The Costa del Sol is one of the most visited coastlines in Europe. Its near perfect annual weather, incredible food scene, and the almost unlimited number of beaches are just some of the things that attract visitors all year round. The Province of Malaga is filled with unique places to visit, from the historic centre of Malaga itself to inland white villages that are all easily accessible by car. If you’re the type of person who prefers to stay along the coast though, there are a number of beautiful coastal towns near Malaga to drive to as well.
Renting a car in Malaga
There are a lot of options when it comes to car hires in Malaga. The majority of companies are based around Malaga airport. We regularly rent a vehicle through Helle Hollis though. They’ve been operating in Malaga for decades and are a trusted rental company among visitors. They offer a free shuttle service to their main office, are open 24/7 for pickup and drop off, and have a much smaller insurance and fuel deposit than nearby competitors. You can even use their Fuengirola office at no extra cost.
During our week-long adventure exploring the Costa del Sol we rented an automatic VW T-Roc. We then changed to the VW Cabriolet so we could enjoy the nice weather while driving. Both are great vehicles to drive, with modern features inside and plenty of space for luggage. If you’re driving inland there may be some rough terrain so I would recommend using the VW T-Roc. Helle Hollis have both manual and automatic vehicles available to rent so you can choose the one that suits you the best.
Beautiful coastal towns near Malaga
With Malaga as your base you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to coastal towns along the Costa del Sol. Whether you drive east or west, you’ll come across a number of unique towns that each have something a little different to offer. Some of the best beach towns in Andalusia can be found near Malaga so make sure you get out and explore the coastline as much as possible. Here are some examples of coastal towns near Malaga that you should add to your southern Spain itinerary.
Nerja
Nerja is easily one of the most beautiful coastal towns near Malaga to drive to. As well as its dramatic beaches below the cliffs and the popular viewpoint known as Balcon de Europa, Nerja is famous for its quaint old town and enormous cave complex that stretches for almost 5 km. It’s very easy to plan a day trip to Nerja. In the off season it’s especially nice with significantly less tourists, although the water may be too cold for some people.
While you’re in Nerja, I would recommend at least a half-day trip to nearby Frigiliana – an inland white village that consistently ranks as the most beautiful village in Andalusia. The village is nestled in the hills so bring some good walking shoes and sunscreen.
Rincon de la Victoria
Located between Malaga and Nerja is Rincon de la Victoria. This small town is very popular for its beaches during the summer months, making it nearly impossible to park if you don’t arrive early in the morning. That being said, an alternative to spending time at the beach is to walk along the beautiful coastal route that sits between Playa Cala del Moral and Playa del Rincon de la Victoria. If you’re looking for towns near Malaga with impeccable beaches though, then Rincon de la Victoria is a nice option.
Torremolinos
One of the best beach towns near Malaga is Torremolinos. There are plenty of things to do in Torremolinos to keep you busy for a day or more which is why so many people choose to base themselves here. The old town is easily accessible from the waterfront and offers a wider selection of places to eat as well as some unique attractions.
If you have the time, taking a short drive to the Jardin Botanico Molino de Inca is a must-do in Torremolinos and it’s nice retreat from the busy town centre.
Benalmadena
Once a small fishing town, Benalmadena is now a tourist hotspot along the Costa del Sol. Despite its flourishing tourism industry, the old town still retains much of its original charm and is beautiful to walk through. The big draw to Benalmadena though is its coastline with beaches such as Playa Arroyo de la Miel and Playa de Carvajal being some of the best beaches in southern Spain.
Don’t forget to check out Castillo Monumento Colomares and the Stupa of Enlightenment which are two unique places to visit near Malaga that are easy to drive to.
Fuengirola
Fuengirola is a beautiful coastal town near Malaga with a history that predates the Romans. There are some great family-friendly activities to do in Fuengirola and it’s only a short drive from Benalmadena and Torremolinos so you can easily see at least two of these popular destinations in one day.
Other than the old town and its beaches, I would recommend visiting Castillo Sohail which has ample free parking spaces beneath it. On the outskirts of Fuengirola sits the Yacimiento Arqueologico Romano which is an incredible archaeological site that needs to be on any history oriented itinerary.
Marbella
A major coastal town along the Costa del Sol that can’t be missed is Marbella. This is where all of the celebrities and wealthy people like to frequent. If you really want to get a feel for the luxurious lifestyle in Marbella then you’ll want to stop by Puerto Banus. It’s a lovely area to walk around, especially at sunset, but don’t forget to visit Marbella’s old town as well.
The old town is where you’ll find a lot of boutique shops and locally run restaurants, as well as thousands of years worth of history to explore. The narrow streets here are magical, and during the Christmas period there’s a beautiful light display in one of the main plazas that’s nice to experience.
Estepona
One of the most beautiful coastal towns near Malaga has to be Estepona. It takes around an hour to drive here from Malaga’s city centre and sits halfway between Marbella and Gibraltar. Compared to other coastal towns along the Costa del Sol, Estepona offers a more tranquil setting despite its popularity with foreign visitors. It’s one of the less touristy beach towns in Spain but it still has a lot to offer in terms of attractions.
During the off season I would recommend exploring all that the old town has to offer. If you choose to spend more than a day here you can visit some nearby villages in Malaga too that are slightly more inland. There are a lot of options when it comes to day trips from Estepona.
Manilva
Sitting a short drive west of Estepona is the town of Manilva. It sits along the border of the Province of Cadiz and is often overlooked by tourists as it takes over an hour to drive to from Malaga. La Duquesa is one of my favourite areas here which boasts a beautiful castle and an archaeological museum as well as a stunning beach.
Castillo de la Duquesa is perfect to visit at sunset when there are less people around and you don’t have to fight for a place to park. From Manilva you can also visit other white villages in Malaga such as Casares and Gaucin.
Planning a road trip in Malaga
There are many more picturesque towns near Malaga to visit, but if you want to stay along the coast then these are some of the top places to drive to. During the summer season it’s important to arrive early in the morning to secure a parking spot as well as a place on the beach. In the off season, however, you’ll find a lot less tourists in the areas around Malaga so parking shouldn’t be an issue – unless it’s a hot and sunny weekend!
What do you think about these beautiful coastal towns near Malaga? If you have any questions about visiting the Province of Malaga or about renting a car in Malaga please get in touch by either leaving me a comment below or reaching out via email. You can also find me on Instagram and follow along with my travels for more helpful tips.
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