Top 5 Day Trips From Malaga For Solo Travellers

This post will share the top five-day trips from Malaga.

I headed down to Malaga for a quick solo beach holiday in July.

Despite the crowds, I had a swell time on my first trip to Spain.

So much so that I’m returning in September and November for some autumn and winter sun.

Perhaps my favourite thing about Malaga is its proximity to other cities in the Andalusia region.

While basking in the sun on the beach all day is nice, it gets boring after a couple of hours of people-watching.

As someone who travels mostly to explore rather than relax, I was itching to explore despite the horrid, scorching heat.

So, I spent one day exploring the city of Malaga and two other days visiting nearby Granada and Marbella.

This is easily the best decision I have made.

So, the next time you visit a city without many attractions or historical landmarks, try taking a day trip to nearby towns.

I promise you; it is so worth it.

Getting Around Malaga To Other Cities by Public Transport

Depending on what city you can visit in the Andalusia region, I found out that coaches are the best form of public transport between these cities.

I initially wanted to go via Train because it would be quicker, but I changed my mind at the last minute and did not regret it.

Despite the journey being slightly longer, I did not mind because it was too hot, and the coaches had air conditioning that kept me cool.

So it’s safe to say I preferred the journey on the bus to being out in the sun.

Believe me when I say the views during this journey were stunning.

I could bask in and explore the landscape of the Andalusia region on the coach.

I probably wouldn’t have been able to do this on the Train.

The coach tickets are also cheaper, especially if you’ll return to your base in Malaga daily.

There are a few coach operators that service the Andalusia region.

Some of these include Alsa, Avanza, Socibus, and FlixBus.

Use the Rome2Rio to find the exact operators and help you plan your journey.

I mostly used Alsa and Avanza because they are more frequent than the rest.

For the cheapest tickets, buy directly from the coach’s website.

If you can’t be bothered navigating between the Spanish and English versions of the website, use Trainline.

It is more convenient as it aggregates all the coach operators on one platform.

If you’re running late and forget to buy tickets online, you can always get them at the bus station. They cost between €6-12 for one way.

Here Are 5 Day Trips From Malaga You Must Try

You can take a coach from the Malaga Bus Station to any city in the Andalusia region.

Ensure you arrive about thirty minutes beforehand to navigate the station and find your coach stop.

Granada

2hrs by Coach | 1hr 12mins by Train

This was the city I was most excited to visit on my third day in Malaga.

So, I got up early, found my way to the bus station, and got my tickets.

I was looking forward to seeing what the city had to offer.

The weather was almost 40 degrees, and I could not do anything at that temperature.

So, I took the bus to the Granada Cathedral and another to Alhambra, which is the highlight of any visit to Granada.

But it was simply too hot to enjoy anything.

I was just so uncomfortable.

So I left Alhambra without getting a ticket and took a bus back to the Granada Bus Station.

I spent about three hours in Granada because it was simply too hot.

So, don’t be like me.

If you want to enjoy Granada, make sure you go in the Spring or Autumn when the weather is bearable and buy your tickets to the Alhambra in advance from their website.

Most of the essential historic landmarks and attractions in Granada are within the Alhambra, so getting access and taking the time to explore the grounds is worth getting a ticket.

Marbella

1hr by Coach

After the disaster that was my trip to Granada, I seriously looked forward to Marbella, and of course, it did not disappoint.

As a coastal city, the weather was much more bearable thanks to the breeze from the Mediterranean Sea.

While the public transport in Marbella was not the best, I had so much fun walking down the ocean and exploring the empty streets of Marbella Old Town.

Let me tell you, the old town was stunning and gave everything it had to offer, from the colourful architecture to the narrow cobbled streets to the dramatic foliage.

While everyone was sunbathing, I was walking in the sunshine on the empty streets of Marbella.

While Marbella doesn’t exactly have the most attractions, between the historic Old Town and the beaches, you’ll find plenty to do and keep you relaxed on a quick day trip.

Estepona

1hr 30mins by Bus

If you find the crowds at the Marbella beach uncomfortable and prefer somewhere quieter, I suggest you take a bus to the nearby town, Estepona.

It’s less popular, meaning fewer crowds, and you can relax and enjoy quiet time.

It will always be packed wherever you go in Spain, especially during the summer.

The best way to avoid that is to visit less popular towns with little to no crowds.

Cordoba

52 mins by Train | 2hrs by Coach

If I had more time in Malaga, I would have visited Cordoba.

But I didn’t, so I’m reserving it for November when I visit Seville.

This Roman city was a former Islamic centre in the Middle Ages, so expect some stunning architecture.

Also, expect a lot of Islamic, Roman and Christian influences.

Some must-visit attractions include:

• Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba: An iconic former mosque converted to a cathedral in the 12th century.
• Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs: 13th Century Moorish Palace
• Roman Bridge of Córdoba: 1st-century historical bridge, also a World Heritage Site.
• Plaza de la Corredera: 17th-century town square.
• Torre De Calahorra: A medieval gate tower with a museum.
• Medina Azahara: The ruins of 10th-century palace buildings.

Cordoba is one of the day trips from Malaga you should consider.

It is packed with much to see and do, so I suggest you set out as early as possible to maximize your day.

Seville

1hr 55mins by Train | 2hr 45 mins by Coach

I recommend taking the Train instead of the coach for this Malaga to Seville day trip.

Like Cordoba, there’s also a lot to see and do in Seville, so you want to get there as quickly as possible to take full advantage of the day.

Honestly, Seville deserves its dedicated trip, but if you don’t live in Europe, where you can travel to Spain as conveniently as you want, this day trip is for you.

Some of the must-see attractions include:

• Royal Alcázar of Seville: The iconic and breathtaking Mudéjar style royal palace.
• Plaza de España: A landmark square lined with Ceramic tiles.
• Catedral de Sevilla is the largest Gothic church and the 4th largest worldwide church.
• Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla: 17th century Baroque Bullring.
• Parque de María Luisa: An iconic public park with large plazas.
• Torre del Oro: A 13th-century Military watchtower.
• Puente de Triana: 19th-century arch bridge.

There’s much to see in Seville, but don’t try to squeeze it all into one trip.

See as much as you can and keep the rest for next time.

Finally

I hope you have found this list of top five-day trips from Malaga beneficial.

The Andalusia region of Spain is my favourite because there are so many options across different cities that are all less than three hours away from each other.

Honestly, what’s not to love?