My favourite places around La Herradura & Nerja
Restaurants, hidden beaches, kayaking, hiking trails and local experiences personally recommended by Herradura Coffee Farm.
Food
Finca El Marchante
A Truly Unique Gastronomic Experience
If you are looking for a truly unique culinary experience, you have to discover Albert’s project — yes, the same Albert from the sign at the farm
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As I mentioned during the tour, he has worked alongside some of the best chefs in Spain and knows the secrets of fine dining at the highest level. After years in top kitchens, he decided to create something much more personal and intimate.
Only three tables per day. Nothing more.
The idea is simple: no rush, no noise, no mass tourism — just genuine hospitality, creativity, conversation, and a true immersion into local gastronomy and culture.
Come with an open mind and forget about the clock for a while. Let yourself slow down, enjoy the atmosphere, and experience food the way it is meant to be experienced.
This is not just dinner. It is an experience.
Mardela
If you are looking for a special dinner in La Herradura, I highly recommend Mardela.
My friends Alejandra and Carlos run the restaurant with real passion and attention to detail. They genuinely care about giving every guest not only great service, but also one of the best culinary experiences on the Costa Tropical
Their rice dishes are outstanding, but their meat selection is especially impressive. In fact, their supplier is DISCARPE — one of the best meat distributors in the area, and coincidentally my former flatmate from university in Granada — so quality is absolutely guaranteed.
Perfect for an unforgettable date night, a relaxed dinner with friends, or simply enjoying excellent food in a beautiful setting near the sea.
If you decide to go, let them know you visited the farm.
Los Pajaritos
The Real Old-School Tapas Experience
If you want authenticity, this is the place.
Los Pajaritos is one of the last true old-school fish tapas bars left in Almuñecar. No trends, no decoration designed for Instagram, no fancy cocktails — just fresh fish, cold beer, noise, chaos, and local life happening all around you.
Fernando is an institution in the village. He has spent his entire life behind that bar and runs the place with the kind of personality that cannot be copied or modernised.
The bar is small, loud, crowded, and wonderfully alive. There is no Wi-Fi. You will probably have to squeeze your way to the counter to order. And if you are too slow collecting your tapa after Fernando shouts “Niñoooo!”, expect a deadly look from across the bar.
Do not expect comfort. This is practically an ethnological experience — a melting pot of fishermen, families, workers, tourists, old locals, and complete strangers sharing the same tiny space in what may well be the most democratic bar in the world.
And one important thing: there is only fish.
Do not even think about ordering meat or dessert… or do, but be prepared for the consequences.
An absolute classic
Buenavista Otivar
If you feel like leaving the coastline behind for a while and heading deeper into the tropical valley, you will discover a couple of hidden gems.
The first is the village of Otívar — a beautiful white mountain town with Alpujarra-style architecture, but without the polished “tourist makeup” you often find elsewhere. It still feels authentic, local, and wonderfully unfiltered.
And above all, there is Restaurante Buenavista.
As soon as you walk in, you will notice the traditional wood fire grill (“lumbre de leña”), where they achieve the perfect cooking point for every piece of meat. Simple things done properly, with experience and patience.
The restaurant is now run by the third generation of the same family, and it shows. They know exactly how to make people feel welcome and, more importantly, how to make them leave happy.
Take your time, enjoy the drive through the valley, and if you feel adventurous afterwards, visit the “Junta de los Ríos” — one of the most beautiful natural spots in the area.
Lisboa Slow – Coffee, Brunch & Good Energy
Lisboa Slow is the café of my friend Fran, and one of those places that quickly becomes part of your routine once you discover it.
They take coffee seriously and offer several different options depending on what you enjoy, but the real magic of the place is the atmosphere they have created around it.
You can start the day with an excellent breakfast — their Eggs Benedict are genuinely worth trying — have a healthy lunch such as their salmon poke bowl, or stop in during the afternoon for coffee and waffles with the family. My son Noah is a big fan of those waffles, so that recommendation comes with strong approval.
But beyond the food and coffee, what really makes Lisboa Slow special is the team behind it. Fran has surrounded himself with wonderful people: Tere, Manu, Caye, Tongui, Alberto… all of them bring warmth, humour, and that little spark that can completely change the mood of your day.
And a small cultural note: tipping in Spain is never obligatory, but if someone truly made your day better, a little generosity is always appreciated. Sometimes it helps pay for English lessons, football boots, a brewing course… or simply a cold beer after a long shift.
