Destination: Malaga

Beyond its urban life, museums and best-known beaches, Malaga hides a more natural and surprising coastline. There are coves with transparent waters, Mediterranean cliffs, kayak routes and seascapes where the province reveals its wilder side.

The other Malaga begins by looking east

Malaga usually makes an immediate impression on the senses: the light over the Alcazaba, the bustle of the historic centre, grilled sardines by the sea, museums, terraces, and sunset strolls. It is a city that knows how to enjoy the outdoors and invites you to stay. However, if you look east and follow the coast towards Nerja, you will discover a different Malaga: bluer, more rugged and more silent.

As the province approaches Granada, the landscape changes. The beach gives way to ravines, cliffs, small coves and crystal-clear waters. The Mediterranean becomes rockier, deeper and more vibrant. And between Nerja, Maro and Cerro Gordo lies one of the Andalusian coast’s greatest natural treasures: the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Area.

This protected area stretches around 12 kilometres from Nerja in Malaga to Almuñécar in Granada. It is not just a succession of beautiful beaches; it is a strip of land and sea of great ecological value, with cliffs, coves, caves and rich seabed biodiversity, offering a unique way to experience the sea.

Nerja and Maro, gateway to the natural coastline

Nerja is the most convenient starting point for exploring this wild side of Malaga. Known for the Balcón de Europa, its beaches and its famous caves, the town has a bright Mediterranean feel that makes it an excellent base for a summer escape. From Malaga city, it can be reached in about one hour by car, making the trip an easy day plan.

Very close by lies Maro, a small white village surrounded by crops, ravines and the sea. Its peaceful size contrasts with the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscape. You can access some of the most attractive beaches and routes in the natural area from here, and many kayaking and snorkelling activities also depart from this location, offering a unique perspective of the cliffs from the water.

The charm of this area lies in its unique combination of features: simple villages, a very clean sea, vertical cliffs and a Mediterranean coastline that still harbours a sense of mystery, even in the heart of the Costa del Sol.

Maro beach: the essential classic

Maro beach is one of the best-known in the area, and with good reason. Set between rocky walls and greenery, with clear waters and a more natural than urban atmosphere, it is an ideal place to get a feel for the area.

Its reputation has grown considerably in recent years, so it is best to go early in summer. It is not a huge beach nor one designed for large crowds, and part of its charm lies in enjoying it in peace and quiet. The landscape is special from the shore, but the experience is completely different when seen from the sea: the cliffs rise all around, caves appear and rocky corners and small inlets come into view that go unnoticed from land.

This is why Maro is also one of the most popular spots for kayaking. Paddling alongside the cliffs and stopping in secluded spots to take in the views from the water offers a different, more immersive perspective. On calm days, this route can be one of the highlights of the trip.

El Cañuelo: a cove for slowing down

Further towards the border with Granada lies El Cañuelo beach, another of the area’s gems. Surrounded by nature, it boasts crystal-clear waters and an ideal seabed for snorkelling. The sea here invites you to swim slowly and look beneath the surface to discover fish, rocks and underwater meadows.

To protect the environment and avoid overcrowding, access is regulated in high season, so it is worth checking before you go. It is precisely this regulation that helps preserve the character of the place. El Cañuelo is not an urban beach, so you need to plan your visit accordingly, accept that you may need to walk or use authorised transport to get there, and be aware that you are entering a sensitive natural space.

The reward is a landscape of clear water, rock formations and Mediterranean scrubland, perfect for those looking for an unconventional beach experience. There’s no need to do much: just swim, put on your snorkel mask, dry off in the sun, and admire the cliffs for a perfect plan.

Molino de Papel: history, ravines and sea

Another interesting place to visit is the Molino de Papel beach near Maro. Less accessible than other beaches, it is therefore quieter and retains a more rugged feel. Its name recalls the old paper factory that once stood in the area, adding another historical layer to the landscape. Here, the surroundings feel less domesticated, with ravines, vegetation, stones, ruins and the sea. It’s not the most convenient beach for spending the whole day, with all the necessary amenities, but it’s one of the most evocative for those who enjoy places with character. It is a good place for a short visit, a walk or a swim if the conditions are favourable.

As in the rest of the natural area, it is important to check access routes and respect the signs. Some areas are particularly sensitive, and summer requires even more care due to the risk of fire, high visitor numbers, and the need to protect a landscape that cannot absorb everything.

