As you could recently read on my travel blog, I had the chance, a few weeks ago, to do a road trip in Andalusia. Andalusia is relatively vast, which is why it is not uncommon to have to change accommodation in order to see as much as possible. For many, Andalusia is above all Seville, Cordoba, Granada or even Malaga, but it would be a mistake to sum up Andalusia to these four major cities.
During my stay I had the chance to stay for 3 days, not in a city, but in the Andalusian countryside. About 50 minutes by road from Malaga, I stayed in a small typical village, Alcaucin. This accommodation offered us a magnificent view during our stay in this village.
Today, I'm going to tell you about the activities to do in Andalusia off the beaten track and outside the big cities of the region. here are the things to do around Malaga.
Summary:
- The caves of Nerja
- Andalusia and its many natural parks
- Enjoy the beach and the sea in Andalusia
- Typical villages
- Visit the Alhambra from Malaga
- Some tips for visiting the Malaga region
Before starting this article, here are some links that may be useful in preparing for your stay around Malaga:
Book your trip:
Rent a car Book a hotel Book a plane ticket Book your activitiesThe caves of Nerja
The caves of Nerja are, for me, a site to visit if you spend a few days around Malaga. These caves are located 50 minutes by car from the city of Malaga. Discovered in 1959 by 5 young teenagers who were walking around, they are the most famous in Andalusia and known throughout the world for many reasons.
First of all, they constitute an invaluable geological heritage due to the size of the rooms they house. Another particularity of these caves is the wealth of prehistoric evidence that has been found there.
Several types of visits are available: the basic visit will cost you 10 euros for a duration of 45 minutes crossing many really impressive rooms. The visit is free, no guide but an audioguide. So you do the course at your own pace.
One of the halls, the Ballet Hall, hosts concerts from time to time due to the exceptional acoustics it has. Other rooms should soon open their doors to the public in the coming months / years.
If you do not have a vehicle, then it is possible to visit the caves of Nerja from Malaga. An excursion that also includes a visit to Frigiliana, a charming little village not far from Nerja.
The caves are open all year round, so check the opening times before going there. Except for the months of July and August, the caves are closed from 13 p.m. to 16 p.m.
Nerja Caves website: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/
Book your Nerja tour from Malaga
Andalusia and its many natural parks
Andalusia is a region rich in natural parks. If you like hiking and nature, you can give it to your heart's content. Among the most beautiful parks we can mention:
- the natural park of Sierras de Tejeda
- Sierra Nevada Nature Park
- Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park
- the Montes de Málaga natural park
- Torcal of Antequera
Many activities will be offered to you through these parks: hiking, rafting, or even diving in creeks.
Of course, I was not able to visit all these parks, but I absolutely have to tell you about the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes park.
This natural park is home to one of the most famous hikes in the world, El caminito del rey. This hike is, without a doubt, one of the essentials to do around Malaga. In short, this path was known a few years ago to be one of the most dangerous in the world. It was closed many years after the death of 5 young people. After several years of renovation, this path is reopening its doors. I had the chance to browse it, it is worth the detour. A very easy hike without any apparent difficulty, except for a small bridge to cross which will delight people suffering from vertigo. The hike is completely secure and offers you surprising landscapes! To do without hesitation!
Book your excursion to El Caminito del Rey from Malaga
You can also combine this excursion with a tour of the region, by bus, including a visit to the Count of Guadalhorce Dam, then the hike to El Caminito del Rey.
Enjoy the beach and the sea in Andalusia
Andalusia is also rich in beaches with its hundreds of kilometers of coastline bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Some are worth seeing, here are some of the most beautiful beaches in Andalusia.
- El Playazo beach, near Nerja
- La Herradura, near Almunecar
These beaches offer you, of course, the possibility of basking and enjoying the sun and the sea, but also of practicing some pleasant nautical activities. During my stay, for example, I had the chance to go snorkeling. Andalusia has beautiful sea beds with some brightly colored corals. Even if Andalusia is not famous for its seabed or its marine fauna, it is still very present and varied. So it was in Almunecar that I was able to try my hand at snorkeling.
Typical villages
If you are not the type to bask on the beaches or stroll through the parks, but rather want to discover the picturesque villages of Andalusia, it is possible.
For my part, I was conquered for the city of Nerja, close to the caves. We stayed there for several hours and had a meal there. The city has an undeniable charm and has a very beautiful beach. The advantage with this village is that you can combine, on the same day, a visit to the caves, a walk in the city and idleness on the beach.
As a reminder, Nerja is located 50 minutes by car from Malaga.
Another must-see village for a stay in Malaga, Round. This village is known worldwide, in particular because it is considered the cradle of bullfighting and the birthplace of modern bullfighting. Every year, one of the most famous bullfights takes place here in the oldest bullring in all of Andalusia. In addition to bullfighting, the architecture of this fortified city is impressive, in particular its famous Puente Nuevo, linking the two parts of the city separated by the Guadelevín river, flowing 170 meters below. Unfortunately, I did not have time to visit this village, but if you need information on this place, I invite you to consult the Week-End Evasion website which has a very complete article on this subject.
Book your tour of La Ronda from Malaga
Credit: La Ronda
Another excursion that will delight lovers of small villages, the road of the white villages. You will discover a multitude of small white villages, typical of the region. The goal is, of course, not to do the whole route, which would take you some time, but if you go to La Ronda, you can continue a little further on this route to discover these first pueblos blancos .
Visit the Alhambra from Malaga
Did you know that the city of Granada is only 1h30 by car from Malaga? If you are staying several days in Malaga, then it may be a good idea to set aside a day to visit the (very) famous gardens of the Alhambra! A must visit around the city of Malaga.
Whether you decide to reach the gardens on your own and opt for a visit to the gardens of the Alhambra or whether you decide to visit them via a day trip from Malaga, it will be imperative to reserve your entry for the gardens in advance, on pain of not being able to visit them.
Some tips for visiting the Malaga region
Car rental
First of all, know that it will be much more practical to rent a car to visit the surroundings of Malaga. Indeed, the multitude of places to visit being spread throughout the region, you will need a car to get there or opt for day trips.
Car rentalAccommodation in Málaga
If you are staying in Malaga, then you will have the choice of a wide range of accommodation, AirBnb or hotels. Staying in the city center can be a good idea, especially if you don't want to rent a car and visit the surroundings of Malaga on day trips.
Book a hotel in MalagaIt is also possible to rent accommodation outside the city, like in Alcaucin where I myself stayed. This will allow you to have more attractive prices but also to enjoy the calm and charm of the Andalusian countryside. For accommodation, I advise you to go to Ruralidays.com, a site specializing in rural accommodation in Andalusia.
