The Ultimate Guide To Driving in Malaga
Is it easy to drive in Malaga? Do I need a car to move around? Where can I rent a car in Malaga?
If this is your first time in Malaga, you probably ask yourself those questions.
I took my driving licence test in Malaga and have been driving for many years, so I know very well what it is like to drive in the city and its surroundings.
In this blog, I’ll cover the essentials of driving in Malaga, including whether it’s worth renting a car (my short answer is that it depends), what you should know before driving, and extra local tips.
This post contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through and purchase something, I receive a small commission on the price at no extra cost to you. This helps me keep the content up to date and make other improvements to the blog.
Book your car quickly
The easiest way to travel from Malaga to other towns and cities is by car. You’ll save time, and you won’t be restricted by time.
When booking a car, I always recommend checking out my car rental options and deals on Discover Cars.
Things you should know before driving in Malaga
Driving in Malaga isn’t difficult, but it also depends on where you travel. For example, driving in Malaga City isn’t the same as driving to Ronda.
The motorways and most regular roads are in good condition. The problem comes when you want to drive to inland towns, many of which are in the mountains. That means driving on narrow, windy roads, which I recommend only if you’re confident and experienced.
Nevertheless, you won’t find it difficult if you plan to drive only in the city or coastal towns like Torremolinos, Fuengirola or Marbella. The motorway is excellent, and within the cities, you’ll encounter some hilly and narrow roads, but overall, driving in these areas is much better than in the mountain towns.
Another thing I suggest is driving outside the traffic peak times. Are you wondering when they are? They are 7 am to 9 am, 1:30 pm to 3 pm and 6 pm on weekdays.
If you come to Malaga in the summer, expect the roads to be busier, especially on Sundays when many of us go on day trips to a different beach from our local one or travel elsewhere.
There are a few toll roads in Costa del Sol, including the famous toll road entering Marbella. They make the journey faster and more straightforward.
The average price is 5,25 euros, but it’s usually more expensive in the summer. You can check out the exact prices on the Autopista Costa del Sol website, as these typically increase every year.
Which driving licence do you need to drive in Malaga?
To drive in Malaga and the rest of Spain, you must be 18 years old or older and have a valid driving licence.
If you’re a member of the EU or the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), your existing driving licence is enough to drive in Spain legally.
However, if you’re a non-European citizen, you must get an international driving permit before your trip to Malaga.
You should also bring your regular driver’s licence and, of course, your passport. Police can ask you for all of these documents.
Speed limits in Malaga
The speed limit varies by area. Pay attention to the signs to ensure you’re driving within the speed limit and avoid potential accidents and fines.
The new speed limits, according to the latest report from the Dirección General de Trafico (the official Spanish driving organisation), are:
- 20 km/h where the lane is at the same height as the designated pavement.
- 30 km/h on roads with a one-way lane
- 50 km/h on roads with two or more lanes.
If you’re driving on the motorway, you’ll usually find that the maximum speed allowed is 120 km/h, but again, check out the signs as you drive. The speed can vary in certain areas or when they’re undertaking work.
When not to rent a car in Malaga
Let’s start with when you shouldn’t rent a car in Malaga.
If you plan to visit Malaga as part of a day trip or for a short city break, whether two or four days, you won’t need to spend money renting a car.
The historic centre has all the main attractions, from the Alcazaba Palace and Gibralfaro Castle to the Cathedral and Picasso Museum.
This part of the city is where travellers stay because you have sights and restaurants, and you’re a stone’s throw away from the beach.
It’s very walkable, and I wouldn’t recommend getting a car to explore Malaga City. Why?
Every sight is close to each other, finding a car park is a nightmare and if you need to go from the centre to Pedregalejo or El Perchel, you can take public transport like buses or underground, which are inexpensive.
Another fun way to explore Malaga city centre is by renting a bike.
What if you want to visit a nearby town on one of your days in Malaga? You have options!
If you’d like to visit the western coastal towns (Torremolinos, Benalmadena or Fuengirola), you can take the Cercanías train.
For the eastern coastal towns like Nerja, you’ll have to take a bus from Malaga bus station. Unfortunately, there’s no train.
Inland towns like Mijas Pueblo can be accessed by taking two buses or booking a guided tour with transport from Malaga.
So, when do you recommend renting a car in Malaga? Renting a car in Malaga is a good idea for travellers who stay in a coastal town near Malaga, want to visit a few places or plan to make a road trip out of their trip to Malaga.
