Question
“We are house hunting in Malaga where I am very happy but my partner suddenly decided a move to Nerja would be better. The reasoning goes that Nerja has better beaches and we could get a larger house for our money, but we lose the excitement and energy of the larger city. Any viewpoints to help us decide?”
Answers
“Go for it, we were thinking of Madrid until we figured out the cost to live there and decided Alicante was our compromise. Very happy with our decision. Go where you will be comfortable, the big cities are only a short train ride and you can treat it like a getaway. Its definitely more expensive in or near the cities, Just my two cents!”
“It definitely depends. Málaga has much more amenities, public transport, etc. In Nerja you are likely going to need a car. Which means you have to study for the drivers license exam. If you want to go to ikea/Leroy Merlin/etc it’s going to take you 45 minutes – 1 hour of driving at least.
If you’re planning on going to the train station, you will also need to count on that (or longer if you’re taking the bus). We are in Rincón de la Victoria and have a child. Honestly at this point in our lives I wouldn’t want to go much further east. We like being a relatively short bus ride away from the city, but still have excellent views, less crowded beaches, etc.”
“Location location location. Always choose that first.”
“The location which suits your needs best or which brings you peace.”
“You will get better beaches and more house for a better price…but that is the trade off. Rincón de la Victoria or La Cala del Moral would be perhaps a compromise. However it all depends on what you want exactly.
I love Malaga and live next to the historic centre because it is a 365 day city. Nerja is a beach town that explodes in summer but trickles off before and after.”
“Rent there was significantly less than in Estepona for a detached villa of which there were very few the other side of Malaga. We move in in a couple of months.”
“Nerja is a friendly, accessible community with a year round population, and plenty of activities. There’s 3x weekly 3-hour countryside hiking. In the off season there’s twice weekly movies with translation. Nerja boasts hundreds of restaurants, cafes and bars with something for everyone. There’s easy-to-join social clubs and Spanish interchange activities, and a group that welcomes volunteers helping youth with disabilities.
Some prefer the nearby mountain village of Frigiliana, 3km away and linked with frequent bus service, plus three neighborhood Nerja municipal bus routes. There is no train service but frequent bus services to Malaga in one direction, and to Granada in the other direction. Malaga has the 4th busiest airport in Spain with low-fare connections all over Europe.”
“I think the Nerja city center is walkable. Nerja has neighborhoods like Punta Lara, where I live, has municipal bus connections or I could walk into town in 30 to 40 minutes. The upper part of Capistrano neighborhood is similar, it would be a 30 minute walk into the center of town. There are two Mercadona’s; one is in the center of town, the other on the other side of town nearer Capistrano and those neighborhoods.
LIDL and Aldi are not too far from the city center. I have a car but I would say grocery shopping, going to a bank or other chores would be easy enough with the municipal bus routes, but walking would also be doable and good exercise; similarly for access to the various beaches.
Burriana Beach is on one side of the town and is the most popular, but if you lived on the other side of town, Playa Playazo and other beaches would be closer. Parking the car on a hot summer weekend when the beaches are packed is challenging!”
“We’re a young family of 4, just arrived to Malaga and planning to check out nearby towns in hopes one speaks to us. My husband wants to stay near a beach but I don’t like the super crowded beaches we’ve seen here. That said, we also have two little ones (one 10, other 2) who need a wide range of activities. Any recommendations?”
“Rent to start with. We ended up in Fuengirola due to friends here. It’s a living town even during off season and we can take the train to Malaga. The American consulate is also here.”
“Also take a look at Rincon de la Victoria and Torre del Mar. Nerja is pretty but a nightmare to get around in the summer and oversaturated (obviously everywhere is but Torre del Mar and Rincon a lot less so than Nerja).”
“I love both places. But my heart is in Nerja. I went there about 10 years ago and fell in love with it.”
“Great question as we are looking for a city with good public transportation, no car.”
“We plan to relocate in March of next year. However I have traveled to Nerja on vacation. And have never forgotten how beautiful the town was and the memories made. My family and I are leaning towards relocating to Malaga. Which would be great because my husband and I can do weekend aways and travel to Nerja.”
“I am also looking seriously at Malaga and Nerja looks like a great getaway.”
Conclusion
Community feedback shows a clear trade-off between Malaga and Nerja.
Malaga offers city life, excellent public transport, year-round activity, and convenience, while Nerja provides better beaches, more house for the money, and a strong community feel, especially in summer.
However, Nerja is more dependent on cars, lacks train service, and has a seasonal rhythm.
Some find a middle ground in areas like Rincón de la Victoria or Torre del Mar, which offer a blend of accessibility and quieter living.
Ultimately, the best decision comes down to lifestyle preferences—urban energy or coastal charm.
Here’s a clear comparison table between Malaga and Nerja based on the insights from the Spainguru Community:
| Feature/Aspect | Malaga | Nerja |
|---|---|---|
| City Size & Energy | Large city with year-round energy and vibrant lifestyle | Smaller beach town with a seasonal rhythm—bustling in summer, quieter rest of year |
| Beaches | Urban beaches, often crowded | Known for better beaches and more scenic coastline |
| Housing Cost & Value | Higher cost of living and housing | Larger houses and better value for money |
| Transportation | Excellent public transport (buses, trains, airport) | No train service; mainly buses; car often needed |
| Amenities & Services | Full range of shopping (IKEA, Leroy Merlin), hospitals, entertainment | Basic amenities, smaller-scale services |
| Lifestyle & Community | More cosmopolitan, fast-paced, professional environment | Friendly, close-knit community with social clubs and activities |
| Accessibility | Well connected nationally and internationally via train and airport | 45–60 minutes drive to major stores or airport |
| Family-Friendly Options | Wide range of schools, activities, and infrastructure | Good for outdoor activities; limited public services without car |
| Off-Season Atmosphere | Active year-round | Can feel quiet or “closed” outside of peak tourist season |
| Car Dependency | Possible to live car-free | Generally need a car, especially in surrounding villages or countryside |
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