Malaga is the perfect destination if you are planning to visit Andalusia. Due to its international airport, several train connections with all the country and its strategic location, you can choose this city as ‘base camp’ ‘for visiting the rest of Andalusia and have some day trip from Malaga.
Even though we know that Malaga city has plenty of things to do and visit, if you are planning to go outside for a while, or are looking for doing a day giveaway to someplace else, in this article I will show you the most beautiful villages to visit from Malaga.
What will you find down below?
- Time to get the locations.
- Ways to get there.
- What you shouldn’t miss about these villages.
- Extra tip: restaurant recommendations!
So, I recommend you to consider the following places where you can have a day trip from Malaga City. You won’t regret it!
Ronda
If you like old and misterius villages, you will fall in Love with Ronda. Its small and cobbled streets and its beautiful views to Alameda del Tajo are just breathtaking. Ronda has the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain, which was built in 1785.
The most important monument of this city is ‘El Tajo’. This impressive gorge was built in 1751 and served as a defense against the enemies of the region.
Other things you can’t miss of Ronda are:
- Merced square
- Puente Nuevo
- House and Garden of Moorish King
- Arabic Bridge.
????Ronda, where to eat?
The best restaurant in Ronda to taste Spanish food are:
- Los cazadores
- Bodeguita San Francisco
- Lechuguita
- Carmen la de ronda
????Malaga to Ronda
- Distance: 102 km
- By car: 1h 26 min (you can check the route here)
- By public transport:
- Train: there is one only train which goes to Ronda from Malaga. It departs around 9.00 from Malaga Maria Zambrano station. To come back, you can take the last train from Ronda to Malaga, around 19.00h. You can check further information about schedules here.
- Trip duration: 1h 57 min.
- Price: 11,90€
- Bus: There are a few buses you can take to arrive at Ronda. They start at 8:00am and finish at 18:00h. You should go to ‘Estación de Autobuses de Malaga’, to take the bus. To come back, there are several too.
- Trip duration: 2h 30 min
- Price: from 10,80€ to 12€
- Train: there is one only train which goes to Ronda from Malaga. It departs around 9.00 from Malaga Maria Zambrano station. To come back, you can take the last train from Ronda to Malaga, around 19.00h. You can check further information about schedules here.
Antequera
Antequera is another beautiful place you can’t miss if you are planning to do a one trip from Malaga. This village, which is one of the biggest in the Malaga region, it’s famous for its impressive churches, its castle, its megalithic dolmens and its natural park ‘El Torcal’.
The best way to know Antequera is to lose yourself in the historical centre and visit squares such as ‘Coso Viejo’ or San Sebastián Square. After this, you should walk up to Alcazaba castle. Once you arrive there, you could visit Santa Maria church (in my opinion the most beautiful church in Antequera) and you can enjoy the best views of all Antequera.
????Antequera, where to eat?
If you are coming to this historical village for a one day trip, you should eat at
- Parador de Antequera
- Mesón Adarve
- Restaurante Campo de Golf.
????Malaga to Antequera
- Distance: 102 km
- By car: 51 min (you can check the route here)
- By public transport:
- Train: there are a few trains that arrive at ‘Antequera - Santa Ana’ station. But, be careful! This train station is 12 km away from Antequera city and once you arrive there, you might take a taxi.
- Trip duration: 20 min.
- Price: 10,90€
- Bus: On the contrary, buses to Antequera arrive right in the centre of the city. You can take them to ‘Estación de Autobuses de Malaga’ and there are around eight each day.
- Trip duration: 1h
- Price: 5,95€
- Train: there are a few trains that arrive at ‘Antequera - Santa Ana’ station. But, be careful! This train station is 12 km away from Antequera city and once you arrive there, you might take a taxi.
Frigiliana
Frigiliana has been rewarded as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It is denominated as one of the ‘pueblos blancos’ (white towns) of Andalusia thanks to its beautiful and charming houses, with white walls and blue doors.
It’s located up to the mountains and this privileged location offers us awesome views to all Malaga coast as well as breathtaking sunsets.
The restaurants are located around the main street, where you can go and experience the village lifestyle.
It’s just 7km away from Nerja, so you can easily visit both villages on the same day.
????Frigiliana, where to eat?
- Restaurante El Mirador - Frigiliana
- La bodeguilla
- Restaurante Virtudes
????Malaga to Frigiliana
- Distance: 58.4 km
- By car: 47min (you can check the route here)
- By public transport:
- Bus: You can’t go directly to Frigiliana by public transport from Malaga. First, you should take a bus to Nerja, and once there, you have the possibility to take a bus to Frigiliana (it costs 1€) or a taxi.
Nerja
Nerja is one of the favourite places to visit from Malaga. It’s not extrange due to its white sand beaches, typical Spanish houses and cliffside coves.
As we said, it’s pretty near Frigiliana, so, if you don’t have too much time to go around, we highly recommend visiting both villages the same day.
One of its most known cultural attractions is ‘Nerja caves’, a massive underground cavern from the Neanderthal Age.
Also, you can’t leave Nerja without seeing ‘El Balcón de Europa’. This Balcony is situated on the cliff that separates the beaches of Salón and Calahonda. It has beautiful views of the Med sea and Nerja beaches.
????Nerja, where to eat?
- Restaurante Oliva
- Cervecería El Pulguilla
- Restaurante María Bonita
????Where to stay in Nerja?
If you are looking for accommodation in Nerja, you can’t miss the opportunity to see our luxury apartments right in the heart of the city.
From its large private terrace, you will have direct access facing South to an infinity pool with awesome views over the sea and the famous Balcon de Europa.
This is a unique opportunity to build memorable holiday memories with friends or family in the intimate setting of a private clubhouse.
????Malaga to Nerja
- Distance: 57.6 km
- By car: 46 min (you can check the route here)
- By public transport:
- Bus: Nerja buses leave from ‘Estación de Autobuses Málaga’, next to Maria Zambrano Station.
- Price: 4.70€
- Trip duration: 1.25€
- Bus: Nerja buses leave from ‘Estación de Autobuses Málaga’, next to Maria Zambrano Station.
Mijas Pueblo
Mijas is one of the denominated ‘pueblos blancos’ (white towns) of Andalusia. As Frigiliana, this charming village is full of typical Spanish houses. It’s also situated in the mountains, so the sea views from one of its balconies are just amazing.
In Mijas Pueblo, you will find a wide range of leisure activities as: Watch one of the flamenco shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Plaza de la Virgen de la Peña, golf at one of the Mijas’ courses or visit its Wine Museum.
????Mijas Pueblo, where to eat?
- Restaurante el Mirlo Blanco
- El Capricho
- Restaurante Casa El abuelo
????Malaga to Mijas Pueblo
- Distance: 38.7 km
- By car: 43 min (you can check the route here)
- By public transport:
- Bus: There are a few bus combinations you can choose to arrive at Mijas Pueblo. My recommendation is to take the train to Fuengirola (Line C1) and once there, take the M-122 bus.
- Price: 3,60€ (train) + 1,40€ (bus)
- Trip duration: Around 1h 30 min
- Bus: There are a few bus combinations you can choose to arrive at Mijas Pueblo. My recommendation is to take the train to Fuengirola (Line C1) and once there, take the M-122 bus.
Marbella
Who doesn’t know Marbella? The golden area of Costa del Sol. Apart from the luxury shops and Michelin restaurants, Marbella town has a lot to offer and if you look deep into it, you will find Mediterranean culture in every corner. Marbella old town is full of flower-covered houses, century-olds buildings and beautiful squares (you should visit Plaza de los Naranjos and Alameda park).
Also, once you visit the centre, you can take a cruise from Marbella to Puerto Banús and enjoy the luxury atmosphere of this pier.
????Marbella town, where to eat?
- Zozoi
- Lobito de Mar (from the well-known chef Dani García)
- Casanis Bistrot
????Malaga to Marbella
- Distance: 60km
- By car: 54 min (you can check the route here)
- By public transport:
- Bus: Bus L-307 from Estación de Autobuses Malaga.
- Price: 6,80€ aprox.
- Trip duration: Around 50 min
- Bus: Bus L-307 from Estación de Autobuses Malaga.
ONE DAY TRIP FROM MALAGA, INFINITE OPTIONS
As you have read, there are many options to choose if you want to do a quick giveaway from Malaga city. Also, we recommend you to visit Seville, Granada or Cordoba, as you have a train line from Malaga and it’s very easy to get to these beautiful places.
As you see, there is many place where you do a one day trip from Malaga. Which are you favourites? Have I forgotten any?
ARE YOU STAYING IN MALAGA?
At Solaga, we have several holiday apartments in the heart of the city where you can stay and enjoy this mediterranean city and all Andalusia can offer you. We offer you sunny terraces, cosy bedrooms and the best facilities to make sure your experience in our home will be unforgettable.
