10 Day Trips by Rental Car from Málaga

Málaga is a popular destination for a city trip in Spain , and that makes perfect sense, because it’s a fun city with plenty to do and see.

The old town is brimming with historic sights, including the Alcazaba fortress and Gibralfaro Castle, perched high on a hill. Málaga also has a lot to offer culturally, such as the Picasso Museum and the Carmen Thyssen Museum. In addition, the city boasts excellent shops and restaurants and a wonderful, long promenade along the sea. Málaga is the heart of Spain’s Costa del Sol, so in addition to the city beach, Malaqueta, there are many other beaches—both east and west of the city—including those near Nerja, Fuengirola, Estepona, and the fashionable Puerto Banús. You can easily reach these beaches if you rent a car in Málaga, but the city is also a great starting point for day trips by rental car to other attractions.

Málaga is the transportation hub of the Costa del Sol, so there are many well-maintained road connections to the surrounding countryside. This makes it an excellent base for exploring the beautiful surroundings. As you drive around in your rental car, you’ll fully enjoy the scenery and the sights. If you really want to enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine, you’ll need to head into the countryside. So don’t forget to stop at small restaurants that still serve up the authentic flavors of Andalusia.

Pueblos Blancos

If you’re only going to take one road trip in a rental car in Andalusia, be sure to drive through some of the most beautiful pueblos blancos. Nestled in the green hills of southern Spain are no fewer than 19 of these towns, consisting of whitewashed houses with red roofs. Of course, you can’t possibly visit them all in a single day, so we’ve selected the three most beautiful ones for you to explore on a day trip by rental car from Málaga. Be sure to set out early to have enough time for all three towns.

It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Málaga to the first and most famous white town, Ronda. The drive takes a little longer if you take the winding road through the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. Along that road (A-366) is a nice viewpoint, the Mirador del Guarda Forestal (Forest Ranger’s Viewpoint). Once in Ronda, you’ll be glad you arrived early while it’s still relatively cool, because you’ll have quite a bit of climbing to do on the steep streets. Ronda is divided in two by a narrow gorge 120 meters deep. The Puente Nuevo spans the gorge between the two halves. The bridge is particularly impressive when viewed from below; a path leads down from the Plaza de María Auxiliadora. From the old bridge (Puente Viejo), a path leads to the well-preserved Moorish bathhouse, the Baños Árabes.

On the way to the next white town, right along the road (A-2300), there’s another beautiful viewpoint: Mirador Lago Zahara. From there, it’s a twenty-minute drive by rental car to Zahara de la Sierra, but you can already see it from afar thanks to the tower of the Moorish ruin on a high hill. That tower is the only restored part and is safe to climb. From there, you’ll have a fantastic view of the town and the surrounding area. Even as you drive along the winding road to your next destination, the sight of Zahara nestled against the mountain is picture-perfect. Of course, you can’t keep looking back the whole time, so pull over occasionally (in a safe spot!) to enjoy the view.

Among the pueblos blancos, Setenil de las Bodegas holds a unique place. The whitewashed houses are not only nestled against the mountain, but in some cases are situated beneath and among the overhanging rocks of the Río Guadalporcún gorge. The buildings in the Cuevas del Sol and the Cuevas de la Sombra fit in perfectly, as if they’ve always been there.

To be perfectly honest, each of these towns deserves a full day, so you could also turn them into three day trips or a three-day road trip in your rental car. Have even more time? Other interesting pueblos blancos include Arcos de la Frontera, Grazalema, Ubrique, Montejaque, Benaoján, Gaucín, Olvera, and Algodonales.

Antequera

If you really want to enjoy the journey, skip the highway and drive your rental car north on the smaller back roads. The Romans already called Antequera “the ancient city” (Antikaria), so you can imagine just how old this place is. To the northwest lie burial chambers that are nearly 4,000 years old. Tholos de El Romeral, in particular, is well worth a visit. To better understand these archaeological finds, we recommend first visiting the Museo de la Ciudad in the city itself, which is housed in the beautiful and very Spanish Palacio de Nájera.

The town is, unsurprisingly, dominated by a 14th-century Moorish fortress, next to which stands the Renaissance-style church Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor. The church of the Carmen Convent and the Church of San Sebastián are also worth a visit. After exploring these historic monuments, it’s wonderful to relax on a terrace with a drink and a sandwich typical of this town, the mollete antequerano.

Children (and adults, too) can learn a lot about the life and behavior of wolves at Lobopark, 14 kilometers southwest of Antequera. This isn’t a zoo—the wolves have a large area all to themselves. The park can only be visited with a guide, so be sure to check when guided tours are available.

