7 best day trips from Málaga

Day trips compared

The day trips

60 km · About 1 hour by car or train

1.Caminito del Rey

A cliff-hugging walkway pinned to the walls of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge, rebuilt and reopened in 2015. The one-way route of about 7–8 km including approach paths crosses a suspension bridge high above the river, with helmets provided.

Getting there

Train to El Chorro, then shuttle bus to the entrance; or car

Best for

First-timers, Couples, Families

100 km · About 1 hour 45 minutes by bus

2.Ronda

A town split by the deep El Tajo gorge and joined by the 18th-century Puente Nuevo bridge, with one of Spain's oldest bullrings, Moorish baths and cliff-edge viewpoints over the countryside.

Getting there

Bus from Málaga bus station, or train with a change

Best for

First-timers, Couples, Culture

55 km · About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus

3.Nerja and Frigiliana

Nerja's Balcón de Europa viewpoint juts over coves and beaches, and the nearby Cueva de Nerja has huge cavern halls with prehistoric paintings. A few kilometres inland, Frigiliana is a whitewashed hill village of steep, flower-decked lanes with Moorish roots.

Getting there

Bus from Málaga bus station to Nerja, then local bus to Frigiliana

Best for

Families, Couples, Beach

50 km · About 45 minutes by bus or train

4.Antequera and El Torcal

Antequera's Dolmens of Menga and Viera are prehistoric megalithic burial chambers listed by UNESCO, and the town has a Moorish alcazaba and many churches. The limestone rock formations of El Torcal nature reserve are a short drive away, with marked walking trails.

Getting there

Bus or train to Antequera; car or taxi for El Torcal

Best for

Culture, Quiet stays, Couples

160 km · About 1 hour by high-speed train

5.Córdoba

The Mezquita-Catedral, a vast forest of striped horseshoe arches with a cathedral built inside it, is one of the great buildings of Islamic Spain. The Jewish quarter, the Alcázar gardens and the Roman bridge are all within walking distance.

Getting there

AVE or Avant train from María Zambrano

Best for

Culture, First-timers

125 km · About 1.5–2 hours by bus or train

6.Granada

The Alhambra palace and the Albaicín quarter make Granada one of Spain's top sights. A day trip is possible but tight; book Alhambra tickets well ahead and consider staying overnight.

Getting there

Bus from Málaga bus station, or train

Best for

Culture, First-timers, Couples

30 km · About 45 minutes by train and bus

7.Mijas Pueblo

A whitewashed hill village above Fuengirola with views to the sea, a small bullring, a chapel carved into the rock and lanes of craft shops.

Getting there

Cercanías C1 to Fuengirola, then local bus

Best for

Families, Couples, Quiet stays

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• Pay by contactless bank card on board, or buy a rechargeable travel card at kiosks.
• Cercanías line C1 runs from Málaga Centro-Alameda through María Zambrano station to the airport and on to Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. High-speed trains from María Zambrano reach Córdoba in about an hour and Madrid in under three hours.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask