Malaga Excursions

If you're staying in or around the city of Malaga here are a couple of great day excursions that you can do yourself by car. If you're looking for an organised group excursion take a look at ourCosta del Sol Excursions page.

Excursion 1: Malaga - Ardales - El Chorro Gorge - Antequera - Malaga

The spectacular, yet relatively unknown, Garganta del Chorro lies to the south of the impressive Embalse del Guadalhorce inland from Malaga. It is a 4 km long gorge with walls which reach as high as 400 metres. Along the walls of the gorge is the Camino del Rey, a footbridge which was built in the 1920s during the development of the reservoir system. It is named after King Alfonso XIII who walked its length when he opened these reservoirs. In spite of what many guidebooks say, it is extremely dangerous and walking it is no longer permitted.

From Malaga take the 30 mile drive inland to the unspoilt village of Ardales where you can have a coffee in the village square amongst the locals. From here head to El Chorro via Bobastro which is the remains of a 9th century Mozarabic (Arabized Christian) settlement from where a Robin-Hood like character called Ibn Hafsun controlled an area extending from Gibraltar to Jaén.

At El Chorro you can simply take a look at the Gorge from a distance or if you want to be more daring you can walk through several railway tunnels to get spectacular views looking from the railway line. If you're ready for a lunch break try one of the nearby restaurants with  beautiful views across the reservoir system.

After lunch continue on to Campillos and take the main A 382 into the pretty Andaluz market town of Antequera. Here you will find numerous ancient monuments, fine churches and an impressive 19th century Plaza de Toros (bullfighting ring).

After a stroll through the town to the ruined Alcazaba with its 13th century Islamic fortification you can take the main A45 road back into Malaga. As an alternative to Antequera you can visit the fascinating national park of El Torcal. 

Excursion 2: Malaga - Marbella - Puerto Banus - Mijas Village - Malaga.

From Malaga it's a 40 mile drive to Marbella heading southwest along the A-7. On arrival you should park your vehicle then walk to the partially walled Plaza de los Naranjos. The area surrounding the square now has many boutiques and restaurants but you can still find an authentic local bar and look up beyond the whitewashed alleyways to the mountains of Ronda.

Now head 4 miles along the coast to the marina and casino complex of Puerto Banus. This is where the truly rich live in exclusive villas in the surrounding hills or lie around on phenomenally large and luxurious yachts in the port.

Puerto Banus has plenty seafood restaurants and is a good choice for a lunch break.
After lunch head back towards Malaga then rise several hundred feet above sea level to the quaint Andaluz village of Mijas, which commands spectacular views right across the bay to Marbella. On a clear day you can see all the way across the Mediterranean to the north coast of Africa.

In days gone by the donkey taxi was the only means of transport in Mijas and as you arrive in the main square you'll see donkey taxi tours on offer to tourists. Alternatively, just stroll around the village's cobbled streets looking at the tightly packed whitewashed houses with colourful geraniums hanging from balconies. A major attraction is the Plaza de Toros (Bullfight ring) which was built in 1920 and is one of the most unusual in Spain due to its rectangular shape.

After a drink in a typical taverna located in Mijas's central square head back down the hill to Malaga.