El Caminito del Rey

At the beginning of the 20th century, a path was built between the villages of El Chorro and Ardales to facilitate the construction of a dam and the subsequent power plant. This was commissioned by the King of Spain, and the path was therefore named the King’s Path, El Caminito del Rey. Since the completion of its restoration in 2015, this trail has become one of Andalusia’s top attractions. It’s not for those afraid of heights, by the way, and you should be well aware of that. The most spectacular part consists of wooden walkways where you walk right along the mountainside and above the ravine. You’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of the gorge, the rugged mountain walls, and turquoise lakes. Around every bend, the landscape is even more beautiful than the last. It’s also the domain of birds of prey, which remain undisturbed as they hunt for prey.

Please note that only a limited number of people are admitted each day. Be sure to book your ticket online well in advance. Drive your rental car to the starting point along the MA-5403, just over five kilometers from Ardales and about 57 kilometers by car from Málaga. From the end point, a shuttle bus will take you back.

And if you’re afraid of heights, don’t worry—you can still take beautiful drives in your rental car and enjoy the scenery. Plus, the three reservoirs collectively known as Embalse del Chorro are popular destinations for active water sports: kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, or pedal boating.

Cueva de los Murciélagos

If you want to escape the summer heat in southern Spain for a while, visit this cave complex, about a 130-kilometer drive from Málaga in your rental car. Cueva de los Murciélagos may not seem like an impressive cave at first glance, but it is historically significant, as remains of human habitation dating back some 35,000 years have been found here. The cave paintings, featuring depictions of goats and various human figures, are somewhat younger, dating back between 4,000 and 8,000 years. You’ll need to book a guided tour in advance. It’s significantly cooler inside the cave than outside, so be sure to bring a jacket.

This cave is located on the edge of the Sierras Subbéticas, which is covered with tall oak and maple trees. Throughout this vast nature reserve with sweeping views, trails of varying difficulty have been marked out for hikers and mountain bikers. You can pick up an admission ticket and a map at the visitor center in the park itself (along the A-339) or at the Jardín Micológico La Trufa mushroom garden in Zagrilla Baja.

Sierra de Grazalema

The Sierra de Grazalema is a forested karst mountain range with long and deep gorges, including the Cueva del Gato, the Cueva de la Pileta, and the Garganta Verde. There are also colonies of eagles and vultures, including several pairs of griffon vultures, an endangered species. Part of the park is not freely accessible (Zona de Reserva); you need a permit to enter. You can obtain the permit on-site (if spots are available) or apply for it online in advance. In other areas, you can participate in active sports. For example, rock climbers can enjoy the steep cliffs in this nature park. There are also marked trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. You can go canoeing and kayaking on the Zahara-El Gastor reservoir. You can even admire the breathtaking natural scenery from the air by hang gliding or paragliding.

The park is located west of Málaga and is named after yet another white village: Grazalema. From that village, a beautiful road winds over the high Puerto de las Palomas pass to Zahara de la Sierra. Highly recommended if you’ve rented a car and aren’t afraid of winding roads! A third “pueblo blanco” can be found in the southwest of the park: Ubrique.

Granada

If you’re in Andalusia and haven’t yet seen the Alhambra, you must visit Granada, which is 130 or 150 kilometers from Málaga, depending on which route you choose. The shorter route runs through the interior, while the longer one follows the coast for much of the way and then runs along the western side of the Sierra Nevada. The Alhambra consists of the Alcazaba (fortress), the Alcázar (Nasrid Palace), and the palace of Emperor Charles V, who built it in the middle of the complex after the Christian conquest. Next to it, separated by a narrow ravine, lies the Generalife, the summer palace of the Nasrid dynasty, with its beautifully landscaped gardens. A visit to the Alhambra requires careful planning. Just like renting a car, you must reserve your ticket well in advance through the website. And by “well in advance,” we really mean well in advance: tickets are often sold out weeks ahead of time!

The Alhambra is the crown jewel of Granada, but the city is brimming with monuments and historic neighborhoods. The Moorish neighborhood of Albaicín is a maze of narrow and sometimes steep streets and stairways. From the hilltop Roman neighborhood of Sacromonte, you have a breathtaking view of the Alhambra. The center of Granada is, however, very crowded with tourists. The southern neighborhoods (along the Genil River) are much quieter and also have plenty of great (tapas) bars, cafés, and restaurants.

Sierra Nevada

From many spots in Granada, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada , and this nature reserve is a breath of fresh air after the hustle and bustle of the city. You can also take a day trip from Málaga in your rental car to this area, which is home to, among other things, the highest mountain on the Iberian Peninsula, the Mulhacén (3,479 m). The mountain range is Europe’s southernmost major ski resort, but it’s also a fantastic destination during the summer months—if only for the cool temperatures: steep cliffs, deep gorges, waterfalls, spectacular suspension bridges, natural rock tunnels, and caves. You can drive through parts of it by car, but you’ll miss the most beautiful sections. So leave your rental car behind once you’re in the Sierra Nevada and go hiking, paragliding, mountain climbing, rappelling, or horseback riding.

