Burriana beach, or Playa Burriana, is a large, sandy beach situated at the eastern end of town and is Nerja’s premier bathing location.
Playa Burriana has, until 2014, been a regular recipient of the prestigious ‘Blue Flag’ of excellence, awarded by the European Union, and the ‘Q for Quality’ flag issued by the Spanish authorities.
In 2014, no beaches in Nerja were eligible for consideration for the ‘Blue Flags’ due to the lack of a water treatment plant.
It is a modern area, almost a separate village or resort in many ways, with just about every conceivable facility available to the thousands of visitors, both Spanish and foreign, who flock here every year.
The main vehicular access to Burriana beach is via calle Filipinas, a long, steep hill leading down from Avenida de Pescia and known locally as ‘Cardiac Hill’.
Heading from the centre of Nerja, access to the beach is via ‘Cardiac Hill’, down a steep, winding hill from the Parador de Nerja or down 117 steep steps from the Mirador del Bendito and a short walk along the sand. Whichever way, the route is steep and a car or taxi is a good option. Walking down the hill is no problem, it’s the return journey, particularly at the end of the day. There are no buses servicing the Burriana beach area.
The walk down from the Parador de Nerja gives you a splendid view of the whole beach. If you are actually staying at the Parador de Nerja they have their own private lift down to the end of the beach.
The beach itself is about 800 metres long and, on average, about 40 metres wide. The sea has a moderate swell and does get fairly deep relatively quickly.
On the beach you will find beach showers, play areas for children and beach volleyball nets and in the summer season, pedalos for rental, areas of sunbeds for hire, jetski rental, Banana Boat (or similar), parasailing and kayaking.
At the back of the beach is the promenade, the Paseo Marítimo Antonio Mercero, lined on the one side by palm trees and on the other by the Spanish beach restaurants or Merenderos.
The Paseo Maritimo Antonio Mercero is named after the producer of the famous TV series of the 1980’s ‘Verano Azul’ – ‘Blue Summer’ -, which was set in Nerja, and is widely credited as having put the town well and truly ‘on the map’.
A commemorative sculpture, a director’s chair, is located about midway along the promenade.
Amongst the restaurants are Merendero Moreno, Merendero Montemar, Merendero Playa, José Cruz, La Barca, Ayo’s and Merendero Rincon de Pico. These are all large establishments with indoor and outdoor areas and most with barbecue facilities.
Restaurante Ayo, run by ‘Ayo’ himself, is famous for the huge paellas cooked on an open fire. For about €6 you get a good plate of paella and can even go back for seconds.
Whilst there is much debate as to whether this is actually the ‘best’ paella in town, the overall atmosphere is certainly one of the best. Ayo’s also has regular Flamenco shows during the summer.
Behind this row of restaurants is the main road through the area with, on the other side, predominantly foreign owned establishments, although not exclusively. There are souvenir shops, places selling beach paraphernalia, a fair sized supermarket open seven days a week, ice cream parlours and numerous bars and restaurants.
Amongst the bars and restaurants are: The Steakhouse at Burriana, Dancers Cafe, Mistica, The Restaurant at Burriana, El Fuego, Paradise Cocktail Bar, Baker’s Bar, Rocky Beach, La Traiña, Bruxelles, La Galeria, Bruxelles, Cafe del Mar, OLAS, Wai Wok, El Rey de la Tapas and Chino City….to name but a few. Many of these establishments have widescreen TV’s and quite a few show all the English football matches and other sporting events. You will find more details and visitor reviews in the Bars and Restaurants Guide.
Here is where you will also find Buceo Costa Nerja (The Dive Centre), offering everything from trial dives to expeditions for experienced divers.
At the end of the beach (right hand side as you face the sea) you will find all the local fishing boats.
If you continue beyond this point you come to Carabeillo beach.
Facilities include:
- Beach showers
- Toilets
- First Aid
- Local Police
- Tourist Information (summer)
- Lifeguards
- Warning signals
- Pedalos
- Banana boat
- Sunbeds
- Play areas
- Beach volleyball
- Promenade
- Public telephone
- Rescue Services
- Disabled access
- Parking
MORE PHOTOS (photos added regularly)