Malaga not only has beaches, museums and an extraordinary gastronomy, but it is one of the most mountainous Spanish cities. You will be surprised by everything you can find here: rivers that you can walk through, waterfalls, lakes, white villages, castles… Malaga has a lot to offer, and in this incredible region you will find a great variety of landscapes that will make your trip unforgettable. Here you can find a list of all the charming villages within your reach in the surroundings.
The towns around Málaga have it all: they have monumental heritage, incredible landscapes, art and culture. If you want to get to know these beautiful villages of Malaga on your next holidays, you will need a car that will make your journey from a place to another easier. But chances are that you don’t have a car that you can use there -specially if you come from other country than Spain, so the best option is to rent one. If you wish to rent a car for you and your family, the leader company in the car hire Malaga sector is Marbesol, where you will find the vehicle that suits your needs best. This way, you will ensure your autonomy during your trips and you will not depend on other public or private transport.
You can make your reservation online or by telephone prior to your arrival, specifying the date and time of collection and return. The collection of the vehicle may be either at Malaga airport or Marbella. Marbesol guarantees a good service that will satisfy your needs and will allow you to have a nice, comfortable trip while discovering some of the most charming villages of Malaga -which are listed below.
Marbella
This town offers much more than celebrities, beach parties, Puerto Banus and VIP nights. In addition to leisure, sun and luxury yachts, there is much more to see in Marbella. It has a historic old town that retains the charm of a typically Andalusian small town, archaeological evidence that recalls its Roman origins and Arabic past, and a natural world yet to be discovered.
Ronda
Surrounded by exuberant river valleys and perched on a deep ravine, Ronda is a place that leaves you breathless when you visit for the first time. It has vestiges of prehistoric settlements dating from the Neolithic period (including the cave paintings of the Pileta Cave) and 13th century Arab baths that are considered the best preserved in the whole country.
It also stands out for its famous Maestranza bull arena, one of the oldest and most picturesque in Spain where the popular 19th century bullfights known as “Las Goyescas” were held. Other attractions of this incredible place are the Tajo de Ronda, the Puente Nuevo or the Balcón del Coño, which owes its vulgar -and untranslatable- name to the most repeated expression when visitors look down the 150m fall beneath it.
Antequera
Antequera has historical heritage from the prehistoric period -the Dolmens of Antequera- and from the Muslim period. In the surroundings of Antequera, there is one of the most surprising natural places in Malaga, El Torcal de Antequera. This Natural Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of those areas that every hiking lover should walk sometime in life. But if we have to talk about a symbol that really represents Antequera that is the Peña de los Enamorados, scene of a legend of impossible love between a Muslim princess and a Christian warrior -kind of the andalusian “Romeo and Juliet”.
Vélez – Málaga
This town is located in a fertile plain that contains valuable natural sites such as the Sierra de Tejeda. It also has a Muslim fortress from the 10th Century which was one of the most important of the Kingdom of Granada.
Nerja
Nerja is another of the most beautiful villages in Málaga. The views from the Balcony of Europe are, without a doubt, one of the best views of the Andalusian coastline. An essential place to visit is the Caves of Nerja. It is an Asset of Cultural Interest and the fourth most visited natural monument in Spain. And, of course, don’t forget to visit the surroundings of Nerja. In this area, there are some of the beaches of Malaga, such as Playa de Burriana or Playa Maro. Also, if you like nature, you can take the River Chíllar Route, an upstream walk to reach a beautiful waterfall.
Frigiliana
Located on the slopes of a mountain, this medieval village is a postcard image of Arab architecture. The old town is preserved intact and shows a typical Moorish centre, with a labyrinth of steep and winding alleys that go up the hill. It stands out especially for its white houses adorned with colorful flowerpots and doors.