Car Rental Malaga Airport

Blessed with an abundance of museums and an artistic flair running right through its soul, Malaga is a grand city surrounded by a wealth of beaches. With a rental car, you’ll have the freedom to fully explore the city and the whole of the sun-blessed Costa del Sol area.

Malaga Airport is located just 20 minutes outside the center of the city via the MA-20. If you’re keen to see the glistening sea straight away, join the MA-22 and N-340 which will take you alongside the coast and into Malaga.

Turn off onto Paseo de la Farola and use the underground parking lot if you wish to explore the urban beach Playa la Malagueta or the Center Pompidou Malaga, a contemporary art museum.

The majority of the city center is car-free so, if you’re keen to visit the Picasso Museum or medieval hilltop fortress, you’ll need to make use of the parking available around Malaga. You’ll find regulated street side parking within walking distance, marked by blue lines in the road. It’s payable with restricted hours.

From Malaga, you’re perfectly placed to explore more of the region. Join the AP-7 heading westbound and, in under an hour, you’ll reach Marbella. Known as a playground for the rich and famous, this is the perfect place to indulge in a little luxury.

Driving an hour and 45 minutes via the AP-7 will take you to Gibraltar. This British territory sits on a narrow peninsula of Spain’s Mediterranean coast. While you’re here you can see the Barbary Macaques, the only wild monkeys in Europe that live in the upper rocks. You’ll remain driving on the right here, but the signs will be in English. The speed limit here in Gibraltar is 30mph unless the signs say otherwise.

Head east from Malaga along the AP-7 and in 50 minutes you’ll reach Nerja. This charming seaside resort boasts some of the best beaches in the province. Pack all the beach essentials and set up camp for the day on Playa Burriana to soak up the Spanish sunshine.

There are tolls on many major routes in Spain known as autopistas, while toll-free freeways are known as autovias. Speed limits vary from 75mph on freeways to 30mph in towns and cities.

The views of historic architecture against the lush greenery and glistening sea are as picture-perfect as the art that fills the city’s galleries. Soak up the atmosphere of Malaga before heading along the Costa del Sol and exploring the wider Andalusia region.

Malaga’s impressive art scene

Culture vultures will be in paradise in Malaga. Art can be found around every corner, from the hip Soho district to a parade of contemporary galleries. It isn’t surprising that art is so important here – this is the birthplace of Picasso.

Trace the roots of the famous painter at the Picasso Museum. The exhibitions packed into the restored 16^th century palace narrate his life from the late 19th century through to his death in 1973. Spend an afternoon admiring more than 200 sculptures, drawings and ceramics by the pioneering artist. 

From here, make your way over to Soho, a vibrant, bohemian part of the city where international graffiti artists have decorated the walls and doorways with colorful street art. Striking murals and intricate smaller pieces will catch your eye as you wander through this buzzing district.  

Embrace the city’s laidback lifestyle

You can’t come to Spain and not enjoy the beautiful weather. Spend a morning soaking up the sunshine on Playa de la Malagueta. This sandy slice of shore is on the city’s doorstep and is the perfect introduction to the Costa del Sol.

Take a leisurely stroll up to the 11^th century Alcazaba, the magnificent fortress perched atop a hillside in the heart of the city. Roam along the Moorish citadel walls and enjoy sweeping views over Malaga, before discovering the lush tropical gardens.

After you’ve worked up an appetite, feast on the local cuisine. Food forms an important part of daily life in Malaga, meaning there’s a wide collection of restaurants and tapas bars to choose from. Seafood is in abundance here, with anchovies, grilled octopus and garlicky prawns dominating many menus.

A taste of luxury

Head to Marbella, where super yachts fill the marina and gleaming sports cars line the streets outside high-end shops. Popular with the rich and famous, Marbella oozes sophistication and grandeur.

Get a taste for the high life with a visit to the luxurious resort, just a short drive along the coast from Malaga. Take a stroll along the palm-lined Milla de Oro – the Golden Mile –  which connects Marbella with Puerto Banus, to get a feel for the city’s atmosphere.

Marbella is also one of the best places to feel the sand between your toes along the Costa del Sol. Nearly 16 miles of golden sand fringes turquoise waters, with a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Blanca Mountains.

Fresh sardines cook and sizzle on the spit in many of the restaurants that line the edge of the beach, while the calm waters come alive with water-skiers and parasailers. Sit back and sink into the sand – it’s time to switch off and bask in the sun.

Collect your rental car from Malaga Airport and you’re well-placed to discover everything southern Spain and the marvelous Mediterranean coastline has to offer.