There are a lot of hidden gems around the Costa del Sol. Many of these places are some of the best spots to take photos near Malaga. If you’re visiting Malaga centro you’ll be spoiled for choice with the amount of Instagram-worthy spots within the city. But what about the surrounding area?
While you’re in Malaga, you can’t miss the opportunity to take a day trip to another nearby town or village. I’ve come across a number of places to take photos near Malaga that are completely unique and worth driving to. Some of these are even easily accessible by public transportation if you haven’t rented a car in Malaga.
Whether you’re in the mood to explore some castles in the Province of Malaga, are interested in going on outdoor excursions, or simply want to walk around one of the many pueblos blancos in Andalucia, the area surrounding the city of Malaga has something for everyone. And if you want to see what other cities have to offer, both Granada and Cordoba aren’t too far away. Here are my top picks for the best places to take photos near Malaga.
Places to take photos near Malaga
Castillo Monumento Colomares
A short 30 minute drive from Malaga will bring you to the seaside town of Benalmadena. It’s a popular town and one of the best places to stay along the Costa del Sol for sun seekers. Other than its beaches and restaurants, Benalmadena is home to a unique monument built to commemorate the life of Christopher Columbus – Castillo Monumento Colomares.
Entry to this castle-like monument is €2.50, and you’ll get stunning views of the coastline in the distance from it. The monument was finished in 1994, and is filled with beautiful relief carvings in the stonework. Each one is meant to portray an important event in the life of Columbus. This is one of the most unique places to take photos near Malaga, and won’t take long to visit.
Estupa de la Iluminacion de Benalmadena
Another nearby point of interest in Benalmadena is Estupa de la Iluminacion de Benalmadena. This gorgeous stupa is the tallest stupa in all of Europe and is a must-see. It’s open daily and is completely free to enter – they even have meditation sessions that you can take part in.
The stupa also offers spectacular views of the Costa del Sol and is nice to watch the sunset from. There’s a parking area right next to the stupa, making it easily accessible for everyone. It’s by far one of my favourite places to take photos near Malaga.
Casa de los Navajas
Torremolinos is another popular spot along the Costa del Sol. Much like Benalmadena, most people stay or visit it for its beaches, bars, and restaurants. However, we came across a little hidden gem in Torremolinos while we were trying to find a parking spot near the beach. It turned out to be a fantastic location for photos near Malaga.
Casa de los Navajas is located just moments away from Playa del Bajondillo. It’s completely free to enter which is a bonus if you’re visiting southern Spain on a budget. This house was built in 1925 by a wealthy family who had ties to the sugar cane industry. It was designed in the neo-Mudejar style with its interior inspired by the Alhambra in Granada. It’s a fantastic place to take photos near Malaga. And since it’s only 5 minutes away from the beach you can easily add it to your itinerary.
Puerto Banus
Marbella is a beautiful town to visit, known for being a popular haunt of the rich and famous. There are a few different parts that make up Marbella such as the promenade where you can choose between a few different beaches, Marbella’s old town which is great if you want to explore the town’s history, and then you have Puerto Banus.
Puerto Banus isn’t for everyone, but it’s worth visiting at least once during your time in the Malaga area. This is where you’ll come across expensive cars, yachts docked in the marina, high-end fashion retailers, and the odd celebrity. It was built in 1970 by the same architect who assisted in the design of Beverly Hills. The aim was to attract the world’s wealthiest families all year round. It’s definitely a unique spot near Malaga to take photos at.
Mijas Pueblo
One of the prettiest white villages near Malaga you can visit is Mijas Pueblo. It’s located in the mountains, overlooking the Costa del Sol’s coastline, and is bursting with beautiful streets and historical spots. Mijas Pueblo has a history dating back to the pre-Roman period, and some of its medieval castle walls are still noticeable.
One of my favourite photo spots in Mijas Pueblo is at La Boveda del Flamenco. This is one of the most popular places to eat in Mijas because of its blue plant pots and umbrellas. As you walk through the village, you’ll have a number of other fantastic photo opportunities as well. It’s a great place to go on a day trip from Malaga.
El Torcal
If you love being outdoors, you won’t want to pass up the opportunity to visit El Torcal de Antequera. The limestone formations here are millions of years old and absolutely breathtaking. It’s considered to be one of the most unique places in Andalusia, not just within the Province of Malaga itself.
It takes just under an hour to drive from Malaga to El Torcal, and there’s free parking available on site (the trails are also free to hike on). Every corner of El Torcal is photo-worthy. During my second visit here I was even fortunate enough to see a herd of wild goats walking around. El Torcal is beautifully maintained, so if you’re planning on bringing something to eat please remember to take it back to the parking lot with you and throw it away in one of the garbage bins.
Cañada del Lobo
While El Torcal is an incredible place to go hiking, there are plenty of hiking trails closer to Malaga that offer incredible views. Cañada del Lobo is located in Torremolinos and it takes around 90 minutes to hike up to the top. The hiking trail is mostly a paved road through the mountains, so it’s a relatively easy hike to do. Once you get to the Cañada del Lobo viewpoint, you’ll be greeted by a pillar with a statue of a wolf howling on the top of it.
There are also plenty of places to sit at this viewpoint, so it might be worth taking something to eat and having a picnic once you reach the summit. This is a stunning place to take photos near Malaga during sunset as well (if you don’t mind hiking back down in the dark).
Paseo Maritimo el Cantal
Another coastal spot close to Malaga that’s great for taking photos at is the walking route along the Paseo Maritimo el Cantal, located in Rincon de la Victoria. This area is quite popular during the summer months because of its beaches, and you can walk between Playa Cala del Moral and Playa del Rincon de la Victoria through a series of walkways, steps, and man-made tunnels in the cliffs.
Along the route you’ll also come across a couple of religious shrines, such as the Virgen del Carmen, and a 14th century watchtower. This has so far been one of my favourite coastal spots near Malaga to take photos at, and I can’t wait to return on what will hopefully be a sunnier day.
There are plenty of unique places to take photos near Malaga but choosing a location depends on whether you’re a coastal lover or like to explore inland villages. If you’re like me, then you’ll want to head out and explore the many historical sites that southern Spain has to offer and hop between its medieval castles. The next time you visit Malaga, don’t forget to do some research for places to visit in the surrounding area – you’ll be surprised at how many hidden gems pop up.
Do you have a favourite spot near Malaga that you think should be added to my list? I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below – I’m always on the hunt for new photo spots! And if you don’t already, you can follow me on Instagram to keep up to date with my latest adventures.
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