Nerja with Kids

Bringing the kids to Nerja? Good call. It's an easy place for a family holiday – calm beaches with lifeguards, a couple of proper kid-pleasers like the tourist train and the waterparks, and day trips short enough that nobody melts down in the back of the car. Here are eight things that keep everyone happy, from toddlers to teens, plus a few honest tips so you know what to expect. For the bigger picture, our things to do in Nerja guide has the rest.

Top of most families' list is a gentle Maro-cliffs boat trip – caves, a waterfall and a swim stop, and easier on little ones than a kayak:

1. Burriana Beach

If you do one thing with the kids, make it a day at Burriana. The water is calm and shallow at the edge, there are lifeguards in season, and there's a playground right on the sand plus volleyball courts to burn off energy. You can hire kayaks and SUPs for the older ones, and grab lunch at a chiringuito while the little ones dig in. It's the easiest family day you'll have here – our Nerja beaches guide has the full rundown.

2. Verano Azul Park

This one's a quiet gem that costs nothing. The park has a playground built around a replica of Chanquete's boat from the old Spanish TV series Verano Azul, which was filmed in Nerja – the kids won't know the show, but they'll love climbing the boat. It's shaded by pines and aimed at ages 2 to 12, so it's a good spot to let off steam in the heat of the afternoon.

3. The Tourist Train

When small legs have had enough of the cobbles, the little tourist train does an easy loop of the town. It's a gentle way to see Nerja without the moaning, and most kids enjoy the ride. It starts and finishes near Plaza Cavana, right in the old town.

4. The Waterparks

Nerja doesn't have its own waterpark, but two sit a short drive either side. Aquavelis, west in Vélez-Málaga, has the big slides – including an 80-metre Kamikaze – a wave pool and a gentler splash area for toddlers. Aquatropic, east in Almuñécar, is the other option. Either makes a fun full day when everyone fancies a change from the beach.

5. The Nerja Caves

Kids tend to love the caves – the chambers are huge and a bit otherworldly, and there's a proper "wow" when they see the giant column. The thing to know before you go: it's 458 steps with steep bits, so it's no good for prams and a stretch for tired toddlers. Bring a carrier for the smallest ones. Full details are in our Nerja caves guide.

6. A Boat Trip

For a day on the water that suits younger children, a boat trip along the Maro cliffs is the gentle, drier choice – caves, a waterfall and a swim stop, with the chance of spotting dolphins along the way. It's easier on little ones than a kayak, and there's usually a swim and a snack involved.

For the full lowdown on what departs and from where, see our Nerja boat trips guide.

7. Kayaking the Maro Cliffs (Older Kids)

If your children are a bit older, paddling the Maro cliffs is the one they'll talk about all holiday – sea caves, a waterfall and clear water for a swim. Guided tours take kids from about age 4 with an adult, and small ones ride in the middle of a double kayak. The only firm rule is that they need to be able to swim.

8. A Trip Up to Frigiliana

When you fancy a change from the beach, the white village of Frigiliana is a 15-minute hop up the hill. Kids enjoy the buggy bus ride, the maze of little lanes and the ice cream at the top. Half a day is plenty, and mornings are coolest – our Nerja and Frigiliana guide covers it.