jandazza

My boyfriend and I are going to Spain for two weeks and are looking for a quiet, secluded beach town somewhere between Granada and Seville, that is easy to get to by bus or train.

The dates we'll have free are Oct. 1 - 4, and we hope to end up with one day in Jerez de la Frontera to hit a sherry winery for a day. On another message board I asked about Tarifa and Cadiz, but someone mentioned the weather on the Atlantic side of Spain is windy and erratic that time of year, which made us curious about towns like Nerja and Salobrena. Thoughts?

We don't want the "cosmopolitan town with a bustling nightlife" type of place. We want peaceful, with nice swimming, soft sand, and beautiful natural surroundings. Bonus points if it's a romantic "white city" with amazing seafood.

We also read a comment on this board by "humptynumpty" that, "The beaches of the Costa de la Luz are beautiful and fairly unspoilt. In particular, those at Cape Trafalgar and Bolonia." We'd love to learn more about those beaches and towns, particularly for the time of year we're going, and about any known transportation, lodging and places to eat there.

Thanks so much!

yorkshire

Not sure the weather will be suitable for swimming. Public transportation is gong to dictate, plus having attractions nearby in case of bad weather.
I was in Cadiz a couple years ago, and the public transportation along the coast was pretty good. I took a day trip to Vejer de la Frontera and saw some gorgeous beaches from afar. I believe it was between El Palmar and Los Canos de Meca. But, there are so many other attractions I would not knock myself out looking for a beach town when a lot of the coast pales in comparison to the mountain towns.
Closer to Granada, Salobrena looks like it might fit the bill.
Andalucia.com is a great resource.

jandazza

We're fitting in a handful of mountain towns but, unfortunately, I broke my foot, so we really want to get in a day or two where I can sit and -- ideally -- float.

I've been loving Andalucia.com! I thought I'd get some first-hand recommendations though, if people have them.

So... it sounds like the it might be a little cold to hit the west coast in early October?

kimhe

I use to be in Nerja (pop 20 000) at this time of year, and I think it's pretty much what you are looking for. Nerja is popular with tourists, but it has retained much of its Andalusian charm. A beautiful old town with lots of local feel bars/restaurants, nine beaches - small and large - among the cliffs. And the majestic Almijara mountain range rises just behind you.

Swimming and long beach days in Nerja well into November. El Salón and Carabeillo beaches are my favourites.
http://www.nerjatoday.com/nerjabeachguide/el-salon/

You can have the freshest fish and seafood at extremely popular La Marina, as good as you get a seafood freiduría in all of Andalucía. Have had some serious splurges here over the years. Three course lunch with drinks included are some 9€ and there are free tapas to choose in the bar area with every drink (as in most restaurants/bars in Nerja). Fantastic produce, all kinds of mariscos and the colourful Conchas finas taste pure sea and are to die for: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm
Conchas finas: http://guiamlg.com/comer-en-malaga-conchas-finas/

Other excellent seafood places would include Marisquería La Marea and La Puntilla: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu...z/marea_en.htm
http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...s/la-puntilla/

El Pulguilla and Taberna del Pescador (Fisherman's tavern) are two fabulous places for seafood tapas. Free to choose with each glass of beer, wine, water, whatever (some 1,50-2€) and grilled on the spot:
http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres...-del-pescador/
http://www.nerjatoday.com/barsandres.../el-pulguilla/

Sollun and Casa Luque are local gastro options: http://www.sollunrestaurante.com/
http://www.casaluque.com/restaurant-in-nerja.php

I recommend you to stay in or close to the oldest street in town, seafront Calle Carabeo. Then you are only steps away from the center, the beaches and the old town. These are all great options, ranging from luxcurious to basic and great value in this area:

The luxcurious Parador, excellent but we found it a bit too stiff and quiet: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/nerj...-nerja.en.html

Boutique Hotel Carabeo, some friends were extremely happy a couple of years ago: http://www.hotelcarabeo.com/

Hotel Plaza Cavana in the central plaza, haven't stayed here: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/plaza-cavana.en.html

Basic but excellent value Hostal Mena, one of the oldets in town. Had a fabulous several weeks stay in the quiet triple room on the top with great sea-views, some 40€/night (now we usually rent an apartment or stay with friends): http://www.hostalmena.es/hostal/eng/index.html

If you want an apartment with cooking possibilities etc, I can recommend Apartamentos Barrio, stayed here a couple of months ago. Close to everything although no sea views from the balcony: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/apar...barrio.en.html

All of the suggested hotels are along or very close to the cliffs in this photo of Nerja: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg

Nerja Casco antiguo/Old town street:
http://www.minube.com/fotos/rincon/131879/629455

If you go, perhaps go and see the spectacular caves just outside town? http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en

Six/seven direct buses daily between Granada and Nerja, some 90 mins. Nerja are also close to Málaga, buses all the time. http://www.nerja.org/turismo/?apdo=bus

In Málaga you can grab a bus or a train to Sevilla. The train and the bus stations in Málaga are next to one another and the final stop for the bus from Nerja. http://www.malagaweb.com/transport/m...in-station.php

Egbert

The beaches on the costa del sol will be a letdown if you're looking for nice sand, clean water, etc.

kimhe

By 2011, four of the nine beaches in Nerja has got the international Blue Flag award based on criteria dealing with water quality, environmental management, safety and services.
http://www.andalucia.com/beaches/blueflag/beaches.htm

Nine beaches in Nerja, from large Burriana and Torecilla beaches with all services to small and sheltered hide-aways among the cliffs. About the Blue flag award. http://www.andalucia.com/beaches/blueflag/home.htm

jandazza

Wow! Kimhe, can't thank you enough for all of this amazing info. It's like a guided tour. We are really leaning toward Nerja. We'll let you know if we go! Thank you so much.

BeachGirl247

Agree Nerja is an excellent choice. We stopped there for the day during our drive from Ronda to Grenada and wished we could have stayed overnight. You can hang out on the pebbly beach with umbrellas and pretty water or enjoy a cold beverage along the cliffs enjoying the fabulous view.

Enjoy!