Explore Malaga and More on this Andalusian Road Trip with Hertz
Southern Spain rewards those who go beyond the beach, and this route from Malaga proves it. A holiday in Malaga is just the beginning, as the road winds through dramatic gorges, whitewashed hilltop villages, ancient castles and the rugged beauty of Grazalema Natural Park before returning to the coast. Use the Hertz Road Trip Planner to map out your stay in Malaga.
MALAGA ROAD TRIPS, ANDALUSIAN DRIVES AND SPAIN TRAVEL INSPIRATION
Discover the best of southern Spain on a circular route from Malaga, exploring coastal towns, mountain villages and natural parks with your favourite rental car
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Malaga and more
Malaga - Malaga
The natural wonders of Southern Spain make this road trip an experience you’ll cherish forever. It’s ideal for those who love to be outside, with a splash of adrenaline thrown in for good measure. Set off from Málaga and explore centuries-old fortresses, sun-kissed beaches and striking landscapes on this stunning Spain road trip.
Stops on this Route:
- Málaga
- AquaMijas Water Park
- Sohail Castle
- Puerto Banús
- Parque Botánico Orquidario
- Tarifa
- Conil de la Frontera
- Castillo de San Sebastián
- Castillo de San Marcos
- The School of Equestrian Art
- Convento de Mercedarias Descalzas
- Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
- Puente Nuevo
- Caminito Del Rey
- Castle of Gibralfaro
Malaga and more
Stop 1: Málaga 1/15
Start your road trip in true Spanish style – with some swimwear and a sandy shore. Malagueta Beach in Málaga is a hit with locals and visitors alike, with golden sand and shady palm trees to relax under on those warm sunny days. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to dip into, while the Picasso Museum celebrating the city’s most famous son, along with the fortified Alcazaba of Málaga, offer fascinating diversions away from the beach.
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Stop 2: AquaMijas Water Park 2/15
Slide down the chutes and brave the rapids at AquaMijas, the best water park in Málaga. Open throughout the summer season, you can relax in the lazy pool or dare to take the plunge on the Kamikaze slide, with a sheer drop into the pool below. Afterwards, head into the hills to discover Mijas itself, the perfect example of a traditional Malaga mountain village boasting sumptuous views out across the twinkling Mediterranean.
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Stop 3: Sohail Castle 3/15
Originally built in the 10th century, Sohail Castle has enjoyed an action-packed existence. It’s been destroyed, rebuilt and occupied by a succession of invaders down the centuries and is now free to visit. Sitting in a stunning hilltop location, you can enjoy panoramic views of the coast and the Sierra de Mijas mountains that rise up behind it. This medieval venue is regularly used for open-air concerts, so check out the schedule before you visit.
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Stop 4: Puerto Banús 4/15
Marbella is home to a golden sweep of beaches, stretching for more than 15 miles along the coast. With clear waters and clean sandy shores, it’s the perfect spot for a well-earned spot of relaxation. If you’re looking to ramp up the glamour, head to Puerto Banús. This marina is where the rich and famous flock to shop, sunbathe and get away from it all. Check out the sports cars and luxury yachts and choose from an array of appealing restaurants.
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Stop 5: Parque Botánico Orquidario 5/15
Estepona’s magical botanical garden is housed in the innovatively designed Orchid building – the Orchidarium Estepona. Divided into two levels, there’s so much to explore – from the bamboo forest to the indoor waterfall. Elsewhere, check out the beautiful – and huge – public murals around the town as well as Selwo Aventura, a sprawling animal park where you can follow walking tours to see everything from lions to flamingos. Estepona is also the place to try the seafood typical of this part of Spain.
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Stop 6: Tarifa 6/15
Boasting some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, Tarifa straddles the Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean and Atlantic meet. The final stop before Morocco, those strong Atlantic winds make it a true paradise for surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers who all converge here, giving the old walled town a hip feel amid its winding whitewashed streets. Check out Plaza de Santa Maria, known as Little Frog Square thanks to its quirky star-shaped fountain featuring eight ceramic frogs, while dolphins and whales can be spotted off shore.
