The Best Day Trips From Malaga Spain

Malaga is a great city to choose as your base on a visit to this part of Spain, as it is perfectly placed to easily reach all of the best bits of Andalucia. The transport in and out of Malaga is fantastic, from the airport, to the central train station Maria Zabrano, or just through the car shares that are a regular occurrence between locals. From the caves of Nerja, which are less than one hour away, to the architecture in Cordoba, you are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to day trips out of this fantastic city.

1. Nerja caves

Natural Feature

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.

2. Tarifa

Architectural Landmark

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.

3. Caminito del Rey

Natural Feature

Visitors walking along the footbridge of Caminito del Rey path, Malaga, Spain.

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.

5. Frigiliana

Architectural Landmark

Frigiliana Malaga Spain Spanish White Village

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.

6. El Chorro

Architectural Landmark

La Isla el Chorro, Malaga Lakes, Ardales natural park, Malaga, Andalucia, Costa del Sol, Spain, Europe

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.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.