The El Dornajo visitor center is located on the A-395, and a little further on is a ski resort. During the winter months, you’ll have to pay to park in one of the four large parking lots, but in the summer you can park your rental car there for free. Although skiing isn’t possible then, the ski lifts (gondolas and chairlifts) are still operating and will take you up to an altitude of 3,300 meters. Nighttime tours are also organized from this center, allowing you to enjoy the breathtaking starry sky above the mountains. Another information point is Puerto de la Ragua on the A-337, a main road running from south to north through the park.

The southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada are known as Las Alpujarras, a beautiful green region crisscrossed by valleys and home to some fifty picturesque mountain villages. This is where the Moors took refuge after the fall of Granada, and that is reflected in the distinctive architecture of the whitewashed houses, which are connected to one another via their rooftops. It is reminiscent of the architectural style of the Berbers in Morocco. The villages are ideal starting points for hiking trips.

Córdoba

One of Spain’s most beautiful cities, historic Córdoba, is definitely worth a day trip from Málaga (or a multi-day trip via Granada). It lies over 160 kilometers north of Málaga. If you drive your rental car on the A-45 highway, you’ll be there within two hours. If you have plenty of time, driving on smaller roads through the countryside is, of course, more enjoyable.

You can see just how important Córdoba was in the Middle Ages by visiting the imposing Mezquita, which was originally built in 768 but expanded twice. The immense mosque is famous for its “forest” of columns topped with red-and-white-striped arches in Islamic style, in addition to its many other architectural highlights. In the center of the mosque, after the Christians had driven out the Muslims, a cathedral was built. The old city is a maze of narrow streets, just uphill from the Guadalquivir River, which is spanned by the Roman Bridge. On the ruins of the Moorish fortress, high on a hill, the Christian royal couple Ferdinand and Isabella built a new castle: the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.

Córdoba is the city of flower-filled patios. The most beautiful ones can be found in the Jewish quarter, to the north and west of the Mezquita. During the Festival de Patios in mid-May, many of these courtyards are open to the public for two weeks.

El Torcal Nature Park

El Torcal is a park full of rocks—but these rocks are truly spectacular. It’s a popular nature reserve because of its remarkable rock formations. About sixty million years ago, this area lay on the seabed, but it was later pushed upward, after which the limestone rocks were eroded into their current shapes. The result is a rugged and imposing landscape with strange rock spires, making it look as if the stones were once stacked by someone. It’s also often compared to stacks of pancakes. But it’s not just about the rocks—in El Torcal, you’ll see beautiful flowers, including many species of orchids. On and around the rocks, you’ll often spot mountain goats and vultures. You’ll also see ammonites (fossilized shells), which prove that this used to be the sea.

Taking the A-45 and A-7075, it takes about an hour to drive from Málaga to the visitor center in a rental car; it’s just past the village of Villanueva de la Concepción. Parking is limited, so it’s best to arrive relatively early. Three hiking trails start from the visitor center: the shortest is 1.5 kilometers, while the others are 3 and 4.5 kilometers long. On a guided tour, you’ll venture off the beaten path and truly discover how unique this rock formation is. Keep in mind that El Torcal is at a high elevation and is often subject to fairly strong winds. Be sure to bring warm clothing and a coat or windbreaker. Also check the weather forecast, especially to see if fog is expected, as visibility will be poor in such conditions.

Tarifa (and Gibraltar)

Tarifa is the southernmost town on the European mainland, just 14 kilometers from the northern coast of Africa and right on the boundary between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The town isn’t very large, but it has an attractive walled old town with a unique atmosphere. Although two of Spain’s most beautiful beaches lie to the west of the town, there are no large hotels here, unlike on so many other Spanish coastlines. Playa de Los Lances is popular with kitesurfers.

On your way to or from Málaga, you can make a quick stop in Gibraltar. Not all car rental companies allow you to cross the border, and Gibraltar also has a complex road network with many one-way streets and few available parking spots. Therefore, park your rental car just before the border, for example at the Aparcamiento Santa Bárbara. Please note: You can only purchase a ticket at the parking lot itself. Anyone trying to sell you a ticket before you enter the lot is a scammer. Don’t try to park “for free” at one of the large supermarkets, because if you stay there too long, you’ll inevitably get a wheel clamp!

Between Tarifa and Gibraltar lies the idyllic nature park Los Alcornocales, which is also worth a visit. You can drive through large parts of this densely forested and mountainous area in your rental car. But be sure to pull over every now and then to enjoy the rivers, streams, flora, and fauna. Castillo de Castillar is a real highlight in this park. It’s a small town within the walls of a castle, high above the Guadarranque reservoir.

Road Trip Through Andalusia by Rental Car

We’ve described a few of the countless sights around Málaga above. Not only is this list far from exhaustive, but many of these destinations deserve more than just a day trip. So consider taking a long road trip through Andalusia from Málaga, passing through historic cities, beautiful nature reserves, and other attractions.

You don’t even have to return to Málaga to do this. You can rent a car for a so-called one-way trip, where you pick up the rental car in Málaga and return it in, say, Seville after an amazing road trip.