How to avoid the tourists during your visit to Malaga city?

Back in the 90s, Malaga was a very ugly, dirty and noisy city with trash in the streets, dilapidated buildings and pollution everywhere.

It has undergone a huge upheaval and is today a completely different city with beautiful pedestrian streets, newly renovated buildings, fancy restaurants and a wonderful atmosphere.

It has become a beautiful and modern city. Instead, it is now the tourist masses that are ruining the atmosphere…

Shortcuts:
Frequently asked questions about Malaga
Car rental at Malaga airport
Cool accommodation away from tourism in Malaga
The beach at Playamar, outside Malaga
Nature pool, Sierra de las Nieves, Malaga Province
The natural area of ​​El Torcal, in the province of Malaga
Wild flamingos in Malaga province
Flamenco Show in Malaga

 

 

Michael Madsen,
– sharing the authentic with you

One of the main attractions in Malaga is the Picasso Museum.

There are always an insane amount of tourists here – and a long queue to get in.

The museum is definitely worth a visit (buy tickets beforehand) – if you are interested in art!

But it is an art museum, so if you are not particularly interested in art, then skip the Picasso museum and avoid all the tourists there.

Instead, visit Picasso’s birthplace, which is located on Plaza de la Merced

It is much more interesting for those who are not particularly interested in art.

And there are far fewer tourists, although of course there are some here too. Tickets here.

 

The main shopping street in Malaga is called Calle Larios and it is a lovely place to walk.

There are many people here – both tourists and locals – but it is a wide street with plenty of space.

Here you can easily experience the beautiful Malaga and enjoy the atmosphere – without being particularly bothered by either tourists or traffic.

Also try to move into the many side streets and find a small tapas restaurant there.

Head towards Plaza Uncibay for a more local experience without the tourists.

Gibralfaro and Alzazaba de Malaga The Gibralfaro castle is definitely worth a visit – both for the experience itself and for the fantastic view of the city, the port and the bullring. Take the trip up through the Alcazaba – the old Arab ruins, which are also exciting to see.

Here you cannot avoid the tourists, but they spread out and it is therefore not so bad. Tickets here.

 

Avoid the port area Muelle Uno – it’s a tourist trap!

There is nothing local or traditional about the new-build port area – it is made purely for tourists.

Instead, take a walk through the Paseo del Parque park, which is right next to the port.

 

The local market in Malaga

A really good – and local – experience is to visit the city’s market building Mercado Central de Atarazanas.

Some tourists come here, but mainly it is the locals who come every morning to shop in the many stalls with meat, fish, vegetables and cheese.

There are also tapas bars and a good atmosphere here.

 

Finally, there is Malaga’s large and impressive cathedral There are of course many tourists here, but it is a huge cathedral, so they are evenly distributed. It is an experience despite the many tourists. Skip-the-line tickets here.

Just outside the city you will find the botanical garden La Concepción, which is quite amazing

Partly because it is beautiful and there are not so many tourists – partly because it has an exciting history as the place where lots of plants from Latin America were acclimatized for cultivation in Europe after the Spanish discovery and colonization of America.

 
 

Get a unique flamenco experience in Malaga city:

Flamenco show without food or drinks: Flamenco show with dinner included:

 
 

Other really good experiences in Malaga city:

 

 

 

Frequently asked questions about Malaga city

 

How to avoid the tourists in Malaga?

Malaga has become quite touristy over the last several years.

However, the tourists gather at the sights, at the harbour and around the main street, Calle Larios.

If you move into the small side streets, you will quickly escape from tourists.

And in the small streets there are lots of bars and restaurants with fantastic experiences – untouristy!

 

Is Malaga a nice city?

Yes, it has become so within the last 10-15 years.

Now you find beautiful, well-decorated shops and restaurants everywhere.

Some areas – e.g. the district SOHO – has become downright ‘hip’ with smart cafes, patio heaters and specially imported coffee.

Other areas have definitely become tourist traps. This applies, for example, to ´Muello Uno´ at the port, which is specially designed for cruise tourists.

