At a glance: Best day trips from Málaga
- Best city day trip: Córdoba
- Best hike: Caminito del Rey
- Best pueblo blanco day trip: Frigiliana
As well as being a magical destination in its own right, Málaga is an excellent gateway to some of the best destinations Andalucíá has to offer. Even without a car, you can easily visit Andalucíá’s most beautiful spots, towns and cities by train or bus.
Here’s my guide to the best day trips from Málaga by public transport.
- Córdoba
- Nerja
- Frigiliana
- Caminito del Rey
- Granada
- Ronda
- Gibraltar
- Seville
- Antequera
- Read more guides to Andalucía
Córdoba – Moorish Splendour a Short Train from Malaga
Duration: 50 minutes
Why visit: To see one of Spain’s most magnificent buildings, the Córdoba Mosque, and to explore this magical ancient city.
Top things to do
Córdoba Mosque: Alongside the Alhambra in Granada, this is one of Spain’s greatest remaining monuments from the Moorish era. A monumental achievement in Islamic architecture, serenely beautiful and made up of hundreds of horseshoe arches seeming to go on forever. In the centre is the more modern Cathedral – this juxtaposition in styles adding to the majesty.
For this building alone, Córdoba is an excellent day trip from Málaga.
La Juderia & Synagogue: Córdoba’s old Jewish district is well worth exploring for its history, with an excellent museum exploring Jewish history in Andalucíá and a stunningly preserved medieval synagogue, one of the only of its kind in Spain. Read my guide to Córdoba’s Juderia here.
How to get to Córdoba from Málaga by public transport
Trains leave regularly from Málaga María Zambrano Train Station to Córdoba every day. The fastest take less than an hour, and will set you back 9-15 €. Book here.
Nerja – Beaches, Caves and a Famous Viewpoint
Duration: 80 minutes.
Why visit? To relax in a stunning coastal town with famous natural caves.
Top things to do
Relax on the beach: Like much of Southern Spain, Nerja has a wonderful beach. Less built up and busy than the resorts on the other side of Málaga, it’s a laid-back, excellent spot to relax.
Nerja Caves: Known as the ‘natural cathedral of the Costa del Sol’, Nerja Cave is a huge network of caves, inhabited by humans for millennia. Historically fascinating and utterly beautiful.
Balcon de Europa: One of the most famous viewpoints in this part of Spain, Balcon de Europa is a round balcony jutting out into the Mediterranean. Breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains, coastlines, and out to sea.
How to visit Nerja from Málaga by public transport
Buses leave frequently from Málaga bus station to Nerja every day, taking around an hour and twenty minutes on average. If you book in advance they cost just a few Euros, and even booking on the day you can get a return for less than 10 €, making Nerja an easy and affordable day trip.
Frigiliana – A Hidden Gem in the Mountains
Duration: Two hours
Why visit: To explore one of Andalucíá’s most iconic and beautiful white villages, with views across the surrounding hills.
Top things to do
Explore the beautiful old town: Cobblestone lanes lined with relaxing, uniform white houses. Frigiliana is what you imagine when you picture a beautiful village in Southern Spain. Take it slow, and enjoy strolling around.
Enjoy nearby hiking: Frigiliana is surrounded by nature on all sides. Pick a route, and walk – we chose a random path, down a road called Camino Boticario. Ten minutes later we were on an incredibly peaceful walk through a gorge.
Relax and enjoy the view: Frigiliana isn’t a place to wear yourself out sightseeing. It’s somewhere to take it slow. Grab a drink at one of the many bars with excellent vistas, such as those on Plaza de las Tres Culturas or at Restaurante El Mirador, and watch the world unfolding beneath you.
How to visit Frigiliana from Málaga by public transport
To get to Frigiliana from Málaga, you need to take a bus to Nerja, and then take a shuttle up to Frigiliana. Buses from Málaga go about once an hour – but you’ll need to make sure they match up with the shuttles up to Frigiliana.
Book your Málaga to Nerja bus here. And view the shuttle from Nerja to Frigiliana timetable here.
If the buses don’t match up, you can take a taxi from Nerja to Frigiliana, which will cost about 10-15 €.
