Travel Information
 

Fast facts about hiring a car from Malaga Airport

Finding cheap car rental at Malaga Airport (AGP) is easy. This is a major gateway to the Costa del Sol, with a range of big-name operators offering hire cars to visitors, including Avis, Sixt, Europcar and Hertz. The centre of Malaga is around a 25-minute drive away from the airport while coastal resorts such as Benalmadena and Torremolinos are less than a half-hour journey. Nerja is an hour’s drive away and Marbella is around a 40-minute drive south.

It’s possible to get some amazing deals on car hire at the airport, especially during off-peak periods, and you’ll find desks for big-name brands between the baggage reclaim carousels 28 and 31.

Car hire companies that have desks at Malaga Airport include:

• Avis (Tel: +34 09021 09384)
• Europcar (Tel: +34 0902 503 010)
• Sixt (Tel: +34 0902 49 1616)
• Hertz (Tel: +34 0902 402 405)

Hiring a car in Malaga city centre

If you’re spending a few days in Malaga before setting off to explore the region, you might find it easiest to navigate by public transport and pick up your hire car in Malaga city centre later. You’ll find a handful of rental offices close to Málaga María Zambrano station, such as Sixt, and some operators will drop your rental car off at your hotel for an extra fee.

Driving in Malaga city centre

Driving in Malaga itself is fairly straightforward, with quieter roads than some of Spain’s larger cities. Nevertheless, you’ll need to be cautious of local drivers who have a reputation for being fast and occasionally fiery. Stay calm and exercise caution in busier areas with more traffic.

Road signs in Spain aren’t always easy to read, so you might find it easier to bring a sat-nav (bring one with you, as rental fees are expensive), a map or to stop to ask a local for directions. Parking in the very centre of Malaga can be limited, so it’s worth checking if your accommodation has some or where the closest car parks are before you travel.

If you’re heading out of the city into the Sierra Nevada mountains, be warned that the roads can be windy and often treacherous. Drive slowly and watch out for sharp hairpin bends.

Recommended day trips from Malaga

Frigiliana

Driving time: 50 minutes

Frigiliana is sometimes referred to as the prettiest town in Andalusia, and it's hard to argue. Its whitewashed buildings are often decked out with colourful blooms, and its narrow streets are decorated with mosaic tiles. Less than an hour east of Malaga, it has a stunning historic centre originally built and occupied by the Moors before they were exiled from the region. Get lost exploring its picture-perfect streets or climb up El Fuerte hill just behind town for panoramic views.

Granada

Driving time: One hour 40 minutes

Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the ancient city of Granada boasts beautiful Moorish architecture and a bohemian mix of tapas restaurants, teahouses and flamenco bars. The crown jewel of the city is the sprawling Alhambra palace. A former home of Spanish royalty, its blend of Islamic and Christian architecture reflects centuries of Andalusian history, and it’s peppered with gorgeous patios and landscaped gardens. You could wander around it for a day – or two, or three – and not get bored.

Seville

Driving time: Two hours 30 minutes

Seville is the capital of the Andalusia region and the ideal place to visit for a dose of Spanish history and centuries-old cultural traditions. Its imposing Gothic cathedral – which, like the Alhambra, mixes Moorish and Christian styles – sits at its centre and is flanked by cobbled alleyways, decadent palaces and splendid plazas that make great spots for indulging in drinks and tapas, or watching a flamenco show.