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Malaga is a fantastic place to visit for a city break, with so much to see and do, therefore, I would definitely recommend spending at least 2-3 days exploring the city. I’ve also written a complete guide to visiting Malaga. It includes the best things to see and do, as well as how to get there and the best time to visit Malaga. Make sure you check it out!
Malaga is also a great place to base yourself to explore the wider area of Andalusia and the beautiful Costa del Sol. Great roads and good public transport links mean that it is really easy to travel around Southern Spain from Malaga. You can even travel on the high-speed train from Malaga to Madrid!
There are lots of amazing day trips you can take from Malaga, but, for this post, I’m keeping it relatively local. Below are some of my best places to visit on a day trip from Malaga…
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Amazing day trips from Malaga
Malaga is incredibly well connected. It has an international airport, two train stations and a great road network. Because of this, it is the ideal location to base yourself to explore the wider region of the Costa del Sol and Andalusia.
There’s so many places you could visit, but here are my top day trips from Malaga:
Ronda
Ronda is one of the most popular places in Andalusia to visit on a daytrip. I actually stayed for a couple of nights in Ronda (which I would highly recommend if you have the time!). But if you are short on time, it makes a great place to visit on a day trip from Malaga.
Ronda is most well known for the Puente Nuevo. This impressive 18th century arched bridge straddles a deep gorge which splits the town in two. The photos honestly don’t do this sight justice – the sheer scale of the gorge and bridge is quite incredible!
What is there to do in Ronda?
- See the famous Ponte Nuevo – gaze down into the 120m gorge from the iconic bridge and admire the bridge from either side of the gorge.
- Arab Baths Archaeological Site – visit the excavations of a 13th century hamman. Entry is €4.50 per person.
- Walk the Senda Ronda Molinos del Tajo. This walking trail leads through the quiet, rural valley which sits below the main town of Ronda. The full circular trail is 6.6km and can be downloaded from the AllTrails app.
- Mirador del viento – If you don’t want to walk the Molinos del Tajo, you can simply walk from the town to this viewpoint for a spectacular view of the Ponte Nuevo bridge.
- Murrallas del Carmen – Wander around the old town of Ronda and see its historic city walls and gates.
- Paseo De Los Ingleses – Observation deck in a leafy park on the edge of town with views over the rural valley.
- Stroll around the Old Town and Enjoy Tapas or an ice cream in one of the many bars and restaurants.
How to get to Ronda on a day trip from Malaga?
There are several ways you can a day trip from Malaga to Ronda:
By bus
The bus is the longest method and the option I would least recommend. This is because it can take up to 3 hours one way, which makes it a really long day and gives you a limited amount of time to explore Ronda.
By train
The train is a good option for those on a budget. Your journey can cost as little as €10 one way, though it does take approx. 2 hours from Malaga to Ronda.
By car
The best way to get to Ronda from Malaga is to rent a car. The drive takes just 1.5 hours and gives you the flexibility to stop and take breaks as and when you want.
On a tour
There are also several tours that operate from Malaga to Ronda. Many of the tours will incorporate short stops long the way so that you can get out and stretch your legs. This is a great option if you want the comfort and reassurance that someone else has done the organising.
Caminito del Rey
El Caminito del Rey was once considered as one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. However, after a period of closure and restoration, the trail is now safe for walkers and adventure seekers. Despite being Spain’s most popular hike, it is not for the faint-hearted! If you have vertigo or a fear of heights or ‘edges’ – this is not the trail for you! The 8km aerial trail will lead you through deep gorges and over wooden boardwalks which hang over 100 metres in the air. It is definitely one of the most adventurous day trips from Malaga!
Access to the trail is ticketed and numbers are limited, therefore, it is best to book your ticket in advance. General admission is €10 or €18 if you want a guided tour.
How to get to Caminito del Rey on a day trip from Malaga?
The trail is linear, so if you have parked your car at the start, or if you took the train to El Churro, you will need to take the shuttle bus back and factor this into your timings.
