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Day trips from Málaga

Málaga is a good base for the province. Mountains, white villages and the coast are all within an hour or two. From our door, the train station and the bus station are an 18 to 19 minute walk, so you can leave the car at home, or not bring one at all. These are the trips we send guests on most often.

Where to go

PlaceWhatHow to get thereApprox. time
Caminito del ReyWalkway pinned to the walls of a gorgeCar, or Renfe regional train to El ChorroAbout 1 h
RondaTown split by a gorge, famous bridge and bullringCar or bus (about 1 h 45–2 h); by train you change at Antequera-Santa Ana.About 1 h 45 by car
El Torcal de AntequeraKarst landscape of stacked limestoneCar; or train to Antequera, then taxiAbout 50 min by car
FrigilianaWhite village in the hills above NerjaCar; or bus to Nerja, then local busAbout 1 h by car
NerjaCoast town with famous cavesCar or busAbout 1 h
Mijas PuebloWhite village with views over the coastCarAbout 35 min
Benalmádena PuebloSmall white village behind the resortCarAbout 30 min
CasaresHilltop village near the StraitCarAbout 1 h 30
Puerto Banús / MarbellaMarina, old town, beach clubsCar or busAbout 1 h

Times are approximate driving times from Málaga and depend on traffic.

Caminito del Rey: book first

This is the one trip that fails if you improvise. Entry is by timed ticket and slots sell out, especially in spring and autumn and at weekends. Book on the official Caminito del Rey website before you arrive in Málaga, then plan the train around your slot. General ticket 10 €. Children under 8 are not allowed. The walk runs north to south: if you arrive by train at El Chorro, take the shuttle bus (2.50 €) to the north entrance first. Wear proper shoes and bring water.

Trains from María Zambrano

María Zambrano is Málaga's main station, 19 minutes' walk from us. From here you have:

Buy Cercanías tickets at the machines. For regional and AVE trains book ahead on the Renfe website, as prices go up close to departure.

Buses from the Estación de Autobuses

The bus station is next to the train station, 18 minutes' walk. Coaches run along the coast to Nerja, Marbella and Puerto Banús, and inland to Ronda and Antequera. Main operators: ALSA (Nerja, Antequera), Avanza (Marbella, Puerto Banús, Ronda). Timetables change, so check the station website or ask us the day before.

Renting a car

You do not need a car for the city. For the province it helps, especially for the white villages and El Torcal. Two things to know:

  1. The low-emission zone (ZBE). It covers the centre and La Trinidad, including our street. Rental cars are usually recent (label C or ECO) and can drive in; check the label when you pick it up. Do not bring an older foreign car without a label. See our parking page for the current rules.
  2. Where to leave the car. Street parking near us is scarce, and nearby blue zones are paid Monday to Saturday. Use a SMASSA car park such as Camas or Avenida de Andalucía and walk the last ten to twelve minutes. Details and prices are on the parking page.

A practical pattern: rent the car only for the two or three days you leave the city, and pick it up at María Zambrano.

Our map of the province

All these places, plus viewpoints and restaurants we like on the way, are in the layer "Sitios de interés en la provincia" of our personal guide map.

Open our Málaga guide map

Back in Málaga by evening

Whichever trip you choose, you are back in a city with dinner options at every price and a quiet street to sleep on. Ask us for a route; we have driven most of them more than once.

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