Kayaking and snorkelling: discovering the coast from the water

The best way to experience the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo is to get close to the sea. From land, the landscape is impressive; from the water, it reveals itself. Kayak routes allow you to skirt rocky walls, explore sheltered coves and witness the mountains plunging directly into the Mediterranean. Some excursions pass close to caves, small waterfalls and areas where the water is green or turquoise. Depending on sea conditions, the season and the day’s weather, even a simple route offers the gentle adventure that summer is all about: physical activity, nature, swimming and beautiful scenery.

Snorkelling is another great option. The rocky areas and the protected marine environment mean that there is more visible underwater life here than on other sandy beaches along the coast. You don’t need to be an expert; all you need is goggles, a snorkel, caution and a desire to explore slowly. That said, it is best to avoid touching the seabed, rocks, or marine life. The golden rule is to observe without interfering.

The best option for guided activities is to book with authorised local companies that are familiar with the regulations, sea conditions and suitable areas for each level. As well as being safer, this approach can help to conserve the environment when practised well.

Watchtowers and Mediterranean landscapes

The natural area’s appeal is not confined to the water. The cliffs are part of a Mediterranean landscape where history, geology and vegetation converge. Old watchtowers, built to monitor the coastline during times of attack and for defensive navigation, appear along the coast. Today, they offer stunning sea views.

The Torre de Maro, the Cerro Gordo area, and the cliff-top viewpoints offer spectacular vistas of the rugged coastline where the blue waters of the Mediterranean meet rock, pine forests, and ravines. On clear days, the light is intense and the landscape appears almost mineral, with shades of white, green, blue and ochre.

A day plan from Malaga city

A simple plan could involve starting the day early in Malaga city and driving towards Nerja or Maro. The morning is ideal for kayaking or snorkelling before the sun becomes too strong and the number of visitors increases. Afterwards, have lunch in Nerja or somewhere nearby, where you can enjoy seafood, fresh salads and fish, or something light that won’t interrupt the rhythm of the day. In the afternoon, the most tempting option is to choose a secluded cove for a peaceful dip: Maro is an accessible classic, El Cañuelo has a more natural atmosphere and Molino de Papel has a more rugged landscape.

Before returning to Malaga at the end of the day, it is worth stopping at a viewpoint or heading to the Balcón de Europa in Nerja. The contrast between the town, the open sea and the cliffs stretching east sums up the experience beautifully, offering both a luminous and a wild Malaga.

If you’re not travelling by car, you can reach Nerja by bus from Malaga. You can also organise transfers or activities with local companies from there, although this requires more preparation. In summer, it is almost always a good idea to book in advance.

Malaga, with a taste of salt and rock

This escape reveals that Malaga has more to offer that its capital or its most urban beaches. Just a short distance from the city centre, the province boasts a coastline of cliffs, coves and crystal-clear waters where the Mediterranean feels more free. Between Nerja and Maro, the texture of summer changes. It becomes bluer, more mineral and more silent. Here, summer is measured in gentle paddles, swims among rocks, and paths leading to secluded coves and vantage points where the sea seems endless.

Prepare to discover that, close to the well-known Costa del Sol, there is a wild coast that deserves to be experienced at a relaxed pace and treated with respect.

In addition to its exceptional cultural offering and spectacular beaches, Málaga province is full of hidden treasures, boasting countless landscapes with outstanding natural beauty. One of the best known is the famous Caminito del Rey (King’s Path).

Got a few spare days and want to enjoy some good weather surrounded by nature? If so, keep reading, because this guide has everything you need to know to visit the Caminito del Rey in Málaga: where to find it, how to get there and even accommodation recommendations should you decide to extend your Málaga getaway.

What is Caminito del Rey?

The Caminito del Rey is an aerial walkway, barely a metre wide, which was built between 1901 and 1905 parallel to the walls of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes natural park, 100 metres above the Guadalhorce river.

Along its 3-kilometre span, the Caminito del Rey passes through three significant Málaga towns (Álora, Antequera and Ardales), leading many geographers to claim that Caminito del Rey could be considered the geographic centre of Málaga province.

As well as its central location and the fact that it is one of the most spectacular natural settings on the Costa del Sol, since it was opened in 2015, Caminito del Rey has become one of the province’s most popular tourist attractions, welcoming over 300,000 visitors each year.

Where does Caminito del Rey get its name?

Over recent decades, all sorts of urban legends have surrounded this unique feat of engineering seeking to explain the origin of Caminito del Rey, some more accurate than others.

Málaga’s historical archives, however, show that Caminito del Rey was built due to the need to join (with a shorter route) the Salto de El Chorro and the Salto del Gaitanejo waterfalls, two important installations of Sociedad Hidroeléctrica del Chorro, a company today known as Endesa.