 

Is Malaga a city break?

Yes. Malaga is a big city for good and bad.

There is also beaches right by the city, but it is not a traditional beach holiday.

Traditional beach holidays can be found on the entire Costa del Sol – to both sides from Malaga city.

 

Is Malaga a dirty city?

No, not anymore.

Malaga has been cleaned, shined up, put in good shape and made pretty almost everywhere.

Now there are fancy shops, delicious restaurants and beautiful squares throughout the center of Malaga.

 

Are there many tourists in Malaga?

Yes, as Malaga has become beautiful and modern, the tourists have also moved in.

Both tourists who come by plane and those who come by cruise ships.

Fortunately, they stick to the sights, the harbour and the main streets, so it’s also easy to escape the crowds.

 

How can you see the bullring in Malaga?

There is no general access to the bullring. It has not been turned into a tourist attraction yet.

You can of course experience it when there is a bullfight. But it is quite rare.

Malaga’s bullring is best seen from Gibralfaro Castle, where there is a great view over the entire Malaga center and harbour.

 

What are the main attractions in Malaga?

1. Gibralfaro Castle
2. Alcazaba
3. Malaga Cathedral
4. The Picasso Museum

 

What must be seen in Malaga?

First of all, visit to Gibralfaro Castle. Here is the best view of the city.

Then choose either the Alcazaba or Malaga Cathedral. Or both.

And then choose either the Picasso museum or Picasso’s birthplace.

There are no other musts. Instead, walk around the small streets and try all the restaurants – it’s a good experience.

 

Are there many tourists at the Picasso Museum in Malaga?

Yes, many consider the Picasso Museum to be Malaga’s biggest tourist attraction, so it’s full.

 

Is the Picasso Museum exciting?

Yes, if you are interested in art and Picasso’s works.

The Picasso Museum is an art museum and is a must if you are interested in art.

 

Was Picasso from Malaga?

Yes, Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga. His birthplace is on the Plaza de la Merced.

However, he moved early from Malaga and lived most of his life in Barcelona and Paris.

 

Is Picasso’s birthplace a good experience?

Yes, it’s actually a really nice visit.

It’s not that big and there aren’t big things on display, but a nice little tour of the house.

And there aren’t very many people here. You can walk around quite undisturbed at your own pace.

 

Are there many tourists in Picasso’s birthplace?

No, that is the great advantage of this somewhat forgotten attraction.

Here you avoid large amounts of tourists.

 

Is Plaza de la Merced an exciting place?

Malaga’s Plaza de la Merced, like so much else, has become touristy.

But there are many cozy restaurants here, so you can also choose some less touristy places.

 

Is Malaga’s main street worth a visit?

Malaga’s main street ‘Calle Larios’ is a very nice and impressive street with beautiful buildings and fine decoration.

There are both many locals and many tourists here. But the street is wide and long, so it is not crowded – there is plenty of room for everyone.

Calle Larios ends in Malaga’s most famous square, Plaza de la Constitución.

 

Where can you find tapas restaurants in Malaga?

There are bars and restaurants everywhere in Malaga – even in the small deserted side streets.

And you can get tapas at all of them, although it is rarely specified as tapas on the menu card.

Take a trip from restaurant to restaurant and order 1-2 dishes for the middle of the table at each place – and then share it all.

It is cheap to eat out in Malaga – especially in the small side streets – so you can easily make many stops on the trip.

 

Can you get away from the tourists in Malaga city?

Yes. It’s just a matter of moving into the small side streets.

Here are local, authentic experiences without tourists – and lots of restaurants for good food experiences.

 

Is Malaga’s Plaza de Uncibay interesting?

Yes and no. It requires an explanation:

There is nothing special about Plaza de Uncibay – it is just a square.

But it is a good example of where it is starting to become local – not so many tourists come here.

 

Is the Roman theater in Malaga interesting?

Yes, Roman theaters are generally exciting.

