Want to explore beyond Malaga city but you don't have a car? Here are 7 awesome car-free day trips from Malaga that you can add to your itinerary.
By Liza S. | Updated 11 Jul 2024 | Málaga | Places To Go |
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Mijas pueblo
Malaga is a vibrant city with much to offer, but the real magic lies just beyond its city limits. It’s a fantastic base for exploring the province, with many interesting locations you can visit on a day trip. The best part is that there are many great day trips from Malaga you can do even without a car!
In this guide, you’ll discover the best day trips from Malaga that you can easily enjoy without a car, using convenient public transportation or guided tours. Whether you're craving picturesque seaside towns, historic villages, thrilling natural landscapes, or a taste of local culture, I’ve got you covered.
Get ready to explore these fantastic destinations near Malaga with ease and make the most of your time in southern Spain. Let’s plan your perfect car-free day trip adventure from Malaga!
Here are my picks for the 7 best day trips from Malaga without a car:
If you only have time for just one day trip, my personal recommendation is either Nerja & Frigiliana or Caminito del Rey, depending on your interests.
Read on to learn more about each day trip and figure out which one best fits your trip!
The lovely village of Frigiliana
Nerja & Frigiliana are two of the most charming destinations on the Costa del Sol, and they make for an unforgettable day trip from Malaga.
Nerja is a picturesque coastal town, known for its stunning beaches and the iconic Balcon de Europa, a viewpoint offering breathtaking vistas of the Mediterranean Sea. And nearby, you’ll find Frigiliana is a beautiful white-washed village renowned for its narrow, winding streets and Moorish architecture.
The proximity of these two lovely places make it easy to pair them on a day trip… even without a car!
Buses run regularly from Malaga to Nerja, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour. The service is run by ALSA so you can check Alsa.es for the bus schedule or use a platform like Omio.
From Nerja, you can catch a local bus or take a short taxi ride to Frigiliana, which is about 15 minutes away.
Nerja & Frigiliana is also a popular day tour combo from Malaga. This day tour is a complete experience which includes a visit to the impressive Nerja Caves plus a guided visit and free time in both Nerja and Frigiliana.
What to Do in Nerja:
What to Do in Frigiliana:
Learn more about Frigiliana here
Colomares Castle in Benalmadena Pueblo
Benalmadena & Mijas Pueblo offer a delightful mix of coastal charm and traditional Andalucian beauty, making them perfect for a day trip from Malaga.
Benalmadena is a bustling town on the Costa del Sol, known for its vibrant marina, beautiful parks, and family-friendly attractions. Just a short distance away, Mijas Pueblo is a quintessential white-washed village nestled in the mountains, offering stunning views and a taste of authentic Andalucian culture.
This is a very easy day trip to do without a car. The Cercanias trains run frequently from Malaga to Benalmadena, taking about 30 minutes. You’ll want to stop at the Arroyo de la Miel station.
From Benalmadena, you can catch a local bus to Mijas Pueblo, which takes around 15 to 20 minutes.
What to Do in Benalmadena:
Read more about Benalmadena here
What to Do in Mijas Pueblo:
Discover more about Mijas pueblo here
Caminito del Rey near Malaga
This is my absolute favourite day trip from Malaga!
It’s a very popular activity and photos of the stunning scenery and vertigo-inducing walkways are everywhere on the internet… but it’s definitely still worth a visit.
Caminito del Rey, or "The King's Little Pathway," is a walkway pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro. Originally built for workers at the nearby hydroelectric plant, it has been restored and is now one of the top day trips in Andalucia.
The main attraction is the 8-kilometre walkway itself, which takes you through gorges, canyons, and along a hanging path that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The pathway is elevated and includes sections with glass floors for an even more thrilling experience.
My favourite part of the walk is the dramatic Gaitanes Gorge, with its towering cliffs and narrow pathways.
To get to Caminito del Rey, you can catch a train from central Malaga to El Chorro, with a journey time of approximately 1 hour. From the train station, there’s a shuttle bus to ferry visitors to the entrance of Caminito del Rey.
Do note that there are limited trains so taking public transportation will require some advance planning.
For a totally stress-free experience, I recommend taking a day tour from Malaga to Caminito del Rey that includes all transportation and a guided walk. I’ve personally done this tour and you can read about my experience here.
Don’t forget to bring water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera to capture the stunning scenery!
The Alcazaba in Antequera
If a hidden gem is more your style, then, Antequera is the day trip for you.
This lesser-known historical gem offers a rich cultural experience and stunning natural beauty for a perfect day trip from Malaga.
Antequera is known for its impressive array of historical monuments, beautiful churches, and archaeological sites. This charming town provides a glimpse into Andalucia's past, with a mix of Roman, Moorish, and Christian influences.
Antequera is accessible from Malaga by train, with the AVE train that takes under 20 minutes. You’ll arrive in the Antequera Santa Ana station which is actually 18km from the town. From the Santa Ana train station, taking a taxi is your best option.
The bus from Malaga to Antequera may be a better option as the Antequera bus station is in the town itself. ALSA runs the bus service between Malaga and Antequera - or at least they used to. At the time of publishing, the route is no longer listed on their website but I recommend checking to see if it has been reinstated.
