Your very best day trip options from Málaga

Published by Cassie on 18/08/202518/08/2025

green text box: awesome day trips from Malaga. 4 photos. 1 of view over cliffs of Antequera, 1 of a beach scene, 1 of cable car and 1 of caminito del rey famous bridge shot

There are sooo many excellent day trips to take when you’re staying in Málaga, or elsewhere on the Spanish Costa del Sol. And because I’d hate for your to feel overwhelmed as you plan your vacation, I’ve written this article all about the very best options, what they are, how to get there and which tours I’d recommend if you’re a tour-taking person.

🏖️ 🌳 🔎 Whether you’re looking for beaches and water based fun or access to Andaluz cultural heritage and nature, I promise you that so much adventure is easily accessible from the beautiful city of Málaga.

_{There are affiliate links in this article. If you click and make a purchase I could make a small sum at zero cost to you. Thank you!}

Other useful MexicoCassie guides to Málaga

Before you plan your day trips from Málaga though, be sure to plan enough time to get to know Málaga itself. It’s not just a beach destination, it’s a true cultural hub in its own right; it’s a city full of museums, art galleries, gorgeous architecture, historical monuments (including Roman ruins and the best preserved Alcazaba in the region) and more.

→ What to do with 3 days in Málaga

→ How to explore Málaga in just 1 day

🏨 Find your perfect Málaga accommodation

👧🏽 If you’re visiting with kids, use the MexicoCassie guide to Málaga with kids to plan your trip

→ MexicoCassie guide to exploring Andalucía with kids

🚘 Read the MexicoCassie guide to driving around southern Spain

⭐️ If you’re planning on visiting any of the top attractions in the region then it’s highly advisable to buy tickets in advance. ⭐️

I can’t stress enough that turning up to the Alhambra in Granada, Sevilla’s Alcazar or to walk the Caminito del Rey without a pre-bought ticket will not usually end happily. These are 3 of the most popular tourist attractions in Andalucía and it’s not worth risking disappointment. Please, please, please book in advance. I recommend using the website Tiquets to find saver/combo-tickets.

Transport in and around Málaga

When planning your day trips from Málaga you’ll need to think about your transport options and preferences. The roads are excellent and there are good public transport links around the region.

Personally, I always choose to drive because I don’t enjoy being tied to timetables and I love knowing that if we see a castle up on a hill or a cool looking beach we can just detour and check it out.

🚗 Rental cars

Driving in Spain is actually very easy because the roads are generally in good condition, they’re rarely crowded, and people tend to be very law abiding. Renting a car gives you the freedom to come and go as you please, change you mind, stop randomly when you see something fun, take detours, join the Spanish stopping for picnics at the side of the road and generally enjoy Spain to its fullest.

→ Check rental car options from Málaga now

→ Read the MexicoCassie guide to driving around southern Spain

🚌 Bus

Buses tend to be the cheapest way to move around Spain. They’re comfortable, frequent and well-maintained. However, they do have set routes and timetables, which removes your chance for spontaneity. The Málaga bus station is located next to the train station on Plaza de los Tilos.

→ I use BusBud to check bus timetables and book buses when travelling in Europe

🚂 Train

Málaga’s train station is called Maria Zambrano and, like the bus station is centrally located. It’s easy to walk from the train station into town. If you’re not a walker, there are buses and metros serving the train station.

Money saving tip: I highly recommend buying train tickets in advance wherever possible as prices rise and availability can be scarce.

👣 Guided tours

There are excellent tours with local guides offered from Málaga so if you’re looking to have a guide show you around and introduce you to local culture, this is your best option. I’ve included links to some of my recommended tours, below.

→ I always use Get Your Guide or Viator for my own family’s tours when we travel

Day trips from Málaga

OK, so let’s take a look now at the best day trip options from Málaga (or elsewhere along the Costa del Sol).

⏱️ Every day trip option I’ve included is within 2 hours of Málaga

🚌 I’ve mentioned above that it’s a good idea to use Busbud & RailEurope to book your transport if you’re not driving yourself or taking a tour

👣 If I have a strong opinion about a tour then I’ve included it as an official MexicoCassie tour recommendation

Find your day trip options via the following headings

🏖️ Best beach towns along the Costa del Sol

🔎 Pueblos blancos – the pretty white villages

⭐️ Big cities

🌳 Nature escapes

Best beach towns along the Costa del Sol

beach scene, blue sky, sandy beach with white loungers and straw umbrella shades

There are some truly beautiful beaches to explore when you’re staying in Málaga. Most of the beaches along this stretch of Spain’s magnificent coast are sandy beaches flanked by the gorgeous blue and calm Mediterranean Sea. Some beaches are more built up and touristy than others.

