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Plaza de los Cangrejos

A public, open space surrounded by historic buildings and shops

Plaza de los Cangrejos is one of the spots with the best views in the centre of Nerja. This pleasant balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, surrounded by shops and restaurants, offers a privileged panoramic view of the coast and has become a much-appreciated meeting point for locals and visitors.

In summer, the square comes alive and turns into a setting for cultural events and the town’s hub. In the evening it also hosts a small craft market that adds charm to the atmosphere, while the nearby play areas make it attractive for those travelling with family.

Located between Playa de la Torrecilla and Playa El Salón, Plaza de los Cangrejos is an ideal place to take a break by the sea. Its combination of views, atmosphere and central location makes it a highly recommended stop on a walk through Nerja.

Services & facilities

Wheelchair accessibleCity centreEasy accessBinsPlaygroundRestaurants

Video

1 video

Plaza de los Cangrejos — video 1

History

Plaza de los Cangrejos, overlooking the sea between La Torrecilla and El Salón beaches in the centre of Nerja, takes its name from an old sugar factory that once stood on the Los Cangrejos headland.

1882
The factory was built in 1882 by the trading company "Rico, Ferrándiz, Retamero y Cía.". Its official name was La Independencia, but it soon became known as the Fábrica de los Cangrejos (the Crab Factory). The building measured about 50 by 40 metres and had equipment for milling the cane, boiling the juice and centrifuging the sugar, as well as warehouses and offices.
1886
The company ran up heavy losses and, after several sales, was renamed San Clemente. In 1886 it was put up for auction and bought by Enrique Crook y Larios. Under the Larios family it worked only for a short time: it closed in the early 20th century and its machinery was moved to other family factories.
1912
Nothing of the building remains; a 1912 photograph of El Salón beach still shows it in the background, surrounded by sugar cane. Its memory lives on in the name of the square, today a viewpoint over the Mediterranean and a meeting place with terraces, a play area and cultural events in summer.

Where to park

You can try to find a free space in the area or go straight to one of these nearby car parks:

ℹ️ You can also check the full list of car parks in Nerja.

How to get to Plaza de los Cangrejos

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Frequently asked questions

Plaza de los Cangrejos is at Av. Mediterraneo, 2-4, 29780 Nerja, Málaga.

It is open 24 hours a day, every day. These are the hours it lists on Google; they may change on public holidays.

The nearest beach is La Torrecilla Beach, 150 m (about a 2-minute walk) away; the Balcón de Europa is 550 m (about a 7-minute walk) away; and nearby you can visit Nerja Tourist Train (Cueva Tren) (50 m).

Plaza de los Cangrejos has a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Google from 1,124 reviews. Reviews are very positive overall, describing Plaza de los Cangrejos as a pleasant, lively place by the sea with good views, plenty of restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere. Many mention it as a good spot for walking, sitting, watching sunsets and catching the train to the Nerja caves.

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