February 1, 2011 
Reading time: 5 minutes 
If your holiday planning in the south of Spain includes hiring a car as your main transport, we will give you some useful recommendations for your daytrips and tours from Malaga. Continue reading to find the best day trips from Malaga by car.
Best day trips from Malaga by car
Malaga heads one of the major metropolitan areas in Spain. City of great touristic value, is surrounded by mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Being the sixth largest city in Spain, there are many tourists who visit not only the capital of the Costa del Sol but also are interested in exploring the surroundings. Therefore, we will review some of the many possible tours from Malaga by car.
Driving on the Serrania de Ronda
To begin with, a trip to the city of Ronda will take us to one of the best surprises in Andalucia. Located northwest of Malaga, the stunning views and the historical buildings of Ronda make a trip well worth from the resorts along the Costa del Sol.
Ronda, is one of the most monumental and romantic cities of Andalucia. We visit the gorge visit, a hundred metres deep, with the famous New Bridge, the Plaza de Toros, the Church of Santa Maria, the palaces of Mondragon and the Marquis of Salvatierra, the Arab baths…there is plenty to see. The Serrania de Ronda region is one of the more traditional White Villages Route including the localities of Atajate, Benadalid, Algatocin, Gaucin and many more.
From Ronda, you can continue along the path of the White Villages, to towns like Atajate, Benadalid, Algatocin, Gaucin, with the environment of the Serrania de Ronda, a beautiful natural reserve.
Driving on the Costa del Sol
Malaga coastal cities require almost no introduction, like Marbella and Torremolinos. The pleasant climate all year round and clear skies most of the year are part of the secret of this alluring region.
Here is concentrated the most comprehensive leisure offer in Europe. You can find theme parks and water parks, casinos, golf courses and prestigious marinas such as Puerto Banus. Protected by the mountain ranges of Sierra Bermeja, Blanca and Mijas, are located the white villages of Casares, Ojen and Mijas.
Driving on the Axarquia
The eastern part of the coast of Malaga is less known but no less attractive. There are the resorts of Cala del Moral and Rincon de la Victoria. Following the coastline you will find Torre del Mar, Velez-Malaga, Algarrobo, Torrox Costa and Nerja with the Balcon de Europa and the famous Nerja caves, discovered in 1959.
Driving on the Vega del Gaudalhorce
In another direction, we could go for a trip to the Vega del Guadalhorce, an agriculturally rich valley with traditional villages, dams, canyons and gorges.
Here you will find traditional villages such as Alhaurin de la Torre, Alhaurín el Grande, Cartama, Pizarra, Alora or Coin. Ardales Park is a must with the Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir, the Los Gaitanes or Chorro Gorge, 3 km long and 400 meters high.
Driving to Antequera
Finally, the trip to the region of Antequera is also highly recommended, for taking us to a city full of treasures less than an hour from Malaga. Antequera preserves an invaluable archaeological and architectural heritage with natural places such as El Torcal, with its limestone formations.
Antequera, the capital of the region, is a monumental city located in the heart of Andalusia. The Castle, the Arch of the Giants, the Church of San Sebastian, El Carmen, Santa Maria church, the Roman Museum are some of the must.
A few kilometers away are situated the dolmen of Menga, Viera and Romeral.
Nature lovers can discover in El Torcal one of the most impressive karst landscapes in Europe; and Fuente Piedra lagoon, north of the province of Malaga, is a unique place and the largest colony of Flamingos in Europe.
The city of Malaga is a point of arrival but also a stimulating starting point for a large number of highly recommended excursions in this beautiful province which has far more to offer than its famous “sun & beach“.
The Sierra de la Nieves Natural Park preserves a relic of the coniferous forests of the Tertiary period with the world’s most unique fir: the Pinsapo.
What traffic density can we expect in Malaga?
As in any other country, traffic density depends directly on the season we come. Driving in Winter or Autumn in Malaga can be a pleasure; we will enjoy the beautiful landscapes from the highway and coastal roads. If we choose coming in summer, we can avoid the higher traffic density in the city getting to the interior villages. Rio Frio and the Chorro Reservoir, where we can hire kayaks and canoes, are just two of the many options we have.
Malaga car hire will provide us with the needed mobility for getting the most from our visit, making us able not only to visit the city and the most popular beach resorts, but visiting the interior villages and places of interest.
