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Best Means of Transportation from Malaga to Granada with stop in Nerja

Our first excursion from our resort in Malaga is to Granada. I would like to spend that Sunday morning on the beaches of Nerja and lunch at Ayo's before traveling on to Granada. I hope to be in Granada by 4 P.M. We can tour the Old Town, Cathedral, San Nicolas' viewpoint and Sacromote that evening and focus on Alhambra on Monday.

My question is......what is the best means of travel to Granada if we stop at Nerja for 2-4 hours? We have a rental car, but have read more than once that a car in Granada is a hassle, plus there is parking fee. If we take a bus, will we have enough time and flexibility? Is stopping in Nerja a realistic plan or should we just travel directly to Granada and fit Nerja in on another day?

Thanks for your guidance.

Posted by
15202 posts

If you have a rental car already, why wouldn't you use it?
I've done the exact reverse trip by car. It's very convenient. The parking fees both in Nerja and Granada are nothing compared to the time you'd be wasting by going by bus. Time and convenience has value too.
If you intend to stay in Granada overnight, find accommodations with car arrangements (maybe hotel with parking or affiliated garage)

Posted by
167 posts

In Nerja, I parked in a free lot at the entrance to town called Chillar Street. I'd estimate it was about a 10-minute walk to the Balcony of Europe and the beach there. Although, I was staying for a couple nights, so the walk was no big deal. Perhaps you would want to be closer if only staying for a few hours. Enjoy!

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks for your responses. We will plan on driving. It will be great to have the flexibility and time savings that the car offers.

We will try the free parking in Nerja, as well.

Does the itinerary for the day sound realistic?

Malaga to Granada with a stop in Nerja (2-4 hours). It would be great to be in Granada by 4.

Thanks, again.

Posted by
7314 posts

If you have an extra 30 minutes, drive 10 minutes from Nerja quickly up to nearby Frigiliana. You can check images of Frigiliana on-line to see if it would interest you. I loved taking photos there!

Posted by
167 posts

I did the same drive, opposite, last month. It was a speedy 1.5 hour drive from Granada to Nerja (scenic, lots of tunnels too), so you'd probably want to leave Nerja by 2:30 to get to Granada by 4:00. I think you could manage it. Although, I second Jean's recommendation on Frigiliana. It's so picturesque and worth a stop through. Parking is super easy - there is a garage right as you get to town. We paid €3 for a couple hours to park so it might even be less if you are there less time. Enjoy!

Posted by
6576 posts

I agree with the others; drive it. The roads are interstates. There are parking fees everywhere in Europe and Granada is no exception. Rent a car often enough and you’ll get used to them.

Posted by
125 posts

Be careful parking on the street, parking spots marked with white paint are free. Stay away from the yellow. We found by a spot on the street in both Granada and Nerja. As mentioned earlier, freeways between Malaga and Grenada are easy to navigate.