Málaga's Surroundings: 5 Must-Visit Destinations You Shouldn't Miss

The province of Málaga, located in southeastern Andalusia, is one of the most popular vacation destinations in southern Spain.
Most visitors spend their time along the nearly 300 km long Costa del Sol (Sun Coast). However, the surroundings of Málaga offer much more than just sun and beaches.

In the mountainous hinterland, you’ll discover picturesque towns and villages as well as a variety of breathtaking landscapes.
Spring and autumn are particularly ideal times to visit, as the weather is pleasantly mild.

Here are the five excursions we explored around Málaga and why you should add them to your travel itinerary.

1. GRANADA – THE CITY WITH THE FAMOUS ALHAMBRA

From Málaga Airport, we drove a rental car, booked online in advance via rentalcars.com, to the city of Granada, located about 1.5 hours away.
Our charming accomodation for the night awaited us there.

Granada, the fourth-largest city in Andalusia (after Seville, Málaga, and Córdoba), is nestled at the foot of Spain’s highest mountain range, the Sierra Nevada, at an altitude of 738 meters. The city is not only famous for its proximity to the Sierra Nevada but also for its numerous fascinating relics of Andalusian-Moorish history.

THE ALHAMBRA – A GLIMPSE OF THE ORIENT

The unmistakable landmark of Granada is the Alhambra, home to one of Spain’s most stunning Moorish palaces.
The "Red Fortress" (from the Arabic "qasr al-hamra") rises majestically atop Sabikah Hill and is visible from afar.
Covering an area of approximately 13 hectares, the fortress feels like a city above the city. For us, visiting the Alhambra was a must-see experience.

The Alhambra complex is divided into four main areas: the Palacio de Generalife (the Summer Palace) located outside the fortress walls, the Medina (the palace city) within, the Nasrid Palaces, and the Alcazaba (the defensive fortress with its watchtowers).

Wherever you wander within the Alhambra, you’ll encounter stunning green spaces, historic architecture, and remarkable insights into Granada’s Moorish past.

The centerpiece of the Alhambra is the Nasrid Palaces (Palacios Nazaries). Their intricate and colorful decorations on the ceilings and walls are truly mesmerizing, transporting visitors to a long-lost era. The preserved beauty of the palaces completely captivated us. We could have spent hours admiring and photographing the artistic details in every room.

If you’re planning a visit to the Alhambra, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets online as early as possible. Due to the site’s popularity, tickets often sell out weeks in advance.
There are different ticket options depending on the time of day (daytime or evening) and the sections of the fortress you wish to see. You can book your tickets here.

Regardless of which ticket you choose, ensure you allow enough time for your visit. For the Nasrid Palaces, we opted for an audio guide and spent approximately 2 hours exploring.

GRANADA’S OLD TOWN ALBAICÍN AND ITS BEST VIEWPOINT

After exploring the Alhambra, we headed to the opposite side of the fortress, to the Albaicín Hill.
Here, you’ll find Granada’s Old Town as well as one of the city’s most famous viewpoints, the Mirador de San Nicolás.
From this spot, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Alhambra’s fortress walls.

If you’re traveling by rental car, note that you’ll need to park below the hill, as both the Old Town and the viewpoint are only accessible on foot.
The walk takes you uphill through the narrow, winding, and charming streets of the Moorish Old Town.
The whitewashed houses, adorned with colorful entrances, create a picturesque scene.
Adding to the charm are the lush orange and lemon trees in small gardens, contrasting beautifully with the bright facades.

We were so enchanted by this setting that we couldn’t stop taking photos.

At Plaza Larga, a lively square in the middle of the Old Town, locals gather to enjoy coffee, an aperitif, or fresh produce from market stalls.
Be sure to check out the facade of the Aixa restaurant, located at Plaza Larga. Its blue flower pots and colorful plants are a real eye-catcher.

Just a few streets behind Plaza Larga lies the Mirador de San Nicolás. When we arrived, it was clear why this is considered Granada’s most beautiful viewpoint.
On a clear day, you’ll have a spectacular view of the Alhambra, with the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada providing a stunning backdrop.

Keep in mind that the Mirador de San Nicolás is no longer a hidden gem, so you’ll likely share this incredible view with many other tourists, especially during sunset.

GRANADA’S MODERN OLD TOWN

After returning to our car, we made our way from the hilly, Moorish part of the city down to Granada’s flat and modern Old Town, where our accommodation was located.
Strolling through the lively city center, known for its vibrant atmosphere and youthful charm, is an absolute must.

The Calle Calderería Nueva, Granada’s Arabic Street, fascinated us the most. Walking through its small side alleys, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Morocco.
Between the colorful lamps adorning the streets, you’ll find hookahs, traditional clothing, and an abundance of souvenirs. Don’t miss out on this unique atmosphere!