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Stop 7: Conil de la Frontera 7/15
Conil de la Frontera – or just Conil to those in the know – is a cosy coastal town with rugged cliffs, charming coves and picturesque sandy beaches such as Los Bateles and Castilnova. The latter is overlooked by the 13th-century Torre Castilnovo watchtower, while the history of the area’s tuna fishing industry is showcased at La Chanca Tuna Museum. You may have guessed, but if you’re partial to tuna, this is the place to sample it at its best.
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Stop 8: Castillo de San Sebastián 8/15
Embrace the impressive history of Cádiz, an ancient port city looking out to the Atlantic. In the 1700s, the Castle of San Sebastián was used as a fortress to protect its inhabitants. Today it still stands, on an islet away from the main city. Over the years, its uses have ranged from a prison to a film set. Perhaps most famously, it was one of the locations used in the James Bond film Die Another Day.
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Stop 9: Castillo de San Marcos 9/15
Built in the 12th-century on the remains of a Moorish mosque, San Marco Castle is looking astonishingly good for its age. The fortress, commissioned by King Alfonso X ‘The Wise’ on the banks of the Guadalete River, is perfectly preserved and regularly hosts spectacular open-air events. Get a glimpse into how life was inside the castle over the centuries with one of the fascinating daily guided tours.
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Stop 10: The School of Equestrian Art 10/15
Spanish horses are famous for their dancing skills, but no other region is more renowned than Andalusia. While in Jerez, visit the School of Equestrian Art, where you can learn more about this cultural tradition and see some of the gorgeous horses displaying their talents. Grab tickets to watch the equestrian ballet, which tells the story of how Andalusian horses learned to dance. You can also explore the main palace building which houses the elite training school.
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Stop 11: Convento de Mercedarias Descalzas 11/15
In this rustic village perched on a sheer limestone ridge, the local sweet treats are a must. Make your way to the Convent of the Discalced Mercedarians where you can buy delicious cakes and biscuits from the resident cloister nuns. Given that the nuns don’t have direct contact with the outside world you’ll need to order and pay through a serving hatch, then collect your cakes to enjoy at one of the friendly local cafes in the charming whitewashed town.
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Stop 12: Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park 12/15
Woodland nooks and babbling streams make for a hike to remember in Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. Follow the Majaceite river for around three miles to discover waterfalls, stunning natural archways of trees and small pools where you can take a dip if you need to cool down. Set off early to avoid other woodland walkers and bask in all that this beautiful spot has to offer. You might even spot the local deer, mountain goats and peregrine falcons.
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Stop 13: Puente Nuevo 13/15
Enjoy a rendezvous in Ronda, the mountaintop city that oozes romance. The showpiece is Puente Nuevo bridge which arches over a dramatic gorge. Built in the 1800s, it took more than 40 years to complete, including the underlying chambers that once housed a prison. Travel down to the valley below for the most impressive view of this towering structure, reminiscent of a scene from an Indiana Jones movie, complete with a gushing waterfall thundering down over an 85-foot drop
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Stop 14: Caminito Del Rey 14/15
The small village of El Chorro is home to El Caminito del Rey – The King’s Footpath – an epic walkway that hugs the steep walls of the narrow Gaitanes Gorge. Not for the faint-hearted, you’ll be hiking high above the River Guadalhorce, following the route from the Count of Guadalhorce Reservoir to its end at El Chorro Dam. The five-mile walk is filled with stunning, spectacular sights to see along the way, along with soaring eagles and crag-hopping mountain goats for company.
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Stop 15: Castle of Gibralfaro 15/15
Back in Málaga, head up the foothills of the Montes de Málaga to the Castle of Gibralfaro, built in the 14th century to protect the city’s Alcazaba. A former lighthouse – its name is derived from Arabic and Greek, meaning ‘Rock of Light’ – it offers incredible views of Málaga and the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean beyond. Back at ground level, check out Muelle Uno, an open-air complex next to the revitalised port area that offers elegant waterfront shopping and dining.
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