Off the beaten path, beyond the Costa del Sol

Originally published January 13, 2021. Updated February of 2024

All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.

Why visit Málaga?

Málaga province tends to get a bad reputation amongst those who want to experience authentic Spain thanks to packaged holiday resorts on Costa del Sol as well as the cruise ship industry. But true Andalucía and Spain lovers know that Málaga province has many hidden gems. Travelers to Andalucía just need to know where to go beyond the Costa del Sol to experience Malaga off the beaten path.

In fact, we love Malaga so much that we at Spain Less Traveled love recently moved our lives from Madrid and relocated to Málaga, to be in the center of Andalucía. We are so happy to be in our favorite part of Spain and be able to provide our clients with firsthand knowledge and information about Andalucía and Malaga off the beaten path.

So read past the headlines and come visit and explore Málaga province for yourself. We promise it will blow you away. It’s time to discover Malaga Spain off the beaten path!

Where is Malaga Spain?

Málaga is located in Spain’s beautiful and beloved region of Andalucía, in the south of the country. It is well connected with the rest of Spain and the rest of Andalucía. There are frequent high-speed train connections from Madrid and other parts of Spain.

Travelers from overseas can fly into Málaga’s international airport, making it a convenient starting and ending point for Andalucía Spain itineraries. There are even direct flights to and from the United States during high season!

Below are our top picks for Málaga off the beaten path, but we’d love to chat with you to help you choose places that you are sure to love!

Málaga capital: One of Spain’s most Spanish cities

Málaga city is more than an airport and a cruise ship port. Most travelers use it only as that, completely bypassing the city itself and that is a shame. But that also makes Malaga city one of Spain’s less traveled cities. And it’s one of the cities in Spain that we really recommend getting to know!

Málaga is everything the Costa del Sol is not: authentically Spanish and with so much soul and character. Take in the orange trees that line the streets of the city (and they make Málaga smell oh-so-good when they’re in bloom) and get to know Málaga city.

There’s a beautiful Renaissance cathedral, with its patio of orange trees surrounded by a historic center. In fact, the whole city is a Moorish architecture lover’s paradise. The Alcazaba, old Moorish fort, keeps a steady watch over the city from the hill above. And the further up, the Castillo de Gibralfaro is the ruins of a Moorish castle open to visitors. Be sure to stop at the mirador for terrific views of Málaga’s coastline and beaches. This is one of the most visited castles in Spain.

Málaga has a well preserved Roman theater. It sits right below the Alcazaba, and it is Málaga’s oldest monument. For those who want a closer look, admission is free of charge!

Málaga is a paradise for art lovers. No Spanish city aside from Madrid has more museums than Málaga. For starters Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga so it is no surprise that the city is home to a Picasso Museum. There is a small branch of Paris’ Pompidou center in a building worth seeing just from the outside. And for those interested in 19th-century Spanish art, including an impressive collection of Andaluz paintings and Spanish landscapes, head to the Carmen Thyssen Museum.

To the surprise of many, Málaga also has a Russian museum, a museum for automotive lovers, and a wine museum, just to name a few. In fact, the city is said to have some of the most museums in the world.

With stretches of coastline, Málaga is a great spot to get some beach time! Within the city limits, there some wonderful beaches. Malagueta is the most popular and always the most crowded. But for fewer crowds, head in either direction. For the beach town vibe, head east toward Pederegalo and El Palo. And if sandy long beaches are your thing, head west to Playa de la Misericordia. No matter which beach you choose, find a table at a chiringuito (beachside restaurant) and enjoy some of Málaga’s seafood specialties. Many say that some of the best food in Spain comes from the sea along the coast of Málaga!

And speaking of food, a visit to the city’s public market, Mercado Atarazanas is a must. It is considered to be one of the top markets in Spain!

And nature lovers rejoice: there is so much outdoor space in Montes de Málaga Natural Park, within the city limits. Though the Andaluz backroads up there will make you believe you are in the remote Andalucían countryside. Once in the mountains, there are great places to go hiking or ride a bike (road and mountain).

During the summer the city hosts many tourists from other parts of Spain, mainly Madrid, while the towns down the coast, which give the province a not-so-great reputation attract more of the international mass-market tourism. This keeps the Spanish flair of Málaga city alive and well even during the high-season, which is busy with tourists.

(Want even more information about this amazing city? Be sure to check out our Ultimate Malaga Travel Guide, which is all about Málaga city!)

