There are so many wonderful places you can visit on a day trip from the Costa del Sol, the whole of Andalusia is accessible by car and by public transport within a few hours of the coast. Wherever you’re staying on the Costa del Sol make sure you take some time to go further afield to enjoy more of what southern Spain has to offer.
Seville
The capital of Andalusia is a beautiful historic city filled with iconic buildings and wonderful architecture. Parts of the Game of Thrones series was filmed here in the Alcabaza and other places.
How long does it take to get there from Malaga? 2 hours 15 minutes by car.
Must see and do things while you’re there: Visit the stunning Alcabaza, see the Plaza de España, take a river cruise and ride in a horse drawn carriage.
Granada
Granada is a fabulous city with Moorish history and Moroccan bazaars, a haven for sight-seeing and shopping alike.
How long does it take to get there from Malaga? 1 hour 35 minutes by car.
Must see and do things while you’re there: The Alhambra Palace is a must see, as is the Cathedral of Granada along with the pretty Moroccan bazaar shops set in the old silk factory behind the Cathedral.
Cordoba
Cordoba is arguable one of the most stunning cities in Spain. The old town, the Cathedral and the Roman Bridge are quite spectacular and the myriad of shops, bars and restaurants are a joy to stroll around.
How long does it take to get there from Malaga? 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
Must see and do things while you’re there: If you’re there in May you must visit the patios of Cordoba, where locals open up their private homes for people to view the amazing flower displays they have grown. The Cathedral is also a must see, its domed ceiling is really beautiful.
Ronda
Ronda is a town just north of the Costa del Sol, hovering majestically on the edge of an enormous gorge which makes for quite the photo opportunity.
How long does it take to get there from Malaga? 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
Must see and do things while you’re there: Take in the amazing views, visit the bull ring, the first in Spain and wander around the bull fighting museum, sample the local food and wines.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a part of the British Empire and you’ll need your passport to go across the border. It has a wonderful history and strong naval connections for those interested in military history.
How long does it take to get there from Malaga? 1 hour 50 minutes by car.
Must see and do things while you’re there: Wander around the port and see all the fabulous shops and restaurants there, maybe dabble in the casino. You can also visit the rock of Gibraltar and see the Barbary apes there.
Wolf Park and El Torcal
The El Torcal natural park is in the Antequera region of the Malaga province and is made up of magnificent limestone rock formations. The wolf park is on the road to El Torcal and is fun for all the family.
How long does it take to get there from Malaga? 1 hour.
Must see and do things while you’re there: Take a signposted walk at El Torcal, visit the caves and look out for Spanish Ibex and birds of Prey. Take a tour of the wolf park and see how these amazing creatures live in a natural habitat.
Frigiliana and Nerja
These neighbouring towns are both beautiful places to visit. Nerja is on the coast of La Axarquia and is a popular seaside town with foreigners and for Spanish people. Frigiliana is a white village just 10 minutes from Nerja and is a pretty town with cobbled streets and lovely shops and restaurants.
How long does it take to get there from Malaga? 50 minutes to Nerja and
Must see and do things while you’re there: The caves at Nerja are some of the biggest in Europe and concerts are held there regularly. Frigiliana has a wonderful choice of artisan shops, perfect for some souvenir shopping.
The fabulous list is the tip of the iceberg of places you can visit whilst on your holiday on the Costa del Sol, let us know if you visit any of the above and if there are other places you recommend too.
Don’t forget to take a look at the beautiful villas on the Costa del Sol that we have on our site, you won’t be disappointed.
