Weather lowdown
There's only one thing to be said for Nerja in April, and that is: welcome to spring!
As the month progresses you'll experience a considerable rise in daily average temperatures, with the first week seeing highs of 17°C and the last week reaching up to the mid 20s and, at times, even 30°C. Nigh-time lows can drop to 13°C so it's still wise to bring a jacket and a pair of long pants.
An average of 10 hours of daily sunshine ensures you'll be able to fit plenty of activities into your days and this, coupled with an average rainfall of only 30mm over a period of 11 days means that you'll never be house-bound for very long. From now, the weather is only going to get better, with temperatures rising and the sun shining for even longer each day. With the weather warm enough now to head to the beach, why not do just that? The average sea temperature during this month may only be 15°C, yet plentiful sunshine will ensure your quick dip be pleasantly refreshing.
Where to stay
Nerja is home to a wide selection of accommodation choices, including plenty for the budget-conscious traveller.
The Hotel Puerta del Mar is one of the best value-for-money choices in Nerja, with the 2* establishment boasting a fantastic location only metres away from the Balcon de Europa viewpoint. Recently renovated and offering two dozen, well equipped rooms (single, double and triple rooms available), The Puerta del Mar is ideal for all who want the comforts of home but with Nerja's best of everything right outside their front door.
Another brilliant and affordable option is the equally starred Hostal Tres Soles, a family-run place which offers an even wider selection of room and prices, thanks to its very central location. If you can budget a little more, then opt for an ocean view room, otherwise enjoy one overlooking the charming and always bustling old town streets. Service, commodities and comfort are top notch here, so don't fear that you'll be sacrificing those by choosing a cheaper accommodation option.
Eating & drinking out
Delectable food and mouth-watering refreshments are to be found all over Nerja and its lovely neighbouring hubs. This includes the small charming town of Maro, which you'll visit if you take our suggestion for the above-mentioned walk.
If it's your first time visiting Spain, it may be wise to start with an initiation of the local, utterly delicious cuisine. First of all, you need to taste churros, the dreamiest 'doughnut' you'll ever have the pleasure to drool over. Get your fix at the über-popular stand on Calle Pescia, or head to Balcon de Europa and pop into Albi, a cheap and cheerful cafe renowned for serving piping hot churros with the most chocolatey-chocolate sauce in town.
If you've taken the tourist trainride to Plaza Cavana, you may want to alight there and grab an outdoor table at one of the many bars and cafés lining the pavement. Here, you'll find Bar Cavana, one of Nerja's oldest haunts, as well as a myriad of other revered eateries. It is during the month of April that these popular places set up their outdoor terraces, gifting visitors a relaxing eating and drinking experience. The tapas served here are among the best in town, so delve deep into another one of Spain's most beloved gastronomic delights by tasting some of the freshest seafood in Europe. Some of the most authentic dishes to try in Nerja are sardines, calamari and prawns.
When wanting to take a break in Maro, after your long yet not too exhausting walk, head to La Entrada Maro, by far the most popular restaurant in this village. Order a plate of grilled swordfish, salad and potatoes (together with a glass of tinto of course) and watch the afternoon sun set over the picturesque plantations rolling down towards the sea. Pure magic.
Things to do on rainy days
If visiting in April it may be wise to have a few tricks up your sleeve, in the shape of a few indoor activities. It may not rain much, yet if showers do come, you won't need to waste time concocting last-minute changes to your plans.
An excellent rainy day option is Nerja's indoor pool complex, which is actually a great place to visit even when the sun is shining in April, given that the sea may still be a little too chilly for some. This municipally run joint, which you'll find right nearby famed Burriana Beach, also boasts a gym, spa and a very nice cafeteria, so do put aside a few hours to enjoy it at leisure.
Another fantastic indoor choice is to hire a car for the day and take yourself to nearby Malaga, Andalucía's artistic crown jewel. It is here that you can visit the region's most prominent museums, two of which are the Carmen Thyssen and Pablo Picasso Museums. The former houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions of some of the most prominent former and current Andalucían artists; whilst the latter gifts a comprehensive and enthralling insight into the region's most renowned artistic resident.
Getting out & about
Once the sun makes a welcome return to Nerja, take the opportunity of taking in the best breathtaking views in the entire region. Rent a car or hop on a bus and head to the Benalmadena Teleferico, a brilliantly positioned cable car about an hour's drive from Nerja's town centre. From the 800m peak of Mount Calamorro you will enjoy stunning and uninterrupted view of the coast, the Sierra Nevada Mountains (where you can hike) and, on particularly clear days, as far south as the northern coastline of Morocco. Use the easy to navigate website to help you plan this unforgettable adventure.
Once you've taken the views from above, it's time to get back to sea level and explore Nerja in greater depth. Take the tourist train (also affectionately known as the Wally Trolley) just off Plaza Cavana and let your friendly conductor take you on a fun and relaxing ride through the city centre. If you think this particular activity is designed with only children in mind, think again! The ride is cheap, does a comprehensive loop of the major avenues and is a fantastic way for those with diminished mobility to take in the lovely sites with very little effort.
Take advantage of the increasing temperatures this month and enjoy a pleasant and comfortable walk from Nerja to the town of Maro, strolling past the famous Eagle Acqueduct. This 8km round trip is suitable for anyone with an average level of fitness and will see you take in some lovely sights, including superb vistas over the Mediterranean coast and the Andalucían countryside.
