8 Charming Villages Near Malaga
There are many beautiful villages near Malaga that are worth exploring, especially if you are always looking for more unique and authentic experiences.
I love exploring the villages in my hometown because although they might look similar at a glimpse, they have something unique.
Whether it’s a traditional dish, dance or event, each of these will surprise you.
In this list, I’m sharing my two favourite inland towns in Malaga (Frigiliana and Mijas Pueblo) and others that are equally charming.
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Villages near Malaga
Frigiliana
🚗 Distance from Malaga: 49 min | 59.7 km (36.6 mi)
Frigiliana is well-known among locals and travellers for a reason. It’s included in the official list of the most beautiful towns in Spain, and having visited several times, I must admit I love Frigiliana.
There’s something about this village – from its hilly cobblestone streets and white-painted buildings to its turquoise doorways and friendly cats. You’ll definitely find similarities between Frigiliana and some Greek Islands.
I just love wandering its streets, taking photos and soaking up the laid-back atmosphere while having some tapas on a rooftop terrace with mountain and sea views. In fact, that’s what my partner and I did last time we visited Frigiliana together.
If you want to learn about this village, head to the tourist office and grab a map that shows you all the main sights.
Walking the hilly streets isn’t for everyone, so if you’re concerned about this or travelling with an elderly family member, you can take the Frigiliana tourist train.
How to get from Malaga to Frigiliana. The most straightforward way to travel from Malaga to Frigiliana is by car. The journey is an hour, and the road is in good condition. The only problem that might come up is finding where to park your vehicle. You’ll have to park outside the historic centre.
There isn’t a direct bus from Malaga to Frigiliana, but you can take the bus from Malaga to Nerja and then the bus from Nerja to Frigiliana. Alternatively, book this excursion, which includes transportation.
Mijas Pueblo
🚗 Distance from Malaga: 35 min | 31.1 km (19.32 mi)
Tucked in the mountains, Mijas Pueblo is one of the best villages near Malaga for sightseeing. As a local who visits Mijas Pueblo a couple of times a year, I must admit it’s touristy. However, the village keeps the charm typical of an Andalusian whitewashed town.
Mijas, compared to other villages, has a good number of attractions. When visiting Mijas, don’t miss out on visiting the unique Miniature Museum, Ermita de la Virgen Chapel and the park.
The old town is also home to many boutique shops where you can buy traditional ceramics, leather bags and other souvenirs.
A fun activity that isn’t only for kids is visiting the Mayan Monkey Chocolate Factory. My partner and I loved learning about the history of chocolate in Spain and how they make delicious chocolate from sustainable cocoa pods. We also even made chocolate bars that we took home.
There’s no reason not to love Mijas! But an activity to avoid at all costs is donkey rides.
How to get from Malaga to Mijas Pueblo. Wondering what’s the fastest option? The answer is the car. Mijas is only a 35-minute drive from Malaga. Another much slower alternative is to take the Cercanias RENFE train (C-1) to Fuengirola and then take the bus from Fuengirola to Mijas Pueblo.
Comares
🚗 Distance from Malaga: 1 hour and 10 min | 62 km (38.5 mi)
Comares is one of the most popular villages in the Axarquia region, located in the east of Malaga. This whitewashed village nestled in the mountains offers an authentic experience as it isn’t as popular as other towns like Mijas Pueblo and Frigiliana.
It doesn’t have many sights, but I highly recommend stopping at Comares for a few hours on a trip to this area of Malaga famous for its raisins.
Exploring Comares won’t take much time, but it’s a lovely experience as you walk on cobblestone streets, pass Moorish-style arches and reach beautiful viewpoints.
When I visited Comares, it was very quiet despite being a weekend, so my friends and I really enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and even engaged with the locals. An old lady called Maria took us to her house and tried to sell us some local products. I tasted the raisins (they were flavourful and sweet!), and my friend bought some honey.
Some of the things you can’t miss, and I don’t think you’ll miss anyway, are Comares viewpoint next to the town square and the remains of Comares Castle.
How to get from Malaga to Comares. The easiest way to travel to Comares is by car. There’s a bus, but it isn’t very frequent, and I don’t recommend taking it if you get motion sickness like I do. Whether you drive or take the bus, bear in mind that the road to go to Comares is windy and narrow.
Parauta
🚗 Distance from Malaga: 1 hour 40 min | 109 km (67.7 mi)
Parauta is a small village near Ronda. It has become more popular among locals because of its Enchanted Forest (Bosque Encantado), an easy hiking trail that has been decorated with sculptures. It’s great for families!
Besides the fairytale-like sculptures on the trail and in some parts of this town, it’s lovely to stroll along the streets and enjoy a traditional meal in one of its few restaurants. Some typical dishes include this village star ingredient: chestnuts.
