11 Incredible Day Tours from Malaga to Experience
Looking for the best day tours from Malaga? I’ve got some great options for you – read on for details!

Nestled along the sun-kissed Costa del Sol, Malaga effortlessly weaves together the charm of a historic port city with the allure of a modern Mediterranean destination.
Famous for its beaches, the unbelievably adorable Alcazaba, and being the childhood home of Picasso, Malaga has a lot to offer visitors.
Beyond the delights found in the city, Malaga also serves as a gateway to an array of fascinating day trips.
In anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, you can admire the stunning architectural ensemble of Granada’s Alhambra or the massive New Bridge in Ronda. You explore the white-washed pueblos blancos characteristic of Southern Spain, or visit one of Spain’s famous vineyards.
The day tours from Malaga we highlight in this post are some of the best experiences to have in Spain, and promise a diverse tapestry of experiences for every traveler exploring this vibrant region.
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My Top 3 Picks: Day Tours from Malaga
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Granada + Alhambra
✔️ Tour around Granada
✔️ Explore the popular Alhambra
✔️ See the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife Gardens
#2 PICK
Cordoba
✔️ Witness the Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral
✔️ Visit the Jewish quarter
✔️ Walk across the Roman Bridge
#3 PICK
Frigiliana + Nerja
✔️ Main landmarks of Nerja
✔️Frigiliana’s historic center
✔️ Visit the old village of El Acebuchal
11 Unforgettable Day Tours from Malaga
1. Granada + Alhambra
⭐ Ratings: 4.60 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 8 hours
Granada is an exceptionally beautiful city in Andalucia, with the most mesmerizing past, and it is truly a must-do day trip from Malaga.
Granada is renowned for its stunning Alhambra complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was an ancient Arab city. You can spend several hours touring the Alhambra, as it includes multiple breathtaking palaces, the Generalife garden complex, the Alcazaba military fortress, and a village area.
Alhambra is one location where I really feel a guided tour is indispensable, even if it is technically possible to visit without a guide. You’ll learn all about the history of the palaces and city, as well as the interesting details about the people who lived there.
In this tour, you’ll drive the 1.5 hours from Malaga to Granada, then enjoy a 3-hour tour of the entire Alhambra and the Generalife gardens. Importantly, this tour includes the Nasrid Palaces, the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous part of the complex.
Then you’ll have another ~3 hours to explore Granada. You can visit attractions such as the Carmen de los Mártires gardens and the Granada Cathedral.
Alternatively, you can explore the historic Albaicin neighborhood (another UNESCO site), where narrow, winding streets and white buildings are almost stacked on each other up a hill.
Important: You MUST have your original driver’s license or passport with you to enter Alhambra.
In less than 10 hours we drove from Malaga to Granada, visited the Alhambra and its surroundings, had 2 hours to walk around the city and visit the Cathedral (impressive!) and return to Malaga.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – JACEK, TOUR REVIEW
👉Check prices and book a tour to Granada here
2. Cordoba
⭐ Ratings: 4.50 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 8 – 10 hours
Cordoba was one of my favorite cities in all of Southern Spain. The Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral was absolutely jaw-dropping, I loved the flower-lined streets all over the city, and the patios were so pretty and adorable.
On this day tour, you’ll drive 1 hour 45 minutes from Malaga, and then go on a walking tour of the old city. You’ll cross the Roman Bridge, admire the beautiful white buildings of the La Juderia neighborhood, visit the Alley of Flowers, and stop by the only synagogue in southern Spain.
You’ll then enjoy a guided tour of the Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral, the crowning jewel of Cordoba. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 987 by the Islamic Moors, and it was the second-largest mosque in the Muslim world at the time.
The Mosque is truly incredible and so massive, with more than 850 candy cane-striped double arches extending far in all directions. Pictures do not even come close to doing this beautiful building justice – it is stunning.