Caminito del Rey – Spain’s Most Thrilling Walk, Easy from Málaga
Duration: Two hours (one hour if by guided tour)
Why visit? One of the best day trips from Málaga, the Caminito del Rey is a majestic 8km walkway along a narrow gorge.
It was originally built in the 20th century for workers at nearby hydroelectric power plants – and in the early 2000s it was known as the world’s most dangerous walkway.
Since then it has been repaired and is now a completely safe walk – one of the most beautiful in all of Spain, with breathtaking views for the entire duration, as well as wildlife such as mountain goats and birds of prey circling overhead. I can’t recommend it enough.
You can visit on a self-guided tour, which sell out very far in advance. Book here.
Alternatively, you can visit on a guided tour, which cost slightly more but have more availability. Book here.
How to get to Caminto del Rey from Málaga by public transport
Take a train from Málaga to El Chorro, which takes just under an hour (book here). From here, take the shuttle bus to the start of the Caminito del Rey, which takes about 20 minutes and leaves every half hour on weekends, and every hour during the week.
However, the most convenient way to visit is actually as part of a guided tour. This will be much quicker than travelling by public transport, and can be very cost effective as they often include your ticket to Caminito del Rey. Book the top option here.
Granada – Visit the Alhambra from Málaga Without a Car
Duration: 80-90 minutes.
Why visit? To explore one of Europe’s great buildings and soak up one of Andalucía’s most enchanting cities.
Top things to do
The Alhambra: One of Spain’s most famous attractions and beautiful buildings. A fortified Moorish palace dating back to the 13th century, and now one of the best preserved historic Islamic palaces anywhere in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, an architectural masterpiece, and a must visit.
Moorish Granada: Surrounding the Alhambra is Granada’s Moorish quarter, made up of medieval lanes, historic buildings and gardens. Explore by yourself or book a tour.
Granada Cathedral & Capilla Real: Granada’s imposing cathedral was built on top of the historic mosque, taking more than 150 years to complete. Within the Cathedral complex are the graves of the Catholic monarchs.
If you can, I’d recommend spending more than a day in Granada, to explore all that this city has to offer. Find accommodation here.
How to visit Granada from Málaga by public transport
Several trains leave daily from Málaga María Zambrano Train Station to Granada. The fastest take about 80 minutes, and at just 15 €, this is one of the best affordable and easy day trips from Málaga. Book train tickets here.
Ronda – Andalucía’s most dramatic town
Duration: Two hours
Why go: To see one of Spain’s most beautiful towns, dramatically spanning over a deep gorge
Top things to do
El Tajo Gorge – Marvel at the deep, steep, dizzying views of El Tajo Gorge, which cuts right through the city of Ronda. Wherever you look in Ronda, the views are immense.
Banos Arabes – Visit some of the best preserved Arab baths from the Moorish Era in all of Southern Spain.
Ronda old town – Stroll around Ronda’s peaceful historic old town, with calming white buildings and impressive monuments.
Read my full guide of the top things to do in Ronda here.
How to get from Málaga to Ronda by public transport
The easiest and cheapest way to get from Málaga to Ronda is by bus. Coaches go direct from Málaga Bus Station to Ronda several times a day, taking about 2 hours. 8-20 €. Book here.
You can also take a train, which requires changing at Antequera Santa-Ana. If you time it right, you can do this in just two hours – and it’s worth the extra cost. The train will take you through some of Andalucíá’s most beautiful countryside, including along part of the famous Caminito del Rey route. Explore timings and book here.
For convenience and the quickest way to Ronda, you can also book a guided tour, leaving from Málaga, here.
Gibraltar – A Slice of Britain, a Bus Away from Malaga
Duration: Two hours
Why go: To see the iconic Rock of Gibraltar, meet its famous monkeys and explore a small slice of Britain on the Iberian peninsula.
Top things to do
Cable Car – Head to the top of the Rock via the dizzying cable car, to be rewarded with unbelievable views across Gibraltar, to Spain, and even to Morocco.
Meet the monkeys – Spend some time watching the only wild monkeys in Europe, the famous Barbary macaques of Gibraltar.
