, uncrowded beaches · good for kayaking and walking.

Google vs Tripadvisor

Google 4.7 · Tripadvisor 4.2

Google rates it 0.5 higher than Tripadvisor.

Last 12 months

4.8 (206) vs 4.7 (377) the year before

The rating is steady.

Frequently asked questions

Between Maro (Nerja, Málaga) and La Herradura (Almuñécar, Granada): about 12 km of coast east of Nerja, starting at Maro beach.

From the sea: by kayak or boat you see the Maro waterfall and the coves you cannot walk to. On foot, the clifftop trail has the best views.

Maro beach, Barranco de Maro cove, Las Alberquillas, Torre del Pino cove, El Cañuelo and Cantarriján.

No. Motor boats must stay more than 200 m from the beaches and 50 m from the rest of the coast and may not land; kayaks and non-motor boats can.

Chameleons, Iberian ibex (especially in winter), gulls, kestrels and peregrine falcons; underwater, seagrass and orange coral.

The nearest beach is El Cañuelo Beach, 700 m (about a 9-minute walk) away; the Balcón de Europa is 8.4 km away.

Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs has a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Google from 8,534 reviews. Reviews are largely positive, praising the dramatic cliffs, clear water, peaceful atmosphere and opportunities for snorkelling, kayaking and scenic walks. However, access can be awkward, parking limited, and some visitors mention crowds, queues and occasional noise or aircraft.

What people like most: