Day trips
Day trips from Málaga by car: six that work in one day
Staying in Málaga or on the Costa del Sol, you can see a large part of Andalusia without changing hotel. These six trips each fit into a day. Two of them depend on a booking made in advance, so check those first.
In short
- Book ahead for the Caminito del Rey (closed on Mondays) and the Alhambra in Granada.
- Most trips are 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes each way from Málaga.
- Park outside the historic centres: Ronda, Frigiliana and Mijas have car parks at the edge of town.
- The Málaga low-emission zone (ZBE) applies inside the city; it does not affect these routes outside it.
- Drive times are approximate, from central Málaga, in normal traffic.
1. Ronda
Ronda
The Puente Nuevo bridge over the El Tajo gorge, the old town and the views from the cliff-top gardens.
- Drive
- Approx. 1 hour 30 min via the A-357 and A-367, or via the coast and the A-397 from San Pedro
- Parking
- Underground car parks in the new town.
- Time to allow
- Most of the day
- Families
- The bridge viewpoints are close to the car parks.
2. Caminito del Rey
Caminito del Rey
A walkway on the walls of the Gaitanes gorge, about 7.7 km one way from the northern access (Ardales) to El Chorro.
- Drive
- Approx. 1 hour
- Parking
- Park at the southern end (El Chorro) and take the shuttle bus to the start.
- Time to allow
- Half a day
- Families
- No children under 8. Closed on Mondays and in bad weather.
3. Nerja and Frigiliana
Nerja and Frigiliana
The Balcón de Europa viewpoint and the Nerja Caves, then the white village of Frigiliana above the coast.
- Drive
- Approx. 50 min east on the A-7
- Parking
- Underground car parks in Nerja; car park at the entrance to Frigiliana.
- Time to allow
- A full day
4. Antequera and El Torcal
Antequera
Prehistoric dolmens, the Alcazaba and the karst landscape of El Torcal, with marked trails from the visitor centre.
- Drive
- Approx. 45 min north on the A-45
- Parking
- Visitor car parks at the dolmens and at El Torcal.
- Time to allow
- A full day
5. Mijas Pueblo
Mijas Pueblo
White village in the hills above Fuengirola, with views down to the coast. A short trip for a half day or an arrival day.
- Drive
- Approx. 35 min
- Parking
- Multi-storey car park at the edge of the village.
- Time to allow
- 2 to 3 hours
- Families
- Short distances and plenty of places to stop.
6. Granada (long day)
Granada and the Alhambra
Possible as a day trip only with an Alhambra ticket bought in advance. Plan the day around the Nasrid Palaces time on your ticket.
- Drive
- Approx. 1 hour 30 min on the A-45 and A-92 or via the coast and the A-44
- Parking
- Alhambra car park.
- Time to allow
- A long day
Open in Google Maps
Which trip for which day
- Arrival or departure day: Mijas Pueblo, close to the airport.
- Hot summer day: Nerja, with the caves and the sea.
- Clear, dry day: Caminito del Rey or El Torcal.
- Rainy day: Granada's Alhambra, much of it under cover, or Ronda's museums.
Sources
- Caminito del Rey official site, Diputación de Málaga (checked October 27, 2026)
- El Caminito del Rey: timetable and rules, La Garganta (checked October 27, 2026)
- Alhambra official ticket sales, Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (checked October 27, 2026)
- Málaga ZBE: who is restricted, Motor16 (checked October 27, 2026)
- Costa del Sol tourism, Turismo Costa del Sol (checked October 27, 2026)
Rules, prices and opening hours change. Check the official source before you travel. Drive times are approximate.
More guides
Andalusia in 5 days from Málaga: a road trip loop
Nerja and Frigiliana, Granada and the Alhambra, Antequera, Ronda and the coast back to Málaga in five days, with ticket timing and toll notes.
Driving in Málaga and on the Costa del Sol: pick-up, tolls and city rules
How the airport shuttle pick-up works, when the AP-7 toll is worth it, what Málaga's low-emission zone means for a rental car, and where to park.
Costa del Sol in winter: what to do by car from November to February
Málaga's Christmas lights, skiing in the Sierra Nevada, quieter Ronda and Granada, and walks that are too hot in summer: a winter plan for the Costa del Sol by car.