According to myth, Caminito del Rey was built by prisoners on death row, who risked their life in the hope of reducing their sentences. The truth, however, is that Caminito del Rey was built by local sailors who (used to hanging from the ropes on their vessels) were unfazed by working suspended in the air, held only by ropes anchored to clifftop.

Choosing the name of this spectacular walkway was much easier than building it. On 21 May 1921, King Alfonso XIII travelled to Málaga province to open the Presa del Conde del Guadalhorce (today popularly known as the Playa de Ardales beach). To do so, he needed to cross the walkway, and it was from that point that the locals started to call the path the “Caminito del Rey”, and the name has stuck to this day.

Where is Caminito del Rey?

El Caminito del Rey is located in the centre of the province of Malaga, at a distance of:

• 40 km from Malaga city
• 45 km from Antequera
• 50 km from Marbella
• 70 km from Ronda

How to get there?

• By car: From Malaga, take the A-357 towards Ardales and follow the signs to El Chorro.
• By train: From Malaga-Maria Zambrano station there are trains to El Chorro, from where you can take a shuttle bus.
• By bus: There are organised excursions from different points on the Costa del Sol.

How to visit Caminito del Rey

There are essentially two ways to visit Caminito del Rey: by yourself or with a guided tour.

We recommend an excursion or guided tour of Caminito del Rey, for several reasons:

• It is easier to get tickets.
• As well as your entry ticket, the guided tour includes an expert guide to accompany you and explain the curiosities and lesser known facts on the history, geography and biodiversity of Caminito del Rey.
• If you book an excursion to Caminito del Rey (available from different towns in Málaga), you can save time and money as you won’t have to look for parking or wait in long queues to use the Caminito del Rey shuttle service.

However, if you’d prefer to visit Caminito del Rey by yourself, be aware of the following:

• Book tickets as soon as possible, particularly if you want to visit Caminito del Rey at the weekend or in peak season, i.e., spring or summer.
• On Wednesdays and Thursdays there tend to be fewer visitors to Caminito del Rey, so it is easier to get tickets for these days.
• Morning tickets sell out quicker than afternoons.

There is another option that not everyone is aware of: hotel + Caminito del Rey ticket packages are available. Most hotels near Caminito del Rey can access exclusive tickets for their guests, so this is a good option if general sale tickets are sold out.

The million dollar question: is Caminito del Rey dangerous?

Although for many years Caminito del Rey de Málaga was considered one of the most dangerous paths in the world, today the walkway has been completely restored and does not pose any danger to visitors. However, bear in mind that entry is not permitted for children under the age of 8 and that, given its height, we do not recommend a visit to Camino del Rey for people who suffer from vertigo.

Live the Caminito del Rey Experience!

Now that you know everything you need to know to visit the Caminito del Rey in Malaga, the only thing left to do is to enjoy this unique experience in a breathtaking natural environment. Plan your trip and go for a walk along this iconic path!

Whilst the Costa del Sol has established itself as a leading sun and sand tourist destination, the province of Málaga also has numerous natural spaces for its visitors to explore.

Of all of these, the best known are undoubtedly the Caminito del Rey (the King’s Path) and the Torcal de Antequera nature reserve, but you can also enjoy nature in the city of Málaga itself. 

Do you want to immerse yourself completely in nature without having to travel far? Well, read on, because this guide will tell you all you need to know for your visit to the Málaga Botanical Garden: where it is, how to get there, ticket prices and opening times. 

The history of the Garden

A romantic love story lies behind the origins of the Málaga Botanical Garden. In the mid-19th century, two well-known members of Málaga’s high society (Jorge Loring Oyarzábal and Amalia Heredia Livermore, Marquises of Casa Loring) got married and embarked on their honeymoon around Europe.

The honeymoon, lasting six months, gave them the chance to get to know each other better and also to indulge in one of their passions: botany. And so it was that, on their return to Málaga, they came laden with dozens of specimens of different plants and trees which they had been collecting as they travelled through Europe.

Once settled on their farm in the city of Málaga, the couple decided to employ the French gardener Jacint Chamousset, who would gradually turn their farmland into a beautiful English-style botanical garden.

The garden began to increase in size and in the number of herbaceous specimens, until (due to financial problems) the Marquises Loring-Heredia were forced to sell the farm to the Echevarría family.

This family, originating from Bilbao, enchanted by the diversity of the plants in the garden, decided to continue extending it (creating new areas such as the Arroyo de la Ninfa, the Avenida de Palmeras and El Mirador) until the La Concepción Botanical Garden was eventually purchased in 1990 by Málaga City Council and opened to the public in 1994.