Fun fact: In Granada’s tapas bars, you’ll receive a free tapa with every aperitif you order. It’s a great way to satisfy your hunger without breaking the bank.

OUR CONCLUSION ON GRANADA

A day trip from Málaga to Granada is certainly possible, but in our opinion, you should plan to stay for at least one night.
This will give you enough time to not only visit the Alhambra but also to experience the charming city and its unique atmosphere at your leisure.
This way, you can explore the city more thoroughly and enjoy its many facets.
The only downside is the high parking fees throughout the city, which are around $20 per day. Be sure to factor this into your planning.

We were very happy with our accommodation at Palacio Cabrera – Lillo, located right in the city center, and we would gladly stay there again.

2. SIERRA NEVADA – SPAIN’S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN RANGE

If you’ve already been to the Mirador de San Nicolás viewpoint in Granada, you’ve likely seen the Sierra Nevada, Spain’s highest mountain range, from afar.
The tallest peak of the range is the Mulhacén, standing at an impressive 3,481 meters.

From November to May, you can ski or snowboard on its slopes. In summer, the Sierra Nevada transforms into a paradise for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and climbing.
If you have the time, we highly recommend not just admiring the Sierra Nevada from afar but experiencing it up close.

Our Hiking Tip: For a small hiking adventure, consider the Los Cahorros trail, located about 30 minutes by car from Granada.
This 2.5-hour hike is suitable for all fitness levels, but you should be sure-footed and have a head for heights. Sturdy footwear is an absolute must!

3. CAMINITO DEL REY – A WALKWAY IN THE SKY

The Caminito del Rey (King’s Path), a walkway suspended around 100 meters above the ground along steep cliffs, was once considered one of Andalusia’s most dangerous hiking trails until 2001. The trail is named after King Alfonso XIII, who inaugurated it in 1905.
Over time, the walkway deteriorated due to weather exposure, with only rusty steel beams remaining in some sections.
Tragically, this led to several accidents, and the Caminito del Rey was closed to the public in 2001.

After extensive renovations, the King’s Path reopened in 2015. Today, it’s a safe and accessible hiking trail for everyone.
Naturally, we had to seize the opportunity to explore it for ourselves—and it was without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip.

But let’s start from the beginning: The Caminito del Rey is a point-to-point hiking trail (not a circular route) with a total length of nearly eight kilometers.
To be more precise, the hike actually begins at the parking lot near the restaurant El Mirador Ardales, as you can only continue on foot from there.

After parking your car, you first walk a short distance along the road before passing through a small, illuminated tunnel carved into the rock wall.
After the tunnel, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Gaitanejo hydroelectric power plant, where the entrance checkpoint is located.
There, you’ll receive a brief safety briefing and be equipped with a helmet, which is mandatory for the entire hike. Only then can the actual hike on the King’s Path begin.

A safe wooden walkway attached to the rock face leads you through the first gorge, which starts out relatively narrow but gradually widens. On the opposite side of the trail, you can occasionally catch glimpses of the old, still-operational railway line with its viaducts and tunnels, which has been connecting Córdoba and Málaga since 1866.

This is followed by a rocky path through a wooded area, which is noticeably wider than the wooden walkway through the gorge. Here, you'll find plenty of spots to sit and take a short break.

At the end of the forest path, a final highlight awaits you: once again, the trail leads over a wooden walkway along the rock face until you reach the impressive suspension bridge spanning a deep gorge. You must cross this bridge, as the exit is located on the other side of the gorge.
Unlike the previous walkways, the bridge is not made of wood but of a steel mesh, giving you a breathtaking view straight down into the depths below.

Overall, we found the views throughout the hike to be absolutely unique. Nature reveals itself here in all its glory, making it hard to capture its beauty with words alone.
For this reason, you should definitely experience these spectacular sights with your own eyes.

As previously mentioned, the Caminito del Rey is a point-to-point hiking trail, meaning you won't return to the same spot where you started.
But don’t worry—there’s a shuttle bus that runs approximately every 30 minutes to take you back to the entrance or parking lot.

The Caminito del Rey opens daily at 9:00 am. Tickets can be purchased in advance online through a tour provider.
While on-site ticket purchases are possible, they often come with very long wait times, especially during the high season.

Important Tip: Keep in mind that it’s about a 20-minute walk from the parking lot to the entrance, and you must arrive at least 30 minutes before the entry time stated on your ticket. Otherwise, your ticket may no longer be valid.
Don’t forget to bring your ID card, as it is required along with your ticket at the entrance! If you forget it, you might be denied entry.

