15 Best Day Trips From Malaga With Insider Tips

1. Torremolinos

Only a 15-minute drive from the capital, Torremolinos is a lively town worth visiting for at least half a day.

One of the best things to do in Torremolinos is to spend the day on the beach. Pack some food with you or, even better, have lunch at a beach club. These are great because of the atmosphere – music, sunbeds, refreshing drinks and tasty food.

If you want to explore other things besides the beaches, I recommend adding these activities to your itinerary: wandering the old town to do some shopping and see street art; going to Parque de la Batería, a beautiful park with a boat pond, fountains, and great views from its tower; and walking on the beach promenade at night for a different atmosphere.

In addition to these, I also love visiting Casa de los Navajas, a former Moorish palace with gardens, and watching the sunset at Punta Gatuna.

2. Benalmadena

An easy day trip from Malaga is Benalmadena. Most people have the misconception that Benalmadena is only a tourist resort, and I disagree. The town has something to offer everyone – beautiful parks, castles, a temple and beaches, among other attractions. 

It’s a great place to visit with young kids. You can go to Selwo Marina and Sea Life Benalmadena to watch the dolphins and other aquatic animals, or Parque de la Paloma to picnic and feed small animals like rabbits and birds.

For adults, one of my favourite things to do in Benalmadena is to visit Castillo de Colomares, a monument in the shape of a castle next to Benalmadena Pueblo and one of the best photo spots!

Inside the castle, you can learn about Christopher Columbus’s adventures and the discovery of America, and take beautiful pictures of the intricate walls and views with complex architecture.

But let’s not forget the beaches. Benalmadena has some of the most outstanding beaches in Costa del Sol, where you can easily spend a full day sunbathing, eating some traditional espetos de sardinas (sardine skewers) or walking in the promenades.

3. Mijas Pueblo

At the top of the mountain, you’ll find Mijas Pueblo, an enchanting white town in Malaga that will steal your heart. 

Mijas Pueblo is one of my favourite white towns because, despite being small, it has views overlooking the coast, many bars and restaurants where you can enjoy traditional tapas, live dancing shows during the summer months, and much more.

It’s a very picturesque town, and you’ll want to take pictures on every corner; just imagine walking through hilly, cobbled streets with beautiful white houses, blue plant pots, and bright red and pink flowers. 

The best place to get a view is from the viewpoint next to the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña chapel. This chapel is special as it’s inside a small cave.

A popular thing to do in Mijas Pueblo is to eat almendras garrapiñadas (candied almonds) from the street stalls.

5. Estepona

On the western side of Costa del Sol, Estepona is often overlooked compared to other nearby towns in Malaga, like Marbella. It’s more relaxed, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to do.

The best thing to do in Estepona is to walk through the old town, which has beautiful cobblestone streets decorated with colourful flowers like geraniums.

As you walk, you’ll come across the Castillo de San Luis, a castle built by the Catholic Monarchs in the 15th century and visit a tiny bell tower that was part of an old church.

Apart from the old town, it’s worth spending time in Playa del Cristo, a beautiful and relaxing beach.

However, if you’re up for some adventure, go to Selwo Aventura, a safari just outside Estepona. There are plenty of animals to see, like lions, giraffes, flamingos, etc., and walking trails and vehicle tours to get closer to and feed some of them.

6. Nerja

45 minutes from the capital, Nerja is one of the most popular day trips from Malaga for locals and tourists.

If you wonder why it’s so popular, it probably has the best beaches in Costa del Sol – clear crystal water that makes it perfect for those who love snorkelling and canyoning. As you can imagine, it gets really busy during the summer months.

Nerja’s most famous spot is El Balcón de Europa, an incredible viewpoint with views of the sea, mountains, and other coastal towns. 

Next to it, there are many great restaurants where you can enjoy a meal and independent shops where you can get leather bags, hats, or souvenirs.

7. Frigiliana

This picturesque village, only a 55-minute drive from Malaga, has whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, colourful plant pots and incredible viewpoints

If you’re wondering what to do in Frigiliana in a day, wander the streets of the Mudéjar neighbourhood, have tapas in La Tahona or Restaurante El Jardín for outstanding views, or visit the local market to buy food souvenirs.

You can also visit Frigiliana’s surroundings, such as the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park, or the sandy beach of Burriana.

📌Insider tip: If you don’t have much time in Costa del Sol but want to visit Nerja and Frigiliana. You can easily visit Nerja and Frigiliana in one day. Check out this half-day trip from Malaga with Get Your Guide.

8. Caminito del Rey

Caminito del Rey has become a popular attraction, which isn’t surprising, as the rock formations are out of this world. The 4.8 km hiking route goes from the Count of Guadalhorce Reservoir to El Chorro Dam. 

The landscapes are incredibly beautiful, and this hiking trail offers an entirely different experience from other walking routes.