A relaxed place full of good energy, good people, and the kind of atmosphere that makes holidays memorable.
Sea Experiences
Soul Kayak Tours | La Herradura
As I mentioned during the tour, there is a truly magical place hidden along our coastline.
My friend Luis offers a very special experience to discover La Herradura and the spectacular cliffs of Cerro Gordo from the sea.
During the route, you will explore turquoise waters, hidden sea caves, Posidonia seagrass meadows and the famous “Cueva de las Palomas”, one of the most beautiful spots on the Costa Tropical.
Along the way, you may also hear stories about Genoese corsairs, old smuggling routes and even curious tales connected to Cold War espionage involving the CIA, MI6 and the pieds-noirs who once settled on this Mediterranean coast
A highly recommended experience if you would like to discover the wildest and most authentic side of La Herradura.
Boat rental without licence at La Herradura
Our coastline is truly spectacular.
We have some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, a protected natural park, crystal-clear waters, hidden coves, and incredible sunsets over the Mediterranean. If you are lucky, you may even spot dolphins or pilot whales (“calderones”) along the coast
One of the most special experiences you can have here is renting a small boat without a licence and exploring the coastline at your own pace. Along the way you can discover places such as the famous Maro-Cerro Gordo cliffs, see wild mountain goats reaching the edge of the sea, and even find a small freshwater waterfall hidden between the cliffs
This activity is offered by a friend of mine here in La Herradura. He does not speak English, but if you send me a WhatsApp message I can put you in direct contact with him and he will give you a special discount as a friend of the farm
Highly recommended, especially in the late afternoon for sunset.
Windsurf La Herradura
Manuela and Vicky are friends of mine since school and they run Windsurf La Herradura, one of the true classic businesses of the bay.
Their parents opened the school back in 1979, at a time when almost nobody in Spain even knew what windsurfing was. Since then, generations of locals and visitors have learned how to sail, windsurf, and enjoy the sea thanks to them.
They have always been pioneers here — not only teaching windsurf and sailing for decades, but also bringing the latest equipment and top international brands long before these sports became fashionable in Spain.
If you enjoy being on the water, they offer several activities and rental options, whether you are a complete beginner or already experienced. They also give lessons for children, which makes it an excellent family plan.
Professional, local, experienced, and genuinely passionate about the sea — exactly the kind of business I like recommending.
Nature, Hiking and Hidden Gems
Junta de los ríos
If you love nature, adventure, and wild landscapes, you should experience La Junta de los Ríos in Río Verde.
This spectacular gorge carved by the emerald-green waters of Río Verde is one of the hidden natural treasures of the Costa Tropical. Along the route you will find crystal-clear pools where you can swim and jump, narrow canyon passages, waterfalls, and a landscape that makes you feel completely disconnected from the modern world.
The access itself is part of the experience. The trail takes you deeper and deeper into a privileged natural environment surrounded by cliffs, Mediterranean forest, and running water.
I strongly recommend going with a professional guide like David or Javier from localexperiences.es , especially if it is your first time. Some sections require confidence on uneven terrain, basic scrambling, and a reasonable fitness level. This is not a simple tourist walk — it is an active experience for people who enjoy nature and a bit of adventure.
Bring good shoes, water, and an adventurous spirit.
Sunset Walk from Cerro Gordo to Maro
If you enjoy hiking, sunsets, and dramatic coastal landscapes, do not miss the route through the Maro–Cerro Gordo Natural Park.
This is one of the wildest and most beautiful stretches of coastline in southern Spain. The trail follows the Mediterranean through rugged paths carved into the cliffs, surrounded by untouched nature, hidden coves, and impossible sea views.
Along the way you may spot wild mountain goats balancing effortlessly on the rocks, wild boars hidden in the vegetation… and perhaps the occasional smuggler
You will pass by the famous Cantarriján nudist beach — and yes, as I joked during the tour, once a year we even organise a visit “as God brought us into the world.”
The entire route runs beside the sea and above an underwater Posidonia oceanica meadow, one of the Mediterranean’s most valuable ecosystems, with crystal-clear waters full of life. If you are lucky, dolphins sometimes appear offshore, especially around sunset when the light turns golden and the cliffs begin to glow.
