Extend your trip to Malaga with one of these exciting day trips around southern Spain.
Malaga has become one of the most popular destinations in Spain to visit over the past couple of years.
Not only is it one of the most incredible port cities in the world, but it’s also in close proximity to some of the best sights and sounds that Spain has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for sun and beaches or historical inspiration, Malaga is surrounded by cultural hotspots that are too good to pass up.
So if you’re ever visiting Malaga, we’d recommend taking a day trip from the port city to one of these exciting destinations.
Nerja
Nerja is just an hour away from the centre of Malaga, making it one of the most beautiful locations to go on a day trip from Malaga. There’s everything from complex and extraordinary cave complexes to golden sand beaches and delicious Spanish food.
It’s a very accessible location for those that want to go on a relaxing day trip from Malaga and it’s arguably one of the most magical and captivating coastal experiences that you could ever experience.
This makes it perfect for anyone that wants to visit Spain to indulge in the culture and tradition that the country oozes, but also have a day or two to themselves on a relaxing beach.
Some other attractions we can recommend in Nerja include exploring Cueva de Nerja caverns, taking a stroll across the Papagayo Beach and also visiting the Church of El Salvador, one of the most iconic religious sites in the whole of Spain.
If you’d like some exciting activities for your day trip, then the Andale Centro de Equitacion is a great opportunity for some horseback rides through the beautiful Spanish scenery and is perfect for both novice and expert riders.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is one of the most unique destinations that you can visit from Malaga. It takes around three hours to reach Gibraltar but there are some wonderful attractions to indulge in that make it well worth the time.
You’ll need to start early in the day if you want to see more of Gibraltar, but you could also make it a two or three-day trip in order to soak in most of the sights and culture that you’ll experience when you come to Gibraltar.
One of the first things we can recommend if you’re going on a day trip to Gibraltar is a guided sightseeing tour. This will help you cover most of the major landmarks in Gibraltar so that you can leave fulfilled. However, if you do plan to return or extend your day trip, then there are a couple of fantastic locations you can’t leave without seeing.
The first is the Apes Den, a nature park that is filled with cheeky monkeys that are very friendly, especially with curious tourists. We also recommend taking a ride on the Gibraltar Cable Car if you have time, and a stroll through the Upper Rock Nature Reserve is also a good option for a relaxing day trip.
Alternatively, exploring Main Street is another brilliant choice for a day trip in Gibraltar if you’d like to do some shopping and explore the beautiful neighbourhood.
Frigiliana
If it’s picturesque views and Spanish scenery that you want to experience, then Frigiliana is one of the ultimate locations to visit from Malaga, especially by night.
It takes only an hour to visit and it’s one of the most popular destinations in the whole of Spain, drawing in plenty of visitors every year to marvel at the pure white traditional buildings that have been standing for many generations.
Since it’s so close to Malaga, you can afford to visit Frigiliana for just the day and return to Malaga in the evening, though we do advise you to enjoy this beautiful town even during the night when the lights come on at least once.
Frigiliana has some excellent attractions for anyone visiting for a day. The Old Fountain is an iconic and well-known landmark in Frigiliana, and the Playa de Cantarrijan is one of the most amazing beaches in the area.
The Acueducto Del Águila is also a breathtaking piece of architecture that can be seen from many locations and t’s well worth a trip just to lay your eyes on the craftsmanship.
Marbella
Marbella is known for its beaches and sun. it’s one of Costa del Sol’s most well-known cities and is perfect for both nightlife and luxurious outings with beautiful sandy coasts and charming restaurants which offer some delicious food.
There are also plenty of little coffee shops and bakeries that you can take a break at, and we definitely recommend trying the seafood which is well-known in the area. It’s around an hour away from Malaga, making it convenient to travel to for a day trip.
However, if you want to enjoy the nightlife, then we recommend taking public transportation so that you can sample the delicious wine, beer and cocktails on offer.
Marbella is well-known for its wineries, so we recommend a trip to the Vina and Bodega Remsamen to sample some beautiful wine while enjoying a breathtaking view of the local scenery.
In addition, La Concha offers some wonderful hiking trails that are time-consuming but ultimately worth a trip. Marbella also has several art galleries that are worth the visit, such as the Es.Arte Gallery and the Libertad Couso Art Gallery.
Ronda
Ronda is around an hour and a half away from Malaga by car, but if you take public transportation then you can expect the journey to take around two hours.
This might sound like a fairly long time to travel for a day trip, but it’s well worth the journey because Ronda is a visually stunning location that oozes with charm and character.
It’s home to some prestigious wineries and there are plenty of opportunities to sample their flavours. Ronda is almost a very picturesque city with many unique backdrops to take photographs and create beautiful memories.
Ronda can be experienced with a unique outdoor buggy tour, giving it a unique and fun spin that is different to what you might be used to.
