{"id":14017,"date":"2026-06-26T10:00:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T10:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/?p=14017"},"modified":"2026-06-26T10:00:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T10:00:51","slug":"day-trips-from-malaga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/day-trips-from-malaga\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide: The Top 6 Day Trips from M\u00e1laga to Take By Car"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#Best-Day-Trips-from-M\u00e1laga-Summarized\">Best day trips from M\u00e1laga Summarized&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Ronda\">Ronda: One of the Best Day Trips from M\u00e1laga for Dramatic Scenery<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Nerja\">Nerja: Ideal Day Trip for Relaxation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Granada\">Granada: Best Day Trip from M\u00e1laga for History<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#J\u00fazcar\">J\u00fazcar: Best Day Trip for Families with Kids<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Antequera\">Antequera: Perfect Day Trip for the Outdoorsy Traveler<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Benalm\u00e1dena\">Benalm\u00e1dena: For Unique Architecture<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>M\u00e1laga is the capital of the beautiful Costa del Sol, or&nbsp;<strong>\u201cCoast of the Sun\u201d<\/strong>,&nbsp;region of Spain. The area gets about&nbsp;300 days&nbsp;of sunshine per year, so take advantage of the weather and explore as much as possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>M\u00e1laga is known as the gateway to Costa del Sol, so pick up a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/spain\/malaga\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SIXT rental car in M\u00e1laga<\/a>&nbsp;from the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/spain\/malaga\/malaga-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">airport<\/a>&nbsp;or the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/spain\/malaga\/malaga-station\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">main train station<\/a>, brush up on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/tips\/driving-tips-spain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our driving tips for Spain<\/a>, and hit the&nbsp;road on the best&nbsp;day trips from M\u00e1laga.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Best-Day-Trips-from-M\u00e1laga-Summarized\">Best Day Trips from M\u00e1laga Summarized<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we dive into the details, check out the highlights of the best day trips from M\u00e1laga:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Destination<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Distance from M\u00e1laga<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Drive time<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Route<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Highlights<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ronda&nbsp;<\/td><td>62.1 miles&nbsp;<\/td><td>1 hour 30 minutes&nbsp;<\/td><td>A-357 and A-367&nbsp;<\/td><td>El Tajo&nbsp;gorge&nbsp;and Puente Nuevo bridge&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nerja&nbsp;<\/td><td>38 miles&nbsp;<\/td><td>50 minutes&nbsp;<\/td><td>A-7&nbsp;<\/td><td>Balcony of Europe viewpoint, Caves of&nbsp;Nerja&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Granada&nbsp;<\/td><td>78.3 miles&nbsp;<\/td><td>1 hour 40 minutes&nbsp;<\/td><td>A-92&nbsp;<\/td><td>Alhambra,&nbsp;Albayz\u00edn&nbsp;neighborhood&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>J\u00fazcar&nbsp;<\/td><td>72.1 miles&nbsp;<\/td><td>1 hour 50 minutes&nbsp;<\/td><td>AP-7 and A-397 (toll road)&nbsp;<\/td><td>Blue village, Smurf-themed art&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Antequera&nbsp;<\/td><td>31.2 miles&nbsp;<\/td><td>50 minutes&nbsp;<\/td><td>A-45&nbsp;<\/td><td>Hiking in El&nbsp;Torcal&nbsp;de Antequera nature reserve&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Benalmadena&nbsp;<\/td><td>12.1 miles&nbsp;<\/td><td>30 minutes&nbsp;<\/td><td>Autov\u00eda de Circunvalaci\u00f3n de M\u00e1laga&nbsp;<\/td><td>Castillo de&nbsp;Colomares&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Ronda\">Ronda: One of the Best Day Trips from M\u00e1laga for Dramatic Scenery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-A-view-of-a-bridge-over-a-canyon-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Puente Nuevo bridge spanning the dramatic El Tajo gorge in Ronda with white buildings on the clifftop. \" class=\"wp-image-14151 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-A-view-of-a-bridge-over-a-canyon-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-A-view-of-a-bridge-over-a-canyon-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-A-view-of-a-bridge-over-a-canyon-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-A-view-of-a-bridge-over-a-canyon-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-A-view-of-a-bridge-over-a-canyon.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Visit Ronda and marvel at the iconic Puente Nuevo bridge perched dramatically over the El Tajo gorge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distance from M\u00e1laga:<\/strong>&nbsp;62.1 miles&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drive time:<\/strong>&nbsp;1 hour 30 minutes&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Main route:<\/strong>&nbsp;A-357 and A-367&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Head inland from M\u00e1laga to the cliffside town of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/turismoderonda.es\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ronda<\/a>&nbsp;in Spain\u2019s Andalusia region.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;one of the region\u2019s many White Towns, but it stands out because of the dramatic&nbsp;<strong>El Tajo gorge<\/strong>&nbsp;that splits it&nbsp;in&nbsp;two. The two sides are connected by the famous&nbsp;<strong>Puente Nuevo<\/strong>, or \u201c<strong>new bridge<\/strong>.\u201d A visit to Ronda&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;complete without taking in the views from the bridge and heading down into the gorge to take some photos from below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SIXT Pro Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;Aside from scenery, Ronda is rich in history\u2014visit the Arab Baths and the Plaza de Toros, one of Spain\u2019s oldest bullrings.