Nerja – fishing village with incredible views

very clear blue water (photo taken from a paddle board looking back at Malaga coastline), mountains, beach with lots of umbrellas on it, red kayak

Nerja is actually one of the most popular beach towns in the province of Málaga thanks to its gorgeous beaches and its traditional fishing village vibe. There are 12 beaches within the Nerja limits (the one in the photo above is Playa Burrriana where you’ll find chiringuitos, sunbeds for rent, a supermarket, pedalo and paddle board rentals and plenty of souvenir stores as well as a small supermarket. As you can see, it’s a popular place to spend the day).

What to do in Nerja

⭐️ Balcón de Europa (Balcony of Europe) – everyone ends up here when they visit Nerja – take a walk, enjoy the atmosphere and marvel at the views over to Africa.

⭐️ Visit the incredible Nerja Caves

⭐️ Hike up the tallest mountain in the area, El Cielo

⭐️ See the Eagle Aqueduct – this isn’t a Roman aqueduct like in Segovia. In fact it was built in the 1800s but it is fully functional

⭐️ Explore the village’s pedestrianised cobblestone streets

⭐️ Visit Frigiliana, a nearby pueblo blanco

😉 There’s a nearby nudist beach if you’re looking: Playa Nudista de Cantarriján.

Nerja details

🚗 1hr15 driving along the coastal road

🚌 The least expensive way to get to Nerja is by ALSA bus

⭐️ Take a full day tour to Nerja, Nerja caves and the pueblo blanco of Frigiliana with a bilingual guide and included audioguide in the caves. Free time to explore in both Nerja and Frigiliana

→ Check details & reserve now

Torremolinos – great food & LGBTQI+ vibe

The nearby beach town (first beach photo above, btw) of Torremolinos, is also the LGBTQI+ capital of southern Europe so if you’re looking for a very welcoming place, this is it.

There are 6 main beaches in Torremolinos, all linked by a promenade which is part of the Málaga Coastal Path. There are chiringuitos, bars and services along the beaches. If you enjoy beaches lined with bars and being around lots of other people enjoying life on the beach then Torremolinos is for you.

📚 Torremolinos first came to my notice thanks to the excellent book, Drifters, by James A Michenar, about young Americans avoiding being drafted to fight in Vietnam by hanging out in Torremolinos and enjoying a life of drugs and fun on the beach. Ernest Hemingway was also a regular in Torremolinos. The literary connection was enough for to persuade me to visit!

What to do in Torremolinos

🌊 Go kite surfing or wind surfing

⭐️ Enjoy exploring the old town of Torremolinos (Calle San Miguel is the main shopping street)

🌳 Explore the gardens including the Jardín Botánico Molino de Inca and Parque de la Bateria

💦 Visit a waterpark – If you’re here with kids then a trip to Aqualand, the biggest waterpark in the region is a must!

→ Skip the line and book your Aqualand tickets now

Torremolinos details

🚗 30 minute drive past the Málaga airport

🚌 Take a bus from the bus station direction Torremolinos (25 minutes)

🚂 There are regular trains from Málaga that take 20 minutes

Benalmadena – super kid friendly

pine tree covering left of picture, cable car carriage and lines over countryside, town and sea

There are 13 beaches along the 10km of Benalmadena coastline. Some are coves while others are wide and sandy beaches with chiringuitos and bars to enjoy.

😉 Benalnatura is the nudist beach in town.

What to do in Benalmadena

If you’re on vacation with kids then you’ll probably wind up here at some point as there’s plenty for families.

🚠 Take the cable car to the top of Mount Calamorro for delightful panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, mountains and on a super clear day, the Rock of Gibraltar and the Moroccan coastline.

