Nerja, 20 kilometres east along the coast from Torre del Mar, is the most rewarding day trip from the area. The town itself is built on dramatic limestone cliffs above a series of small cove beaches (the Burriana and Calahonda beaches are the best), and the old town has retained more character than most Costa del Sol resorts.
The Caves of Nerja are the main draw: a vast cavern system discovered in 1959 and containing one of the world's largest stalactite columns. The caves also hold Palaeolithic cave paintings. The daily visit is well organised and the cave interior is genuinely impressive. Nerja can be reached by regular bus from Torre del Mar or Vélez-Málaga in about 30 minutes.