Málaga is a great holiday destination in southern Spain. Want to escape town for a bit? These are the best day trips from Málaga at no more than 2 hours travel.
Visiting Málaga
Málaga, a bustling coastal city in southern Spain, has an awful lot to offer. You can take beautiful walks along the coastline, visit the forts for stunning views, and learn more about the life of the famous painter Picasso at the Picasso Museum.
Read more: 23 Best things to do in Málaga
But sometimes you want to escape the city and spend a day in another picturesque city or beautiful natural setting. Fortunately, numerous amazing destinations within a two-hour travel radius of Málaga are perfect for a fun day trip. In this blog post, I share ten of these destinations and why they are worth visiting.
The best day trips from Málaga
Are you interested in learning more? These are the best day trips from Málaga.
Ronda
Ronda, a picturesque town about 100 kilometers from Malaga, is perfect for a day trip. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia. Located on a mountain plateau, Ronda offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the deep gorge of the Tajo de Ronda. The famous Puente Nuevo, an impressive bridge connecting the old and new parts of the city, is a must-see.
Stroll through the narrow streets of the old town to discover historic buildings, charming squares, and cozy cafes. Ronda offers a special blend of breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, and unique culture, making it a must-visit destination for a day trip from Malaga.
- Travel time: 1.5 hours by car or 1.5 to 3 hours by train (with transfers).
- Fun thing to do: Join the Via Ferrata Tajo del Ronda tour and climb the steep cliffs with a guide to discover the most beautiful views.
Read more: What to do in Ronda? 15 tips & the best places to visit
Gibraltar
Although Gibraltar is officially British territory, it is only a 30-minute drive from Málaga. You can see the impressive Rock of Gibraltar from afar. It is great fun to climb to climb the rock and check out the monkeys that live here
Furthermore, Gibraltar is a special place to visit because of its unique blend of Spanish and British culture.
- Travel time: just under 2 hours by car and 2-3 hours by bus.
- Make it easy on yourself and book an organized bus tour from Málaga to Gibraltar.
Granada
During my first visit to Málaga, I combined it with a city trip to Granada. This city is known for the world-famous Alhambra, a complex full of palaces and gardens that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Alhambra is breathtakingly beautiful and an absolute must see.
But Granada has more to offer. You can see the famous cave dwellings of the gypsies in the Sacramonte district, visit the magnificent Catedral de Granada, and shop in the colorful La Alcaicería bazaar. Fun fact: in Granada, you always get free tapas with your drink.
- Travel time: 1 hour and 20 minutes by train or 1 hour and 45 minutes by car.
- Fun thing to do: Visit the Alhambra, one of the most beautiful palace complexes in the world.
Read more: What to do in Granada? 16 tips!
Mijas
Mijas is a charming white village on the hills with stunning views of the coast. It is a very nice place to stroll through for a few hours and discover the cobblestone streets with the whitewashed houses, colorful flower boxes and cozy squares.
What also makes Mijas special are the traditional donkey cabs you can take for a ride. They are just not very well taken care of, so personally I would choose to watch those from a distance and go for a nice walk or take a tuk tuk if you want to go to another place.
Other attractions in Mijas include the little church Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña, the Plaza de Toros de Mijas and several beautiful viewpoints on the coast.
- Travel time: 30 minutes by car and 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus (with transfer).
- Fun thing to do: Discover the most beautiful places in Mijas on a walking tour led by a local guide.
Photo by Simon Hermans via Unsplash.
Nerja
A popular resort west of Málaga, Nerja is known for its beautiful beaches, quaint streets and the famous Nerja caves. You can relax on the beach here or explore the historic center with its whitewashed houses and flowery balconies
One of the highlights of visiting Nerja are the famous caves, a natural wonder with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The complex is much bigger and more impressive than you expect, really highly recommended!
- Travel time: 1 hour by car or bus.
- Fun thing to do: Visit the caves of Nerja.
Read more: 16 Best things to do in Nerja Spain
Parque Nacional Sierra de las Nieves
If you love nature, don’t miss the Parque Nacional Sierra de las Nieves during your visit to Málaga. This nature reserve is known for its breathtaking landscapes, with rugged mountains, deep valleys, and lush forests. You can enjoy this while hiking and trekking along the scenic trails, where you will not only discover the beauty of nature but may also see wildlife, such as the rare Spanish mountain goat.
