If you’re visiting Malaga for more than a couple of days, I’d highly recommend travelling beyond the city. While Malaga has enough to keep you busy, I do feel that you could see most of the sites within 2 days. But the good news is that there are plenty of amazing small towns and cities close by, and some of the best day trips from Malaga are less than 90 minutes away and offer a completely different experience.
During my five-day trip to the Costa del Sol, I visited three amazing destinations: Frigiliana, Nerja and Torremolinos. Each one had its own unique charm, and they’re all easy to reach by public transport.
Frigiliana
Why Visit Frigiliana?
This place was literally my favourite! It is a traditional Andalusian village with white buildings and blue decorations. I have labelled it “the Santorini of Spain”. This village is located on the edge of the Sierra Almijara Mountains. Its maze of narrow cobbled streets, colourful flowerpots and bright white buildings make it very photogenic. It also seems to have a slower pace of life, which is a break from the fast-paced crowds of Malaga. I also found the locals to be a lot warmer than in Malaga, which suffers from “overtourism” and has led to protests. Although the village of Frigiliana is small, that’s also part of its appeal. It’s somewhere to wander without an itinerary, stopping at viewpoints, browsing independent shops and enjoying lunch overlooking the mountains. Also, it’s quite cheap! There are places serving glasses of Moscatel (sweet wine) for 1 euro.
Frigiliana is famous for:
- Moorish history and architecture
- Handmade ceramics and artisan shops
- Locally produced sugarcane honey (Miel de Caña)
- Festival of the Three Cultures (takes place annually in August)
How to Get to Frigiliana from Malaga
Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct bus from Malaga to Frigiliana. The easiest route by bus is to take the ALSA bus from Malaga Bus Station to Nerja (approximately 1 hour). From Nerja Bus Station, you can then catch the local bus to Frigiliana (around 20 minutes). If you’re hiring a car, the drive directly to Frigiliana takes around an hour, and I got here by tour bus.
Best Things to Do in Frigiliana
1. Explore the Old Town (Free)
Exploring Frigiliana’s beautiful streets is the village’s biggest attraction. As you wander through the village, every corner has another colourful doorway, hidden staircase or flower-filled balcony. However, if you enjoy taking photos, I would recommend arriving early, as Frigiliana gets busy from 11.30 am onwards. I arrived at 10am and the streets were nearly empty and full of locals doing their normal activities. It was easy for me to set up my tripod and get some nice shots.
2. Visit Plaza de las Tres Culturas (Free)
This square celebrates the Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities that have shaped Frigiliana’s history.
3. Browse the Local Shops (Free)
Frigiliana has plenty of independent boutiques selling locally made ceramics, olive oil, jewellery and woven baskets. Don’t forget to buy some homemade sugarcane honey from one of the shops (just make sure it’s in a glass jar, as many fakes are sold in plastic “squeeze” bottles).
4. Visit the Church of San Antonio (Free)
This church was built during the 17th century and sits in the centre of the village.
5. Visit one of the viewpoints for a beautiful photo
The most famous viewpoint in Frigiliana is the Mirador del Callejón del Peñón (often labelled simply as Vista Panorámica or Mirador de Frigiliana on local maps). There is also Mirador del Castillo (the remains of the Castillo de Lízar) or Vista Panorámica (located on Calle Santo Cristo).
Nerja
Why Visit Nerja?
I feel like Nerja is the perfect beach getaway, and it still has some local charm. It is crowded with tourists, but you can also feel the local Andalusian culture. You will find narrow streets filled with tapas bars and coastal viewpoints.
Nerja is Famous For:
- The famous Balcón de Europa
- Nerja Caves
- Pretty beaches
- Fresh seafood
How to get to Nerja from Malaga
The ALSA coach runs regularly between Malaga Bus Station and Nerja. It takes about 1 hour and costs €6–8 each way.
Best things to do in Nerja
1. Visit the Balcón de Europa (Free)
The Balcón de Europa is Nerja’s most famous landmark. It offers amazing views of Nerja’s coastline.
2. Explore the Nerja Caves (Approx. €16)
These unique caves are located just outside the town centre. It’s like stepping into an underground cathedral, as you will find cave paintings and the world’s largest cave column.
3. Visit Calahonda Beach (Free)
Located below the Balcón de Europa, this small cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Nerja. It’s better to get there early, as spots are limited and it’s popular.
4. Enjoy Fresh Seafood
Nerja is by the sea, so there are many excellent seafood restaurants. It’s the perfect place to eat gambas al pil pil, calamari, or sardines. Food in Nerja is also reasonably priced if you go to the right places. You can get good seafood in Malaga, but it will be more expensive and less fresh in many places.
Torremolinos
Why Visit Torremolinos?
If you are looking for an easy, peaceful escape during your trip to Malaga, Torremolinos is probably one of the best day trips. It’s very close to Malaga and makes the perfect beach day trip. This town is known for its long sandy beaches, lively promenade, and excellent seafood restaurants. It is similar to Nerja in this sense, but with more locals than tourists (well…at least that was my experience).
Torremolinos is Famous For:
- La Carihuela fishing district
- Beautiful beaches
- Beachfront chiringuitos
- Fresh seafood
- Shopping along Calle San Miguel
How to get to Torremolinos from Malaga
The C1 metro train connects Malaga city centre with Torremolinos. The journey only takes around 25 minutes, and this is the same train that goes to the airport. You can use a contactless card for this journey or buy a ticket from the machine at the station. The cost for this journey is around €2–3 each way.
Best Things to Do in Torremolinos
1. Walk Along La Carihuela (Free)
Originally a small fishing village, La Carihuela is now one of the best places on the Costa del Sol for fresh seafood. The beachfront promenade is lined with traditional chiringuitos serving fresh grilled food.
2. Visit Casa de los Navajas (Free)
This is a mansion from the 20th century with “Moorish inspired” architecture. It overlooks the sea and is definitely a hidden gem.
3. Stroll Along Calle San Miguel (Free)
This is Torremolinos’ main shopping street, and it is full of cafés, boutiques, and souvenir shops. I loved this place and bought quite a lot of things!
4. Spend Time on the Beach (Free)
There are many beaches in Torremolinos. El Bajondillo Beach (close to the town centre), La Carihuela Beach (known for fishing boats & grilled seafood), and Los Alamos Beach (known for nightlife and has beach clubs and DJ’s).
Final Thoughts…
One of the best things about staying in Malaga is how well connected the city is. There are many small towns close by that you easily reach within an hour. If you have 3 or more days in Malaga, I’d definitely recommend doing some day trips from Malaga. I feel like you can see all the main sites of Malaga in a couple of days, and Malaga was also my least favourite city among the places I visited on this trip. Go and explore the cute traditional towns in Andalusia!
Click here for some inspiration on what to eat in Spain.
Leave a Reply