It was once considered one of the most dangerous walks in the world, but you don’t need to worry now as work has been done to make it safe for everyone.

I don’t always book guided tours because I love exploring places at my own pace. However, booking a guided tour for places like this is completely worth it, as you get the most out of the day and learn a lot about this unique hiking trail.

9. Fuengirola

The main highlight of Fuengirola is the 7 kilometres of beautiful sandy beaches. 

Fuengirola has many children’s attractions like the famous Bioparc Fuengirola Zoo, Mijas Water Park and the outdoor amusement venue Sould Park Fuengirola.

However, there are also two beautiful buildings you can’t miss during your trip to this town – La Mezquita Central de Fuengirola (Fuengirola’s mosque) and Castillo Sohail. 

Castillo Sohail is a towering 10th-century castle that is very popular for hosting outdoor concerts. 

Last but not least, if you’re a shopaholic, you’ll love visiting the Miramar shopping centre and the independent boutiques in the town. 

10. Ronda

Ronda is a town located in the mountains of Malaga province and one of the most visited towns in Andalusia. This incredible town is packed with monuments that are worth seeing. 

Puente Nuevo is the most famous spot in Ronda, a historic stone bridge spanning El Tajo gorge with outstanding views.

Other popular attractions in Ronda are Plaza de Toros, the bullring, and the Arabic baths, which are the best preserved baths in Spain.

Although you can see many of the attractions in a day, spending two days in Ronda is also a good idea, especially if you’re an adventure seeker (there are plenty of adrenaline-packed activities) or a foodie.

While in Ronda, you might also want to check out the nearby village of Setenil de las Bodegas. It’s unique because the whitewashed houses were built into the surrounding cliffs, so it seems like locals live under a rock.

11. Antequera

During your visit to Antequera, you can’t miss the opportunity to try the traditional mollete, a delicious rounded white bread typically served with Iberian ham, butter, or other cold meats. You can find them in any bakery or cafe.

12. Granada

Granada is the perfect full-day trip from Malaga for those who love immersing themselves in a place’s culture and history. 

Granada’s main attraction is the Alhambra Palace, located at the top of the city. It attracts millions of tourists from everywhere every year, so you must book your entry ticket months in advance because it’s a unique place you can’t miss.

The city is also known for being a great culinary destination, and I couldn’t agree more! You’ll find many tapas bars and restaurants across Granada, and they know how to serve amazing tapas.

So, what tapas should you try in Granada? I’d definitely recommend Habas con jamón (sautéed broad beans with ham), Remojón Granadino (a refreshing salad made with oranges, cod, olives, and onions), and Berenjenas con miel de caña (fried aubergines with a drizzle of sugar cane honey).

If you don’t know where to eat in Granada and don’t have the time to research which tapas bars are the best, consider booking a food tour.

14. Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a unique place, representing a mixture of cultures (Maltese, Spanish, British, Moroccan, etc.), which can be seen in its language, food and architecture.

If you’re wondering what to do in Gibraltar in a day, you’ll be surprised by how many activities you can do. 

Gibraltar’s most famous attraction is The Rock and Upper Nature Reserve, where you can enjoy incredible views of Africa, Spain and, of course, Gibraltar; explore St Michael’s Cave and watch the monkeys relax and eat.

But that’s not all; there are many things to do in Gibraltar. For example, discover hidden gems in Gibraltar, such as the Sacred Heart Church, Catalan Bay and many more, when you wander around the city centre.

15. Casares

Nestled in the mountains, Casares is a beautiful white-painted town rich in history and culture. And the natural surroundings can’t be any better.

It won’t take you a full day to explore Casares, but you can definitely spend a few hours exploring its main attractions, like the remains of Casares Castle and Blas de Infante Cultural Centre, and having delicious tapas.

After wandering around Casares, you can also explore Casares Costa, the other part of the town on the coast. The sunsets there are spectacular.

Conclusion of the best day trips from Malaga

There are plenty of beautiful towns and cities near Malaga, and most of these day trips take less than 2 hours.

Choose a day trip based on your interests. For example, if you love whitewashed towns with picturesque streets, choose Frigiliana or Nerja. But if you prefer to sightsee and learn the history behind Andalusian buildings and culture, head to Granada or Cordoba.

If you have questions or want local advice on Malaga and the Costa del Sol, drop them in the comments or join my Facebook group. I’m always happy to help.

Safe adventures,

Cristina xx

Top things to check before travelling to places around Malaga

• Find cheap flights to Malaga Airport with Skyscanner.
• Discover all the amazing things you can do in Malaga for free in this guide.
• Have a look at this Malaga food guide to indulge yourself in eating the best typical food and sipping cocktails on the best rooftops.
• Book amazing tours and day trips with Get Your Guide.
• Rent a car to travel with ease around Malaga.
• Book travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip!