Málaga is a brilliant base for a family holiday, but some of the best memories are made an hour or so down the road: a cave full of giant stalactites, a hilltop town with a gorge running through it, wolves in the hills behind Antequera or monkeys on the Rock of Gibraltar. This guide covers 12 day trips from Málaga that work well with children, with honest notes on ages, travel times and whether you can do them without a car.
Day trips from Málaga with kids at a glance
| Place | Best for ages | Area | Type | Getting there | Price guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nerja and the Nerja Caves | All ages | East coast | Caves, beach | Bus or car, about 1hr | € |
| Frigiliana | 4+ | East coast | White village | Car, or bus via Nerja | Free |
| Benalmádena | All ages | West coast | Cable car, marina | Train, 25 mins | €€ |
| Fuengirola and Bioparc | All ages | West coast | Zoo, beach | Train, 45 mins | €€ |
| Mijas Pueblo | 3+ | West coast | White village | Bus via Fuengirola, or car | Free |
| El Torcal de Antequera | 5+ | Inland north | Nature, hiking | Car, about 45 mins | Free |
| Antequera and the Dolmens | 6+ | Inland north | History | Train or car, under 1hr | Free or € |
| Lobo Park | 5+ | Inland north | Wildlife park | Car only | €€ |
| Caminito del Rey | 8+ | Inland north-west | Walkway, gorge | Car, or train to El Chorro | €€ |
| Ronda | 6+ | Inland west | Historic town | Bus, train or car, about 1hr 45 | Free or € |
| Selwo Aventura, Estepona | All ages | West coast | Safari park | Car | €€€ |
| Gibraltar | 5+ | South-west | Rock, apes, tunnels | Car or coach, about 2hrs | €€ |
Prices, opening days and age rules change, so always check the official website before you set off, especially outside the summer season.
Before you go, a few tips for day trips in Andalusia
A little local knowledge goes a long way when you're travelling with children here.
- Spanish lunch is late, usually from 14:00, and many small restaurants in villages don't serve food before 13:30. Pack snacks and plan your main meal around that.
- In smaller towns, shops and some sights close in the early afternoon for a few hours (the famous siesta), so morning is the best time for anything you need to buy or visit.
- From June to September, inland spots like Antequera, Ronda and El Torcal get very hot by midday. Start early and keep the afternoon for the beach or the pool.
- If you hire a car, book child seats in advance and check they fit before you leave the car park. Spanish law requires an approved child restraint for children under 1.35m.
- The local train (Cercanías line C1) runs from Málaga Centro-Alameda and the airport along the coast to Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola, and it's easy with a pushchair.
Day trips along the coast
Nerja and the Nerja Caves
Nerja is the classic family day out east of Málaga. Start at the Nerja Caves (Cueva de Nerja), a huge cavern with some of the biggest stalactite columns in the world. The visit takes around 45 minutes on a walkway with steps, so a baby carrier beats a pushchair. Afterwards, head into town for an ice cream on the Balcón de Europa, a palm-lined lookout over the sea, and finish on Burriana beach, which has calm water, a playground nearby and plenty of beach restaurants. Buses run from Málaga's main bus station and take about an hour and a quarter.
Frigiliana
Just above Nerja, Frigiliana is one of the prettiest white villages in Andalusia: steep cobbled lanes, flower pots on every wall and little tiled plaques telling the story of the village. Children enjoy spotting the plaques and climbing the stepped streets, though it's hard work with a pushchair. Combine it with Nerja on the same day.
Benalmádena
Benalmádena is an easy train ride from Málaga and packs a lot in. The cable car (Teleférico) climbs to the top of Monte Calamorro, where there are views across the coast and, depending on the season, bird of prey displays. Down at the marina (Puerto Marina) you'll find the Sea Life aquarium, boats to look at and plenty of places to eat. Selwo Marina, a small marine park with dolphins and penguins, is nearby but opens seasonally, so check its calendar.
