15+ Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain

Now that you’ve immersed yourself in countless Malaga historic wonders, relaxed on stunning sun-soaked beaches, and tried city’s culinary delights, it’s time to extend your curiosity and exploration beyond its borders. Thanks to Malagas’ location, it isn’t only a great city break or holiday destination. It’s also a great starting point for discovering Andalucia! Surrealistic landscapes, charming white villages, historic towns, vibrant cities, outdoor adventures, tasty food, unique festivals… You’ll find that all, and many more near Malaga. Ready to explore? Vamos, let us show you the best day trips from Malaga, Spain.

To keep things organized we divided this post into three parts: towns and natural places that we explored, and a short list of even more ideas for day trips from Malaga for which we unfortunately had no more time yet.

Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain
Happy Little Traveler Authors

Created by Sonia & Wojtek

One day, we packed our lives and slowly rushed into the unknown with smiles on our faces. We’re full-time digital nomads traveling in Europe who inspire to live, travel, and discover differently. Sunny coastal destinations are what we love most. We share travel guides, tips, and know-how to make planning your next trip a piece of cake. Real human experience and verified facts only!


This website uses affiliate links thanks to which we may earn a commission for purchases you made at no additional cost to you. If you like the content, consider using those links to support us. Thank you!


Transport on day trips from Malaga

In our opinion, the best and fastest way of getting to the soon-mentioned places is by car. If you don’t travel in yours, you can easily rent the best one for your needs through the Rental Cars website.

Many of the places are also accessible by public transport, by trains or buses. You can search for the connections that might interest you on the rome2rio or Omio website. For the best train ticket deals visit Trainline.

If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can take advantage of the guided tours from Malaga and let someone else take care of all the details. For a wide selection and well-reviewed tour options be sure to visit GetYourGuide or Viator.

Note. Each place from this post is no further than a 1.5h drive from Malaga by car. Keep in mind that using other means of transport may take longer.

Discover Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain

Day Trips From Malaga – Towns

Benalmadena Pueblo

Benalmadena Pueblo is located about 30km from Malaga. Thankfully, despite the passage of time, the town retained the authenticity of a typical Andalusian village to this day. It’s full of narrow cobbled streets, and whitewashed houses generously decorated with colorful flowers. However, Benalmadena Pueblo is most famous for Castillo de Colomares. It’s a building that even though looks like a fairy-tale castle, in reality, is a monument dedicated to Christopher Columbus and his discovery of America. The most fascinating fact is that it was built by only… 3 people! Visiting Benalmadena Pueblo is without a doubt one of the best day trips from Malaga. Believe us, this village can easily steal your heart!

Learn more iconLearn more: 7 Best Things To Do In Benalmádena Pueblo, Spain

Day Trips From Malaga - Benalmadena Pueblo
Great Day Trips From Malaga - Colomares Castle in Benalmadena Pueblo
Benalmadena Pueblo - Andalusian white village

Ronda

Ronda is located about 100km from Malaga. It’s one of the oldest towns in Spain – it was first inhabited by the Celts in the 6th century BC, and later by the Romans and Moors. Later, it was declared a city in the 1st century AD by Julius Caesar himself. Ronda’s most famous landmark is the spectacular Puente Nuevo bridge which has a height of an impressive 98 metres and connects the old town with its modern part. The city is also famous for its charming old town, spectacular views over the surroundings, and… being the birthplace of bullfighting! Currently, Ronda is one of the most visited towns in Andalusia.

Learn more iconLearn more: 10+ Things To Do In Ronda, Spain On A Day Trip

Day Trips From Malaga - Ronda
Puente Nuevo in Ronda - View from Paseo de Hemingway
Ideas for Day Trips from Malaga - Ronda

Marbella

Marbella is located about 60km from Malaga. It’s one of the most popular holiday destinations on Costa del Sol and one of the most popular day trips from Malaga. Marbella is most famous for its vivid nightlife scene with many nightclubs and bars, beautiful sandy beaches, an enchanting old town with a typical Andalusian vibe, as well as golf courses, and luxury shopping. There you’ll also find some unique sculptures designed by Salvador Dali!

Learn more iconLearn more: 10+ Things to do in Marbella, Spain

Explore Marbella Old Town Square
Day Trips From Malaga - Marbella
Marbella Old Town - Building Richly Decorated with Flowers

Mijas Pueblo

Mijas Pueblo is located about 35km from Malaga. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most beautiful white villages Costa del Sol can offer. Mijas Pueblo is a typical charming Andalusian white village located at the altitude of 430 m a.s.l., at the foot of Sierra de Mijas. It’s packed with a maze of narrow cobbled streets, many charming corners, and whitewashed houses decorated with colorful flower pots. From the Mijas Pueblo, you can also admire magnificent views over the Costa del Sol.