Meet the famous Malagueña goats (and try their cheese)

Speaking of the Montes of Málaga, just a short drive outside of the Málaga city limits in the town of Casabermeja, you can find the Casa de la Cabra Malagueña (house of the malagueña goat).

A day trip there is a fun excursion for all ages!

There you can learn about the unique goats of Málaga province. Then you get to try their cheese and even get to try your hand at making fresh goat cheese.

Finally, after learning all about these entertaining creatures, the visit ends at a farm just down the road so you can meet the goats. If you are lucky, you can even bottle-feed the baby goats.

Talk about a fun day out from the city!

Antequera: Pure Andalucía off the beaten path

Antequera is the textbook definition of Andalucía, but without the crowds of Granada, or other Andalusian towns like Córdoba, or, its capital, Seville.

Located (almost) smack in the middle of Andalucía, Antequera is often overlooked by travelers. But there are many reasons to visit this hidden gem of Southern Spain.

For starters, Antequera is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dólmenes, ancient monolithic burial sites. These are some of the best-preserved sites from the Bronze age in the world and are truly one-of-a-kind.

Moorish Architecture lovers can’t miss the Alcazaba of Antequera. The 360 views from the top of whitewashed Antequera and the beautiful countryside surrounding it are well worth the price of admission (and the climb!).

Just below are Antequera’s old Moorish quarters which are charming and much less crowded than Granada’s Albaizyn. Don’t miss Iglesia del Carmen, with its elaborate interior decoration. Make sure to look up at the ceiling.

Antequera’s municipal museum is worth a stop if just to see the stunning Andaluz-style patio. But admission is free and there are some interesting exhibitions about the city’s history.

Antequera is the perfect place to simply go for a stroll and get lost in its maze of small streets. Be sure to try the polvorones, sweets that are a favorite of Spaniards all over the country around the holiday season.

Antequera is a great stop to break up the journey from Málaga to some of the other Andaluz cities such as Granada, Córdoba, and Sevilla. Even if it is a detour, it is worth it. Antequera is even served by AVE (high-speed train), but be warned that if you arrive by AVE, the station is far out with only taxi service connecting it (25€) to the city center.

A great reason to visit Southern Spain!

Ronda and its nearby pueblos blancos: a jaw dropping “new bridge”

Though not at all off the beaten path, the small city of Ronda in Málaga province is worth a visit. It is very popular with visitors due to its jaw-dropping bridge (Puente Nuevo) over a gorge and spectacular views. Hemingway also spent some time there, which helps attract visitors from all over the world. And as soon as you see the bridge (and the views from it), you will know why Ronda is so spectacular!

The “new” bridge, Puente Nuevo was constructed in the 1700s. Not so new at all! But in a town with so much history, it is one of the newer monuments. For the best views of the bridge itself, follow the path down from the mirador (viewpoint) at Plaza de Maria Auxiliadora. Along the way are several points for stunning photos.

Ronda has several other attractions too including well-preserved Moorish baths. And those interested in Moorish Spain will want to check out the ruins of the old Alcazaba, a large chunk of which is being restored. The Casa del Rey Moro has beautiful gardens from the Moorish period, showcasing how they built irrigation systems. You can even enter the old water mine. The views from the Cuenca Gardens (Jardines De Cuenca) are jaw-dropping as well, and the gardens are lovely.

Ronda is also one of Spain’s adventure sports hotspots. Popular with cyclists, hikers, and rock climbers, the area in the nearby Serranía de Ronda as well as the Sierra de Nieves.

Small towns and natural beauty near Ronda

The downside is that Ronda can be crowded with daytrippers from Seville and Málaga city.

While Ronda is totally worth visiting, those seeking places more off the beaten path will want to visit towns such as Genalguacil, Montecorto, Montejaque, orJubrique. These charming whitewashed villages are all near Ronda (best to have a car) and offer the experience of the pueblos blancos, with fewer visitors.

Train lovers will want to note that the journey between Ronda and Algeciras is one of the most beautiful train rides in all of Spain. Don’t expect high-speed service, but even better as it really gives you a moment to appreciate the scenery and take in the views. And is a good link for getting around parts of Southern Spain.

(Pueblos blancos/small village lovers will want to be sure to check out our Cádiz Travel Guide. Some of the most beautiful pueblos blancos are in Cádiz province and can be combined with a visit to Ronda)

Caminito del Rey: Get closer to nature

With the mountains and the sea, Málaga province is one of Spain’s most beautiful.