How to plan your visit to the Málaga Botanical Garden

The Málaga Botanical Garden (known locally as the Finca de la Concepción) is not only one of the best places to see in the city of Málaga, but it’s also one of the prettiest tropical gardens in Spain. It’s no wonder, as the garden boasts more than 25,000 plants consisting of 2,000 different species, as well as archaeological remains, statues, ponds, waterfalls and greenhouses. 

Basically, there are two ways of visiting the Málaga Botanical Garden: independently or on a guided tour. You can book a guided tour in advance or at the ticket office at the entrance to the garden. 

Visiting the Málaga Botanical Garden independently

Given the layout of the plants and trees in the Málaga Botanical Garden, visitors can choose to take different routes or paths when visiting independently.
That way, you can explore the garden by following a scientific criterion, whereby the plants are grouped according to type:

• Aquatic plants
• Bamboos
• Baobabs
• Cacti and succulents
• Mediterranean flora
• Fruit trees and bushes
• Carnivorous plants, orchids and bromeliads
• Palms
• Primitive plants
• Ancient Málaga vines

Alternatively, you can also visit the garden by following set routes, some of the main ones being:  

• The viewpoint route.
• The forest route.
• The Around the World in 80 Trees route.
• The hibiscus route or walk.

In any event, whichever criterion you choose, we’d recommend you download the map of the Málaga Botanical Garden from the website onto your phone or ask for a hard copy at the entrance. That way, you won’t feel lost in the jungle!

Guided tours of the Málaga Botanical Garden

In our view, the best way of discovering the garden is by taking a guided tour, as you’ll be accompanied by an expert who will explain the key characteristics of each type of plant and tell you anecdotes, historical information and interesting facts about the garden that you wouldn’t know about otherwise.

The guided tours last an hour and a half and can be booked in advance by calling 951 926 180.

Opening times of the Málaga Botanical Garden

The Málaga Botanical Garden is open from Tuesday to Sunday as follows:

• From 1 April until 30 September: from 9.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
• From 1 October until 31 March: from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

When planning your visit, you should bear in mind that the garden is closed on Mondays throughout the year, as well as on 25 December and 1 January.

The Málaga Botanical Garden at night

As well as daytime access, you can also visit the garden at night on a guided tour. 

Night tour

The nighttime guided tours of the garden take place on Fridays (from October to March at 8 p.m.; from April to September at 9 p.m.). They last about an hour and a half and you can also book in advance by calling 951 926 180.

Concerts in the Málaga Botanical Garden

As part of the programme of events organised by the Málaga Brisa Festival, every year in the Málaga Botanical Garden various concerts are held by renowned artists from the national music scene, as well as local bands.

The last festival, for example, featured Soleá Morente, Elefantes, Los Muchachos, La Habitación Roja and Lagartija Nick. For more details, visit the website of the Costa del Sol Tourist Board.

Málaga Botanical Garden: useful information

Tickets

Tickets for the garden can be purchased in person from the ticket office. The entry fee varies according to the type of visitor:

• Standard price: €5.20.
• Concessions: €3.10. Available to Under 16s, large families, students under 26, retired visitors and pensioners, ‘Live Spanish in Málaga’ cardholders (students of Spanish) and Joven Junta Andalucía cardholders (for under 30s).

Guided tours (daytime and nighttime) are paid for separately. The price varies according to the number of people in the tour group. See here for guided tour rates. 

Is the Botanical Garden free?

You can visit the Málaga Botanical Garden free of charge on Sundays throughout the year as follows: 

• From 1 October until 31 March, from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
• From 1 April until 30 September, from 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

How to get to the Málaga Botanical Garden

The Málaga Botanical Garden is situated in the north of the city, about 5 km from the Old Town. 

To get there, you can either drive (there’s parking at the garden) or take public transport:

• Sightseeing Bus: The green route of the Málaga Sightseeing Bus stops at the Botanical Garden. 
• Urban Bus: The last stop on the No.2 route of the Málaga Transport Company (Empresa Malagueña de Transportes/EMT) is about 15 minutes’ walk from the Botanical Garden.

This practical guide for visiting the Málaga Botanical Garden is sure to have aroused your interest in this unrivalled natural space. Book a flight to Málaga and be amazed by this wonderful tropical garden!

Costa del Sol, with 160km of beaches and more than 300 days of sunshine per year, does itself justice and is the ideal destination for any time of the year, even in the winter. 