Malaga’s Roman theater is neither the largest nor the best-preserved Roman theater, but nevertheless reveals a few exciting details about the Romans’ architectural style.

 

Is the Gibralfaro Castle in Malaga worth a visit?

Yes, for sure. It is probably Malaga’s best experience.

Not least because of the view over the city center of Malaga, the harbour and the entire bay of Malaga.

The walk up through the Alcazaba ruins to Gibralfaro is also a good experience.

And then the castle itself and the surrounding park are quite impressive in themselves.

 

Is Malaga’s Alcazaba a good experience?

Yes, the Alcazaba in Malaga is an exciting example of the Moors’ special construction technique and architecture with, among other things, water channels in the streets.

And then it is always the way to stroll through the Alcazaba on the way up to Malaga’s Gibralfaro Castle.

 

Can you try a hammam in Malaga?

Yes, Hammam Al-Andalus in Malaga offers a luxury experience with massage and Hot-Stone treatment.

See more about the Hammam Al-Andalus in Malaga here

 

Is Malaga’s cathedral worth visiting?

Yes, it is quite impressive and definitely worth a visit.

There is a long line at the entrance, so be sure to book tickets in advance.

 

Is Malaga’s port area interesting?

No, it’s a tourist trap.

The harbor area ‘Muelle Uno’ has certainly been made beautiful and delicious, but many restaurants and shops.

But there is nothing local or original about it.

It is created exclusively for tourists, especially cruise tourists.

 

Which museums are there in Malaga?

The Picasso Muesum (Tickets here)
Picasso´s birth home (Tickets here)
The Russian Collection Art Museum (Tickets here)
Carmen Thyssen Art Museum (Tickets here)
The CAC Art Museum (now closed)
The Pompidou Art Museum (Tickets here)
The Automobile Museum (Tickets here)
The Imagination Museum (Tickets here)
Malaga City Museum (tickets at the entrance)

 

Is Paseo del Parque a nice place?

Yes, it is a wonderful breather right in the center of Malaga.

It is not exactly a large park, but a good opportunity to get away from tourism and traffic.

 

Can you visit a market in Malaga city?

There is a street market with clothes, shoes, antiques and old stuff on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.

And then there is the permanent market building in Malaga where there is fresh fish, meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables every morning.

 

Is the market building in Malaga worth a visit?

Malaga’s permanent market building is called ‘Mercado de Atarazanas’ and is a really good experience.

There are also cafes and tapas bars here.

 

Can you experience a real flamenco show in Malaga

Yes. The best and most recognized flamenco show in Malaga is at Alegría.

Here you can get a ticket without drinks/meals or a ticket with dinner included.

See the options here

 

Is the Cathedral in Malaga a good experience?

Yes, definitely. It is quite impressive.

There are quite a lot of tourists here, but the cathedral is big, so you mostly walk around alone and don’t notice the tourists.

 

How to avoid queuing at Malaga Cathedral?

Be sure to book tickets for the Cathedral of Malaga and the Alcazba in advance – otherwise there will be queues.

Alcazaba and Malaga cathedral

 

Is there an alternative to the touristy center of Malaga?

Yes, here are 3 suggestions:
1) Move away from the main streets and into the small side streets. It’s beautiful here.
2) Visit the SOHO neighborhood, right next to downtown. There are also tourists here, but it is delicious and smart.
3) Head out to Malaga’s fantastic botanical gardens outside the city.

 

Is the botanical garden worth a visit?

Yes, Malaga’s botanical garden ‘La Concepción’ is a very special experience.

The garden was originally founded in colonial times to acclimate Latin American plants to growth in Europe.

There is a lot of ​​special plants and trees here – and it’s just lovely here. Quiet, shady and beautiful.

 

Is the botanical garden touristy?

No, very few people make it to Malaga’s botanical garden.

Too bad for all those who don’t experience it – and good for the few who come out here.

 

Is there a cruise in a catamaran from Malaga?

Yes, the catamaran trip in Malaga Bay is a wonderful escape from the busy city – with a nice views.