And many travelers want to get closer to nature to take in the scenery.

The Caminito del Rey is a terrifying way to take in the scenery along a narrow gorge following a narrow walkway.

This walkway was rebuilt in 2015 after being named the “world’s most dangerous walkway”, following visitor deaths in 1999 and 2000. Totally safe these days, the walkway is 1 meter (3 ft) in width and rises over 100 meters (330 ft) above the river below.

The views from the 8 kilometer (5 miles) route are stunning. The area is home to a lot of flora and fauna including vultures and foxes. Keep an eye out and try to spot them!

Álora

Speaking of the Caminito del Rey, Álora is the nearest town to it and is worth spending some time exploring.

And even for those who are not walking the Caminito, Álora is very interesting. A white-washed village (pueblo blanco) cascading from craggy cliffs, and under an hour from Málaga city on Cercanías (commuter train), Álora makes a great day trip from the capital.

Perched high above Álora is a castle. Dating back to Visigothic times, the castle was also used by the Romans. But it was the Moors who most notably enhanced the walls and used it as their fortress, to guard the entire area. The views from the castle are incredible. And on the castle grounds is a church that was built on top of the old mosque. Very typical of Andalucía.

Right beneath the castle is the old Moorish neighborhood, small but pleasant for a stroll.

Álora’s small municipal museum has some interesting artifacts from the town, from the prehistoric periods to the Moorish times. And directly next to it is Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, which is the largest Catholic parish in Málaga province besides the cathedra in Málaga city.

Axarquía’s beautiful towns

The area of Axarquía is directly east of Málaga city. It is full of windy roads and beautiful whitewashed villages, get up into the hills and to Malaga off the beaten path.

Some of our favorites towns Comares, Almachar, Benaque, Sedella, Iznate, and tiny Totalán. But if we had to name one must-visit it would be Cómpeta.

The road up to Cómpeta is perfect for thrill-seekers. But the town itself is well worth any car-sickness one may come down with while getting there.

Perched in the Sierra de Tejeda mountains high above the Mediterranean, Cómpeta is the quintessential Andaluz white village, and with Mediterranean views of course.

The town is known for its sultry sweet wine, made from the Moscatel grapes which are grown in abundance around it. There is even an annual wine festival, celebrated in mid-August.

Take some time to stroll around charming Cómpeta, taking in the small plazas and beautiful vistas. You will need your own wheels to get there as well as to most of the villages in the Axarquía region.

Nerja: the beach town in Málaga province we love

We can’t really talk about Malaga province without suggesting at least one beach town. The beach towns west of Malaga city tend to have a lot of concrete apartment blocks and mass tourism. But if you head west to almost the border with Granada province, you will find Nerja, our favorite beach town in Málaga province.

Nerja is a quiet(er) beach town that has managed to maintain its Spanish charm. With whitewashed buildings, sandy beaches, and the opportunity to explore caves (you can even rent a kayak!), Nerja is the beach town that you should visit on Costa del Sol.

As a bonus, just above Nerja and in the Axarquía, is Frigiliana, a quaint whitewashed village with stunning seascapes of the Mediterranean. Wander around its cobblestone streets slowly, stopping to take in the views. Be warned, it gets very popular with tourists, especially during high-season. But it’s a beautiful town worth visiting.

Looking for more about Málaga?

Be sure to also check out our guide to the top day trips from Málaga. Unlike the places on this list, not all of them are in Málaga province.

Where should I stay in Malaga Spain?

Well, we can’t answer that for YOU since we don’t know you (yet). There are so many options.

What’s your budget? What kinds of amenities do you want? What kind of neighborhood vibe of you looking for?

But we would love to get to know you and help you plan your trip to Málaga. Through our varying levels of Spain travel services, we can work with you to help you decide on where to stay in Málaga and how to structure your time there.

How can I logistically add Malaga Spain to my itinerary?

How many days should I spend in Malaga?

Should I fly into Malaga to start a trip to Andalucia?

How should I plan my day trips from Malaga?

What is the best way to include Malaga in a Spain travel itinerary?

These are just a few reasons why you should use a travel advisor to plan your trip to Spain.

Let us help you customize your dream Spain trip based on your unique interests and timeframe. 

You might also like our other in depth guides by region.

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