Excursions outside Malaga city: which one do you prefer?

Many people are already starting to plan their summer holidays. And Easter is coming up soon. If your destination is Malaga, you’re sure to be interested in what to do on those days when you’d prefer a change from the beach. What are you interested in finding out? We have divided the excursions you can do in the province according to the type of tourism you prefer to do.

The perfect excursions for nature lovers

Very close to the capital there are numerous places for all those visitors who wish to be in contact with nature. Here are the main ones.

El Caminito del Rey (The King’s Little Path)

In the centre of the province, bordered by the Ronda and Antequera mountain ranges, in a privileged setting, lies the Los Gaitanes gorge. It is surrounded by the municipalities of Ardales, Álora and Antequera. Well, this gorge had a pedestrian walkway of more than 3 kilometres, plus almost 5 kilometres of access. It was attached to the rock inside a canyon, 105 metres above the river. This footbridge, barely 1 metre wide, was deteriorated by the passage of time. Parts of it had collapsed, there were practically no railings… But the Diputación de Málaga decided to restore it and today it is possible to walk along it. This walkway is known as Caminito del Rey, and has been open again since 2015. It is one of the most visited places outside Malaga. Excursions can be booked in advance on the website. You can get there either by car or by train. On the website we have linked you have all the information.

Sierra de las Nieves and Sierra de Grazalema: our Biosphere Reserves

There are many places worth visiting in the province, but in Malaga we have two Biosphere Reserves. These are the Sierra de las Nieves and the Sierra de Grazalema. The former is located to the east of Ronda, and has the Torrecilla peak, which is almost 2,000 metres high. Mountaineering enthusiasts will find a unique area here; but if you like caving, don’t hesitate to dive into the natural chasms and wells. The GESM, for example, is more than 1,100 metres deep.

The Sierra de Grazalema mountains occupy part of Malaga and part of Cadiz. There you can enjoy numerous caves, gorges, and so on. The most famous geographical features of this spectacular environment are the Cueva del Gato, where an underground river reappears and pours its waters into the Guadiaro; the Cueva de la Pileta, which has cave paintings, and the Garganta Verde, a narrow and deep gorge of unparalleled beauty.

History and art outside the city of Málaga

There are excursions with historical content that are well worth a visit, and you shouldn’t miss a visit to Ronda and another to Antequera!

Ronda: the happy vertigo of gazing at the Tagus

If we had to choose one spectacular geographical feature from the whole province, it would be the Tajo de Ronda. This is the name of the gorge on which this beautiful city rests, which can be reached by train, bus or car. To look out over the gorge of the river Guadalevín from the bridge that crosses the Tajo is something unrepeatable, something that no traveller visiting Málaga for a few days should miss.

But Ronda is much more. In addition to its natural surroundings (surrounded by the sierras of Las Nieves and Grazalema), you can visit the 14th century Mondragón palace, the Arab baths and the bullring. A simple stroll through the historic centre is a delight, a mixture of the different civilisations that have populated it over hundreds of years.

Antequera: Prehistory at our fingertips

In the north of the province lies the region of Antequera. Its capital holds impressive treasures for those who love history. Perhaps the most outstanding is the Antequera Dolmens Archaeological Site, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. It is one of the best-preserved megalithic complexes in Europe, and is well worth a visit. You can also visit the Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor, declared a National Monument, a jewel of the transition from Gothic to Renaissance. Convents, churches of great beauty and the citadel are other places that deserve attention.

Mythical towns

Malaga also has charming towns with unique views that are well worth a visit.

Nerja and its famous Balcony of Europe

Spanish tourists will be familiar with the legendary TV series Verano Azul. In it, a group of young people coincided in a coastal town and this was, precisely, Nerja. For all those who remember it, visiting this spectacular viewpoint will have an added charm; but it doesn’t matter whether you know the series or not, because looking out over the Mediterranean from this enormous balcony is irresistibly beautiful. There we can also visit its famous caves, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and where, among stalactites and stalagmites, we can enjoy corners that even contain cave paintings.

Frigiliana, one of the most beautiful white villages in Spain

In the east of the province, near Nerja and the coast, is Frigiliana, one of the most beautiful white villages in the province. Framed, like Nerja, in the region of La Axarquía, Frigiliana stretches between the sea and the mountains, so it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes to walk up some of its steep slopes. But it is well worth it, because a stroll through Frigiliana is to immerse yourself in the mestizo Andalusia, with its Muslim roots. In addition to its charming corners, of which there are many, it is particularly beautiful to see the balconies of its streets full of geraniums..

More than just beaches

The Costa del Sol has mythical beaches, where the influx of tourism has made them world famous. But there are places that offer more than just beaches. The cliffs of Maro, in the west of the coast of Malaga, are well worth a visit. This rugged landscape in the Nerja area is a visual spectacle. Moreover, on clear days (a common sight in this area) you can make out the African coastline.

But for sports lovers, Maro also offers scuba diving and kayaking. One more way to enjoy this unique landscape in the whole province.

A getaway to the heart of luxury

If there is a capital of luxury in Spain, it is undoubtedly Marbella. It also offers two different and equally interesting sides. One is its historic quarter, and the other, the so-called Golden Mile. The former is a beautiful little town of white façades, with the charm of that mixture of Mudejar and Gothic art so typical of the area. On the other hand, the Golden Mile is luxury par excellence: a marina full of yachts, luxury cars parked in front of it and shops of the most prestigious fashion brands. If in a previous post we recommended the best shops in the capital, you should leave room in your suitcase if you decide to visit Marbella.

Golf in Marbella

Malaga has some of the most important golf courses in the province, but Marbella also has some impressive ones. If you like this sport, a day in Marbella offers you the chance to play a few holes. Meanwhile, the rest of the family can relax on one of the beaches. Elviria or Cabopino are two of the most pleasant.