Parking in Parauta isn’t easy during the autumn foliage season, as many families from Malaga come to hike here. My family and I had to park outside the village and walk a lot, including walking next to the road.
How to get from Malaga to Parauta. The only way to travel from Malaga to Parauta is by car. It’s a remote village, so moving by public transport is impossible. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are sections in which the road is narrow and windy. I wouldn’t drive there, and I wouldn’t recommend driving unless you’re a confident and experienced driver.
Ojen
🚗 Distance from Malaga: 48 min | 54.1 km (33.6 mi)
Ojen is one of the villages very close to Marbella, so if you stay in Marbella, it’s definitely worth going for a few hours. However, I wouldn’t just travel to Ojen from Malaga, but I would plan to visit other towns, like Marbella, as it isn’t a place with many attractions.
This white-painted town is small but charming at the same time. It’s a good place for leisurely strolling and taking in the mountain’s views.
There might not be much to do, but there’s no visit to Ojen without going to its caves and two main museums: the Olive Oil Museum and the Aguardiente Museum.
If you like hiking, there are also a few good trails to do at any time of the year, except in summer because of the extreme temperatures.
How to get from Malaga to Ojen: The fastest way to travel from Malaga to Ojen is by car via A-357 and A-355, which takes 50 minutes when there’s no traffic. However, I prefer taking the AP-7 (motorway) as it’s easier. If you can’t rent a car, you can take a bus from Malaga to Marbella and another from Marbella to Ojen. The only con is the length of the journey.
Alora
🚗 Distance from Malaga: 38 min | 41.2 km (25.6 mi)
Nestled in the mountains, Alora is a whitewashed town not far from the famous Caminito del Rey. I actually recommend doing the hike, which takes between 2 and 3 hours, and then visiting the town of Alora. It isn’t very big, but it’s a clear example of a traditional Andalusian pueblo.
If you wonder what to do in Alora, one of the unmissable things to do is Castillo de Alora, an Arab castle built between the 9th and 10th centuries and declared a National Monument in 1931. You can visit its towers and see important architectural features like Arco de la Herradura and the Gothic chapel.
Other points of interest to visit are the local museum, which was a former hospital, and La Encarnacion Church.
If you visit Alora at the end of July and the beginning of August, which I don’t recommend because it’s very warm in this inland town, you can experience its fair.
How to get from Malaga to Alora: The quickest way to get to Alora from Malaga is by car. The car journey is a 45-minute drive. You can also take the train from Maria Zambrano Station to Alora. However, it won’t leave you in the town centre. You’ll have to order a taxi.
Casares
🚗 Distance from Malaga: 1 hour 25 min | 105 km (65.2 mi)
Casares is an inland village perfect for visiting for anyone who stays in the Costa del Sol, especially in the Estepona area.
It’s a place that seems to be taken straight from a postcard. It’s picturesque, charming and simply gorgeous. Many people call it “pueblo colgante” (hanging village) because of the position of the houses.
The best way to explore Casares is by strolling its historic town. Expect to see the white-painted houses with flower pots, blossoming and pretty carnations, hilly and narrow cobblestone streets, and exceptional mountain views.
Visit the town churches, see the castle ruins and stop by Baños romanos de la Hedionda (Hedionda Baths).
How to get from Malaga to Casares. The simplest and most convenient way to get to Casares from Malaga is by car. The car journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes via AP-7.
Genalguacil
🚗 Distance from Malaga: 1 hour 53 min | 120 km (74.5 mi)
If you’re looking for a unique inland town to visit in Malaga province, it’s worth checking out Genalguacil. Although I haven’t visited it yet, it’s on my list for this autumn as it’s scorching in summer.
This village, alongside others I’ve included on this list, is one of the prettiest in Spain. It’s well-known for being an outdoor museum. Get your camera ready to take photos of sculptures, street art and beautiful tiles and enjoy the serene natural surroundings.
Genalguacil is also a fantastic area for hiking in autumn. The beautiful forests with brown and yellow leaves and abundant chestnut trees will blow your mind.
How to get from Malaga to Genalguacil: Driving is the only way to get from Malaga to Genalguacil. It takes about 2 hours to get there.
Conclusion on beautiful villages in Malaga
I hope this list has inspired you to visit these charming villages in Malaga.
Some of these villages are becoming more popular, so my advice is to visit them on weekdays and off-season.
Is there any other town you would include in this article? Let me know in the comments below.
Enjoy your time in Malaga!
Cristina xx
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Things to do before visiting Malaga
- Book cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport with Skyscanner.
- Take a look at this Malaga hotel guide to help you choose accommodation.
- Check out tours and activities in Malaga with Get Your Guide.
- Book a free walking tour in Malaga with GuruWalk.
- Travelling around Costa del Sol? Check and compare car hire with Discover Cars.
- Buy travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip!
