beaches in Spain
 

Has anyone been to Cadiz or Nerja? We are hoping to relax for a couple of days on the beach during the middle of our tour through Spain.
Also, do you recommend that we rent a car for our drive along the coastline (say, from Cadiz to Malaga?)
Thank you!

When will you be traveling?

I think Nerja is one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, but I hear it gets quite crowded ( and hot!) in summer as that is high season.

Driving along the coast from Cadiz to Malaga is easy.

I have not been to Cadiz but live about 30 mins from Nerja. Depends what you mean by a nice beach - as an Australian I am afraid it doesn't compare well to most Australian beaches. It has the grey gritty sand common in Spain and elsewhere.

It is however in a beautiful position, lovely cliffs behind etc. There are actually 2 beaches, close to each other and one much smaller than the other. They will be very crowded over the summer months.

Nerja is a pretty town but lots of expats and tourists.

not far from cadiz you have the zahara de los atunes "paradise".

might be what you are looking for.

Yes it does matter what you call a beautiful beach. I am from California so I like beaches that are combined with cliffs and a beautiful setting which is very rare in Southern Spain. ( most are flat with no cliffs).

Nerja looks like La Jolla, one of the most famous beaches in San Diego ( which is known for its gorgeous , endless beaches & homes of the rich and famous).

It is always empty when we are here, so we really love it.We found it much, much prettier than Capri and most beaches in Europe. I don't think any beach in Spain would be much fun in the extremely hot summer as I hear they are all packed with people.

Nerja is also a very charming town in winter that most writers about Spain ( like Penelope Casas etc) recommend because it is one of the few places on the Costa del Sol that is not covered in high rises and still has some authenticity.

If you are looking for a long sandy beach, Marbella has one, but I found it rather boring and it has that could- be-anywhere look of high rise glut. It is truly a travesty.... what has been done to the Costa del Sol. Wish I could have seen it before it was ruined.

Here is a picture of Nerja:
http://www.holidaywarehouse.co.uk/im...0beach%202.jpg

I would avoid all of Southern Spain in the summer high season if at all possible, even the Spaniards like to get away then and out of the heat and lobster crowds at the beaches. Much of it fills up with expats from northern countries looking for a cheap holiday in the sun.

Thanks for the great responses! We will be traveling during the end of May.
Any suggestions on where to stay in either zahara de los atunes or in Nerja?

It depends what you are looking for.
Zahara is smaller than Nerja, and a certain sense of the last of the european villages, wild and probably a bit empty at the end of May. Fantastic beach but could be too windy, due to the proximity of the Gibraltar Strait.
Nerja offers more services than Zahara, restaurants, cafe, shops...
a couple of 100 Kms in the mediterranean has a more shelter beach.
For a romantic getaway, to be alone with your love, I will choose Zahara.
If you want to be with more people then Nerja.

Thanks, everyone!
We can't wait to travel to Spain. We decided on Nerja this time, since we're traveling as a family.
Next time, though, we will definitely check out Cadiz and Zahara.

Cindy
One thing you will find between Nerja and the Cadiz area, the food will be much different.

Cadiz is a Spanish beach and the Spaniards fill this beach. The restaurants will be Spanish food. If you head a bit further north, there are lovely beaches along this coast, like Vista Hermosa, or Rota. There are lots of nice beaches all of the way to Portugal. Again, this is a Spanish part of Andalucia.

The photo of Nerja looks nice too. I've never visited that section but all of the places further South are over the top.

Blackduff

Eliza3,
Have you been to the Parador de Nerja lately? I am debating between staying there and at the Balcon de Europa.
We want a nice room and definitely a sea view. Access to the beach seems tricky at the Parador....what do you think?

Hi Cindy

No I am sorry I don't know that parador. As we live so close we have never stayed in Nerja, we just go there fairly often but focus on coffees, lunches, doctors surgery etc rather than accommodation options.

The parador does get great reviews on trip advisor but so does the other.

I suspect access to the beach would be fine from either.