If you’re wondering where to stay near Malaga, you’re in the right place. After many years on Costa del Sol, I’ve spent plenty of time in every town and village near the province’s capital city.
There are some amazing places to stay near Malaga from quaint towns to small cities on the coast and inland.
Whether you want the beach on your doorstep or looking for the best hiking routes and sweeping views from your balcony, there’s something for you.
In this post, I’ll share with you the best places to stay near Malaga for every type of traveler so that you can pick your perfect holiday location.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Amused by Andalucia! I’ve been based in Andalucia, Spain for the last 10+ years, mainly in Seville and Costa del Sol while exploring the region extensively. Since 2022, I’ve slow-traveled in my van with my fiancee and dog, spending significant time in each place to truly get to know all the hidden corners of this exciting and diverse region. I’m here to help you uncover Andalucia too!
Table of Contents
Where to stay near Malaga
Nerja
Nerja, located on the picturesque Costa del Sol, is one of the best places to stay near Malaga for couples and beach lovers. Its beaches stand out for their cleanliness and serene ambiance, perfect for sunbathing or leisurely walks.
A must-visit is the Balcon de Europa, a prominent viewpoint where you’ll be met by unparalleled views of the Mediterranean and the beautiful coastline.
When hunger strikes, you’re spoiled for choice. The town offers a plethora of dining establishments, both by the sea and in the quaint old town.
One of the best things to do in Nerja is to embark on a kayak journey along Maro’s dramatic cliffs. Activities like paddleboarding and kayaking in Nerja are available on group tours or by renting gear and heading out on your own.
You set out from Burriana Beach, which is one of the most popular beaches in Nerja, together with Calahonda Beach, located right below Balcon de Europa.
One of the most famous attractions in Nerja, however, i¡are the prehistoric Nerja Caves where you’ll find the world’s largest stalagmite. Make sure you book tickets in advance to avoid unnecessary waiting time.
If you’re looking for a place with plenty of outdoor activities to do in Costa del Sol, Nerja is your place.
There are so many incredible hiking routes starting by Nerja Caves, but also spectacular coastal walks atop the cliffs of Maro which you can reach from the end of Burriana Beach.
Finally, there are plenty of epic day trips from Nerja you can take, like the picturesque village of Frigiliana, making it a favorite location to stay near Malaga.
When looking for where to stay in Nerja, I suggest staying along Burriana or in the old town. Here are my top picks.
LUXURY: Parador de Nerja – located on the cliff right above Burriana Beach, it boasts exquisite views, an outdoor pool, on-site parking, and a high-end restaurant and bar.
MID-RANGE: Hotel Paraíso Del Mar – located near Burriana Beach, this is a lovely adults-only hotel with a pool with a view, hot tubs, and a sauna.
BUDGET: Hostal Sol y Mar – basic accommodation in the Old Town with a rooftop terrace with views.
Torrox Costa
Torrox Costa is a family-friendly coastal town known for its expansive sandy beaches and lively seafront walkways.
The beaches are vast and equipped with facilities like playgrounds and volleyball nets, making them ideal for sunbathers and families with active children alike.
You can also rent paddleboards and kayaks on the beach and going east, you’ll pass the beautiful dunes. That’s where my favorite beaches are as they feel a bit more remote even though they get packed in summer like everywhere else on Costa del Sol.
The overall laid-back vibe of Torrox Costa makes it a great place to base yourself near Malaga away from the hustle and bustle of other coastal towns.
There are plenty of holiday apartments to stay in Torrox Costa, here are some of my top picks, including a budget guest house.
HIGH-END: Sealine luxury apartment in Torrox Costa – An excellent holiday home with a large terrace with sea views and a spacious and bright interior. They offer free parking and a seasonal swimming pool. The apartment sleeps up to 4 people.
MID-RANGE: Casita Beach Front – As the name suggests, this apartment is located right on the beachfront and has everything you need including an outdoor pool. The apartment sleeps up to 8 people and allows pets.
BUDGET: Centro Cristo Rey – A great budget option near the beach and restaurants. It’s easy to park nearby and the staff is extremely helpful. The only downside if you travel with your partner, they only have single beds in all rooms.
Fuengirola
Located on the sun-kissed coast of Spain, Fuengirola is one of the most popular places to stay near Malaga.
The beach town is famed for its nightlife, beach bars, and fantastic shopping. Besides the shops in the center of town, make sure you head to Miramar Shopping Mall!