Learn more iconLearn more: 10 Best Things To Do In Mijas Pueblo, Spain

Day Trips From Malaga - Mijas Pueblo
View over Mijas Pueblo and coast from Mirador Carlos Martinez

Antequera

Antequera is located about 50km from Malaga. The town is situated at an altitude of 575m and is surrounded by a beautiful mountainous landscape. Thanks to its central location among the four big cities (Malaga, Seville, Granada, Cordoba) Antequera is known as El Corazon de Andalucia – the Heart of Andalusia. The town is also known as the City of the Churches, as it’s home to 33 of them – more per inhabitant than anywhere else in Spain! What makes Antequera even more interesting is that three UNESCO World Heritage sites can be found there. But despite all of this, the town yet isn’t a well-known tourist destination and can be named a hidden gem in Andalusia. You can combine a visit to Antequera City with hiking in El Torcal, located only 15km away.

Learn more iconLearn more: 10+ Things To Do In Antequera, An Undiscovered Gem In Spain

Great Day Trips From Malaga, Spain
Things to do in Antequera, Spain white village

Frigiliana

Frigiliana is located about 60km from Malaga. This charming little white village is located at 320 m a.s.l and squeezed between the Mediterranean Sea and Parque Natural de Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama. Frigiliana is one of the best-preserved villages in the whole Province of Malaga and has a typical Mediterranean vibe. Spanish Tourism Board named it the most beautiful village in Andalusia. It’s a truly amazing place near Malaga for a day trip! You can easily combine a visit to Frigiliana with Nerja, as these two villages are located only 10km away from each other.

Learn more iconLearn more: 10 Things To Do In Frigiliana, Spain In One Day

Streets of Frigiliana, one of the most beautiful villages in Andalucia
View over Frigiliana white village from the viewpoint
Day Trips From Malaga - Frigiliana white village
Local attractions icon

Explore local attractions

View all...

Nerja

Nerja is located about 60km from Malaga. Once it was a small fishing village, now it’s a popular holiday resort on Costa del Sol, which kept its traditional Andalusian charm with an old town full of old whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. Nerja is surrounded by mountains and sandy beaches that invite you to spend a day on them. The town is famous for Nerja Caves, where you can admire the world’s largest stalactite! You can easily combine a visit to Nerja with Frigiliana, as these two villages are located only 10km away from each other.

Learn more iconLearn more: 10+ Best Things To Do In Nerja, Spain

Nerja - Great Day Trip Idea From Malaga
Nerja Old Town Whitewashed streets

Estepona

Estepona is located about 90km from Malaga. This charming town is a hidden gem in Andalusia, yet not as popular and crowded as other places on the Costa del Sol. In the 60s, so not that long ago, it was a little fishing village and since then it developed into one of the biggest cities in the area. Nonetheless, Estepona’s old town kept its charm, and strolling along it feels like stepping back several dozens of years back. What’s more, the newest part of the city is filled with dozens of murals created by local artists.

Learn more iconLearn more: 15+ Things To Do In Estepona, Spain In One Day

Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain
Church Tower of The Church of Our Lady of the Remedies Estepona Spain
Day Trip From Malaga to Estepona

Torrox

Torrox is located about 50km from Malaga. It’s a small town located on Costa del Sol, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and at the foot of the Parque Natural de Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama. Torrox has the best climate in Europe, with an average annual temperature of 18°C. The town is divided into two parts: Torrox Costa and Torrox Pueblo. Torrox Costa is full of beautiful beaches, and Torrox Pueblo is a white village full of narrow streets and whitewashed houses decorated with flowers. You can easily combine a visit to Torrox with Frigiliana or Nerja.

Learn more iconLearn more: 7 Best Things To Do in Torrox Pueblo and Costa, Spain

Streets of Torrox Pueblo white village
Torrox Costa - Lighthouse
Day Trips From Malaga - Torrox Pueblo

Granada

Granada is located about 130km from Malaga. It’s one of the most visited cities in Spain, where history comes to life at its best. Impressive Islamic fortress, Arab quarters, mesmerizing flamenco shows, stunning views at every step, traditional Arab baths, and a mix of cultures that intertwine perfectly with each other… Granada has it all and even more. Without a doubt, Granada is a great idea for a day trip from Malaga.

Learn more iconLearn more: 10+ Things To Do In Granada, Spain In One Day

Day Trip From Malaga to Granada and Alhambra
Alcazaba fortress in Alhambra in Granada, Spain

Ojen

Ojen is located 70km from Malaga. It’s another beautiful Andalusian white village, which retained all the traditional charm. Ojen is a town of Moorish origin with a population of only about 3000 people. It’s located between the sea and the Parque Nacional Sierra de las Nieves, less than 10km from Marbella. Its name is derived from an Arabic word, hoxán, meaning “rough place”, which is quite interesting as Ojen is a very tranquil place.

Day Trip From Malaga to Ojen white village
Ojen Pueblo Blanco in Andalusia Spain
Ojen Charming Pueblo Blanco in Andalusia Spain

Day Trips From Malaga – Natural sites

El Torcal de Antequera

El Torcal de Antequera is located about 50km from Malaga. Hidden inland, El Torcal offers one of the most spectacular karst landscapes in Spain, and in the whole of Europe. This is a place where you’ll feel that you moved to another planet, and plenty of surrealistic rock formations will leave you speechless. What’s interesting, El Torcal de Antequera has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016. You can combine hiking in El Torcal with a visit to Antequera City, located only 15km away.