By train
The nearest train station is El Churro. Trains to El Churro are available from either Malaga Maria Zambrano or Malaga Centro-Alameda and will take approximately 1 hour. From there, you will need to take the shuttle bus to the entrance.
By car
If you have your own car, or rent a car for the day, you can drive from Malaga in just 50 minutes, and parking at the visitors centre is just €2 per day. Bear in mind that the trail is linear, so you will need to catch the shuttle bus at the end of the trail back to the car park. The shuttle bus is €2.50 per person.
On an organised tour
The easiest way to visit the Caminito del Rey on a day trip from Malaga is by joining an organised tour. They will take care of the transport and ticket for you, and it usually will include a certified guide to help you navigate any tricky sections.
Granada
Granada is famous for the impressive Alhambra palace. This is an absolute must-see if you enjoy historic, palatial buildings! I personally would recommend spending a few nights in Granada to really explore and soak up everything this city has to offer. However, if you are only interested in visiting the Alhambra, or are short on time, then you can still see the best bits of Granada in one day and it is a fantastic choice for a day trip from Malaga.
What is there to do in Granada?
- Visit the Alhambra – no visit to Granada is complete without visiting the world famous Alhambra palace! It is one of the best preserved palaces of historic Islam and holds important examples of Spanish renaissance architecture. Inside the vast complex, you can visit numerous palace buildings, plus the Alcazar and landscaped gardens. Tickets must be purchased in advance and start from €45 per person.
- Granada Cathedral – This impressive cathedral rivals Malaga cathedral for its sheer scale and impressive decor. The lavish gold and white interior is definitely worth seeing! Entrance is £4.50 and can be bought at the door.
- Calderería Nueva – This narrow shopping street and bazaar is located in the heart of the former Islamic city centre. It is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir.
- Sacramonte – This is a quiet community of moorish style white houses. Walk around this pretty residential area and head up the steep hill for views over the city and Alhambra.
- Wander around the Old Town – Granada’s Old Town is scattered with important monuments and pieces of history, as well as interesting architecture. One of the best things to do in Granada is to stroll around through the pretty streets and enjoy tapas in one of the local bars.
How to get to Granada on a day trip from Malaga?
By bus
The bus from Malaga to Granada is the best budget-friendly option. A return journey can cost just €27.00 and tickets can be booked online. Some buses take 1 hour 45 minutes, whilst others take slightly longer at 3 hours 15 minutes, so make sure you check first and book the faster journey.
By car
The quickest way to get to Granada from Malaga is to rent a car. The drive takes just 1.5 hours and gives you the flexibility to stop and take breaks as and when you want. However, bear in mind that parking in Granada can be incredibly tricky, with many of the parking garages located down very small side roads.
On a tour
There are many tours which operate from Malaga to Granada and include entry to the Alhambra. This is a great option if you don’t want to book your Alhambra entrance tickets and your travel separately. The only downside is that depending on the tour you book, you may not have much free time to explore the city of Granada.
Mijas Pueblo
Mijas Pueblo is a charming little town situated on the top of the mountainside above Fuengirola and the Costa del Sol. The town is known for its white washed houses and narrow, steep streets, which are perfect for a leisurely afternoon of exploring!
What is there to do in Mijas?
- Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña – this hillside church is centuries old and was built into the rocks of the cliffs. Entrance is free and there’s a small shrine nestled in the cave. Outside of the church is the Mirador del Compas – a fantastic observation deck with views out to the coast.
- Paseo de la Muralla – This is one of the best things to do in Mijas Pueblo! Follow this short paved walking trail around the edge of the cliff edge for the best views across the Costa del Sol and the coast. Along the way, stop in the Parque Muralla to soak up the views.
- Wander around the town – The majority of visitors will stay in the centre of the town, around the two main squares of Plaza de la constitution and Plaza Virgen de la Peña. But if you want to escape the crowds, take a stroll down some of the quieter, more residential streets for a taste of the real Mijas.
- Enjoy a long lunch – There are an abundance of restaurants all over the town where you can enjoy a long, leisurely lunch and soak up the laid-back atmosphere.