Book the catamaran trip here

 

Can you get to Caminito del Rey from Malaga without a car?

Yes, there are organized tours both from Malaga and from other places on the Costa del Sol.

Caminito del Rey Tickets

 

Is there a hop-on-hop-off bus in Malaga?

Yes, it’s an easy and smart way to experience everything worth seeing in Malaga.

Malaga Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus

 

Can you get to Gibraltar from Malaga?

Yes, there are organized tours to Gibraltar, incl. the ticket to Upper Rock National Park.

Gibraltar from Malaga

 

Can you get one combined ticket for both Alcazaba and Malaga Cathedral?

Yes, there is a combination ticket that includes the two biggest attractions in Malaga.

Alcazaba and Malaga cathedral

 

Is there a combination ticket for the Picasso Museum and Picasso’s birthplace?

Yes, there is also a combination ticket for the two Picasso museums in Malaga.

The Picasso museums in Malaga

 

Is it possible to get to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas from Malaga?

Yes, there is an organized trip to amazing Ronda and the white village in the rock of Setenil de las Bodegas.

Ronda and Setenil from Malaga

 

Can you experience the Andalusian horse in Malaga?

Yes, there is a show with the Andalusian horse at El Ranchito.

The Andalusian horse in Malaga

 

Is it possible to see Malaga in an open, electric tuk-tuk?

Yes, that is probably the best way to get around and see all the exciting things in Malaga city.

Malaga in open tuk-tuk

 

Is it possible to get to the Alhambra from Malaga?

Yes, there are organized tours to Granada and the Alhambra from Malaga.

See it here:

 
 

 

How to avoid bad experiences when choosing the wrong car rental company at Malaga Airport?

There are very cheap car rental companies – and there are expensive companies.

Especially at Malaga airport there are quite a few – and you have to be careful not to just choose based on the price

The price is often related to the quality and service

Many of our guests have experienced being all on their own when they suddenly had problems with the car or if a scratch had been made.

In any case, make sure to reserve a rental car in advance.

The queue at the airport is unbearable, so it is a bad idea to wait until after arrival to hire a car.

Some of the companies the guests will not recommend further are MalagaCar, DelPaso and Goldcar.

Here they have experienced cars that were not quite in order and a lack of service when problems arose with the cars.

However, the most expensive car rental companies do not necessarily offer the most value for money – here you often pay extra for the brand and exclusivity.

This applies, for example, to Avis, Hertz and Sixt.

At Malaga airport we always use HelleHollis Car Rentals because we know that the cars are in good shape, the service is in top and the prices are reasonable.
 

Here our guests get the best price-quality ratio

All the companies pay commission to those who recommend them, so we have no financial reason to recommend one company over another.

That is why we recommend the company we only have good experiences with – and when you use the link, you help to keep Autentical running with good tips and recommendations.

Group B Basic model: Fiat 500 Dolcevita or similar 2/4Persons 3/1Luggage 3Doors From 108€/week See more

Group R Fiat 500 Mild Hybrid Cabriolet or similar 2/4Persons 3/1Luggage 2Doors From 137€/week See more

 

See categories & prices

---

 

Frequently asked questions about car rental at Malaga airport

 

Do you risk unfortunate experiences with car rental at Malaga airport?

Yes, unfortunately.

Situations can always arise with the car or in traffic. And then it is so important to be in good hands.

The insurance must of course be in place.

In addition, the car must be in good condition.

Finally, it is important that there is someone who takes care of it when problems arise.

Unfortunately, the service varies greatly from one rental company to the next.

There are simply some car rental companies that have cut out the service.

 

Does the price of car hire in Malaga relate to the quality?

Yes and no. It requires an explanation:

You can expect that the very cheapest companies have skimped on the service and therefore do not offer much help in difficult situations.

But you can’t generalize and say that the most expensive companies provide the best service when the going gets tough.

With some companies, you end up paying extra for the ‘brand’ – i.e. for their well-known name – without getting better service for your money.

