1. The tricky terrain of the Sierra Nevada could sap the confidence of even the most experienced driver. Be prepared for some difficult driving territory from Malaga up into the mountains; the switchbacks alone will leave some with sweaty palms.
2. Spaniards tend to be aggressive drivers – expect honking, swearing and vigorous gesticulating in the course of a day’s drive. Your best bet is to keep calm and carry on; the last thing you want during your holiday is an accident on the road.
3. All drivers have to keep two warning triangles and a reflective jacket in the car; if you don’t have these, you’ll liable for an on-the-spot fine, foreigner or not. Glasses-wearers are also obliged to carry a spare pair of glasses with them (although this might not be enforced as rigorously). The Guardia Civil do carry out checks, so check with your Malaga car rental company that jackets and triangles are provided before heading out onto the open road.
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Car hire in Malaga makes sense if you want the freedom to travel around the Costa del Sol and Andalusia region during your Spanish getaway.
Of the thousands of tourists who fly in each year, a significant proportion rent a car from Malaga–Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) and head off into the Spanish wilds, without ever setting foot in Malaga itself.
You’ll find all the usual international car hire specialists in Malaga Airport. There are eight desks located on the ground floor of Terminal 3, including popular brands such as Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, and Sixt.
The city is easily navigable via a combination of walking, public transport and taxis, so there’s no need to rent a car in Malaga in 2017 if you’re not planning to leave the city during your trip.
Driving in Malaga
A great touring base
If you’re planning to book a city break for longer than a few days, however, Malaga makes a great base from which to explore the surrounding area. And it’s an area that thoroughly deserves your attention.
Granada, just over a 90-minute drive away, should be on your list if only to visit the amazing Alhambra Palace; the Moorish fortress is the region’s pearl in the crown. Sultry Seville is also well worth a visit.
Car rental in Malaga is easy to arrange from the city’s airport. Book this in advance to ensure you get the best possible rates and to secure the vehicle that suits your travels.
Bear in mind that parking near your accommodation in Malaga is not always easy, particularly in the centre where spaces are limited.
Costa del Sol car hire
As the main air gateway into this sizzling Spanish holiday hotspot, cheap car rental at Malaga Airport is snapped up by visitors driving themselves to coastal resorts such as Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Nerja, Marbella and Fuengirola.
This competition for car rental keeps prices amazingly low, though in peak times it is essential to book online in advance (it’s wise to pre-book at all times to get the cheapest rates).
Check this out
If you’re hoping to start your holiday in Malaga and end it somewhere else in Spain, double check that you can pick up and drop off in different places. Most of the bigger Malaga-based car hire companies will let you do this, but it’s best to check before confirming the booking.
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Top tips for car hire in...
Malaga
To find out more about other forms of transport in the city, visit our getting around Malaga page. For information on travel around the region, see our page dedicated to getting around the Costa del Sol.