Gibraltar, Granada & Seville day trip from Malaga
While Malaga is one of the most beautiful beach destinations in Spain, sometimes it’s nice to get out and explore more of the country’s rich culture and history. Thanks to its accessible location, taking day trips from Malaga to nearby cities is easy and wonderfully scenic. However, if you want to avoid the crowds and costs of guided tours, it can be hard to know where to go and how to get there. That’s why we’ve created this guide of the best day trips to nearby cities from Malaga.
How to get from Malaga to Granada
If you are visiting Malaga, then a day trip to Granada is an absolute must. This historical city is only 2 hours away from Malaga and is jam-packed with amazing things to do and see. From the stunning Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to the lively Alcaiceria and its Great Bazar, you’ll hardly have a second to spare.
Be sure to check out the Grand Cathedral of Granada, with its famous Puerta del Perdon, the quaint 11th-century Iglesia de San José and outstanding views from the Mirador de Carvajales. While in Granada, one of the most important things to do is eat your weight in Tapas. This city is littered with picturesque traditional tapas bars with everything from smoked jamón to cherry-smoked clams. To learn more about where to eat tapas in Granada, check out our ‘Best Tapas Bars in Granada’ blog post.
Getting to Granada on your day trip from Malaga couldn’t be easier. There are regular buses that depart every 30 to 60 minutes, and the cost is around €10, depending on the bus company you choose. If you prefer to rent a car, then the journey will be around 30 minutes faster than by bus. You will need to follow the A45 and A92 highways to make the 130km drive.
Day trip from Malaga to Seville
A day trip to the land of Flamenco is an absolute must when staying in Malaga. This cultural city is positively brimming with stunning architecture, infectious music and glorious sunshine. There’s nothing quite like sipping on a refreshing glass of sangria and watching an impromptu flamenco performance in the heart of Seville, and the 2 and a half hours drive from Malaga is worth every second.
When in Seville you must see the impressive Royal Alcazar Palace, one of the city’s most important attractions and the home of the Spanish royal family, the 1300s Giralda Bell Tower, Casa de Pilatos with its breathtaking gardens, and of course, Seville Cathedral. Your day trip from Malaga to Seville wouldn’t be complete without watching the city’s very best attraction, flamenco. You can find countless flamenco bars all around the city, but to find the very best locations, read ‘Our Favorite Flamenco Bars in Seville’ blog post.
There are several ways to reach Seville from Malaga. Taking the public bus or train takes around the same amount of time, but the bus is considerably cheaper. The train from Malaga to Seville takes between 2 and 3 hours and costs €20. Whereas the bus from Malaga takes 3 hours and costs around €10, depending on the company you choose to travel with. You can also drive from Malaga to Seville, which will take only 2 and a half hours, and you will travel mainly on the A45 and A92 highways.
Traveling from Malaga to Gibraltar
Just two hours away from Malaga is the very last remaining British colony in mainland Europe, Gibraltar. This unusual city is famed for its spectacular landscapes, unique culture, fantastic shopping and friendly monkeys. Yep, you read that right…Gibraltar is filled with macaque monkeys known to the locals as Barbary apes. This cute little troop are extremely friendly, however, they are known to ‘snatch and run’, so keep a tight grip on your belongings.
One of the most famous attractions in the city is the Rock of Gibraltar. This spectacular limestone rock formation stands over 425 meters high and has an extremely rich history. From the top, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views from the glistening Spanish coastline all the way across the Mediterranean to Morocco. You can spend your afternoon shopping in the British brand stores and duty-free malls, strolling through the port of Gibraltar or watching a theatrical performance in St Michael’s Cave.
The best way to reach Gibraltar on your day trip from Malaga is to hire a car or take an organized tour. As the land actually belongs to the UK, border controls are extremely strict, and taking public transport can be very difficult and time-consuming as public buses aren’t able to cross the border. If you do wish to drive from Malaga to Gibraltar for your day trip, bare in mind you will need to take the AP-7 (a toll road) along the Costa del Sol, so the only places to stop along the way will be small beach towns.
Malaga’s sun-drenched coastline, delicious dishes like sardine skewers, and historic fortresses, such as the Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, make it a delight to visit. However, if you’re here for a little longer than a weekend break, there are tonnes of day trips you can take from Malaga that will excite you. Whether it’s to Ronda’s famous bridge or cave-built settlements like Setenil de las Bodegas, here are some of the best day trips from Malaga, Spain, that everyone should experience.
1 – Ronda, Andalusia’s Famous Mountaintop City
Journey time: 1 hour and 20 minutes by car or 2 hours and 30 minutes with multiple trains.
There’s no better place to start this list of Malaga day trips than the iconic mountaintop city of Ronda. Famed for its unique location, tucked away on the edge of a cliff where the grand Puente Nuevo links the two sides, one look at this place and you’ll realize it’s one of the top day trips from Malaga.
Start your day trip from Malaga to Ronda by heading to the Puente Nuevo de Ronda viewpoint before the crowds arrive to admire the historic bridge. Then, pay a visit to the Arab Baths for some insight into the area’s history before having a stroll around the city’s popular square, Placa Cristóbal Aguilar Barea, and getting some insight into the local way of life.