Not too cheap and not too expensive is our best advice regarding price.

 

What happens if there are problems with the car en route?

If you need help along the way, road service is usually included.

Most rental companies arrange it for you – with a greater or lesser degree of service.

Many car rental companies also provide a replacement car. But not all!

There are caar rental companies that offer very little help in such situations, so you yourself will have to contact the insurance and road service directly.

 

Is it necessary to book the car hire in advance?

Yes, unconditionally.

Previously, you could just get it at the airport.

But now there is so much queuing at the car rental companies that it has become unbearable.

And there is a risk of a shortage of cars!

It does not cost extra to book the car in advance – and then you avoid queues and the risk of being sold out.

 

Is there a long queue for car hire at Malaga airport?

Yes, it’s gotten really crazy.

You can stand in line for up to 1 hour before being attended.

 

Which car rental companies do other guests advise against?

Especially the cheapest car rental companies have given our guests unfortunate experiences and poor service when help was needed.

Specifically, our guests have told us about unfortunate experiences with MalagaCar, GoldCar, ClickRent, Centauro and DelPaso.

 

Which car rental companies are too expensive?

It is our experience that you do not get extra good service by choosing the most expensive car rental companies.

Car rental companies where you pay extra for the name are e.g. Avis, Sixt and Hertz.

 

Which car rental companies do other guests recommend?

Our guests are very happy with Europcar, Record and HelleHollis.

We have never heard of bad service from these car rental companies.

 

Can you be sure that the rental cars are in order?

Most rental cars are almost new and therefore cause few problems.

A few car rental companies have slightly older cars and the risk of problems is therefore higher.

 

Where do you get the best price-quality ratio?

Our guests have always been most satisfied with HelleHollis.

The prices are not expensive – but they are not the cheapest either.

The service, on the other hand, is top notch.

They take care of anything that may arise with quick service and a replacement car if necessary.

 

Do you have a financial advantage by recommending HelleHollis over others?

All the car rental companies pay approx. same commission, which means that it does not give a financial advantage to recommend one company over another.

This leaves us free to recommend the car rental companies our guests like best – those that provide the best service and have fair prices.

When you rent a car via our link, the price is the same – but the rental company pays us a little to create more good content for Autentical.

 

Is insurance included in the price?

All car rental companies have liability and comprehensive insurance included in the rental price.

However, there is an excess of 400 – 800 EUR, depending on the type of car.

 

Is there an excess in the insurance?

All car rental companies have excess of varying sizes.

Make sure you find out how much the excess is in advance.

 

Can you avoid excess?

Yes, for example HelleHollis offers additional insurance that removes the excess. It costs approx. 9 EUR per day.

With the extra insurance, you don’t have to worry about scratches or parking damage, which are otherwise typically not covered due to the excess.

 

Can you rent a car as a young person under the age of 21?

Yes, at some car rental companies, e.g. HelleHollis.

You must take out the special insurance for young drivers.

 

Is there a requirement for how long you must have had a driving licence?

No. The only requirement is that the driving license is valid for use in Spain (e.g. driving license from the UK or EU countries).

 

Is it difficult to drive in the Malaga area?

No. In general, driving in the Malaga area and Andalusia is easy and straightforward.

Right around Malaga airport and Malaga city there is a lot of traffic, but as soon as you get further away, the traffic is easy and calm.

 

Can you compare prices for all car rental companies?

Yes, there are price comparison portals that provide prices from several companies.

Try the price comparison for car rental companies here:
 
Search all car rentals

 
 
 

A ‘local’ beach day; Avoid the foreign tourists and enjoy the beach together with the local malageños

The Costa del Sol is crowded – everywhere!

Forget about a small secret beach where you can be alone. It is no longer available.

But you can still have a good – and authentic – experience at the beach.

“Playamar” is the beach between Malaga Airport and Torremolinos.

Here are approx. 1-1½ km. of beach where there are no hotels behind – only some townhouses, apartments and parking spaces occupy the space behind it – and therefore there are virtually no foreign tourists here.