Once you arrive in Antequera, the town is compact and easily navigable on foot, making it convenient to explore all the main attractions.
To get to the Dolmens, a taxi is the best option. Be sure to save the taxi contact number as you may need it to call one for the return trip. Alternatively, it’s about a 25-minute walk.
There aren’t any tour options to Antequera that include both the town and the natural park. But if you’d like to go to the Dolmens, this half-day tour from Malaga will take you on a 2-hour hike in El Torcal National Park.
Compared to other day trips on this list, this one takes a bit more effort to get to but it’s worth it!
What to Do in Antequera:
Learn more about Antequera here
Sohail Castle in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol
If it’s a beach day you’re after, then a day trip to either Torremolinos or Fuengirola could be a good option for you as they’re easily accessible from Malaga.
Fair warning: these two coastal towns get a bit of a bad rep sometimes and some people may warn you against them. But for a fuss-free day out by the sea that’s convenient to get to from Malaga, they’re a decent option.
Torremolinos and Fuengirola are both popular destinations for sun-seekers and families. Torremolinos is known for its bustling beachfront and entertainment options, while Fuengirola offers a more laid-back vibe with its charming marina and excellent zoo.
Between the two, I personally prefer Fuengirola.
The Cercanias trains run frequently from Malaga to both Torremolinos and Fuengirola. The journey to Torremolinos takes about 20 minutes, while the journey to Fuengirola takes around 40 minutes.
Both towns are easily navigable on foot, once you get there, and it’s easy to find amenities like restaurants, cafes, and bars along the seaside.
What to Do in Torremolinos:
Read more about Torremolinos here
What to Do in Fuengirola:
Learn more about visiting Fuengirola here
Tip: If you’re up for a full-day of exploring, you can easily combine this day trip with #2 on the list as they’re all pretty close to each other, with bus and train services connecting the towns. You can start in Torremolinos or Benalmadena, head up to Benalmadena pueblo and Mijas pueblo by bus, and then take another bus to Fuengirola. To close the loop, take the train back to Malaga central.
Ronda's famous Puente Nuevo
Ronda is one of the most popular places to visit in Andalucia… and you can easily visit it from Malaga without a car.
As one of the most picturesque and historically rich places in Andalucia, Ronda’s dramatic landscapes and wealth of cultural attractions make for an unforgettable day trip from Malaga.
Perched atop a deep gorge, Ronda is famous for its breathtaking views, ancient architecture, and vibrant history. The town's unique position and stunning scenery have inspired poets, writers, and travellers for centuries.
There are no direct trains from Malaga to Ronda, but there are a few trains with one transfer that will take you about 2 to 3 hours in total. There are also buses connecting Malaga and Ronda and they typically take 2 to 2.5 hours. I recommend using Omio to check bus and train schedules to see which works best for you.
Ronda itself is walkable so you’ll have no issues exploring it by foot.
Alternatively, you can opt for a day tour to Ronda that also includes a stop in Setenil de las Bodegas, one of the most unique white villages in Andalucia. It’s a fantastic day out to two of the region’s loveliest places to visit.
What to Do in Ronda:
Click here to learn more about visiting Ronda
Ape's Den on Gibraltar's Rock
This last day trip on the list actually is pretty much impossible to do without a car but it’s such a popular day tour option from Malaga that it would be remiss of me to exclude it.
This is another one of those places where some people are like, “no, don’t go there!” but in my opinion, it's worth a visit to experience it for yourself.
Gibraltar is a unique and fascinating destination, offering a blend of British and Mediterranean cultures, dramatic landscapes, and rich history. This British Overseas Territory, is renowned for its iconic Rock, vibrant town centre, and historical significance.
This small but intriguing destination provides a distinct change of pace and scenery from the typical Andalucian experience.
La Linea de la Concepcion is the Spanish town that borders Gibraltar. AvanzaBus serves the route between it and Malaga but with only one bus at 2.30pm, it’s not feasible for a DIY day trip.
So the best way to visit Gibraltar from Malaga without a car is with a tour. I’ve taken this tour and found that it was a hassle-free way to visit Gibraltar. You can read my review of the experience here.
Don’t forget to bring your passport (or ID if you’re an EU national), as you’ll need it to cross the border.
What to Do in Gibraltar:
Learn more about Gibraltar here
For more day tour options from Malaga, check out our Viator Shop where we’ve collected the best tours!
As you can see, there are many options for day trips from Malaga using public transportation or by joining guided tours.
Two other options that aren’t listed above are Seville and Granada, mainly because I personally think they deserve more than just one day. But if you don’t have enough time in your Andalucia itinerary to give them more time, you can read our day trip guides here:
I hope this guide has helped you with your Malaga itinerary and inspired you to take some car-free day trips! If you need more help or advice, pop into our Visit Andalucia Facebook group and I’m sure our community will be happy to offer their recommendations.
Buen viaje!
P.S. Need more Andalucia travel inspiration? Get my e-book, The Ultimate Andalucia Bucket List, which features 13 incredible experiences in the region. It's FREE and you can get it here.
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