Tip: Book a Ronda & Andalusian Countryside: Full-Day Private Ride from Málaga that includes transportation from the door of your accommodation to make the most of your day.
2 – Caminito Del Rey, a Hike Not for the Faint-Hearted
Journey time: 1 hour by car or 1 hour and 50 minutes with a combination of walking, bus, and train.
Once among the world’s riskiest trails for trekkers, Caminito Del Rey is one of the day trips out of Malaga that adventure lovers will enjoy. Fortunately, much work has been done over the past few years, so rest assured, it’s far safer than before.
The wooden trail winds along cliff edges, crossing bridges suspended above a turquoise river. The entire walk is approximately 7.7 km, taking the average person around 3 to 4 hours to complete. However, the stunning views and breathtaking landscape will have you wanting to stick around for much longer.
3 – Marbella, the Ultimate Destination to Experience Glitz and Glamor
Journey time: 50 minutes by car or 1 hour by bus.
Prepare to immerse yourself in the flashy world of Marbella, one of the best day trips from Malaga by bus. This coastal gem combines life’s greatest luxuries with traces of Renaissance influence. If you want to start your trip there, plan ahead and find the best way to get from Malaga Airport to Marbella directly: bus if you’re on a budget, taxi, or private transfer if you prefer a comfortable ride.
Marbella really has it all. Wander through the charming old town, past majestic churches such as the Iglesia de la Encarnación, and spend the evening at the glamorous marina of Puerto Banús, where you can rub shoulders with the rich and famous.
One day trips from Málaga to Marbella might seem like it’s all about extravagance, but there’s much more beneath the surface. From the stunning mosaics at the Rio Verde Villa to the countless museums you could spend hours exploring, such as the Museo Ralli.
4 – Setenil de Las Bodegas, a Beautiful Cave Village
Journey time: 1 hour and 25 minutes by car.
Day trips from Malaga by car don’t get much better than the breathtaking cave town of Setenil de Las Bodegas. What makes this little pocket of Cádiz remarkable is its layout, with hotels, shops, and cafes carved into caves that visitors are free to explore.
Two of the most impressive spots to check out are the Calle Cuevas de la Sombra and Cuevas del Sol, which are the cave streets you’ve likely seen photos of online. Apart from the caves, you’ll also find plenty of sights packed into this small area, including the Medieval Castillo de Setenil perched on a hill.
5 – Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory Located Next to Spain
Journey time: 1 hour and 50 minutes by car or 2 hours and 20 minutes using a combination of buses.
If you’re up for a cross-border trip, day trips from Malaga to Gibraltar are becoming increasingly popular. With an incredible military history and situated at the point where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, this British overseas territory is sure to pique your interest.
When taking a day trip to Gibraltar from Malaga, one thing you won’t want to miss is the cable car to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar, providing insane vistas. Afterwards, stop by St. Michael’s Cave to admire the intricate limestone formations and see the work that has gone into transforming it into an underground concert hall while preserving its natural beauty.
6 – Granada, the Andalucian City With Islamic Roots
Journey: 1 hour and 30 minutes by car, 1 hour and 25 minutes by train, and 1 hour and 45 minutes by bus.
For anyone with a passion for history, day trips from Malaga to Granada are a must. Known for its Islamic roots, many of the main attractions here have a deep connection to the religion, as Granada was the last Muslim kingdom on the Iberian Peninsula, which was under the power of the Nasrid dynasty.
Between the Albaicín Quarter, dotted with Moorish structures, and the ancient Arab baths of El Bañuelo, this Malaga day trip by train is full of fascinating sights. However, many visitors come on day trips from Malaga to the Alhambra, arguably the city’s main attraction, which is a magnificent complex of gardens, palaces, and fortresses that overlooks the entire city.
Plan One of These Days Trips From Malaga Today!
Malaga is a spectacular Spanish city to visit, but after you’ve ticked off all the main sights, you’ll likely want to discover some of the surrounding areas. Think of all the day trips from Malaga you can take, you’ve got challenging hikes like Caminito Del Rey, interesting neighboring territories like Gibraltar, and much more. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning one of these exciting one-day escapes today and make the most of your time in Malaga.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best day trip from Malaga? 
Visitors who want to explore past Malaga have endless options to choose from. Day trips to Ronda from Malaga allow you to witness the marvelous Puente Nuevo, while a trip to Granada is where you can experience Spain’s Islamic heritage. Day trips to Morocco from Malaga are also possible, but require a combination of buses and ferries, so you should allow yourself more time if this idea interests you.
What is the most beautiful town near Malaga?
While there are many beautiful towns for day trips in Malaga, Setenil de las Bodegas stands out for its extraordinary surroundings, where streets wind beneath massive stone cliffs.
Where to go from Malaga by train?
There are a few day trips from Malaga by train you can take. Granada is only an hour and 25 minutes by rail. Additionally, another day trip by train from Malaga is Ronda, although it’s less convenient as multiple trains are required to get there.
Is Marbella worth a day trip from Malaga?
Of course, the lavish seaside city of Marbella is one of the day trips from Malaga by public transport that everyone should consider. Even though many tourists arrive early and leave later that day, Marbella has lots to offer, including a quaint old town, Renaissance structures, and much more.