What to bring:

• Comfortable shoes for hiking
• Water to stay hydrated
• Snacks for energy along the way
• Sun protection like a hat or sunscreen, especially on sunny days
• A small backpack to carry your essentials

Accommodation Tip: If you plan to visit multiple destinations in Andalusia or want to spend a relaxing day at the stunning Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir, we recommend staying overnight near the Caminito del Rey. Our spacious accommodation at the Ardales Loft in the charming town of Ardales was perfect, and we’d happily stay there again.

4. THE CÓNDE DE GUADALHORCE RESERVOIR

If you’re visiting the Caminito del Rey, you’ll inevitably pass by the Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce, a beautiful reservoir that deserves a special mention.

On calm days, the crystal-clear water reflects the unique landscape, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.
In summer, the reservoir offers a refreshing alternative to the often crowded beaches near Málaga.

You’ll find a pedal boat and kayak rental, two large restaurants, and a campsite with stunning views of the water.
Unfortunately, there are no trails around or along the reservoir for walking or hiking.

5. RONDA – THE CITY ABOVE THE GORGE

Perched on a vast rocky plateau, the small town of Ronda captivates visitors not only with its typical Andalusian whitewashed façades but also with the unique charm of its narrow, winding streets in the historic old town. The town, divided by a dramatic gorge, is best known for the Puente Nuevo (English: "New Bridge").

This 18th-century bridge spans the approximately 100-meter-deep El Tajo de Ronda gorge, through which the Río Guadalevín flows.
It connects the Moorish-influenced old town, La Ciudad, with the newer district, El Mercadillo.

The best view of Ronda's main attraction, the stunning Puente Nuevo, can be found at the Mirador Puente Nuevo de Ronda—undoubtedly one of the city's top viewpoints.
The poorly marked gravel path to the viewpoint begins behind the Mirador de María Auxiliadora at the Plaza de María Auxiliadora.
After about a 10-minute walk, you'll reach the viewpoint below the town, offering a fantastic view of the bridge and the deep gorge. It’s arguably the most popular photo spot in Ronda.

If this view isn't enough or you want to see the bridge from another perspective, there are two additional viewpoints: the Mirador de Ronda on the opposite side or the Mirador De Cuenca in the Jardines De Cuenca, located behind the bridge.

Don’t forget to explore the bridge itself. From the Puente Nuevo, you’ll also enjoy a breathtaking view of the town stretching out on both sides, as well as the impressive gorge below.

A LEISURELY STROLL THROUGH RONDA

After visiting the Puente Nuevo, make sure to take a relaxed walk through Ronda. The town offers many other attractions, such as the Santa María la Mayor Church in the Old Town, where you can climb the tower for a spectacular view of the city. The Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, home to Ronda’s Town Hall, is another must-see.

One of Ronda’s most unique attractions is its bullfighting arena, one of the oldest in Spain. While the arena hosts bullfights only once a year, it now primarily serves as a riding school.
The Museo Taurino, located inside the arena, is open daily from 10:00 am. For an entry fee of $8 per person, you’ll have access to the museum, the stands, the bullring, and the stables.

If you’re in the mood for shopping after your walk, head to the Carrera Espinel, Ronda’s main shopping street.
Here, you’ll find numerous stores, restaurants, and cafés, making it the perfect place for a leisurely break.

Ronda is compact and easy to explore on foot, with most attractions within walking distance. For those traveling by car, there are several parking garages.
We parked at Parking Martínez Astein (located at the corner of Av. Málaga and Av. Martínez Astein), where the parking fee is $3 per hour.

Ronda is one of Andalusia’s most popular tourist destinations, and it can get crowded, especially during the summer high season.
When we visited in February, it was relatively quiet thanks to the off-season, but we can imagine the reports of overcrowding are true during peak times.

7. ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR YOUR STAY

• Comfortable Shoes Are a Must: Since you’ll likely be walking a lot in Málaga, make sure to pack good, comfortable shoes for your trip.
• Parking in Málaga: If you’re traveling by car, it’s best to avoid driving into the Old Town, as many streets are closed to regular traffic and parking is limited.
  Instead, park on the outskirts or in an underground garage. However, parking garages in Málaga can be expensive, with fees of around $20 per day.
  The further you park from the center, the cheaper it gets.
• Buy Tickets Online in Advance: If you know which attractions you want to visit, purchase your tickets online ahead of time. Many sights use time-slot tickets to manage the flow of visitors. While this reduces your flexibility, it allows for better planning and saves you from long waiting times.
• For more tips and recommendations, check out our other posts:
  "Málaga – 12 Attractions for Your Trip to the Costa del Sol"
  "Málaga: The Best Tips & Information for Your Trip"

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com‍
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com‍
• Discover the best accommodations‍
• The best Travel Guides for Málaga
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Málaga

‍

Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.