Best Day Trips from Malaga & Benalmadena
Benalmadena is the perfect base for day trips from Malaga, offering a remarkable array of choices to visit the cultural, historical, and natural landmarks surrounding the area. Many of them are in close proximity and can be easily reached during a day-long tour. For example, just a short drive away, you’ll find Antequera, with its rich history and impressive fortress, as well as the natural wonders of El Torcal. Would you like to enjoy the stunning views of the Rock of Gibraltar? — It’s just an easy two-hour drive away. Cordoba and Granada are must-visits for their historical significance, and Nerja offers picturesque beaches and caves to explore. Ronda’s dramatic gorge and the thrilling Caminito del Rey are also nearby. Plus, Marbella is a vibrant town with a glamorous touch.
Day trips from Malaga: within an hour
Antequera
PinA hidden gem
A city and municipality in the Malaga Province, Antequera is a charming destination that offers a glimpse into the rich history and culture of Andalusia. With its well-preserved architecture, including the Alcazaba fortress dating back to the Moorish times, and the 16th-century Santa Maria Basilica, the town is a must-visit.
Antequera is also known for its ancient burial mounds, the Dolmens. From here, it’s also easy to explore the nearby natural wonders.
Caminito del Rey
‘the king’s little path’
Offering one of the best day trips from Malaga, El Caminito del Rey is a thrilling walkway that winds through the stunning El Chorro Gorge. This once-dangerous path has been restored and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty.
The walkway is suspended high above the river, providing an adrenaline-pumping experience for adventure seekers. The name derives from the official opening of the path by King Alfonso XIII in 1921.
PinEl Torcal de Antequera
PinA natural wonder
Just a short drive from downtown Antequera, El Torcal de Antequera is a unique natural park known for its impressive limestone formations. The park offers several hiking trails, allowing visitors to explore its otherworldly landscape and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
With its diverse flora and fauna, El Torcal de Antequera is a paradise for nature lovers and photographers and a popular choice for day trips from Malaga.
Marbella
glamour, luxury, tradition
Just a short drive from Benalmadena, Marbella is a glamorous resort town known for its luxurious yachts, high-end boutiques, and vibrant nightlife. Visitors can stroll along the famous Golden Mile, relax on the beautiful beaches, and explore the charming old town with its narrow streets and picturesque squares.
Interested in modern sculpture? A parkway featuring Salvador Dali’s works is right there by the seafront promenade.
PinMijas Pueblo
Pinpure fun for all ages
Nestled in the mountainside nearly 1,500 ft above sea level, this town exudes the charm of Andalusia’s iconic white towns. With its narrow streets and whitewashed buildings, Mijas Pueblo is an amazingly picturesque destination that offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal areas below.
Throughout the year, it has a vibrant cultural life with a series of festivals, holiday activities and entertainment events. The kids will have lots of fun taking a ride on ‘donkey-taxis’, and everybody will enjoy the wonders of local gastronomy amid panoramic views of the sea and the mountains.
Day trips from Malaga: (within 2 hours)
Córdoba
Pinbreathing history
With its storied Roman and Moorish past, Córdoba is a living expression of the intermingling of different cultures and is a treasure trove of architectural and historical landmarks. A magnificent example of this is Cordoba’s Great Mosque (Mezquita), the most emblematic monument of Islamic religious architecture. In the 13th century, it was turned into a cathedral.
In recognition of its extraordinary value, the entire historic center of Córdoba was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its numerous highlights include Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, a majestic site that comprises a fortress and a palace, and the Jewish Quarter that dates to the late Middle Ages.
Gibraltar
a rock that stands out
Situated at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory that combines spectacular scenery with a fascinating blend of cultures. Known for its iconic Rock of Gibraltar, a Jurassic Limestone formation some 200 million years old. From the top, if offers stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the coast of Africa.
Among Malaga day trips, it offers many exciting features, from the exploration of the underground tunnels of the Great Siege, to an encounter with the famous Barbary macaques, and the pleasures of duty-free shopping in the bustling Main Street.
PinGranada
Pinthe home of alhambra
Granada is home to the world-famous Alhambra, a magnificent fortress which embodied the power of the Moorish kingdom, but later became its last stronghold. Its stunning palace complex showcases the pinnacle of Moorish architecture. The Alhambra’s intricate details and beautiful gardens make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit destination.
In addition to the Alhambra, Granada offers a vibrant nightlife scene, delicious tapas, and a charming old town to explore.
Nerja
blue waters, white beaches, dark caves
Nerja is a picturesque coastal town known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters.
The highlight of Nerja is the famous Balcony of Europe, a scenic viewpoint that offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains lining up the coast. Visitors can also explore the Nerja Caves, a natural wonder with impressive stalactites and stalagmites, and enjoy local festivals and vibrant nightlife. All of this makes a drive to Nerja one the best day trips from Malaga.
PinRonda
Pinstraddling a gorge, gorgeously
One of Andalusia’s famous white hill towns, or pueblos blancos, Ronda offers breathtaking views due to its remarkable setting over steep rocky walls of a gorge. The Puente Nuevo, a stunning bridge that spans the gorge, is one of Ronda’s most iconic landmarks.
Beyond panoramic views, Ronda is also known as the cradle of modern bullfighting in Spain as it lays claim to the oldest bullring in the country. Ronda left a very strong impression on American writer Ernest Hemingway, Nobel Prize winner in Literature. He considered Ronda his favorite town in Andalusia, and it was mentioned in some of his works. In Ronda, visitors will also find a sculpture of American film icon Orson Welles, who loved the town and was buried there.
Day trips from Malaga: under 3 hours
Baeza and Úbeda
Renaissance Monumental Ensembles
A UNESCO designated World Heritage site, these two small Andalusian cities in southern Spain represent “outstanding early examples” of Renaissance civic architecture of the early 16th century.
Prior to that, their history had roots in Roman settlements and the conquest by the Moors, followed by the Reconquista when the Christian kings gradually reconquered the region. The last Moorish stronghold in nearby Granada fell in 1492.
It was the 16th century, however, that brought particularly momentous changes to Úbeda and Baeza, which sit about six miles apart (watch video). Under the influence of the emerging Renaissance and the new humanistic ideas from Italy, the renovation of the towns produced what UNESCO calls “the greatest Renaissance architecture ensemble in Spain and one of the most important in Europe.” For those interested in that period, it will cerainly be among best day trips from Malaga.
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