Cueva de Nerja
Nerja, Spain
Vast limestone caverns with towering stalagmite columns, set in the hills above the Costa del Sol. The route inside is easy and level; bring a light layer, as it stays cool all year.
The Cueva de Nerja was discovered on 12 January 1959 by five local young men. The whole cave system is almost 5 km long, and the part open to visitors covers about 750 m. It contains a huge column 32 m high, regarded as the largest central column in the world. The cave holds numerous prehistoric paintings dating from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age. The areas with the paintings are closed to visitors.
The tour follows steps and concrete paths and is easy. According to the cave’s management, the temperature stays between 17 and 21 °C all year and the humidity is around 80 per cent, so a light jacket is a good idea. Allow about one to one and a half hours. The cave is near Nerja in the province of Málaga. Concerts and dance performances are held in one of the chambers.
- Nearest town
- Nerja, Spain
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 36.7609, -3.8478
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and December–March. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping Cerro GordoCampsite9 km from Cueva de NerjaTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Paradise Beach Camper AreaMotorhome stopover9 km from Cueva de NerjaMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalWi-Fi
- MiluCar Camper AreaMotorhome stopover9 km from Cueva de Nerja · 28 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Aire Autocaravanas La HerraduraMotorhome stopover10 km from Cueva de NerjaMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersWaste disposal
- Area de Autocaravanas de AlmuñecarMotorhome stopover16 km from Cueva de NerjaMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- AlmanatCampsite24 km from Cueva de NerjaCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Spain · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Cueva de Nerja?
Cueva de Nerja is in Nerja, Spain, at GPS 36.7609, -3.8478. It is about 5 km from Frigiliana.
Can you camp near Cueva de Nerja?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Villa del Mar - Camping Nerja, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 20 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Cueva de Nerja?
Places worth a stop nearby: Frigiliana (5 km), Poqueira gorge villages (48 km), Alhambra (52 km) and Parador de Granada (52 km).
When is the best time to visit Cueva de Nerja?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)