Another reason why I would rent a car is to visit off-the-beaten-track destinations, especially inland villages and hiking trails. Most of these locations are difficult to access via public transport, or there aren’t any.
Main locations for renting a car in Malaga
Most of the best car rental companies in Malaga are located in Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP). It’s an easy place to pick up your car, and many companies, like Helle Hollis Car Rental, have a courtesy bus that makes it very easy to get to their office.
I would recommend picking up your car here if you go to any coastal or inland town in Malaga.
However, if you plan to stay in Malaga for a couple of days before venturing to other locations, I would book a pick-up from Malaga Train Station (María Zambrano). SIXT and Hertz are popular car companies there.
Tips for renting a car in Malaga
Before covering some tips for renting a car, it’s important to know that most companies won’t let you hire a car if you aren’t at least 21 years old and have a driving permit. However, some rental cars will also ask you for one or two years of driving experience.
Also, only drivers over 25 years old can rent premium cars.
Rental car companies have slightly different rules, so it’s worth checking them out beforehand.
What type of car should you rent?
This is really up to you! Things to consider are the number of people you’ll be travelling with, time of the year, availability and budget.
I personally don’t like big cars because they aren’t easy to park and it’s sometimes more difficult to find a good space.
However, you might want to opt for one if you’re travelling with kids and family.
A convertible is a good option for couples or groups of three. It offers a different experience and allows you to enjoy the beautiful sunny weather.
It doesn’t rain much in Malaga, so it isn’t only an option for the summer.
Book your car early
Whatever your car choice is, I recommend picking your rental car as soon as possible. This will help you secure the car you want and save money.
If you plan to come to Malaga in summer, you’ll generally find fewer options because it’s high season. This is why I also advise choosing your car online. As you fill out most documents online, you can speed up the process of picking up your rental car. So it does save you time.
Get your rental car from a flexible company
Most rental car companies offer the flexibility to cancel your booking without any costs when you cancel 48 or 24 hours before your pick-up time.
However, double-check this as you don’t want to end up paying for a car you won’t be able to use because you have to cancel your trip at the last minute or for other reasons.
Read the policy carefully
This is probably one of the most important things. Although reading policies isn’t fun, you want to be aware of how things work and avoid unpleasant surprises.
For example, check that there isn’t a limit for the number of kilometres you use and if there is the cost of each extra kilometre you use. This becomes very important if you plan to go on a road trip around Andalucia.
What about petrol? The best thing you can do is get a car with a full tank and refill it when you drop it off. However, read how this would work with your chosen rental car.
Make sure your rental car is in good condition
Most companies will ensure your rental car is in good condition before handing it to you. Nevertheless, I’ve heard of scenarios in which people realised small damage or scratches after using the car and didn’t have proof to show it wasn’t their fault.
You don’t want to pay for things you haven’t done.
As soon as you get it, report if there’s something wrong, and I would even take a few photos of the car.
Important vocabulary for driving in Malaga
Now that we’ve gone through the basics, let’s cover some words related to driving in Malaga that are useful.
- Car – Coche
- Motorway – Autovía
- Road – Carretera
- Petrol – Gasolina/diésel
- Petrol station – Gasolinera
- Right – Derecha
- Left – Izquierda
- Lane – Carril
- Entry – Entrada
- Exit – Salida
- Insurance – Seguro
- Driver – Conductor
Short frequently asked questions
What side of the road does Malaga drive on?
We drive on the right side of the road.
Are there toll roads in Malaga?
Yes, there are toll roads. They’re signalised, so keep an eye out for them.
How easy is it to drive in Malaga?
Yes, it’s easy to drive in Malaga, but I would avoid peak times.
Is it safe to drive in Malaga?
Yes, driving in Malaga is safe, as most roads are well-kept.
What is the speed limit in Malaga?
The speed limit varies depending on the area you are driving.
How much does a rental car cost in Malaga?
You can find cars for 5-6 euros per day (no insurance included). With insurance, you can get it for 20 euros.
Conclusion
Driving a car in Malaga isn’t complicated. If you come in the summer, always check the motorway traffic. I have a look at Google Maps, which reports any traffic and accidents.
If you want more information about travelling to Malaga, check out my Malaga travel guides or book a call with me.
Enjoy your trip to my hometown!
Cristina
Save this guide on renting and driving a car in Malaga on Pinterest for later
Don’t Forget…
Book your flight to your location through
Book your Accommodation through
Drive yourself around with ease using a local
Keep yourself safe and protected with
Book your tours and travel experiences with
