Maro: Cave, Cliffs and Playa de Maro

Maro is a locality within Nerja; Cueva de Nerja is located in Maro. The cave is an archaeological site with a history of diverse and continuous human use spanning more than 40,000 years.

Nature

The Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo are protected under the categories Paraje Natural, ZEC, ZEPA and ZEPIM. The natural area extends from the Maro coastal watchtower to Cala de Calaiza.

Its marine area includes extensive seagrass meadows, including Posidonia, as well as corals, sponges and a great variety of fish. From the Mirador de la Torre de Maro, visitors can look out over this area with its steep cliffs, beaches and small, difficult-to-access coves.

Playa de Maro is 500 metres long and 20 metres wide. Its dark sand has a medium grain size, and the waves are moderate. A boat trip in the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo area allows visitors to reach less accessible and scenic places along the protected coast.

Getting around

When visiting Cueva de Nerja, visitors have to negotiate several changes in elevation over slightly more than 400 steps. The Jardín Botánico Detunda-Cueva de Nerja is accessible from the cave grounds; it showcases plant species from Málaga and Granada.

The Romería de San Isidro takes place every year on 15 May on the grounds of Cueva de Nerja. The Sendero Cueva de Nerja-Almijara starts there and leads into the surrounding mountain landscape along a signposted, easy route suitable for the whole family.

A footpath connects the grounds of Cueva de Nerja with Maro via gardens and the Sierra; along the way, a modern footbridge crosses the Autovía del Mediterráneo. The municipal network of hiking trails also includes the Maro-Barranco Sanguino route and the Sendero Natural Acantilados de Maro.

When you choose a holiday apartment in Maro, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages. This information provides a clear organisational framework for your stay, while the decision about the local features you would like to see remains yours.

Another place to consider when planning your trip is Río De La Miel.

Culture

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas houses the venerated image of the Virgen de las Maravillas, the patron saint of Maro. The church was restored in 1887.

History

The Acueducto del Águila was built at the end of the 19th century for irrigation and to supply water to the former Las Mercedes or San Joaquín sugar factory. It has four superimposed levels with brick arcades and a total of 37 semicircular arches.

Construction of the Ingenio de Maro, a sugar factory associated with sugar-cane cultivation in Maro, began in 1585. The derelict Ingenio preserves parts of the original travertine masonry, semicircular-arched openings and a massive supporting pillar.

In Maro's history, agriculture and the economic activities that developed from it were among the occupations pursued; these included silk and sugar-cane honey, among others.

For the overarching travel overview: Nerja.