The 7 Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain

Around an hour’s drive away from Malaga, the caves of Nerja are dramatic, beautiful and steeped in history. Stalactites preside over natural caverns and the largest one, which is shaped like an amphitheatre, houses galleries, artefacts, concerts and even a festival in July. There are regular and cheap buses that go from Malaga bus station, but the train is by far the easiest and most picturesque option. Join a tour to experience the caves and to explore the white-washed village of Nerja on foot and see their narrow streets, small shops, and historic landmarks including a fortress.

Visit the Spanish municipality of Tarifa for the beach. The surfing is brilliant, there are spots for whale watching and of course, 10km (6mi) of sand with its aquamarine, glassy paradise. With your back to the sea you have a view of the mountains and the magnificent El Estrecho Natural Park. If you’re not driving, a regular bus from Malaga to Algeciras will drop you off at Tarifa.

The Caminito del Rey trail has been around for as long as Spain has attracted adrenaline junkies. The walk’s wooden walkways, placed against the sides of the mountains with a sheer drop into the sea, will have your heart racing, particularly as you will be 100m (328ft) up the cliff face. From Malaga you can catch the train to Seville, or it’s a 50-minute drive through the towns of Cártama, Pizarra, Carratraca and Ardales. There are also tours available at Caminito del Rey that take travellers on the thrilling trail in total safety. During the guided hike along the Caminito del Rey through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Park, you will follow your guide along the 5-mile (7.5-km) route along narrow walkways that cling to the rock face high above the ground and over former railway bridges, taking in sweeping vistas, waterfalls, caves, and other wonders.

If you like mesmerising architecture, head to Cordoba. Aside from the arched Roman bridge, there is the internationally famous Mezquita Mosque and the Alcazar (palace) de los Reyes Cristianos. If you still have time to spare, take a dip at the hamam and take a winding walk through the historic and picturesque Jewish Quarter. The train is a slightly more expensive travel option, but cuts your travel time in half, and the views make the journey fly by.

A dynamic town on the Costa del Sol, Frigiliana, is a province of Malaga. One of the famed Pueblos Blancos, the white-washed towns in the south of Spain, this town sits high on a mountain ridge, giving visitors a sweeping vista of the Mediterranean Sea. Frigiliana is an hour’s bus ride along the coast for around €30. This medieval town is a typically Andalusian pueblo blanco (white town) in the hills east of Málaga above the vacation paradise of Costa del Sol. Guarded by the remains of the 9th-century Moorish Lízar Castle, the village rises from its cliffside promenade and offers far-reaching panoramas of the Mediterranean coast.

El Chorro, Malaga’s lake district, lies in the wake of the 200-m (656-ft) high Guadalhorce river gorge, known as the Garganta del Chorro. El Chorro boasts three man-made lakes created by the dam at the top of the gorge. A tranquil place for fishing or just watching the eagles, there is one train a day from Malaga from €6. There are also tours you can experience at El Chorro where you can enjoy the stunning landscapes whilst having time to visit a museum in Girón, sample some local bread and yogurt, and see tranquil Busa Lagoon, a mountain lake sacred to aboriginal Andeans.

Ronda is set on one of Spain’s most dramatic landscapes, right on top of El Tajo canyon. It is filled with a deeply rich and cultural history documented by ancient rock paintings, towering stone bridges, and 14th-century ruins. Today, you can enjoy the city’s dramatic cliffs, local wineries, and rustic charm. Ronda is an amazing destination and ideal mountain getaway or day trip destination. There are many tours heading to Ronda from Malaga, where you will enjoy the visit to the 18th century bullring, the Puente Nuevo and the viewpoints, among other places to highlight during the visit to the city.