After describing the tour from Malaga to Cadiz, between the Costa del Sol and the Costa de la Luz, in this article we want to tell you about a new sea-focused itinerary, perhaps less well trodden by travellers and for that very reason particularly interesting: we are talking about the stretch of coast from Malaga to Almería, which includes the popular beaches of Malaga on the eastern Costa del Sol and the beautiful coastline of Granada: Costa Tropical.
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Malaga to Almeria: beaches and pueblos blancos
If you plan your Malaga to Almeria itinerary carefully, you will still be satisfied, whether you are looking for beaches with all the facilities, or want to find charming secret coves, where nature still tries to remain untouched.
But how do you choose the places to visit along the stretch between Malaga and Almeria? There are plenty of tourist resorts, but are they all worth visiting? Are there any villages or Moorish pueblos that are easy to reach inland, just to take a break from the beach for a while? As you can see, there are plenty of questions to consider, so let’s try to answer some of them.
As usual… starting from Malaga
Yes indeed, our starting point is always Malaga, the city best suited to beginning much of the Andalusia itineraries along the coast. The reasons are always the same: in addition to its excellent airport services (read our article on low-cost flights to Malaga!), Picasso’s birthplace combines its cultural heritage with a clear and well-known tourist and seaside vocation: find out how to visit it by reading our article on the things to do in Malaga.
In another of our articles on the neighbourhoods of Malaga, we already told you about El Palo and Pedregalejo, the tourist areas in the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol, with their beaches much loved by Malagueños and travellers passing through on business. In Malaga, you can hire a car and set off on the real journey.
Tips on where to stay in Malaga
Tips for hiring a car in Malaga
From Rincón de la Victoria to Torre del Mar, the coast east of Malaga
The stretch of coast from Rincón de la Victoria to Torre del Mar is not exactly what we’d call a cracking start: if you decide to stay in your car along the coast, you’ll come across a string of seaside resorts that do not exactly shine for elegance or personality.
Along the road that runs beside somewhat dilapidated houses and uninviting stretches of beach, you will arrive in Torre del Mar, a town that is a little larger and better organised than those previously encountered (Benajarafe, Torre de Benagalbón): if you want to take a stroll along the seafront and eat some tapas, this is the best place to stop.
All accommodation available in Torre del Mar
Vélez-Málaga, the queen of La Axarquía
Given that the places east of Malaga don’t have much to offer, you might consider heading inland, towards Vélez-Málaga, the wealthy main centre of the hill/mountain region of La Axarquía. In Vélez-Málaga, surrounded by lush expanses of vegetation, the Castillo stands out for its charm and importance (from which there is a lovely view of the sea), as do Barrio San Sebastián, the Palacio del Marqués de Beniel and several highly significant churches (Santa María de la Encarnación and the slender-towered San Juan Bautista). The town is recommended as a stop-off point on our travel itinerary from Granada to Malaga.
All available accommodation in Vélez-Málaga
The jewel of Malaga’s eastern coast: Nerja
Let’s head straight back to the sea and reach the most interesting place on this somewhat nondescript stretch of coast east of Malaga: Nerja. In this lively Andalusian seaside town, full of authentic character (don’t believe it? Visit its pleasant markets!), you will breathe a sigh of relief: head straight to the Balcón de Europa, an outpost/viewpoint offering a wonderful panorama of the sea and the rugged coastline.
In addition to visiting the town and taking a swim on one of Nerja’s beautiful beaches (the wonderful Playa Calahonda, the busier Playa Burriana), head to the Cueva de Nerja to visit the natural caves rich in wonderful limestone formations, including a Guinness World Record stalactite. The other sights in the town that can be visited are all listed in the article on the things to do in Nerja.
All available accommodation in Nerja
Frigiliana, one of the most beautiful white villages in the region
Leaving Nerja, it is well worth once again heading inland into the La Axarquía region, in search of the splendid Moorish village of Frigiliana. White lanes that climb winding streets, exceptional miradores, pretty little white churches: this is what to expect from Frigiliana, considered the most beautiful pueblo blanco in the area. If you want to immerse yourself in nature, take a hike along the Rio Higueron, before plunging into the natural pool called Pozo Batán.
To be fair, in this beautiful region there are many other wonderful places to visit (Cómpeta, Sedella, Salares), but we are recommending this one because of its location, not too far from the coast.
All available accommodation in Frigiliana
The Costa Tropical: from Almuñécar to Almería
After visiting Nerja and Frigiliana, as we continue our journey between Malaga and Almería, we finally enter the Granada coastline, the Costa Tropical, much more interesting and certainly different from the coast around Malaga. You can get an idea of this difference by venturing by car along the dirt tracks that thread through the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo: make your way to the beautiful Mirador de Cerro Gordo to see what the beaches of Andalusia’s Costa Tropical are really like!
