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The Best Day Trips From Malaga, Spain

© The Studio Under The Wall / Alamy Stock Photo
Photo of Claudia Glover
Claudia Glover
27 July 2020

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.

Nerja caves

Natural Feature
Map View
Nerja cave, Malaga, Spain
© Ainara Garcia / Alamy Stock Photo
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.

Tarifa

Architectural Landmark
Map View
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.

Caminito del Rey

Natural Feature
Map View
Visitors walking along the footbridge of Caminito del Rey path, Malaga, Spain.
© agefotostock / Alamy Stock Photo
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.

Cordoba

Architectural Landmark
Map View
Plaza de Espana with canal and bridge, Maria Luisa Park, Seville, Andalusia, Spain, Europe
Plaza de Espana with canal and bridge, Maria Luisa Park, Seville, Andalusia, Spain, Europe | © Neale Clark / robertharding / Alamy Stock Photo

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.

Frigiliana

Architectural Landmark
Map View
Frigiliana Malaga Spain Spanish White Village
© Peter Horree / Alamy Stock Photo
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.

El Chorro

Architectural Landmark
Map View
La Isla el Chorro, Malaga Lakes, Ardales natural park, Malaga, Andalucia, Costa del Sol, Spain, Europe
La Isla el Chorro, Malaga Lakes, Ardales natural park | © The Studio Under The Wall / Alamy Stock Photo
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.
These recommendations were updated on July 27, 2020 to keep your travel plans fresh.
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