- Take a hike in the Sierra de Mijas – Higher up the mountain, above the town of Mijas Pueblo is the hiking area of Sierra de Mijas, where there are several trails to choose from. The shortest is a couple of hours and the longest is approximately 7 hours long. The trails here are uneven, so experience and proper footwear is needed.
How to get to Mijas on a day trip from Malaga?
By bus
From Malaga, take the local M-112 bus to Mijas Pueblo. The bus takes about 1.5 hours and you can purchase your ticket on the bus with cash.
By train
From Malaga Centro, hop on the C1 train to Fuengirola. Then walk 5 minutes from the train station to Fuengirola bus terminal and take the local M-122 bus from Fuengirola to Mijas Pueblo. This journey takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes (this will depend on the time you are waiting in Fuengirola for the next bus).
By car
The quickest way to get to Mijas Pueblo on a day trip from Malaga is to take a taxi or rent a car. The drive takes just 30 minutes. Be warned that the drive does get quite winding and steep the further up the mountain you get.
Marbella
Marbella has a reputation for being a party town, full of beach clubs and cocktail bars. Whilst this may be the case during the peak summer months, it is much calmer and quieter out of season, especially during the winter months.
Marbella actually has a really pretty old town, perfect for exploring on a day trip from Malaga.
What is there to do in Marbella?
- Stroll around the Old Town – I was so surprised how charming Marbella’s Old Town was. I had no idea it was so pretty! The Old Town is a maze of narrow, hilly streets of white washed houses adorned with beautiful, bright flowers. There’s lots of independent boutiques, cafes and tavernas hidden away down the quieter streets and also in some of the larger bustling squares.
- Walk along the seafront promenade – Like many coastal towns along the Costa del Sol, Marbella has a seafront promenade that stretches for miles. Take a walk along the beachfront promenade and stop at the cafes along the way.
- Enjoy the beach – Marbella doesn’t have the most scenic beach, and it is quite narrow, so I imagine during the summer months, it can feel quite crowded. However, it is a good place to cool off with a quick dip in the sea or relax on one of the sunbeds for hire.
- Have a leisurely lunch – Throughout the Old Town and along the promenade, you’ll find an abundance of restaurants and cafes. So, you’ll be spoilt for choice for places to enjoy a long, leisurely lunch.
- Watch the sunset with a cocktail – Head to the Marina and watch the sunset with a cocktail or two to start your evening
How to get to Marbella on a day trip from Malaga?
By bus
The easiest and most budget-friendly way to travel from Malaga to Marbella is by bus. There are several buses you can take – a non stop bus will take 45 minutes and a slightly longer bus which takes 1 hour 5 minutes.
The cost of a return journey is approximately €15. All buses are operated by Avanza and depart from Malaga’s bus terminal outside of the city. To get to the bus terminal from Malaga Old town, catch the train from Malaga Centro to Malaga Maria Zambrano and walk a couple of minutes to the bus station from there. The bus station in Marbella is approximately a 15-20 minute walk from the seafront and old town. But there are plenty of taxis waiting to drop you into town if you prefer.
By car
The journey from Malaga to Marbella by car takes about 45 minutes, so it might be an expensive taxi journey. If you have your own car already, you can drive and park at one of the parking lots around Marbella. Personally the bus is easy and almost fast, so that would be my recommendation.
Torremolinos
Torremolinos is a typical Spanish holiday town. It is the perfect day trip from Malaga if you want to enjoy the beach or have a change of scenery but don’t want to travel too far.
What is there to do in Torremolinos?
- Stroll around the Old Town – Torremolinos doesn’t have an Old Town in the same way that Marbella does. It has been modernised over the years and is much more commercial now and has lost a bit of its charm. However, the centre of Torremolinos is still a great place to wander for an hour or so, and most of it is entirely pedestrianised.
- Go shopping – In the centre of Torremolinos, there are several pedestrian-only shopping streets where you can find clothing and souvenirs.
- Enjoy a coffee or lunch al fresco – There are two main streets in the centre of Torremolinos, which are full of casual cafes, ice cream kiosks and tapas bars. In the summer, these are a hive of activity, with tourists and locals sitting outside to soak up the sun.