La Herradura: relaxing atmospheres and lots, lots of fish!
After experiencing first-hand the ineffable beauty of the Acantilado, carry on as far as the town of La Herradura: not bad at all here for enjoying a few fish tapas along the Paseo Andrés Segovia, or taking a dip in the relatively tranquil Playa de la Herradura. The rugged coastline continues as far as the splendid Ensenada de los Berengueles: Playa Marina is the preserve of true connoisseurs, and is one of our favourites among the beaches near Granada.
All available accommodation in La Herradura
Almuñécar, the brightest star of the Costa Tropical
Quite different from La Herradura, Almuñécar is the best-known seaside resort on the Costa Tropical, but certainly not the most “hidden”, if you are looking for a quiet and sheltered place to rest.
Of course, we are a long way from the excesses and amusements of the Costa del Sol, but on the beaches and along the seafront streets of Almuñécar there is a lively, infectious atmosphere, and there is no shortage of parties and evenings out. Climb up to the Castillo de San Miguel, from where you can enjoy a superb view, and, if you are driving, do not forget to stop at Avda. El Mediterráneo 34, not far from the sea: you will find an absurd ship-house, perfectly integrated into the simple urban fabric of this area.
All available accommodation in Almuñécar
Salobreña: an alcazar with a sea view
After passing the pleasant Velilla-Taramay, which has a somewhat monotonous beach, set your sat nav for the Moorish town of Salobreña, not far form a very long beach split in two by a beautiful natural peñón, a small headland on the sea. This quiet pueblo blanco lies beneath the imposing Arab alcazár, which is absolutely worth a visit, if only to enjoy the view from the walk along the battlements.
All available accommodation in Salobreña
Almerimár, Roquetas de Mar and Aguadulce, miles of well-equipped beaches
As we approach Almería, it becomes clear that the salt plains to the west of the city are in fact a surreal expanse of plastic-covered greenhouses used for the forced cultivation of vegetables and other produce: plasticulture is the most profitable activity in this area, but it sadly and intrusively mars its natural beauty, to the point of becoming almost obsessive.
After the industrial city of Motríl, a series of seaside resorts with well-equipped beaches follow one after the other, but they are incapable of captivating travellers as the little towns of the Costa Tropical have managed to do, or as the wonderful beaches east of Almería, at Cabo de Gata, could do. In any case, the seaside resorts of Almerimár, Roquetas de Mar and Aguadulce, are worth a mention, perhaps the most interesting town of the lot, where you can take refuge for a swim in the sea or for a snack at the bar.
Welcome to Almería, a proud port city, a treasure chest of Moorish riches
We have finally reached (almost!) the end of our Malaga Almeria itinerary. This stop in the provincial capital deserves a separate mention: from the point of view of trip planning, this ancient port city of Phoenician origin (but of solid Arab constitution) will require at least 2 days for a visit, especially if you spend some of your time on the beach.
The two main and striking reasons to visit the city are the austere fortified Catedral and the imposing Alcazaba that dominates the city, built on rock and protected by three rings of walls that define its spaces: this fortress, for majesty and importance, may perhaps seem like a massive version of the Alhambra of Granada. In addition to these two important buildings, it is worth visiting the Iglesia de San Juan (former mosque), the elegant and restrained Plaza Vieja, the iglesia de Santiago (in the pleasant Calle de las Tiendas) and the ancient Moorish water cisterns, Los Alijibes.
All available accommodation in Almería
The Tabernas Desert: an unexpected detour into the Wild West…
After having treated you to marvellous seascapes, we would like to suggest a rather unexpected detour: north of the nameless village of Riojia, in the direction of Tabernas, you will find the Desierto de Tabernas, an arid landscape that may bring to mind some American scenery, famed for having provided the backdrop to the most celebrated Western films from across the Atlantic.
Sergio Leone shot some well-known films in these rugged regions, such as A Fistful of Dollars, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West: in memory of this, there are two theme parks inspired by the sets of these films: Mini Hollywood and Texas Hollywood. If you are a Sergio Leone fan and, above all, are travelling with children, a journey back in time like this is a must!
With the Desierto de Tabernas, our itinerary Malaga-Almeria comes to an end: from here it is possible to continue the journey towards the western Costa del Sol, or begin a new itinerary of Andalusia, or head to Almería airport, where you can catch the flight that will take you home, but with your eyes full of new beauty!