When Andalucia was re-conquered by the Christians, the mosque was converted into a cathedral. Thankfully, they left most of the structure alone, but did add a Christian altar and nave in the middle of the building and a small chapel along the back wall.
After the Mezquita tour concludes, you’ll have a couple of hours of free time to explore the city on your own. I’d recommend stopping by either the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, or visiting some of Cordoba’s enchanting patios (or both!)
Hanna our guide was amazing! Passionate and captivating! Full of information also given by our guide during transport. I highly recommend!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – GETYOURGUIDE TRAVELER, TOUR REVIEW
👉Check prices and book a tour to Cordoba here
3. Frigiliana + Nerja
⭐ Ratings: 4.85 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 7 hours
Southern Spain is famous for the white villages (or pueblo blancos) that dot the countryside. And while there are many, many gorgeous pueblos blancos, Frigiliana might be one of the prettiest in the entire region.
On this tour, you’ll get to visit both of these gorgeous pueblos blancos, only 1 hour from Malaga.
Frigiliana is a charming town is full of pristine, white buildings with colorful colors, potted plants dotting the streets, and beautiful designs in the cobblestoned lanes that fill the village. It’s also just a few kilometers removed from the coast, and multiple viewpoints from town overlook the Mediterranean.
The town of Nerja is about twice as big as Frigiliana and sits right on the coast just south of Frigiliana. The town is known for its beautiful beaches, the gorgeous “Balcony of Europe” viewpoint that overlooks the sea, and the nearby Nerja Caves.
Nerja was breathtaking especially with the outstanding historical explanation from Emilio. His passion was contagious. Frigiliana and Arcebuchal were also very interesting. Emilio explained the people, traditions, and importance of all three paces. Do not miss this tour!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – RONALDO, TOUR REVIEW
👉Check prices and book a tour to Frigiliana here
4. Caminito del Rey
⭐ Ratings: 4.80 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 6 hours
The Caminito del Rey offers a thrilling and unique hiking experience, leading you through the enchanting canyons of the Los Gaitanes and El Chorro Gorges high in the mountains of Andalucia.
On this hike of the Caminito, you’ll be equipped with a helmet and walk along a terraced boardwalk suspended against the canyon walls. Towards the end of the trail, you’ll cross a suspension bridge hung high between the canyon walls.
The views as you hike through the narrow gorge with a beautiful river running underneath are just insane!
Once dubbed the world’s most dangerous hike (though it is now, in reality, very safe), the fun factor of the hike is extremely high.
On this tour, you’ll drive one hour from Malaga into the mountains to the start of the gorge. Here, you’ll get a safety briefing and equipment and begin the hike. The hike is very gentle, easy, and fairly flat, with sometimes just a slight downhill slant.
Your guide will pause along the way to offer insights into the canyon’s distinctive features, point out interesting plants and animals you will see, and share interesting details of the gorge’s history.
Spanning just over 5 km (around 3 miles), the hike takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete, concluding at the village of El Chorro, where you’ll hop back on the bus and return to Malaga.
A guided excursion to the Caminito del Rey is a great option, as you learn a lot about the gorge and how it came to be, and you don’t have to deal with the logistics of getting there.
Beyond that, standalone hiking tickets for the Caminito often sell out swiftly, sometimes weeks in advance, so a guided tour may be your only option to visit!
We had a fantastic day. We thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. The trip was really well organised.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – KAREN, TOUR REVIEW
👉Check prices and book a tour to Caminito del Rey
5. Seville
⭐ Ratings: 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 9 hours
Seville is one of my favorite cities in Europe – the whole city is just ridiculously beautiful, and is full of fascinating things to see and do. It’s the capital of Andalucia, and is definitely a must visit destination from Malaga.
This private tour for just you and your group gives you the undivided attention of your guide and the opportunity to customize your day according to your preferences.
From Malaga, you’ll drive just over 2 hours to reach Seville, where you’ll embark on your exploration of the city. You’ll visit most of the top highlights in Seville, including the enormous Sevilla Cathedral, and the intricate La Giralda bell tower.