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Nerja\">Nerja: Ideal Day Trip for Relaxation&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-People-on-beach-during-daytime-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Busy beach in Nerja with turquoise water, colorful umbrellas and rocky cliffs under a blue sky.\" class=\"wp-image-14152 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-People-on-beach-during-daytime-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-People-on-beach-during-daytime-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-People-on-beach-during-daytime-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-People-on-beach-during-daytime-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-People-on-beach-during-daytime.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Visit Nerja&#8217;s stunning beaches and iconic Balcony of Europe on a day trip from M\u00e1laga.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distance from M\u00e1laga:<\/strong>&nbsp;38 miles&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drive time:<\/strong>&nbsp;50 minutes&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Main route:<\/strong>&nbsp;A-7&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This laid-back coastal town is home to a viewpoint that was crowned the&nbsp;<strong>\u201cBalcony of Europe\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;by King Alfonso XII. True to its name,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/visita.nerja.es\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Nerja<\/a>&nbsp;offers incredible scenery both from the viewpoint and the nearby beaches.&nbsp;<strong>Calahonda&nbsp;Beach<\/strong>&nbsp;is best for rocky beach lovers, while&nbsp;<strong>Burriana&nbsp;Beach<\/strong>&nbsp;boasts plenty of space on the sand.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SIXT Pro Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;Those looking for a little adventure should also take a trip underground into the Caves of&nbsp;Nerja&nbsp;to see the massive and gorgeous stalactites and stalagmites.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Granada\">Granada: Best Day Trip from M\u00e1laga for History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Brown-concrete-castle-surrounded-by-green-trees-during-daytime-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Visit the stunning Alhambra in Granada, one of the world's best-preserved Arab palaces.\" class=\"wp-image-14153 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Brown-concrete-castle-surrounded-by-green-trees-during-daytime-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Brown-concrete-castle-surrounded-by-green-trees-during-daytime-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Brown-concrete-castle-surrounded-by-green-trees-during-daytime-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Brown-concrete-castle-surrounded-by-green-trees-during-daytime-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Brown-concrete-castle-surrounded-by-green-trees-during-daytime.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Alhambra palace complex in Granada surrounded by lush green trees with snow-capped Sierra Nevada in the background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distance from M\u00e1laga:<\/strong>&nbsp;78.3 miles&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drive time:<\/strong>&nbsp;1 hour 40 minutes&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Main route:<\/strong>&nbsp;A-92&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/turismo.granada.org\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Granada<\/a>&nbsp;is easily one of the best day trips within 2 hours of M\u00e1laga for history buffs. This city is home to the famed&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/314\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Alhambra<\/a>, a&nbsp;<strong>UNESCO World Heritage site<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;perhaps the&nbsp;<strong>best-preserved Arab palace in the world<\/strong>. Built in the 13th century by the last Muslim rulers in the region, the palace became a residence for Spanish royalty after the Reconquista. For more fascinating architecture, explore&nbsp;Albayz\u00edn, Granada\u2019s oldest Moorish neighborhood.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SIXT Pro Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;Alhambra is one of the country\u2019s most famous landmarks, so book your&nbsp;tickets well&nbsp;in advance.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"J\u00fazcar\">J\u00fazcar: Best Day Trip for Families with Kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Blue-wall-with-wooden-door-and-window-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Bright blue wall with wooden door, shutters and a potted flower on a stone patio.\" class=\"wp-image-14154 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Blue-wall-with-wooden-door-and-window-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Blue-wall-with-wooden-door-and-window-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Blue-wall-with-wooden-door-and-window-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Blue-wall-with-wooden-door-and-window-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Blue-wall-with-wooden-door-and-window.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Explore J\u00fazcar, Spain&#8217;s iconic Smurf Village.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distance from M\u00e1laga:<\/strong>&nbsp;72.1 miles&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drive time:<\/strong>&nbsp;1 hour 50 minutes&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Main route:<\/strong>&nbsp;AP-7 and A-397 (toll road)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The village of&nbsp;J\u00fazcar&nbsp;was one of Spain\u2019s White Towns until it was painted blue in 2011 for the premiere of the Smurfs movie. This unique color became so popular that the city decided to keep it, and now&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;one of the most picturesque villages in Spain.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;the perfect destination for families with kids as&nbsp;there\u2019s&nbsp;still some&nbsp;<strong>Smurf-themed art<\/strong>&nbsp;painted on walls across the city.