Do you have a few free days and want to enjoy beautiful weather? Then keep reading, because we’ll be telling you about the best beaches in Málaga province where you can enjoy an unforgettable holiday swimming in the sea, sunbathing on the sand, and tasting the local sardines at the beach bar.

Romantic beaches

When they think about Málaga beaches, many people think of crowded Torremolinos or the famous Playa de la Malagueta in the city. However, the Málaga coastline is full of little beaches and hidden coves unknown to most travellers.

We think that the most romantic beaches in Málaga province are those in the Acantilados de Maro y Cerro Gordo Natural Park in Nerja. These three are our favourites:

Maro beach

With lush vegetation and crystal-clear waters, this beach is ideal for snorkelling or kayaking. It is about 500m long and 20m wide, and the parking area is not too large, so you should get there early, particularly on weekends and in July and August.  

Cala del Pino

This unspoilt beach, only 350m long, is hidden among cliffs, which makes it cosy and quiet. The beach has to be reached on foot, and the paths are quite steep, which means that there is hardly anyone there, even in the summer. 

Alberquillas beach

Its underwater caves and clean, transparent waters are wonderful for scuba diving and snorkelling. However, there aren’t usually many swimmers, which is why you will find some nudists too.

If you don’t feel like moving around a lot, you can also find romantic spots on some beaches in Málaga city. One good example is Peñón del Cuervo beach, where you can enjoy a stunning sunset in almost complete solitude. 

Idyllic beaches

If you are not really a romantic or just want to enjoy a quiet day on the beach in a natural environment, we recommend Punta Chullera beach in Manilva and Cabopino beach in Marbella. 

The former is considered one of the best beaches on Costa del Sol, due to its environmental and landscape richness and its good state of preservation.

The latter, about twenty kilometres from Málaga city centre, is surrounded by vegetation and moving dunes (Artola Dunes), which were declared a Natural Monument by the Regional Government of Andalusia in 2001.

Kid-friendly beaches

Costa del Sol is internationally known as one of the best tourist destinations for families, and it offers many suitable beaches for children. Practically all coastal towns have a beach adapted to accommodate the little ones.

Even though it depends on taste, we think that the best beaches for children in Málaga province are Malapesquera beach in Benalmádena (it offers one of the widest range of leisure and sports activities in Costa del Sol) and Burriana beach in Nerja, which, in addition to having a scuba diving centre and a boat rental service, has won the Tourism Quality “Q” award several times. 

Dog-friendly beaches

If your pet is part of your family, Costa del Sol is your ideal holiday destination. Málaga is the Andalusian province with the highest number of dog-friendly beaches. So you can find beaches to swim with your pet along the Málaga coastline:

• Playa de Torrox (Torrox)
• Playa de Torre del Mar (Torre del Mar, Vélez Málaga)
• Playa de Arroyo Totalán (Málaga city)
• Playa de Arroyo Hondo (Benalmádena)
• Playa del Castillo (Fuengirola)
• Playa El Pinillo (Marbella)
• Playa Ventura del Mar (Nueva Andalucía, Marbella)
• Playa de Piedra Paloma (Casares)

Even though you will be able to play with your pet on all these beaches, only two of them (Arroyo de Totalán and Torre del Mar) are officially authorised by the Regional Government of Andalusia, i.e., you can’t swim in some coastline areas.

Nudist beaches

The nudist situation on Costa del Sol beaches is similar. Even though there are some official nudist beaches in Málaga province, others are nudist just through an official agreement among bathers, or, otherwise: nudists and non-nudists live in harmony, regardless of municipal regulations. 

In any case, these are the beaches where you can go nude on the Costa del Sol: 

• Cala del Pino (Nerja)
• Playa de Almayate (Vélez-Málaga)
• Playa de Guadalmar (Málaga city)
• Playa de Benalnatura (Benalmádena)
• Playa de Playamarina (Mijas)
• Playa de Artola-Cabopino (Marbella)
• Playa de Arroyo Vaquero (Estepona)

Almayate beach is the largest nudist beach in Málaga, and one of the best-known and most visited in Andalusia. 

Even though it is only 8km from the town of Vélez-Málaga, it is a practically unspoilt beach, so it has no promenade and hardly any services. But if you want to enjoy the full experience, you can stay at that Almanat Naturist Camping Site by the beach, which is considered one of the best camping sites on Costa del Sol. 

We are sure that you will find something to your liking on this route through the best beaches in Málaga province, so – grab your swimsuit and book a flight to Costa del Sol!