It does not mean that there are no people here – to the contrary.

At least on weekends, on holidays and in August, it is quite stuffed – but with local Spaniards; Malageños coming out of the city to enjoy the beach.

This often leads to high moods, lots of activity, life and happy days – something completely different from benching with Dutch retirees along the rest of the Costa del Sol!

On weekdays a little out of season you can even get lucky that there are not many people at Playamar at all – so you might get the beach almost to yourself.

This is probably one of the only places on the Costa del Sol where that is possible.

Chiringuito restaurant at the Playamar beach

 

3 great apartments away from the touristic hotels – and near Playamar:

	Sea & Sun Apartment.You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	2-bedroom apart Los Alamos. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Hotel Malaga Picasso (Guadalmar). You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com

 
 
 

Enjoy the hidden rock pools in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park

Summer, without a doubt, is not the best time of the year to go hiking in southern Spain. However, if at the end of the walk the reward is a refreshing natural cold rock pool, then things are a little different!

The Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park is a perfect location to find these hidden rock pools, thanks to the winter snow and the abundance of rainfall in the area, rivers offer a perfect place to get away from the crowded beaches and enjoy Mother Nature in all its beauty.

The rivers Turón, Verde, Grande and Guadalevín make up some of the rivers in the area, springs and underground aquifers maintain their flow in summer.

Even though in August at the weekend many people head to this area, with the many rock pools to choose from, you can still find pools with few people. Stick to coming on a weekday to make sure you have it all to yourself.

One of these hidden gems – El Dique – is found just outside the small whitewashed village of El Burgo – not far from the coast of Marbella and Fuengirola – the dirt track “Carril del Dique” runs along the river Turón. A few kilometers up the gravel road, you will find the trail down to the dike – a little wall that has dammed up the river and created an incredibly beautiful natural rock pool in between the trees.

The hike of just over 2.5 kilometers can be done comfortably on foot. It can also be accessed by car if you are going with small children, there is an area where you can park. The lane guides us through poplars and olive groves following the river bed to El Dique. A few meters further, you can find another dam, smaller in size, and also very popular, El Largo.

The natural pool – El Dique

The water is cold, so you cannot bathe for very long. It is, however, shallow enough for young children to stand and splash in, while you relax on the riverbank – this makes it a perfect spot for the entire family.

I´d recommend you to combine the visit to the rock pool with a hike starting at the nearby village of Tolox, where there are more incredible waterfalls to see.

You could drive up from the coast towards Coin, then stop off in Tolox and El Burgo for a hike, swim and or bite to eat. After experiencing Sierra de las Nieves, cross over to the incredible town of Ronda and then head back to the coast via the picturesque town of San Pedro de Alcántara.

Other splendid rock pools to choose from:

• Charca De Las Mozas, Rio Guadalmina. Benahavís
• Charco Del Potón Alto, Río Grande, Tolox
• Poza De Los Huevos
• El Barranco Blanco
• El Charco De Las Viñas (not busy)
• Pereilas River. Coin
• Rio Grande Guaro
• Charca De La Virgen, Río De Los Caballos. Tolox
• El Charco De Las Nutrias

 
 

 
 

Experience wild flamingos in their natural surroundings: Spain’s largest natural lake is located in the Malaga Province

Laguna Fuente de Piedra is a wetland located in the northern part of the Malaga province, not far from Antequera.

This natural retreat is a safe haven for birds with over 170 different species recorded here.

Apart from its abundant aquatic birds, it is well known for its flamingo population, the second largest colony in Europe.

The lagoon covers an area of 13 square kilometres, making it the largest natural lake on the Iberian Peninsula.

During Roman times, salt was extracted here and flamingos were hunted for their tongues, considered to be a delicacy

It is believed that the lake water had medicinal qualities in the 19^th century, so the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra was not allowed to dry out completely, unlike other wetland areas in Spain.

