Beach vacation destinations

Nerja, on the Mediterranean, has crystal-clear water and gorgeous views.

There are so many excellent locations to visit for a weekend getaway to the beach! Everyone has a different idea of what they are looking for on a beach weekend, so I will just include some general ideas here to get you started:



WHEN TO GO: You may think summer is the only time to explore the coast, but winter can also be a good time to find great deals at all-inclusive hotels and resorts. The locations discussed here are all a few hours' drive from Rota, so any 3 or 4-day holiday weekend can make for a great opportunity.

 

WHERE TO GO: You might think the beach is the beach no matter where it is, but that is simply not true. Rota and Puerto have their charm as seaside towns with miles of wide, clean Atlantic beaches. But you can have a different experience a few hours down the coast. From this area, you can either head West to Southern Portugal, or East to Spain's Mediterranean coastline. Both will be discussed below.


HOW TO GET THERE: Driving is the easiest way to get to these locations. Southern Portugal's coast is about 3-4 hours from Rota, and the Mediterranean coast around Malaga is about 3 hours from Rota. One big point of caution--there are huge tolls along the roads going either to Portugal or to Spain's Mediterranean coast. When crossing the border into Portugal, you pull over and register your credit card at a toll booth. Your card will then be automatically charged at checkpoints every few miles along Portugal's toll highway. On the coastal highway to Malaga, the tolls are not automatic, so you have to go through the toll booth each time. They become higher as you move down the coast. At first it is just 5 Euro, then 10, then around Malaga I think there is a 15 Euro toll! You can use cash or card, but factor this into your trip budget.

Our backyard at a rented villa in Nerja!

WHERE TO STAY: It depends what experience you are looking for. These locations have beach-side all-inclusive hotels and resorts where you can spend the whole weekend, get a massage, book time in the spa, and then walk onto the beach at any time. You can also take advantage of indoor pools, proximity to restaurants, etc. If you have a large group, or prefer more privacy, then you can always rent a house through sites like flipkey.com or AirBnB.com.




WHY TO GO: Each city on the coast has its own specialties, scenery, and flavors. Here are some of the top destinations and reasons to visit them...

Southern Portugal
All of Southern Portugal has a dramatic coastline crowded with touristy beach towns. The biggest city is Faro, but most people prefer to drive the extra distance to Albuferia or Lagos. The coastline here has amazing rock formations and caves, some which can be enjoyed from the main public beaches, others which are best seen by private boat tours.
Americans love Southern Portugal for two other main reasons: #1. English is widely spoken. The Portuguese are mostly accepting of the fact that no one else speaks their language, so English is a common second language. You can also find English movies in theaters. And reason #2: The food is delicious. Unlike the Spanish, the Portuguese are not afraid of strong flavors. So of course there are plenty of delicious seafood dishes, but there are also spicy dishes like piri piri sauce.   

The beaches of Albuferia, Portugal are unique!

Boat tours in Lagos, Portugal

Spain's Mediterranean Coastline: Malaga, Estepona, Marbella, and Nerja

If you travel East, past Gibraltar, you will reach Spain's Mediterranean coastline. The major city is Malaga, but other popular destinations include Estepona and Marbella. This area, known as the Costa del Sol, is the beach destination of Spain rich and famous--TV and movie stars, artists, politicians, and anyone with a yacht. You can spend the day walking along some of the world's finest harbors, then enjoy some of the world's best seafood for lunch. If you are looking for an all-inclusive luxury resort, there are many to choose from in these locations.

Malaga has a bullring, Cathedral, futbal stadium, and lots of culture.

My kids playing in the pebble/sand. Good for sea glass searching, but not easy on the feet.

Coastline in Nerja-- dramatic cliffs and clear water

If you go past Malaga, you can find some smaller coastal towns that are still beautiful, but much more affordable, and a little bit slower-paced. We spent a weekend last summer in Nerja, just east of Malaga, and it was gorgeous. Part of our reason for going was to see and experience the Mediterranean, and we were not disappointed! It is truly different from the Atlantic Ocean: crystal-clear water, minimal waves, and pebbly beaches. And the food, WOW! We ate our lunches by the sea, and enjoyed grilled fish, squid, and paella.

Fish grilling over charcoal embers beachside in Nerja.

 Nerja is a small town. The main viewpoint is called the Balcon d'Europa (Balcony of Europe) which is in the center of town, on a high cliff that gives a panoramic view of the Mediterranean. The area is frequented by hikers, who sometimes spend the week hiking from one small coastal "white village" to the next. The mountains are very close to the beach, and Nerja and other coastal towns are actually built on mountain outcroppings. The coastal highway winds through many tunnels to reach each town.



The other main local attraction is the Caves of Nerja, (Cueva de Nerja). This is the site of some amazing limestone rock formations, as well as Prehistoric cave drawings that are some of the oldest known in the world. Unfortunately, you cannot see the carvings as that section is never open to the public. But just walking through the caves themselves is a cool experience. And every July, there is a concert series performed inside the caves, which would be a truly unique experience.

We had an amazing, memorable, relaxing, and delicious weekend in Nerja. But really, you can't go wrong with any of the coastal towns. I hope you get a chance to explore the coast of Spain and Portugal and enjoy some of the top beaches in the world!