OstracizedOwl

Hello,
I'm planning on going to Málaga, Nerja, and Ronda in a three day weekend and would be overjoyed if I could have some advice. My current plan is getting into Málaga Friday morning and taking the bus out to Ronda and staying there until Saturday. I then planned on seeing what Málaga has to offer for a bit of Saturday and eventually taking the bus to Nerja and staying there Saturday night. I would then spend all of Sunday in Nerja and head out on a bus around midnight.

Does this sound like a good plan? From researching online it seemed to me that Ronda and Nerja had more to offer and more that seemed interesting to me than Málaga.

Also, will Nerja be very touristy at this time? If so, are there any beach towns that are close that any of you would recommend that you think are superior (by superior I mean are more appealing to the eye)? If there are any restaurants or bars you would recommend I would be very appreciative as well (this goes for both Ronda and Nerja).

Thank you very much for anybody who assists me.

thursdaysd

I spent several days in Ronda, haven't visited the others. You should post this on the Europe board where you'll get more replies.

thursdaysd

Sorry, thought I was still on the tips board...

kimhe

Málaga city is fabulous, genuine Andalusian atmosphere, great tapas bars, cafés, restaurants, nightlife, sights etc. One of my favourite cities in Spain after many years of intense travel in the country. Something completely different than relatively small Nerja and Ronda.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalis...pleasures.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/200...el?INTCMP=SRCH

I will especially recommend both traditional and innovative tapas at El Tapeo de Cervantes, seafood tapas at La Campana in Calle Granada, 35 or traditional Cortijo de Pepe in Plaza la Merced, 2. All close to central Plaza de la Constitución:
Tapeo de Cervantes: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...Andalusia.html
La Campana: http://11870.com/pro/la-campana-malaga
Cortijo de Pepe: http://www.globalcitybreak.co.uk/tra...-bar-in-malaga

I can also recommend the many waterfront seafood restaurants in Pedregalejo just east of the city center. Delicious food, affordable and popular with locals.

Nerja is very beautiful and there are lots of great restaurants in town. Free tapas to choose with every drink in most tapas bars/restaurants. High quality in general and some excellent places (El Pulguilla, La Marina, La Puntilla, El Niño are among my favourites). Lots of places with local character and clientel, especially in the old town/casco antiguo. High quality Italian, Thai, Franch, Mexican, Indian restaurants and a couple of up-scale Spanish places.
Pulguilla: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Andalucia.html
La Marina: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm
La Puntilla: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...Andalucia.html
El Niño: http://www.restaurante-elnino.com/

Photo of Nerja, nine beaches small and large among the cliffs: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg

bilboburgler

Malaga seriously nice, great shopping, restaurants, museum and fortress. Nerja not that interesting, good views over distant spaces.

I always argue with other fodorites about Ronda. I think it's a ravine with a bridge over it, others think it's a lovely old city, a great country walk and a ravine with a bridge over it. You have decide which of us is right.

josele

It is THE ravine with THE bridge, besides being a lovely old city. I think a good idea visiting on a Friday evening, there is not much nightlife during the week.

bilboburgler

nah, this is a ravine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdon_Gorge
or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravina_in_Puglia
and this is a bridge

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau_Viaduct
or
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/are-you-up-to-it.html

explore_nerja

Nerja will be really busy at this time of year but personally I would say that's a good thing as the atmosphere is ten times better than in quieter times of the year. I'd definately go to the bars in Nerja recommended by kimhe although if you prefer a more formal meal I can recommend Stephans (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...Andalucia.html) and Lan Sang (http://www.lansang.com/). Not exactly traditional Andalucian food but good places to eat.

Also, for your sunday in nerja check out the Nerja Caves (http://www.explorenerja.com/nerja_caves.htm) which are really what put the town on the map and a nice quiet place after a saturday night on the town. They're open on sundays with a regular bus going to and from the towns bus station.

In Malaga you simply have to go to El Pimpi (http://www.bodegabarelpimpi.com/), one of Malaga's oldest bodegas and a particular favourite of mine. On the walls it has pictures of some of its most famous visitors, many of which are lost on me however I did spot a photo with an English visitor called Tony Blair. I think he liked it there too.

OstracizedOwl

Thank you all very much for all of your advice and your recommendations! I will do my best to get to as many as the places as possible. This will surely make my trip even better.