Nerja, an attractive fishing-based resort east of Malaga, has good beaches and traditional bars in the old town. Try the tapas of fresh seafood (free with your £1.30 crisp dry white) while your children play football in the street. Our local was family-owned, their boat bringing the catch straight back to the restaurant. There is a long sandy beach where on Sundays enormous dishes of paella are cooked on charcoal fires (£6.50 with free second helpings). Finish the night out with chocolate and churros, the whole family walking safely back at midnight in this friendly, mellow seaside town.

Google map: bit.ly/J7vqis

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I first discovered La Mariposa fresh off a flight at 10pm last summer - greeted by a beautiful local husband and wife duo who run the restaurant. You always know a good tapas bar when all of the customers are locals.
Nerja is one of the few places in Andalucia that still offer free tapas with a drink and in Mariposa they offer their best - truly showing off the local culinary skills and knowledge.
The owner has a top selection of Spanish riojas which beautifully compliment the food.
Personal food recommendations are the Aubergine Tempura drizzled with Frigiliana Molases followed by the locally caught Langoustine's in a potato lattice accompanied by the curry dip.
This is fine dining in an authentic little hub- excellent value for money!!
I would fly to Spain for some right now if I could!

Calle Cristo 120, Nerja, Spain
+34(0)627504840
Google map: bit.ly/IDYSvo

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This is the place we come to first when we visit Spain. We leave Malaga airport and make a beeline for Chiringuito beach. The food is always the same which makes it a local favourite and everything is quintessentially Spanish. Gambas Pil Pil, Calamares, Migas and simple grilled meat/fish, all packed full of flavour and riddled with garlic. Antonio a member of the family who owns the restaurant is always on hand with a friendly welcome. The setting is magnificent on a small cove next to Cerro Gordo on a two mile beach in a horseshoe shape - hence La Herradura. It is as cheap as chips but no stinting here on portions or quality. The chips themselves are cooked in olive oil and are divine. Best bit - an early evening tinto de verano (summer wine) watching the sun go down over the headline. Magnifico!

Paseo de Andres Segovia, 18697, La Herradura
+34958 827 550
Google map: bit.ly/z0xJV2

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Nerja is on the Costa Del Sol and lies approximately an hours drive north of Malaga. I first visited Nerja with my husband in October 2006 and the last time (approximately our 5th trip) was with my husband and our four year old twin girls in September 2011. Nerja is very pretty and has everything you require for a super holiday - plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and beaches, but it still feels very Spanish. The setting of the town is lovely and at its heart is the Balcon Da Europa, a lovely tree lined walk way that juts out in to the sea. The resort is a super place to mooch around during the day and really comes alive at night with its bustling cafes and bars. The resort is quite compact, so getting around is easy on foot. We loved Nerja as a couple and love it still as a family. It has hardly changed over the years, except there are a few more restaurants. It is also well placed for visiting the local area. Just south is the resort of Torrox Costa, north is La Herradura and inland is the pretty white washed village of Frigliana. It is worth hiring a car to get the most from this beautiful area.

Nerja, Costa Del Sol, Spain
Google map: bit.ly/zVQ5hC

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