Learn more iconLearn more: El Torcal De Antequera, Spain – Hiking In Natural Park Near Malaga

Best Day Trips From Malaga - Hiking in El Torcal de Antequera
El Torcal de Antequera view from Mirador Diego Monea

Caminito del Rey

Another great place near Malaga for a day trip is Caminito del Rey, located only about 60km from the city. It’s a 7.7km long, one-way picturesque trail that runs through cliffs, canyons, and a large valley. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most spectacular natural sites in Andalusia. Caminito del Rey offers quite a unique experience of strolling along walkways hanging over 100 meters up on a sheer cliff face. Once it was one of the most dangerous trails in the world due to its poorly maintained footbridges. But don’t worry it’s perfectly safe now!

Learn more iconLearn more: Caminito Del Rey Hike In Malaga, Spain

Best Day Trips From Malaga - Hiking in Caminito Del Rey
Day Trip From Malaga to Caminito del Rey

Even more ideas for day trips From Malaga

Do you still need more ideas for day trips from Malaga? Here are a few more ideas, which we had on our bucket list but during our last stay we just didn’t have more time for them. But we definitely will visit them next time while in Malaga!

Casares

Casares is located about 100km from Malaga, and only 15km from Estepona so you can easily combine trips to these two places. It’s another picturesque Andalusian white village, tucked up into a rocky mountainside offering great views of the surroundings. Casares is full of narrow steep streets with traditional white houses. Thanks to the fact that many of its houses appear to hang precariously over the edge, the place has earned a “hanging village” nickname.

Setenil de las Bodegas

Setenil de las Bodegas is located about 95km from Malaga. It’s a charming white village best known for whitewashed houses built into the surrounding cliffs of a narrow gorge. Walking among a maze of streets that wind through the rocky landscape for sure is a really unique experience! In Setenil de las Bodegas you can also enjoy a hilltop castle offering great views of the surroundings.

Iznajar

Iznajar is located 85km from Malaga. This picturesque white town is overlooking the biggest Andalusian lake, Iznajar Lake. The old town is a maze of narrow streets and alleys that wind up to the town’s imposing castle and church, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Comares

Comares is located 35km from Malaga, at an altitude of 703m a.s.l. It’s a charming hilltop village full of history and spectacular views of the surrounding areas. As you might expect, Comares old town is a maze of narrow, winding streets, lined with traditional whitewashed houses with strong Arab influences.

Villanueva de la Concepcion

Villanueva de la Concepcion is located 45km from Malaga, only 20km from Antequera, and 10km from stunning limestone formations – El Torcal de Antequera. It’s a small Andalusian town full of charming winding streets and traditional whitewashed houses that offer visitors a glimpse into a rural way of life. It’s a really great place for a day trip from Malaga.

Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain – Summing up

As you can see now, there are so many amazing towns and natural places perfect for a day trip from Malaga. Andalusian white villages, historic towns, peaceful natural sites, vibrant cities… If you’re staying longer in the city you definitely won’t be bored and you’ll find the perfect places to visit for yourself. We hope our post was helpful, and now you’re one step closer to choosing your best day trips from Malaga, Spain. Enjoy the time exploring and later share your experiences in the comments. We’re curious about the places you chose!

Our opinion & subjective ranking of best day trips from Malaga

So far we’ve spent almost 4 months in Andalusia and it quickly became our second favorite region in the country, after the Asturias in the North. We stayed near Malaga between November and January so there were no wild crowds and we explored most of the places in peace. We really enjoyed our trips! To be honest, we can’t think about the many downsides of this region… Ok, maybe besides horrendous eating hours which resulted in barely eating out around 1 PM.

So what are our favorite day trips from Malaga? Benalmadena Pueblo with Castillo de Colomares is our unquestionable number one. Next ones are Estepona, Antequera + El Torcal, Caminito del Rey, Frigiliana, and Ronda. We didn’t particularly enjoy Granada.

Discover 15+ Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain

Book your accomodation in Malaga

Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain - Map of places


Pin & share:
15+ Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain

Home » Spain » 15+ Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain

Your Travel Resources Handy In One Place 🗺️

🏨 Accommodations

For a short stay check out Booking or Agoda. Staying longer? Take a look at the offers at Airbnb.

🎫 Book tours

Are you up for taking part in epic guided tours? Book ones you like using GetYourGuide or Viator.

🚗 Rent a car

To find great rental car deals check out Rental Cars and get ready for your car trip!

✈️ Book a flight

For the hottest deals check out WayAway or Skyscanner.

🚆 Get train tickets

Love traveling by train in Europe? Book your tickets on Trainline.

🧳 Travel insurance

Enjoy peace of mind during traveling and don't leave your country without good travel insurance. SafetyWing or World Nomads are the best in class. 

🛡️ VPN

To stay safely connected while traveling, don’t forget about a good VPN. We recommend Surfshark or NordVPN.

🌐 Mobile internet

To stay online always and have roaming bills in check use Airalo - the world’s first eSIM store with digital data packs for over 200 countries/regions!

💰Travel finances

Get your travel finances smart and straight with Wise or Revolut.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top