Explore La Herradura
La Herradura is a true hidden gem on Spain’s Costa Tropical, tucked between the mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean. We feel very lucky to have found this village, and look forward to sharing it with you! Here are a few of our favourite things to see, do and experience while you’re here.
Take to the Water
La Herradura’s sparkling horseshoe-shaped bay is beautiful all year round, with crystal-clear seas, rocky coves and abundant marine life. Grab yourself some sun loungers, snorkel straight from the beach, or hire a kayak or paddleboard and explore the caves and cliffs of the spectacular Maro–Cerro Gordo Natural Area.
Sail into the Sunset
For a wonderfully lazy afternoon, head around the bay to Marina del Este, where you can join Catamaran and sailing trips along the Costa Tropical.
Swim from the boat, snorkel in quiet coves, stretch out on deck and watch the mountains slide past from the water. Sunset trips are particularly lovely.
Learn to Scuba Dive
La Herradura is genuinely one of the best places on this stretch of coast for scuba diving. Cerro Gordo has protected, biodiverse underwater landscapes and multiple dive sites. Divers may even be lucky enough to encounter the extraordinary Mola mola (ocean sunfish), seen here particularly during spring and summer.
There are several dive schools in the village offering everything from introductory dives to trips for experienced divers- or simply grab a mask and snorkel and explore from the beach.
Find a Wild Beach
Some of the most beautiful beaches on this stretch of coast are hidden beneath the cliffs between La Herradura and Nerja. These are mostly wild beaches so pack water, towels and a picnic and go in search of your favourite:
Playa del Cañuelo - wonderfully wild, unspoilt and surrounded by protected coastline.
Maro Beach - a tiny, picturesque cove that’s brilliant for kayaking and snorkelling. Paddle west from Maro Beach towards Nerja and you’ll reach the spectacular Maro waterfall, which tumbles straight from the cliffs into the sea.
Cantarriján- dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear water, beautiful hiking, and two gorgeous little beaches. Naturist-friendly, with the excellent La Barraca restaurant right on the beach for a long, lazy lunch.
Head for the Hills
You don't need to travel far to find spectacular walking. Trails climb directly from La Herradura into the mountains, rewarding you with beautiful views and rich biodiversity.
Hidden in the hills above La Herradura, the Herradura Coffee & Fruit Farm is home to coffee plants, century-old chirimoyas, mangoes, avocados and more. Join a guided tour to see just how exotic the Costa Tropical can be.
For a special day out, we also highly recommend Bodegas Bentomiz, a beautiful boutique winery in the hills near Sayalonga. Take a tour of the winery, taste their local Ariyanas wines and stay for a long gourmet lunch overlooking the mountains- one of our favourite ways to spend an afternoon.
Canyon the Río Verde
If your idea of a good day involves a little more adrenaline, head inland to the beautiful Río Verde.
Guided canyoning trips take you through turquoise pools and waterfalls, with swimming, scrambling, jumping and abseiling along the way, and there are options for different ages and experience levels. For a gentler family adventure, it’s also possible to explore part of the river independently- just ask us and we’ll happily share our tips on where to park, what to bring and how we usually do it.
Visit Nerja Caves
Just along the coast, the extraordinary Nerja Caves are filled with enormous caverns, stalactites and stalagmites. There’s also a beautiful shady children’s park, covered picnic areas, and a fun red tourist train connecting the caves with central Nerja- making this a really easy and enjoyable family day out.
Wander Through Frigiliana
Climb into the hills behind Nerja to beautiful Frigiliana, with its whitewashed houses, cobbled lanes, flower-filled balconies and little shops. Wander without too much of a plan and stop somewhere lovely for lunch.
Visit Granada
Around an hour away, Granada makes a brilliant day trip. Wander the winding streets of the Albaicín, hop on and off the tourist train, take in the tapas bars and visit the magnificent Alhambra. Visits to the Alhambra need to be booked well in advance, ideally through the official Alhambra website.
If you’re travelling with curious children, Granada Science Park is also excellent, with hands-on exhibitions, a planetarium and fascinating indoor and outdoor exhibits for all ages.
Take on the Caminito del Rey
A little further afield, the spectacular Caminito del Rey follows wooden walkways pinned high above the El Chorro gorge. It’s a longer day trip from La Herradura, but well worth it- just make sure you book ahead.
Or Do Absolutely Nothing
La Herradura is very good at this too. Find a spot on the beach, order lunch by the sea, swim, read, siesta and repeat. Some of the best days here require no itinerary whatsoever.
Where to Eat & Drink in La Herradura
La Herradura is made for sobremesa - long lunches, lingering conversations and gathering around the table with loved ones, without watching the clock. These are some of our favourites:
Chambao de Vicente - one of our favourites for a long lunch by the sea, with fresh fish and Mediterranean dishes in a gorgeous beachfront setting. They also have a traditional beach barbecue, perfect for trying local favourites like sardine espetos grilled over the fire.
Szimple Café & Bar- our go-to for breakfast, brunch or an easy lunch, right on the beachfront. Great coffee, fresh juices, colourful bowls, toasties and homemade treats- fresh, relaxed and always good.
Detako Gastrobar - our top pick for something special. Creative, beautifully presented japanese fusion food from a truly world class chef. Book well ahead.
Le Shack —for a casual crowd pleaser, Le Shack pffers brilliant artisan burgers, homemade sauces and a relaxed, buzzy atmosphere. Great with kids too.
Keng’s Takeaway- something of a local celebrity, serving seriously good Asian food with plenty of personality. Grab a takeaway or one of their noodle boxes for the beach, and you can order easily via WhatsApp.
Bambú — a lively beachfront chiringuito for good food, drinks, live music and a laid-back afternoon by the sea.
Chiringuito Bueno — a classic La Herradura beach lunch: fresh fish, espetos, seafood and paella, with your feet almost in the sand.
La Bonita Beach — fresh, colourful and wonderfully vegetarian/vegan-friendly, La Bonita is a bit of a bohemian dream. It’s well worth the short trip to Almuñécar, especially paired with a beach day on the beautiful black-sand beach there. Settle in for a long lunch or sunset drinks, with great food, cocktails and even a hammock swinging by the sea.
La Cochera — the kind of place you could walk straight past and never know what’s hiding inside. Out back is a quirky secret garden, with good cocktails, a relaxed atmosphere and regular live music. ¡A bailar!