There are no cages, no fencing and nothing in captivity here, but a rich variety of birdlife in a stunning location

Since the lake is quite shallow, it virtually dries out in summer, which results in the flamingos flying as far as the Doñana National Park in Huelva to find food.

The visitor centre, where you can park, is generally uninteresting, the exception being when the lake is almost without water and the flamingos therefore fit into the little dam at the visitor centre instead.

The more interesting places are located further around the lake, where there are also viewpoint hides and the chance to see a wide range of reptiles, such as the Spanish Sand lizard or the Spine-footed lizard. Rabbits, foxes and badges can also be spotted in the fields surrounding the lake.

During migration times, terns and waders, as well as birds of prey like short-toed eagles and black kites, can also be seen.

It is a good idea to bring binoculars or telescope cameras, which will make it easier to identify the many species you may see here.

 

Three amazing places to stay near Fuente de Piedra:

	Casa Rural Aire. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Apartamentos La Laguna. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Finca El Arpa. Book it here on     Autentical.com

 

 

Three unique places to stay near the Sierra de las Nieves:

	Castillo de Monda. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com: See it Booking.com
	B&B Cortijo La Pura. You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com: See it Booking.com
	Finca El Arpa. Book it here on Autentical.com

 
 

Hiking routes through completely unique rock formations – a wonderful nature experience at El Torcal de Antequera natural park

Just outside the historical town of Antequera, in the middle of Andalusia, you find the El Torcal Natural Park

This enchanting place is located on top of a mountain with views all the way to Malaga and the Mediterranean on a clear day.

El Torcal is also called the ‘Flintstone country’ due to its peculiar rock formations and limestone cliffs.

This area that spans 17 square km is said to be some of the most beautiful and impressive limestone landscapes in Europe.

The whole area was under sea over one hundred million years ago.

Over time, the movement of the Earth´s crusts forced it upwards into hills and mountains. Then millions of years of rain and wind chiselled away at these layers forming these incredible shapes.

There are three clearly market Hiking routes to choose from:

• The green route is the shortest and easiest, it is 1,5 km long and it takes the average hiker about 30 minutes.
• The yellow route covers most of the area, it is 2,5 km long and takes you to “Las Ventanillas” (The Windows). This is a viewpoint at 1.200 m, which gives you stunning panoramic views of the valley of Málaga.
• The red route is the longest and most difficult, it is 4,5 km long and takes you about three hours to do. It ends at a view point 1.339m above sea level, were you have views of the entire El Torcal Park and on a clear day the African Coastline.

El Torcal is a truly unique natural experience that should not be missed.

Unfortunately, it has already become quite popular, so there can be quite a few people, both locals and tourists.

However, due to the size of the park you don´t often bump into people, so it is far from crowded.

 

Avoid the weekends, where it fills up quickly with people

Weekdays are best, as there are fewer people and on many stretches, you feel as though you are all alone in the midst of these magnificent rock formations.

It is best to avoid rainy and humid days, when the cliffs become dangerously slippery.

 

 

Three comfortable places to stay near Antequera and El Torcal:

	Arte de Cozina. Remember that you found it on Autentical. Book it on   See it Booking.com
	Convento La Magdalena. Remember that you found it on Autentical.com. Book it on     See it Booking.com
	Finca El Arpa. Book it here on     Autentical.com

 

 

12 very nice accommodations away from the worst crowds:

	Cubo´s Gibralfaro House You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	1919 Pedregalejo Villa You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Heart of Malaga You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com

 

	Faro´s Malaga You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Parque Clavero You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Casa Pulpo You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com

 

	Andalusian Beach House You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Carmen Beach You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com
	Petite Maison Victoria You found it on Autentical.com! It can, however, only be booked on Booking.com:     See it Booking.com

 

 

Selected – and unique – farm stays from Booking.com:

Unique accommodation away from the crowds that might interest you:

Don´t take our word for it! Hear our guests´ opinions:

 

 

Other unique accommodations

Near Malaga (A), Sights (A)

---