The highlight of the Sierra de las Nieves is the spectacular “La Torrecilla,” the highest mountain peak in Málaga at over 1900 meters. From here you have a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
- Travel time: You visit the park from Tolox or Ronda. Tolox is closest to Málaga and is just under an hour’s drive from the city. You can’t get here by public transportation, unfortunately.
- Fun thing to do: Explore Sierra de las Nieves on a tour by electric mountain bike.
Estepona
During my last tour of Andalusia, I ended up in Estepona and it was a really nice surprise! This picturesque city is known for its beautiful beaches, picturesque streetsc and green squares full of flowers.
You can take a leisurely stroll along the promenade overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, relax on the beach or stroll through the old town with its whitewashed houses and colorful flower boxes. In addition, Estepona also has a bustling marina full of restaurants and bars, where you can enjoy dishes full of delicious fresh seafood.
- Travel time: 1 hour by car or 2.5 hours by bus.
- Fun thing to do: Join a sailing trip along the coast, maybe you’ll see dolphins! (drinks are included)
Read more: 20 Best things to do in Estepona
Caminito del Rey
Are you up for an adventure? Then a hike on Caminito del Rey is highly recommended. This spectacular route winds through gorges and cliffs, offering beautiful views of the natural surroundings. The trail is world famous for its now-renovated suspension bridge and narrow paths along steep precipices, making the hike very adventurous.
This trail was long known as one of the scariest and most dangerous hiking trails in the world but has been made safe so you can now fully enjoy this thrilling experience without being afraid of heights. Only a limited number of spots are available each day, so book in time if you want to do this hike.
- Travel time: 50 minutes by car or an hour and a half by train and bus.
- Make it easy on yourself and book a day trip to Caminito del Rey from Málaga.
Córdoba
Córdoba is one of my favorite cities in Andalusia and is also a great place to visit as a day trip from Málaga. The city is best known for the Mezquita Cathedral, with its mix of Islamic and Christian influences.
But there is much more to see and do in Córdoba. It is wonderful to stroll through the old (mostly car-free) streets and discover old churches in the beautiful squares. In addition, a visit to the Jewish quarter of Judería is also highly recommended, with its cozy little squares and charming whitewashed houses. You will also find colorful patios full of flowers and historical elements in this area.
Take a walk across the spectacular Roman Bridge to the other side of the river for stunning views of the city. Also don’t forget to explore the impressive Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with its magnificent gardens. It is impossible to get bored in Córdoba, there is so much beauty to see!
- Travel time: 50 minutes by train or 1 hour and 50 minutes by car.
- Must see: The Mezquita Cathedral. Go early in the morning or late afternoon, as it can get very crowded here.
Read more: Visiting Córdoba: 21 tips!
These were all my tips for fun day trips from Malaga. Whether you are interested in history, culture, nature, or just want to relax on the beach, there are plenty of day trips from Malaga to satisfy all your needs. So rent a car, take the train or bus, and go on an adventure to one of these amazing destinations. Have fun!
Book a trip to Andalusia
Want to visit Málaga and some of these other beautiful places in Andalusia? Then book your trip now!
✈️ Plane tickets
Málaga has an international airport with many good connections. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets.
🚆 Travel to Spain by train
Spain is very well accessible by train from other European countries. Check Rail Europe for train times and tickets.
🛏️ Accommodation
You’ll always find a great place to stay in Málaga, as there are many options. Whether you’re a budget traveler who prefers to book a bed in a dorm of a cozy hostel or traveling with your significant other and want to stay in a romantic boutique hotel. There’s something for everyone! Check Booking.com for all the options, availability, and prices.
🚘 Rental Car
Although public transport is quite well organized in Spain (I traveled through Spain by train and bus many times), it is still useful to have a rental car. This makes it even easier to get to really special places. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals.
💊 Travel insurance
Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.
🎡 Tours and activities
There are a lot of fun tours and activities in the south of Spain. Check Civitatis and Get Your Guide to find the best-guided tours and activities.
Read more about Andalusia
Would you like to read more about Málaga and other beautiful places in Andalusia? These are some great travel guides for more inspiration.
You can also read a lot about traveling to Spain on this website as it is one of my favorite European destinations and I visit Spain several times every year. You might like to read these articles as well:
- Interrailing in Spain: my experience, itinerary & tips
- 18 Top things to do in Galicia Spain
- 19 Best things to do in Tarifa, Spain
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