But Fuengirola also caters to families and there’s a lot of fun activities for kids like the water park and the fun rides by the marina.
But there are plenty of things to do in Fuengirola beyond partying. Castillo Sohail is one of the best castles in Malaga and there are even Roman Ruins to explore.
The beaches in Fuengirola are great with all the necessary amenities and beach bars. There are rentals of paddleboards along the coast too if you fancy seeing the town from the water or going on a boat tour in Fuengirola to explore the water further out.
When looking for where to stay in Fuengirola, there are plenty of options. Here are some of my top picks.
LUXURY: Higuerón Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton – this 5-star hotel offers the best luxury you find in Fuengirola with a spa and several pools as well as splendid coastal views. It’s a little outside of Fuengirola, but they offer free parking and an airport shuttle.
MID-RANGE: Hotel IPV Palace & Spa – located right next to Sohail Castle and within a short walk from Miramar shopping center, the beachfront hotel offers a spectacular stay. They have 2 seasonal swimming pools and a spa and wellness center.
BUDGET: Hotel Yaramar – the seaside hotel is located by the quaint neighborhood of Los Boliches where you find plenty of restaurants and bars. They have an outdoor swimming pool and private parking.
Benalmadena
Benalmadena is one of the best places to stay near Malaga for anyone looking for a varied vacation.
There are plenty of things to do in Benalmadena. Stroll through the charming marina, search for street art, and enjoy the sweeping beaches.
There are also many epic boat tours you can take from Benalmadena whether you want to go dolphin watching, jet skiing, or take the ferry on a day trip to Fuengirola.
Benalmadena Pueblo is set in the higher part of Benalmadena and is a traditional whitewashed village. There, you’ll also find the spellbinding Colomares Castle. This castle is actually a monument, a tribute to Christopher Columbus, and reflects the region’s rich heritage.
There are also many great hikes near Benalmadena, but if you don’t want to sweat to reach the best views, you can always take a seat at the cable car. Make sure you book your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line.
Not convinced? Read my post “Is Benalmadena worth visiting?“
LUXURY: Vincci Selección Aleysa – a superb 5-star hotel on the beachfront with a private beach area with full service. Whether you want to lounge in the outdoor pool or relax your muscles in the spa department, this hotel has you covered.
MID-RANGE: Hotel La Fonda – great value for money located in the heart of Benalmadena Pueblo with outdoor pools and a spa department to kick back after long days of sightseeing.
BUDGET: Boutique Hotel Pueblo – a charming boutique hotel in the old town. Perfect if you’re looking for the small-town feel of a white Spanish village.
Torremolinos
Torremolinos is a lively hub for concerts and festivities, not only in the summer months. It’s the ideal place for LGTBIQ+ travelers as the most inclusive town in Costa del Sol.
Torremolinos is famous for its beach clubs along the coast. Los Alamos is probably one of my favorites, even though I don’t go out much.
There are so many fun things to do in Torremolinos besides partying. Shopping is great and its proximity to Malaga at only 20 minutes by train gives you plenty of choices, including Plaza Mayor Shopping Mall where they also have a cinema that plays English-speaking movies.
There are also fun boat tours from Torremolinos if you like to see the coast from a different perspective and there’s a fantastic water park there.
LUXURY: Melia Costa del Sol – excellent seafront hotel with outdoor swimming pools and a spa and wellness center to pamper yourself. In the summer season, you can enjoy live music at their rooftop bar.
MID-RANGE: Hotel Riu Costa del Sol – seaside hotel with high-end facilities, spa and wellness center, and plenty of pools and restaurants to choose from when you don’t feel like going out. There is private parking available.
BUDGET: Essence Hotel Boutique by Don Paquito – an elegant boutique hotel that is great value for money. The staff is super friendly, they have a spa and wellness center and outdoor pool, and it’s only a couple of minutes’ walk to the beach.
Rincón de La Victoria
When considering where to stay around Malaga for a genuinely Spanish vibe, Rincón de La Victoria is hard to overlook.
It’s a more relaxed pace there and you’re still fairly close to Malaga City whenever you want to go sightseeing or shopping. But there are also local markets in Rioncón de La Victoria where you can find unique things.
What I like the most about this town is the local vibe and the beaches, so if you want a place to just relax and soak in the sun, this is a great option.
There are plenty of places to stay, but here you’ll find a couple of my top picks.