🪷 Benalmadena Stupa (the highest stupa in Europe)

🏰 Colomares Castle (this is a very odd looking castle that was built as a monument to Columbus)

🔎 Wander the Benalmadena old town, Parque de la Paloma and the archaeological museum

🐢 Visit the Sea Life Aquarium

🦋 Visit the Mariposario de Benalmadena

❌ Please, please don’t visit the dolphin park – why would you help support dolphin captivity? Instead take a tour to see them in their natural habitat in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Benalmadena details

🚗 30 minute drive

🚌 35 minutes on the Avanza bus

🚂 30 minutes on the train from Málaga (there are trains every 20 minutes)

⭐️ Take a fabulous 2 hr dolphin watching boat tour from Benalmadena

→ Reserve now

⭐️ Book your saver tickets for the cable car and aquarium entry now

Marbella – feel yourself fancy

view of nearly empty beach - palm trees on left

_{^{photo by Flavia of}}_{^{Un Mundo Ahí Afuera}}

Famously classy Marbella has over 20 km of beaches running from Guadalmina to Cabopino, many of them reflecting the upper-class reputation that Marbella has. These Med lapped beaches offer spectacular views, water sports and relaxation.

What to do in Marbella

⭐️ Paseo Maritimo – the Marbella promenade is a lovely place to enjoy a gentle walk

⭐️ If you want to see the playgrounds of the super rich, keep walking (or cabbing) until you hit Puerto Banús

⭐️ Spend time wandering aimlessly through the narrow cobbled streets of Marbella’s old town, stopping for a tinto de verano on cute plazas such as Plaza los Naranjos. Don’t miss the Dalí sculptures on Avenida del Mar as you explore.

⭐️ Visit the XI century Moorish Marbella castle

⭐️ Relax in the Parque de la Alameda

⭐️ Charter a yacht or indulge in some water sports

Marbella details

🚗 1 hr along the coastal road

🚌 1 hr on an Avanza bus

⭐️ Take a whole day tour to explore Mijas Pueblo, the white village up in the mountains above the Málaga coast, Marbella and Puerto Banús

→ Reserve your full day tour now

Pueblos Blancos (White Villages)

Mijas Pueblo – mountain views & great food

Up in the mountains just a short drive from Málaga is Mijas Pueblo, one of the most beautiful villages you can imagine. This small village has a large and attractive main square, countless excellent restaurants, a very informative small museum and some of the best views over the Málaga coast you’ll find.

What to do in Mijas Pueblo

🔎 Check out the lovely small museums

⭐️ The views from the miradors here are unsurpassed

🛺 Take a tuk-tuk tour or explore the narrow cobbled streets of Mijas Pueblo on foot

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to Mijas Pueblo

Mijas Pueblo details

🚗 35 minutes

🚌 A direct bus takes an hour but if you have to change, it’s going to be around 90 minutes

⭐️ Take a whole day tour to explore Mijas Pueblo, the white village up in the mountains above the Málaga coast, Marbella and Puerto Banús

→ Reserve your day tour now

⭐️ Once in Mijas Pueblo if you’re after an adrenaline rush, take this 2 hour quad bike (ATV) tour of the mountains around the town

→ Reserve your ATV adventure

⭐️ Take a chocolate making class (perfect for the whole family) at the Mayan Monkey in Mijas

→ Reserve now

Frigiliana – billed the prettiest village in Andalucía

village of white painted houses on the hill side

This pueblo blanco, located on the slopes of the Sierra Almijara, is often found on lists of the “10 most beautiful villages in Spain” and is touted as the prettiest village in Andalucía too (although for me that has to be Zuheros, in Córdoba Province).

Frigiliana has a Moorish feel to it and its old quarter is made up of delightful winding, cobblestone streets full of small shops and tapas bars.

What to do in Frigiliana

Check out the archaeological museum and the botanical gardens and, of course the Nerja Caves are nearby too. Spend a lovely, lazy day wandering in and out of the souvenir stores and enjoying a tapas here and there.

Frigiliana details

🚗 Around a 1 hr drive from Málaga

🚌 Take a bus to Nerja and then a bus or cab to Frigiliana

⭐️ Take an excellent full day tour to Nerja, Nerja caves and the pueblo blanco of Frigiliana with a bilingual guide and included audioguide in the caves. Free time to explore in both Nerja and Frigiliana

→ Reserve your day of adventure now

Setenil de las Bodegas

small town of white houses from above as it winds through valley

If you can cope with small, winding roads, then a day trip to the fascinating Setenil de las Bodegas is a great addition to any trip in southern Spain. This small village is famous for its houses that are built into the rocks. Exploring the town is great fun for everyone and it’s even possible to enter into one or two of the houses to get a feel for how life is in a rock-hewn home.