You’ll walk through the historic El Barrio neighborhood, admiring the colorful buildings, cobblestoned lanes, and Islamic architecture from when the Moors controlled Andalucia.
The biggest attraction that you’ll visit is the Real Alcazar, a gorgeous Islamic palace filled with intricate tilework, pointed archways, fountains, and symmetry. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a must do in Seville.
You’ll also swing by the beautiful Plaza de Espana (pictured above), one of my personal favorite spots in Seville, a large plaza packed with intricate and beautiful details.
The entire day, you’ll benefit from traveling with a local guide who will take you around to the best spots and share interesting information about everything you’re seeing.
It’s really impressive how much we have seen and learned within a day, especially the Alcazar was a must-visit.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – GETYOURGUIDE TRAVELER, TOUR REVIEW
👉Check prices and book a tour to Seville here
6. Ronda + Setenil de las Bodegas
⭐ Ratings: 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 7 – 9 hours
This unforgettable tour takes you to two other iconic pueblo blancos (white villages) that dot the countryside. These towns are literally painted completely white and are incredibly charming, and are often situated on hilltops or against cliffs.
On this tour, you’ll visit the most unique white village in Spain: Setenil de las Bodegas, as well as a larger town: Ronda.
In Setenil de las Bodegas, large parts of the city are built into the surrounding cliff walls, making it one of the most surprising and unusual villages you will ever visit. Streets have rocky overhangs covering them, and buildings are built directly into the rocks, like caves.
Ronda is a larger town home to a famous Spanish attraction: the massive Puente Nuevo Bridge that spans the El Tajo Gorge. This bridge, completed in the late 1700’s, is 322 feet tall (98 meters) and connects the old town and the new town on either side of the gorge.
This is one of the most impressive feats of engineering you will see in all of Spain, and it’s absolutely worth coming to Ronda to admire the bridge from above and below.
From Malaga, you’ll drive just over an hour to reach Setenil, and then just another 20 minutes to Ronda. In both cities, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the top attractions and points of interest.
Loved both of our destinations, both truly unique. Well worth a visit. Our tour guide was fabulous, very informative and knowledgeable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – LYNNE, TOUR REVIEW
👉Check prices and book a tour to Ronda here
7. Marbella + Mijas
⭐ Ratings: 4.70 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 8 hours
Mijas and Marbella are both towns not far from Malaga, but give you a different experience on the Costa del Sol. Drive 30 minutes to the charming Mijas, a small white village nestled up on a hillside, overlooking the Mediterranean.
Then travel onward to Marbella, a popular, upscale resort town right on the sea. The city has gorgeous beaches, a lovely old town filled with beautiful buildings, and plenty of luxury and boutique shopping opportunities.
Your last location for this guided tour is a quick stop at Puerto Banus, a port that docks luxury yachts.
Great tour, will definitely recommend as you get to see 3 beautiful places so you can decide which one to go back for a longer visit . Mijas was the highlight for me.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – sepideh, tour review
👉Check prices and book a tour to Marbella and Mijas here
8. Wine Tour
⭐ Ratings: 4.99 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 4 hours
On this top-rated day tour from Malaga, you’ll have the opportunity to visit one of Spain’s best vineyards and enjoy a day in the idyllic Spanish countryside.
From Malaga, you’ll travel about 30 minutes into the countryside to a local vineyard. Here, you’ll learn about how the grape vines are grown and cultivated, as you stroll through the vines.
Then you’ll stop by the cellar and learn about how the wine is produced and how different varieties are created.
And of course, at the very end, you’ll relax on the patio as you enjoy a wine tasting of 5 different wines and traditional tapas.
This is a very small group tour, which allows for a much more intimate and personable setting, and your guide is a particular highlight of the trip, making it fun and enjoyable and sharing plenty of interesting stories, history, and anecdotes.