- Stroll the seafront promenade – Torremolinos has a great seafront walkway. It is lined with cafes, restaurants, bars and shops all the way. Take a leisurely walk, stopping for breaks as and when you need.
- Walk to Benalmadena – Benalmadena is another popular tourist destination on the Costa del Sol. From Torremolinos, you can walk all the way along the seafront promenade to Benalmadena. The walk will take about 50 minutes to reach Benalmadena Port, where you will find lots of restaurants and cafes to enjoy lunch. From there, you can either walk back to Torremolinos, or catch the train from Benalmadena back to Malaga.
- Enjoy the beach – The beach at Torremolinos is much bigger than Malaga’s Malagueta beach. The soft golden sand is perfect for families wanting a day at the beach. There are also several restaurants and bars where you can hire sunbeds for the day, too.
How to get to Torremolinos on a day trip from Malaga?
By train
The most budget-friendly way to travel from Malaga to Torremolinos is by train. From Malaga’s centro station, catch the C1 train in the direction of Fuengirola, and get off at Torremolinos (stop number 8). The journey will take 30 minutes and the cost is approximately £1.70 each way! Torremolinos’ train station is in the centre of town. Have a stroll around town when you first arrive, then walk 10 minutes to the beach.
By car
The journey from Malaga to Torremolinos by car takes approximately 30 minutes. If you want to be picked up at your door, then a car is the way to go, but personally, I think the train is the easiest way.
Cordoba
Cordoba Is a town in central Andalusia which is famous for its impressive mosque, ‘La Mezquita’, which dates back to 784 AD. In the middle ages, Cordoba was a large Islamic hub and Roman city which held huge importance in the region at that time. Today, the historic buildings serve as a reminder of this past.
Alongside Granada and Ronda, Cordoba is a great example of historic Andalusia and is a worthwhile day trip from Malaga.
What is there to do in Cordoba?
- See the Mosque-Cathedral – A visit to Mezquita mosque-cathedral is one of the best things to do in Cordoba! The inside of the building is breathtaking – with intricate inscriptions, detailed carvings and domed ceilings. As the mosque-cathedral is incredibly popular, I would really recommend purchasing your ticket in advance. Tickets are €13 for adults.
- Visit the Jewish quarter – Stroll around this charming area of the city, which still has the traditional layout of a medieval Islamic city.
- Enjoy Lunch in Plaza de las Tendillas – Like many large Spanish towns and cities, Cordoba has some great squares which are lined with restaurants and cafes. Plaza de las Tendillas is the city’s main square and is located right next to the historic district. Another great option is the Plaza de la Corredera, which is surrounded by an incredible orange arched building.
- Walk along the Roman Bridge – Straddling the river and connecting the two sides of the city, the Roman bridge is one of the most iconic sights in Cordoba. At the south of the bridge sits the Calahorra Tower of Cordoba – a defensive fortress.
- Visit the Alcazar of Cordoba – This castle was used as both a defensive fortress and a palace. The impressive palace building is surrounded by beautiful, landscaped gardens and water features. This is another very popular attraction in Cordoba, therefore it is advised to book in advance to save queuing or missing out on the day. You can also purchase tickets at the visitors centre or at Cordoba bus station.
- Explore Cordoba by bus – There are so many attractions and sights to see in Cordoba, you really could spend a few days here! But, if you only have one day, then one of the best ways to see as much of this beautiful city as possible is to buy a ticket for the hop on, hop off sightseeing bus. The bus stops in front of almost every tourist attraction in the city, saving you lots of time!
How to get to Cordoba on a day trip from Malaga?
By train
The quickest and most cost-effective way to travel from Malaga to Cordoba is by train. Trains depart to Cordoba from Malaga’s Maria Zambrano station, and can take between 50-70 mins, depending on the line you take. You can purchase your tickets at the train station, or, for ease, you can book them in advance.
By car
If you have your own car, then you can drive to Cordoba, but the journey will take almost two hours and parking can be expensive in Cordoba. Personally, I think the train is the better option.