What to do in Setenil de las Bodegas

⛰ Visit the small rock hewn houses

⭐️ Stroll along Calle Cuevas del Sol and Calle Cuevas de la Sombre, the two main streets

⭐️Walk up to the Mirador del Carmen for awesome views and for a bit of time away from the other tourists who probably won’t make it up here

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to Setenil de las Bodegas

Setenil de las Bodegas details

🚗 It’s a 1 hr 20 car ride from Málaga but over 3 hrs on the bus so without transport or a guide, this is not super easy

⭐️ Take a full day tour of Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas from Málaga. This particular tour includes a good walking tour of the beautiful town of Ronda as well as free time in both Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas

→ Reserve your tour now

Ronda – bridges and majestic views

view of ronda's puente nuevo from one side. can see bluff and town on top and into valley below

This gorgeous & ancient city is famous thanks to the Tajo Gorge that runs through it, splitting it in two. The two halves are joined by bridges that span the deep gorge – Puente Nuevo, the Roman Bridge and the Arab bridge. All 3 of these bridges are extremely old including the Puente Nuevo (new bridge), which was built in 1793.

What to do in Ronda

Check out the 3 bridges, both up close and from the numerous miradors around town

Have a magnificent lunch/drinks

Visit the museums, the Arab Baths, the Jardines de Cuenca & more

Hang out on the Plaza de Toros

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to spending the day in Ronda

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to visiting Ronda with kids

Ronda details

🚗 1hr20 if you have a car but around double the time if you need to take a public bus

→ Reserve your day now

Day trips to larger cities and towns

Sevilla – the majestic Andaluz capital

Sevilla, the capital of Andalucía, is just over two hours from Málaga so if you’re organised and happy to have a busy day it’s possible to visit Sevilla for the day. I live in Sevilla and I’ve spoken to many people who come from Málaga for the day so although I haven’t done it myself, I do know it’s perfectly possible.

What to do in Sevilla

Sevilla’s highlights include the famous Alcazar, Cathedral and Archivos de Indias trio that make up Seville’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Plaza de España and María Luisa Park.

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to exploring Sevilla in 1 day

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to exploring Sevilla with kids and the guide to Sevilla with teens

Sevilla details

🚗 2hr30 via Antequera

🚌 2hr45 minutes with Alsa Buses

🚂 There are direct trains between Seville and Málaga – it takes around 2 hours on the fast train

⭐️ Take a full (11 hr day) tour to Sevilla with Alcazar tickets included. Explore the other highlights of Sevilla on your own

→ Reserve now

Córdoba – for history & culture

arches of the mezquita in cordoba, a few people walking around

No one wants to miss out on a trip to Córdoba when they’re in Andalucía, and rightly so, this city is really something special. Highlights include the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mosque-Cathedral Mezquita, the Alcazaba, the Jewish Quarter and numerous museums.

What to do in CórdobaYou’re unlikely to visit Córdoba and not visit the Mezquita but don’t miss crossing the Roman Bridge to the museum on the other side of the river.

Stroll around the old town, shopping for souvenirs, marvelling at the ancient architecture, and popping into the many excellent small museums

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to exploring Córdoba

Córdoba details

🚗 1hr50 in a car

🚌 2hr30 with Alsa bus

🚂 under an hour on the train

⭐️ Take a full day tour to Córdoba that includes a guided tour through the old Jewish quarter, tickets and guided tour of the Mezquita and free time to explore alone

→ Reserve this excellent tour now

Antequera – views to make you weep

It’s hard to pick a favourite of all these day trips from Málaga but I think Antequera might be my very favourite. Not only is the town absolutely gorgeous but it’s home to ancient dolmens that you can visit and just over the town is the Torcal de Antequera, which is home to some astounding rock formations and is one of my all time favourite places to go hiking in all the world (note, even if you’re not a hiker there are plenty of options for an easy stroll to admire the view and there’s a visitors’ center with a cafe, too).