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;also difficult to reach by public transport, making this one of the best day trips from M\u00e1laga by car.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SIXT Pro Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;If you&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;want to spend the&nbsp;whole day&nbsp;here,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;the perfect addition to an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/road-trip-spain-andalusia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Andalusian road trip<\/a>, as&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;not that far from Ronda.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Antequera\">Antequera: Perfect Day Trip for the Outdoorsy Traveler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Green-trees-near-brown-concrete-building-during-daytime-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Panoramic view of Antequera with its Moorish Alcazaba fortress, white houses and rocky landscape at sunset.\" class=\"wp-image-14155 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Green-trees-near-brown-concrete-building-during-daytime-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Green-trees-near-brown-concrete-building-during-daytime-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Green-trees-near-brown-concrete-building-during-daytime-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Green-trees-near-brown-concrete-building-during-daytime-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-Green-trees-near-brown-concrete-building-during-daytime.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hike stunning limestone trails and explore ancient history in Antequera.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distance from M\u00e1laga:<\/strong>&nbsp;31.2 miles&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drive time:<\/strong>&nbsp;50 minutes&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Main route:<\/strong>&nbsp;A-45&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/turismo.antequera.es\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Antequera<\/a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;the perfect place to go if&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;looking for a good hike. The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.torcaldeantequera.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">El Torcal de Antequera<\/a>&nbsp;nature reserve, situated in the&nbsp;<strong>Sierra del&nbsp;Torcal&nbsp;mountains<\/strong>, boasts unique limestone rock formations dating back to when the entire area was covered by sea water;&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;not uncommon&nbsp;to find&nbsp;<strong>fossils and seashells<\/strong>&nbsp;when hiking up even to the highest points. There are plenty of hiking trails for all levels that offer amazing scenery and gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SIXT Pro Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;Since its history&nbsp;dates back to&nbsp;the Roman Empire, there are also plenty of historical sites to see here, including the Alcazaba Moorish fortress.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Benalm\u00e1dena\">Benalm\u00e1dena: For Unique Architecture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-White-concrete-houses-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of Benalm\u00e1dena's white houses with terracotta rooftops and green hills in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-14156 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-White-concrete-houses-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-White-concrete-houses-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-White-concrete-houses-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-White-concrete-houses-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2026\/06\/Unsplash-White-concrete-houses.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/768;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Explore Benalm\u00e1dena&#8217;s charming streets and its unique castle tribute to Christopher Columbus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Distance from M\u00e1laga:<\/strong>&nbsp;12.1 miles&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drive time:<\/strong>&nbsp;30 minutes&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Main&nbsp;route:<\/strong>&nbsp;Autov\u00eda de Circunvalaci\u00f3n de M\u00e1laga&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This small town is just a quick trip south along the coast&nbsp;from&nbsp;M\u00e1laga and is known for the&nbsp;<strong>Castillo de&nbsp;Colomares<\/strong>. Built in the 1980s and 1990s as a tribute to Christopher Columbus, the castle\u2019s architecture is a mix of&nbsp;<strong>Romanesque, Byzantine, and Gothic<\/strong>&nbsp;styles, which makes it look like something out of a storybook. The structure tells a story: Small carvings and symbols relay the details of the journey Columbus made to the Americas.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SIXT Pro Tip:<\/strong>&nbsp;Combine this stop with a trip to Marbella for a longer day of exploration.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>M\u00e1laga is the capital of the beautiful Costa del Sol, or&nbsp;\u201cCoast of the Sun\u201d,&nbsp;region of Spain. The area gets about&nbsp;300 days&nbsp;of sunshine per year, so take advantage of the weather and explore as much as possible.&nbsp; M\u00e1laga is known as the gateway to Costa del Sol, so pick up a&nbsp;SIXT rental car in M\u00e1laga&nbsp;from the&nbsp;airport&nbsp;or&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":14149,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-14017","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Your Guide: The top 6-day trips from M\u00e1laga with a car | SIXT rent a car Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"M\u00e1laga, situated on the southern coast of Spain, is the perfect home base for exploring the region. Read on to learn about the best day trips from M\u00e1laga.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/day-trips-from-malaga\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Your Guide: The top 6-day trips from M\u00e1laga with a car | SIXT rent a car Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"M\u00e1laga, situated on the southern coast of Spain, is the perfect home base for exploring the region. 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