Great experience, enjoyed the vineyard visit a lot! Rodrigo was very knowledgeable, told us so many interesting facts about history if Malaga and wine making, was very engaging and made the trip really fun! The highlight of the holiday!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – ksenia, tour review
👉Check prices and book a Malaga wine tour here
9. Traditional Spanish Cooking Class
⭐ Ratings: 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Experiencing the distinct cuisine of Spain and Andalucia is such a big part of visiting the region. What better way to really have an immersive experience than at an intimate, gourmet cooking class at the cutest little countryside olive farm in the hills near Malaga?
This tour is a little bit different, as round-trip transportation is not provided, and the cooking class is about a 30-minute drive from Malaga. It’s not too hard to get there though! (and definitely worth it).
You can either hire a taxi or take the bus that regularly serves the village. Get details on transit options here.
During this class, you’ll use fresh, homegrown ingredients to prepare a sumptuous 4-course meal of traditional and seasonal dishes, while sampling locally produced olive oil and sherry.
When the meal is cooked and ready, you’ll all eat together out on the idyllic patio, overlooking the valley below.
Your host is warm and happily welcomes you to her house, and provides you with recipes when you leave so you can recreate them at home.
A breathtaking setting in the mountains, this is an experience not to be missed. Hosted by Lynsey Drake and husband Alan, our family felt welcomed from the moment we arrived. Our 3.5 hour class was customized to our needs- having one vegetarian daughter.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – a tripadvisor reviewer, tour review
👉Check prices and book a Spanish cooking class here
10. Buggy Tour in the Sierra de Mijas
⭐ Ratings: 5 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 3 hours
Like the cooking class above, this buggy tour is near Malaga, but does not provide transportation to and from Malaga. You’ll need to take a taxi or Uber to the meet-up point, which is at the base of the Sierra de Mijas mountains which are just 30 minutes to the west of Malaga.
The effort to get there is definitely worth it, though, as this tour is exceptionally fun and adventurous. Hop in your 2 person off-road buggy as you explore the backcountry, as you cross dried riverbeds, pass by bamboo fields, and see an old talc quarry, viewing beautiful scenery along the way.
This is a great way to see different views and have a thrilling, off-the-beaten-path experience in Southern Spain.
Me and my brother booked the 3 hour tour with bigfoot buggy tours and had a great time. Very friendly owners who would happily take some photos of us. The route was great with almost no other traffic and a couple of great stops with amazing views. Thanks for this experience!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – a tripadvisor review, tour review
👉Check prices and book a Sierra de Mijas buggy tour here
11. El Saltillo Gorge and White Village Hiking Tour from Malaga
⭐ Ratings: 4.80 of 5 stars | ⏳ Tour Time: 6 hours
The final day tour from Malaga on our list is a gorgeous, scenic hike that is a bit of a hidden gem in southern Spain. Drive 1 hour from Malaga to a small white village in the mountains, and then commence your hike into the Natural Park of Sierra Alhama.
Hiking time is about 5 miles (8 km) and takes about 3.5 hours, and it’s considered a moderate hike. You’ll stop at sweeping viewpoints for pictures, learn about plants and animals in the region, and make a stop by a small pool for a quick dip and a picnic lunch.
This is a wonderful, top-rated experience for getting out into nature and exploring a beautiful village and canyon.
It was a great hike to a mountain waterfall and swimming hole, where a picnic was provided. I highly recommend this hike and any other by Malaga Activa!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – becky, tour review
👉Check prices and book an El Saltillo Gorge hiking tour here
The Best Day Tours from Malaga – The Wrap Up
Malaga is a fantastic starting point for a variety of rewarding day trips, each providing distinct cultural experiences and scenic views.
Whether exploring Cordoba’s historical mosque, enjoying Ronda’s breathtaking bridges, or marveling at Granada’s palaces, these day tours add an extra layer of excitement to your Malaga getaway.