The Costa del Sol has a secret, and it is not in Marbella. The Maro cliffs rise around 70 metres above the sea, with turquoise coves at their feet and a waterfall that drops straight into the Mediterranean. Land at Malaga Airport, pick up your car in arrivals and in about 1 hour you can be paddling under the rock.
It is the next stop in our series of escapes from the airport. After the white villages of the mountains, this time the plan is all about the sea.
The Maro cliffs, the quiet side of the Costa del Sol
Maro is a small village on the eastern edge of the province of Malaga, beyond Nerja. Here the coast changes character. The long beaches and promenades give way to steep slopes, terraced fields and a shoreline cut into cliffs and coves.
The Maro cliffs belong to the Paraje Natural Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo, a protected stretch of coast shared by Nerja, in Malaga, and Almuñécar, in Granada. The official Andalucía tourism page on Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo is a good place to start planning your visit.
Turquoise coves and a waterfall that falls into the sea
The image that inspired this post says it all: deep blue water, green terraces clinging to the slope and a coastline that folds into one cove after another. Down at sea level, the water turns turquoise.
The star of the Maro cliffs is the waterfall. Instead of ending in a river or a pool, it falls directly into the sea. Seen from the water, with the cliffs above you, it is one of those views that is hard to believe you are only an hour away from a runway.
Why the Maro cliffs are best reached by car
Viewpoints along the cliff tops, a cove for a swim, a stop in the village: a day at the Maro cliffs is made of small stops, and a car lets you choose them. You set the pace, you decide when the light is right and you head back when you want.
Maro is also close to Nerja, so you can easily combine both. Our post on the Nerja Caves gives you another idea for the same trip. And if you prefer the mountains, the series continues with Ronda and Las Alpujarras.
From arrivals to the sea with Fetajo Rent a Car
At Fetajo Rent a Car we have been handing over cars at Malaga Airport for 40 years. You book directly with us, your car waits for you in arrivals and the conditions are clear from the start.
Land, grab your keys and drive east. The Maro cliffs are waiting at the end of the road.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a tour to visit the Maro cliffs?
No. With your own car you can plan the day yourself, choose your stops and set your own timetable.
Since when is this coastline protected?
The Junta de Andalucía declared Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo a Paraje Natural in 1989.
Is Maro part of Nerja?
Yes. Maro is a small village within the municipality of Nerja, on the eastern side of the Costa del Sol.