The Puente Nuevo Bridge is arguably one of the most popular attractions due to its marvellous architecture and significance, and the Old City is another historical landmark that attracts many visitors each year. If you enjoy nature parks, then the Reservatauro Ronda is a must-see location to view bulls and horses on a guided tour.
However, do keep in mind that this is a high-demand location so it’s vital that you book ahead especially if you’re only visiting Ronda for a day trip. Lastly, we can’t forget the Plaza de Toros, a remarkable stadium that has to be seen at least once during your trip to Ronda.
Cordoba
Cordoba is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Spain thanks to its rich cultural heritage and historical significance.
The diversity in Cordoba is striking and there are countless fascinating areas to explore such as the Jewish Quarter, the 14th-Century Synagogue and the Great Mosque of Cordoba.
It’s roughly an hour and a half away from Malaga, making it a fantastic day trip location for anyone that wants to soak in the culture and history of a beautiful city with incredible multicultural influences.
One of the most popular things to do in Cordoba is to visit the many Mosque-Cathedrals in the city. There are many guided tours that will give you a good view and explanation of the structures and they’re inexpensive, making them very accessible. Cordoba is one of the most popular destinations for walking tours but there are also exciting shopping districts such as the Mercado Victoria which offers delicious food and unique desserts.
Tarifa
If Malaga’s beaches aren’t enough, then a 2-hour journey down south to Tarifa could satisfy your need for golden sands and clear waters. Taking public transport down to Tarifa can be time-consuming, so we recommend driving or hiring a driver to take you and shorten the journey.
Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by charming beaches, a surfing atmosphere and plenty of friendly locals. Despite its reputation as a well-known watersport hotspot, there are also a lot of historical sights to visit and cultural activities to take part in.
Punta Paloma and Playa Chica are two of the most popular beaches in Tarifa and they’re perfect spots for surfing. Even if you’re a newcomer to surfing, it’s a brilliant way to get started and enjoy the warm waters that surround Tarifa.
However, Tarifa isn’t just known as being a surfing hotspot and there are destinations such as Mirador del Estrecho and Castillo de Guzman el Bueno which can fill the history and culture itch that you might get while exploring the city.
Antequera
Antequera is known to be the heartland of Andalusia. It’s a brilliant location for culture and tradition, and it’s one of the classic rural cities in Spain that everyone owes it to themselves to visit at least once during a trip to Spain.
It has incredible architectural landmarks, it contains some of the country’s most famous attractions such as the Antequera Dolmens and the city radiates charm and culture.
There’s mouthwatering and authentic Andalusian food, historic streets to stroll through and some stunning landscapes and nature reserves. It’s also just under an hour away, making it one of the most accessible locations close to Malaga for a day trip.
Antequera is well-known for its architecture, so we recommend visiting the Convento de Belen and El Carmen Church if you want to experience some breathtaking design that dates back hundreds of years.
For other landmarks, the Dólmenes de Antequera is a fascinating historical site that is free to enter and the Estepa Gate is a fantastic place to take memorable photos.
If it’s nature that you’re looking for, then the Fuente de Piedra will offer some amusing sights of flamingos (you may need some binoculars!) and it’s overall a very relaxing place to take a stroll.
Cadiz
For a completely different coastal experience, we’d recommend a visit to the city of Cadiz. You’ll find clear green waters, fishing boats of every colour and picturesque streets with winding cobblestone paths.
The city has something special for everyone and it’s one of the most fascinating cities that you can visit in the whole of Spain.
It’s roughly three hours away from Malaga, making it quite a stretch for a day trip but it’s certainly worth the time if you’re interested in a relaxing yet charming break from Malaga.
Cadiz is best enjoyed by biking or with a walking tour if you want to explore the city in detail. There are many cultural attractions such as the Oratorio de La Santa Cueva and the Puerta de Tierra if you want to experience unique Spanish architecture, and the Museum of Cadiz is a great place to stop if you love archaeology and fine arts.
For a bit of shopping, we recommend stopping at the Cadiz Market to sample some delicious food while strolling through a historic location that is brimming with charm and buzzing locales throughout the day.
Costa Tropical
Costa Tropical is often seen as an alternative to Costa del Sol. There’s a variety of beaches, small villages with lots of traditional sights and sounds, rocky cliffs for beautiful views and exciting little spots all throughout the city.
It’s an attractive city no matter what you’re looking for and it’s just an hour and a half away from Malaga, making it a very accessible city to visit if you want to experience more of Spain.
Aside from the beaches of Costa Tropical, there are also unique architectural buildings such as The Alhambra, a breathtaking palace-city that offers an interesting blend of Islamic, Christian and modern architecture. The area is also famous for its tapas food bars and relaxing neighbourhood walks such as through the Calle Elvira.
During the night, a lot more fun activities start to take place so we do recommend staying the night or at least holding out till the lively musical events start.
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