Fuengirola and Bioparc
Fuengirola is the end of the C1 train line and home to Bioparc Fuengirola, one of the best zoos in Spain for younger children. Animals live in habitats recreating tropical forests, and the paths are shaded and pushchair-friendly. Plan two to three hours, then walk down to the long promenade and the beach. It's an excellent choice for a rainy-ish day, as much of it is under tree cover.
Mijas Pueblo
Up in the hills above Fuengirola, Mijas Pueblo is a white village with a small bullring, a chapel carved into the rock and gardens with views down to the sea. It's compact enough for little legs. Regular buses go up from Fuengirola. You may see donkey taxis in the village; many families now prefer to just walk.
Day trips inland
El Torcal de Antequera
El Torcal is a nature reserve of strange limestone rock formations that look like stacks of pancakes. There's a visitor centre with a viewpoint, and two marked walking routes from the car park: the short green route (about 45 minutes) is fine for children from about five, as long as they wear proper shoes. It's high up and can be cold and windy in winter, so pack an extra layer even if it's warm on the coast. You really need a car to get there.
Antequera and the Dolmens
Antequera, about 45 minutes north of Málaga, is home to the Dolmens of Antequera, huge prehistoric burial chambers that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Children are usually impressed by walking inside the Dolmen of Menga, built with enormous stone slabs thousands of years ago. The town also has a Moorish fortress (Alcazaba) with views over the plain. Fast trains run from Málaga to Antequera-Santa Ana station, but it's outside town, so a car is easier.
Lobo Park
On the outskirts of Antequera, Lobo Park is a wolf park where several kinds of wolves live in large woodland enclosures. Visits are guided, and children learn a lot about how the packs behave. There are also farm animals and other species. It's popular with families who've already done the coastal zoos. Check visiting times in advance, as tours run at set hours.
Caminito del Rey
The Caminito del Rey is a famous walkway clinging to the walls of a deep gorge near El Chorro. It's an unforgettable walk of about 7.7km including the access paths, but it has firm rules: children must be at least eight years old, everyone wears a helmet, and tickets sell out, especially at weekends and in school holidays. It isn't suitable for pushchairs or carriers. A few trains a day run from Málaga to El Chorro station, but most families drive.
Ronda
Ronda is built on top of a cliff split by a deep gorge, the Tajo, with the dramatic New Bridge (Puente Nuevo) spanning it. Children love peering over the viewpoints (hold hands, the drops are huge) and walking down the path to the bottom of the bridge for the view from below. The old town has a bullring with a museum and the Arab baths. Buses and trains connect Málaga and Ronda, though the drive is often quicker. Go in spring or autumn if you can.
Theme parks and a different country
Selwo Aventura, Estepona
Selwo Aventura is a safari-style park in the hills behind Estepona, with elephants, giraffes, rhinos and big cats, plus a safari truck ride included in the visit. It's a full day out, best with a car, and it opens seasonally, usually from spring to autumn. Check opening dates before planning around it.
Gibraltar
A day in Gibraltar is a fun change for British families: red post boxes, a familiar high street and, above all, the Barbary macaques at the top of the Rock. You can reach the Upper Rock by cable car or on a minibus tour, and visit St Michael's Cave and the Great Siege Tunnels. Keep food out of sight, as the monkeys are bold. Everyone needs a valid passport, and the border rules have been changing, so check the latest guidance before you travel. Allow about two hours each way by car, and leave early to avoid the border queues.
Which day trip suits your family
- With a baby or toddler in a pushchair: Fuengirola and Bioparc, Benalmádena, or Nerja town and beach.
- Without a car: Benalmádena and Fuengirola by train, Nerja and Mijas by bus.
- With nature-loving children aged five to ten: El Torcal, Lobo Park and Nerja Caves.
- With older children and teenagers: Caminito del Rey, Ronda and Gibraltar.
- On a hot summer day: Nerja (cave plus beach) or the coast. Save inland trips for spring, autumn and winter.
Meet local families on your trip
Day trips are even better with a tip from someone who lives there. With Woltica's travelling families circle, you can connect with Spanish families in Málaga before your holiday, swap recommendations and arrange a meet-up so your children can play with local kids. It's free to find out more and create your family profile.