St Michael’s Cave – Marvel at Gibraltar’s most beautiful spot, this cavernous, ancient cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites.
Read my full guide of the top things to do in Gibraltar here.
How to get to Gibraltar from Málaga by public transport
Buses run daily from Málaga to Gibraltar, taking upwards of two hours and costing around £10-£20. You’ll need to use an Avanza Bus service, leaving from Málaga Estacion Autobuses and arriving at La Linea. This is the Spanish town that borders Gibraltar – once you get off the bus, it’s a 10 minute walk or so to the border.
To make the most of your time in Gibraltar, get an early bus – there tends to be a 6.30am and a 8.30am service. You can book here.
Remember, you’re entering a different country – so don’t forget your passport. When you re-enter Spain, you may also asked for proof of your accommodation in Spain if you don’t have an EU passport.
For convenience, take a tour
You can also book a guided tour to Gibraltar, which manages your transport. This will be the most convenient and fastest way to get there, as it will drive directly to Gibraltar rather than stopping at other towns.
It can also be quite a cost effective way to visit on a day trip, and there are options to include entry to some of the top attractions in Gibraltar. Book the top option here.
Or spend a night on the Rock
If you’ve got the time to spare, it can be a good idea to spend a night or two in Gibraltar, to give yourself time to see all its main sights and soak up its atmosphere. Find the best places to stay in Gibraltar.
Seville – Andalusia’s Vibrant Capital, Easily Reached by Train from Málaga
Duration: Two hours
Why visit: To explore Andalucíá’s capital, absolutely jam-packed with world-class attractions and beauty everywhere you look.
Top things to do
The Alcazar: The stunning royal palace of Seville, an old Moorish complex which has been added to by Spanish monarchs over the centuries and still used by the royal family. Make sure to book in advance!
Cathedral & La Giralda: One of the largest cathedrals in the world, home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus and the iconic Giralda Tower, originally the minaret of the Great Mosque of Seville.
Plaza de Espana: One of Spain’s most famous and beautiful squares. Built in the Mudejar style, with benches representing all 52 of Spain’s provinces.
If you can, I’d recommend spending more than a day in Seville. There’s simply so much to see. Find accommodation here.
How to visit Seville from Málaga by public transport
Several trains leave from Málaga to Seville every day, taking two hours and costing 30-50 €. Book tickets here.
Antequera – Baroque Churches and Ancient Dolmens
Duration: 26 minutes
Why go: Some of the oldest man made monuments on earth, a giant Moorish castle, all surrounded by miles of natural beauty and hiking routes.
Top things to do
Antequera Dolmens Site – A UNESCO World Heritage site, made up of three ancient burial mounds. Its centrepiece is the Mengan Dolmen, more than 4,000 years old and one of the largest known ancient megalithic structures in Europe.
Alcazaba – A huge hilltop Moorish Castle, built in the 14th century to try and halt the Christian Spanish forces coming from the north. Offers excellent views of the surrounding countryside.
Hiking – Antequera is close to El Torcal de Antequera, a large nature reserve filled with otherworldly rock formations and beautiful hiking routes. It’s a bit of a distance out of the town, so you either need to book a taxi or arrange a tour. You can either do this from Antequera (link) or direct from Málaga (link)
How to get from Málaga to Antequera by Public Transport
The quickest way to get to Antequera from Málaga is by train, which leaves from Málaga Maria Zambrano station and takes just 26 minutes. However, there are only a couple of services a day – check and book here.
More frequent buses run from Málaga to Antequera, and will be slightly cheaper. These leave from Málaga Bus Station – close to the train station – and take 40 minutes.
Read more guides to Andalucía
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Thank you so much for this post! I’ll be staying in Malaga with family in January and am trying to figure out where we can do day trips without renting a car. Your guide was so helpful! Exactly to the point about where to go, what to see and how to get there. SUPER helpful! Thank you!!
Thank you for the kind words! I’m glad you found it useful and hope you have a wonderful trip in Malaga. January’s a great time to go, should be reasonably quiet.
If you’re into museums or art galleries, I’ve also put together a guide of the best museums in Malaga – it’s home to some crackers!