What to do in Antequera

Head up to the Torcal de Antequera for gentle hiking and magnificent views (see photo above)

Visit the ancient dolmens (there are 3) just outside town

In the town itself there’s a great museum and some lovely restaurants

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to Antequera

Antequera details

🚗 50 minutes

🚌 1 hr on an Alsa bus

🚂 25 minutes on an Avant train

⭐️ Take a 6 hr tour to see the two major highlights of Antequera: the dolmens of Antequera and hike (3km) in the incredible Torcal de Antequera, learning about the vegetation and the weird karst landscape

→ Reserve your amazing Antequera day now

Granada

view of the nasrid palacio from the grounds of the Alhambra

Another city on the “must visit” list for anyone interested in Andalucía’s history and culture, is Granada, home of the world famous Alhambra Palace, the crown jewel of Islamic Spain (because it’s really important to remember that the history of Andalucía is really the history of Islam in Spain). The Alhambra includes the Nasrid Palaces (photo above), the Alcazaba, the Generalife Gardens.

What to do in Granada

Visit the Alhambra Palace complex (please, please remember that you need to book your tickets in advance)

It’s also worth taking time to explore the old Moorish quarter of Granada. And of course, while you’re in the historic centre, don’t forget to look up from your shopping or tapas and admire both the architecture as you explore and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains.

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to Granada

Granada details

🚗 2 hr by car

🚌 1hr45 on an Alsa bus

🚂 1hr20 on Alsa trains

⭐️ Take a full day tour of Granada that includes entrance ticket and guided tour of the Alhambra including the Nasrid palaces and the Generalife gardens with free time to explore the city after

→ Reserve your tour now

Day trips in nature

Spain is really all about the nature and the Costa del Sol region is no different. There are plenty of fabulous hiking opportunities in the region as well as the most famous of all, El Caminito del Rey.

El Caminito del Rey – no longer dangerous but still gorgeous

view of a bridge over a green lake between steep gorge walls on caminito del rey

One of the most popular nature day trips from Málaga is to the Caminito del Rey, by the small village of El Chorro. The Caminito del Rey used to be considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the world but thanks to some much needed restoration work, it is no longer dangerous at all.

It is imperative to know that you can’t buy tickets at the Visitors’ Centre, you need to buy tickets in advance online if you wish to walk the Caminito del Rey.

You have to get yourself to the North Access point as this is where the hike begins. Note that you have to hike just to get here though. While the walk itself is not strenuous if you’re fit, no walking poles are permitted, no children under 8 and you do need to prepare yourself for a 2-3 hour beautiful walk.

Much of the walk is on wooden paths attached to the side of the cliff. For me it never felt scary or dangerous but if you’re afraid of heights I can see it might be a little uncomfortable.

A note on tickets: if you are taking yourself to the Caminito del Rey, the ideal is to buy your tickets on the official website. Here self-guided tickets are €10 and guided tours are €18 (both plus booking fee). They sell out fast so if you can’t find them for the date you want, check tour aggregate companies such as Get Your Guide as they will generally have some availability at only a very small premium.

How to get to El Caminito del Rey

🚗 50 minutes to where you leave the car.

MexicoCassie tip: Park at Restaurant El Kiosko and walk through the Tunel de Aceso and along a clear path to the North Access point. Takes a good 40 minutes to walk. Or go to the Visitors’ Centre and take the shuttle bus (and then walk)

🚂 Approx 50 minutes on the train from Málaga to El Chorro

⭐️ Transport from Málaga (or elsewhere along the Costa del Sol), ticket and guided tour of the gorgeous Caminito del Rey. Time in the village of Ardales to pick up breakfast

→ Reserve now

⭐️ Full day tour that includes a morning tour of the pueblo blanco of Alora that includes a visit to a museum, and a tapas brunch before walking the Caminito del Rey. The return journey to Málaga is by train (ticket included in price)

→ Reserve now

Other hiking opportunities: Unsurprisingly, Málaga province is covered in excellent walking trails and hiking opportunities. The nature lends itself perfectly to this. If you want to find easy trails try looking for the Vía Verdes – old railway lines that have been converted into paths.

The Sierra Nevada – snow and beach in one day?

bright day up a mountain in Sierra Nevada, people standing around in distance, sun shining through clouds. cable car

Whether you’re visiting Málaga in the summer or the winter, a day trip into the nature reserve of the Sierra Nevada is a wondrous thing. The Sierra Nevada is home to Europe’s most southerly ski resort and it regularly has snow until March / April.

Visit in the winter to do the whole “beach-to-snow” thing, take a ski or snowboard class or even a snow-hike (we did this and I can honestly say it was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done). Visit in the summer to enjoy the resort and the mountains for their views and hiking options.