Bring water, good shoes, and take your time. This is not just a hike — it is one of those places that reminds you how beautiful the Mediterranean used to be before mass tourism reached every corner.
Ron El Mondero – The Last Link to Our Sugarcane Past
Ron El Mondero is one of the last living links to the long sugarcane history of the Costa Tropical.
Paco is a brave man. In a world obsessed with industrial production and shortcuts, he continues cultivating and producing rum from local sugarcane grown here, beside the Mediterranean. As I mentioned during the tour, some of our own sugarcane ends up transformed into his beautiful hand-numbered bottles of rum.
What he is doing is genuinely special.
His rums are currently ageing in Pedro Ximénez, Manzanilla, and Palo Cortado barrels, developing incredibly pure and complex flavours with the influence of Andalusian wine traditions. The result is elegant, authentic, and deeply connected to this land.
But beyond the rum itself, what really stays with you is Paco.
When you look into his eyes, you immediately see the purity, sacrifice, and passion behind this craft. This is not just a business — it is years of dedication, stubbornness, and love for a tradition that almost disappeared from our coast.
If you enjoy authentic products with soul and a real story behind them, this place is absolutely worth discovering.
Fly Costa del Sol – Seeing the Coast from the Sky
Some experiences stay in your memory forever, and flying with Fly Costa del Sol is definitely one of them.
There is something deeply emotional about seeing this land from the air — the cliffs, the Mediterranean, the tropical valley, the white villages hanging above the sea… for a moment you stop being a tourist and feel like a bird discovering the coastline from another world.
For me, it represents one of the oldest dreams humans have ever had: to fly.
Doing it in a paramotor, with complete safety and accompanied by a professional pilot, is honestly one of the activities I recommend the most in the entire area. Sunrise and sunset flights are especially unforgettable, when the light turns golden and the sea looks endless beneath your feet.
And the best part is that you do not need previous experience. You simply relax, enjoy the silence up there, and let the Costa Tropical reveal itself from above.
David, the founder, is not only a professional pilot but also an admirable entrepreneur. You can immediately feel the passion, discipline, and responsibility he puts into every flight. He has built something very special: an experience that combines adventure, beauty, and trust in a completely natural way.
And by the way… while booking on their website enter the code “” to receive a small discount 😉
If you are hesitating, do it. Years from now, you probably will not remember another beach day. But you will remember the day you flew over the Mediterranean.
Go in situ
Discover the Real Andalusia
My friend Lorena created something very special with Goinsitu.
Instead of typical mass-tourism activities, she focuses on genuine local experiences that connect you with the people, traditions, landscapes, and culture of Andalusia in a much deeper way.
Through her platform you can do things most visitors would never even imagine: walk alongside shepherds in the mountains, learn how traditional goat cheese is made, shear sheep, taste olive oil from thousand-year-old olive trees, go snowshoe trekking in Sierra Nevada, or explore desert landscapes on a 4×4 adventure.
These are not artificial “tourist products.” They are experiences built around real people and real places.
If you are looking for something outside the conventional tourist circuit, Lorena will become your eyes into another side of southern Spain — slower, more authentic, and far more memorable.
The only danger is that you may completely fall in love with the region and never want to leave xD
Portal: https://goinsitu.com
La Biodiversa
Olive Oil, Madness & Dreams
La Biodiversa is our supplier of extra virgin olive oil, but above all, Nono has become one of the most important people in my life.
We met in a rather surreal way. I was wandering between fairground rides at a festival in Salon de Provence when suddenly he called me. He had seen me on Spanish national television and said we were kindred spirits cultivating different fruits. And honestly… he was absolutely right.
Since then, we have shared ideas, mistakes, victories, frustrations, and above all, dreams.
For years people called him crazy. He decided to recover his family’s abandoned olive groves instead of following an easier path.
Today, that same project has won gold medals in Paris, Tokyo, and New York, as well as the platinum award in Berlin for the best organic extra virgin olive oil in the world.
Not bad for a “crazy” man.
If you visit La Biodiversa, you are not just buying olive oil. You are discovering a philosophy: respect for biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, patience, and the belief that quality still matters in a world obsessed with speed.
And if you decide to visit his centuries-old olive groves with him, you will experience it firsthand alongside an agronomist who truly understands the land beneath his feet.
As an extra bonus, you will also discover Arjona — birthplace of medieval kings and one of those inland Andalusian towns that still carries the weight of history in its streets
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