Beach · Nerja · Andalusia

Playa de Maro

The best kayak beach on the Costa del Sol

Inside the Cliffs of Maro–Cerro Gordo Natural Park. Sheer 100 m cliffs, hidden waterfalls that pour into the sea and the clearest water east of Almería. Access is protected: only by short shuttle from Maro village in summer.

Type
Rocky cove
Length
500 m
Sand
Coarse pebble-sand at the foot of vertical cliffs
Water
Mediterranean · 18–24 °C · crystal clear
Playa de Maro
GPS · 36.7514° N, 3.8175° W
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Where to park

Where to leave the car

Paid shuttle from Maro village in July–August (€3 return). Free spots at other times, small car park at the top.

When to arrive

Best time to visit

Early morning to kayak into the waterfall coves before the swell picks up.

Tours & excursions · Best-sellers on Viator

The eight best-reviewed excursions in Andalusia

Hand-picked from Viator's top-rated experiences on Andalusia, sorted by review volume and average rating. Free cancellation up to 24 h before, reserve now and pay later.

  • Free cancellation 24 h
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Alhambra guided tour with skip-the-line Nasrid PalacesCulture3 h

Alhambra guided tour with skip-the-line Nasrid Palaces

4.9(5,400 reviews)

Small-group tour of the Alhambra with an accredited art historian: Nasrid Palaces, Generalife gardens and the Alcazaba fortress. Includes the impossible-to-get Nasrid slot.

From
£58per person
  • Guaranteed Nasrid Palaces entry
  • Licensed art-historian guide
  • Small groups (max 20) with headsets
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Seville Cathedral, Giralda and Royal Alcázar guided tourCulture3 h

Seville Cathedral, Giralda and Royal Alcázar guided tour

4.8(3,800 reviews)

Skip-the-line entry to Seville Cathedral, the Giralda tower and the Royal Alcázar (Game of Thrones' Dorne). Guided in English by a licensed Sevillian art historian.

From
£48per person
  • Skip-the-line entry to both monuments
  • Access to Alcázar's upper Royal Chambers when open
  • Small groups, max 25
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Caminito del Rey hiking day trip from Málaga or SevilleNature8 h

Caminito del Rey hiking day trip from Málaga or Seville

4.9(2,600 reviews)

Round-trip transport, timed entry ticket and a certified guide along the 7 km boardwalk clinging to the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. One of Europe's most spectacular short hikes.

From
£62per person
  • Timed entry secured (sells out weeks ahead)
  • Round-trip transport with pick-up in Málaga or Seville
  • Guide, helmet and audio system
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Kayak & snorkel at the Cliffs of Maro–Cerro GordoAdventure3 h

Kayak & snorkel at the Cliffs of Maro–Cerro Gordo

4.9(2,100 reviews)

Small-group sea-kayak tour from Playa de Burriana along the cliffs of the Maro–Cerro Gordo Natural Park. Includes waterfall stop, snorkelling in hidden coves and full equipment.

From
£45per person
  • Kayak, wetsuit, snorkel gear included
  • Certified guide with safety kayak
  • Small groups max 12
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Mezquita of Córdoba guided tour with priority entryCulture1.5 h

Mezquita of Córdoba guided tour with priority entry

4.8(1,900 reviews)

Priority entrance to the Mezquita-Cathedral of Córdoba with an accredited guide. History of Al-Andalus, the Christian nave inside the mosque and the caliphal mihrab.

From
£28per person
  • Priority entry to the Mezquita
  • Licensed local guide
  • Small groups (max 25) with audio headsets
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Jerez sherry bodegas half-day from Cádiz or SevilleFood & wine5 h

Jerez sherry bodegas half-day from Cádiz or Seville

4.8(1,100 reviews)

Half-day tour of two contrasting bodegas in Jerez (Tío Pepe or Lustau plus a small family cellar), flight tastings of Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso and PX, and a walk through the Barrio de Santiago flamenco quarter.

From
£72per person
  • Two bodegas with 5-sherry flights
  • Round-trip transport from Cádiz or Seville
  • Licensed English-speaking sommelier
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Ronda & white villages day tripNature9 h

Ronda & white villages day trip

4.7(1,400 reviews)

Full-day tour from the Costa del Sol or Seville to Ronda's Puente Nuevo, plus the pueblos blancos of Setenil de las Bodegas, Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema. Free time for tapas in Ronda.

From
£78per person
  • A/C coach and licensed guide
  • Free time in Ronda for lunch and the bullring
  • Photo stops at three white villages
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Sunset flamenco show in Seville's Triana quarterCulture1.5 h

Sunset flamenco show in Seville's Triana quarter

4.8(3,200 reviews)

Evening flamenco tablao in a Triana peña with cante (voice), toque (guitar) and baile (dance). Includes a drink and pre-show tapas option.

From
£30per person
  • Front-row option available
  • Includes one drink
  • Optional tapas dinner add-on
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How you get there

Getting there

Fifteen minutes east of Nerja on the N-340; steep footpath or shuttle down to the sand.

What you'll find

Services

  • One small chiringuito (Merendero de Maro)
  • Kayak & SUP rental with guided tours to the Cerro Gordo caves
  • No lifeguard — swim at your own risk

Local tips

What we wish we'd been told

  • 01The kayak tour with waterfall stop is the region's number-one experience
  • 02Bring water shoes — the sand is pebbly
  • 03Combine with lunch in Frigiliana white village (10 min)

Around this beach

Towns within 15 km of Playa de Maro

Nearest villages on Andalusia — sorted by distance. Ideal bases for staying close to the beach.

Guide to the linked village

See town guide →

Keep exploring

More beaches in Andalusia

Guide to Andalusia