Malaga is one of the most underrated cities in Spain. Being close to Granada, Seville and Córdoba, it is often the great forgotten of the area. But that doesn’t mean anything, because it’s so worth it. It also has a privileged location that will allow you to get to know some of the best places in Andalusia. We have selected the 12 best excursions from Malaga for you to enjoy the beauty of southern Spain.
12 Best Excursions From Malaga
Marbella
40 minutes by car from Malaga The most glamorous city on the Costa del Sol is one of the most popular excursions from Malaga. Marbella has everything for a dream vacation. Its historic center with narrow cobbled streets is ideal for a leisurely stroll. To get to know its luxurious facet, stroll along the Golden Mile or be amazed by the boats in Puerto Banús. And when the sun goes down, Marbella’s nightlife is second to none.
Mijas
25 minute drive from the center of MalagaIf you like the center of Malaga, Mijas Pueblo will make you fall in love. It has the essence of the towns of the Malaga mountains, with white buildings decorated with flowers on the facades. Its steep streets will take you to viewpoints from where you can contemplate the beauty of the town, completely white, surrounded by the typical pine trees of the region. In addition, it maintains the bohemian atmosphere that the artists who arrived during the 50s and 60s brought to it. The city is located just halfway to Marbella, so it is very common to take the opportunity to visit both cities in the same day.
Caminito del Rey, the best excursion from Malaga for adventurers
50 minute drive Caminito del Rey is a walkway of about 3 kilometers hanging on the walls of the Gaitanes gorge. You will be more than 100 meters above the ground! There is even a suspension bridge to cross the Guadalhorce River from above. Remember to wear comfortable sports clothes, the route is about 6 kilometers including the sections to and from the parking lot. In addition, there are sections of the footbridge that are very narrow and the accesses are made of land. There is limited capacity and a lot of demand, so it is essential to book a ticket online if you go on your own. It takes less than an hour by car from the center of Malaga. You can also book an excursion that includes transport and entrance to this spectacular site.
Sierra de Tejeda, one of the most special excursions from Malaga
1 hour drive from Malaga If Caminito del Rey seems incredible to you, surely you will also enjoy El Saltillo gorge. It is one of the jewels of the Sierra de Tejeda and is accessed through a 6-kilometre hiking route. It also has a metal walkway that runs along the cliff walls, but fortunately with much less crowds. After the walk we can think of no better plan than to cool off in the Almanchares River. At the foot of the mountains you will find the beautiful town of Canillas de Aceituno. The contrast of its white houses with its environment full of vegetation creates a postcard image.
Nerja
45 minute drive Fancy a beach getaway? Nerja is one of the best excursions from Malaga to be close to the sea. It has become a very popular city to relax on its beaches, take boat trips, enjoy its summer atmosphere throughout the year or be amazed by the views from the viewpoint baptized as the Balcón de Europa. Do not leave without visiting the famous Cueva de Nerja , it has one of the largest columns in the world formed by the union of stalactites and stalagmites. Awesome!
Frigiliana
50 minutes by car from Malaga Very close to Nerja you can visit one of the most beautiful white villages in the area.Frigiliana is a movie set with its winding streets with whitewashed walls. In fact, it is considered a historic complex due to its Mudejar neighborhood and the 9th century fortress that served as a refuge for the last Moors on the Peninsula. It is a perfect magical town to get lost and discover charming corners.
Cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo, one of the best excursions from Malaga for nature lovers
50 minutes by car Beach or mountain? Visiting the cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo you will have the best of both worlds. This natural area is perfect for hiking with views of the sea. On clear days you can even see the African coast. You can skirt the cliffs up to 75 meters high, among which are hidden small beautiful coves only accessible on foot. It seems to us one of the best excursions from Malaga to spend a very quiet day surrounded by nature.
Antequera
45 minute ride Antequera is considered the heart of Andalusia thanks to its location and the historical importance it has had over the years. An example is the Neolithic dolmens of Antequera, which are about 6,500 years old , almost nothing! There are also beautiful medieval buildings and, of course, there is no shortage of white houses so typical of southern Spain. For all this it looks like any other city in the area. But the reality is that it has one of the most outstanding karstic landscapes in Europe: El Torcal de Antequera. The rock formations create fantasy shapes in a nature reserve perfect for putting on some trainers and being fascinated by the landscape.
Seville, one of the most impressive excursions from Malaga
2 hours by car or train We could not leave the Andalusian capital out of our list of the best excursions from Malaga. Seville undoubtedly deserves a visit, ideally for several days to calmly enjoy all its attractions. The colossal Plaza de España, the Cathedral of Seville and the Real Alcázar are some of the main attractions. If you only have one day to get to know the city, you can take a high-speed train from Malaga or book a guided tour with transportation included.
Ronda, among the best excursions from Malaga
1 hour 15 minutes by carRonda is an authentic pearl in Andalusia. The city is built on a plateau on both sides of the deep gorge of the Tagus. The imposing New Bridge joins the two parts and has become an icon. In addition to its curious location with beautiful views, Ronda has many interesting places to visit. It has a mixture of Moorish architecture, Roman ruins and the typical Andalusian white houses.
Pomegranate
1 hour 20 minutes by car | 2 hours by bus As with Seville, Granada is another of the great excursions from Malaga. So we recommend you spend at least two days exploring the city. But if you only have one day to visit Granada from Malaga, you should dedicate it to getting to know the imposing Alhambra. We always say that it is our favorite monument in the whole world. This set of palaces and gardens were home to the Nasrid court and, later, to Castilian royalty. If you decide to visit it on your own, it is essential to book tickets in advance. We tell you all the options to get tickets for the Alhambra. You can also book an excursion with transportation from Malaga and a guided tour to learn all the secrets of the monument.
Cordoba, one of the best excursions from Malaga
1 hour 40 minutes by car | 1 hour by trainWe finish the list of best excursions from Malaga with another beautiful city. Córdoba has one of the great Islamic symbols in the West, the mosque converted into a cathedral during the Reconquest. In addition, it is known as the City of Three Cultures for the coexistence between Muslims, Christians and Jews. Strolling through the beautiful streets of the Jewish quarter is an essential plan Córdoba is quite small in size and it is easy to see its main attractions in one day. In addition, it only takes an hour by train from Malaga, less than going by car!