MID-RANGE: Añoreta Suites – located 1.5 kilometers from the beach, the hotel has an on-site restaurant and bar. I do recommend a car if you’re staying there, they offer free parking.
BUDGET: Rincón Sol – hotel on the seafront with several restaurants and free parking outside. Rooms have balconies, some with sea view.
Mijas Pueblo
When looking for nice places to stay near Malaga, Mijas Pueblo is a lovely little hillside town usually only visited as a day trip from Fuengirola or other nearby coastal towns.
Nestled in the Mijas mountains overlooking Fuengirola, the coastal views are unmatched.
The whitewashed village is one of the prettiest in Andalucia with colorful pot plants on the walls and cute restaurants and bars everywhere.
Despite being small, there are plenty of things to do in Mijas Pueblo. The Muralla Park is set along the edge of the village offering spectacular views of the coast.
It’s a nice walk along the edge of the park but you should also explore the rest of it where you’ll find fountains, an old watch tower, and a chapel.
There are also multiple quirky museums, like the Miniature Museum boasting everything imaginable in miniature size. Mijas Pueblo also has its own Chocolate Factory where you can make your own chocolate!
Mijas Pueblo is one of the more quiet places to stay near Malaga. Even though it’s getting quite touristy with tourist buses coming up in the daytime, it usually calms down later in the day.
Here are some excellent hotel options.
LUXURY: La Zambra Resort GL – located in Mijas Golf, at only a 15-minute drive from Mijas Pueblo, this is a fabulous 5-star hotel with swimming pools, a spa and wellness center, and golf courses nearby.
MID-RANGE: OPUNTIA Hotel Boutique – located in the heart of Mijas Pueblo, this is a great hotel with good service and nice rooms. There’s a restaurant on-site, though you find plenty of restaurants and bars on the doorstep too.
BUDGET: La Posada de Mijas – a lovely, family-run place with rooms and apartments. It’s located in the heart of Mijas Pueblo and is an excellent budget option!
La Cala de Mijas
La Cala de Mijas is one of my top choices among the places to stay near Malaga Spain in this post. Maybe I’m biased since I used to live there, but there is a nice and relaxed vibe in La Cala de Mijas. Yet, the evenings are lively at the restaurants and bars.
For being such a small town, there is quite a bit to do in La Cala de Mijas from strolling along the promenade that reaches all the way to Cabopino to playing golf at one of the many golf courses.
If you take the bus or rent a car, there are a lot of things to do in Mijas municipality, including Mijas Pueblo and several hiking routes.
Among the many hotels in La Cala de Mijas, here are my top picks.
LUXURY: La Cala Resort – located in Mijas Golf, the hotel is about 15 minutes to drive from La Cala de Mijas. It offers a spa and wellness center and several pools, restaurants, and bars.
MID-RANGE: VIK Gran Hotel Costa del Sol – located on the beachfront in La Cala de Mijas, the hotel features an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a bar. There is also private parking on the property.
BUDGET: Los Amigos Beach Club – a great apartment hotel only a short walk to the beach. It’s super kid-friendly with several pools and a spa. If you don’t want to cook in, there is a restaurant and a bar on the property. It’s only a few minute’s drive from La Cala de Mijas town center.
Marbella
Marbella tops the list if you want to play with the rich and famous when looking for where to stay near Malaga Spain.
Marbella is famous for its beach clubs like Nikki Beach and the upscale Puerto Banús where you can dine in style.
While Marbella has a reputation for being expensive and fancy, the old town is all other than that. There, you can experience a more down to earth side of Marbella with boutique shops lined in charming cobblestoned streets, pot plants decorating whitewashed walls, and lively squares with orange trees.
There is no best time to visit Marbella. Whether you visit Marbella in winter or in the summer, there are plenty of fun things to do in Marbella for every kind of traveler with different museums, a quaint old town, and endless hiking opportunities.
There are also fun boat tours in Marbella whether you want to meet people on a party cruise or sail into the sunset with your significant other on a private sailing cruise. And if you prefer lounging at the beach, there’s plenty of beaches to enjoy from urban beaches to more remote beaches protected by sand dunes.
There are so many places to stay in Marbella for every budget, here are my top picks.
LUXURY: Puente Romano Beach Resort – with a wealth of swimming pools, a private beach area, a spa, and a fitness room, this is by far the best place to stay in Marbella. Located on the Golden Mile, you can not expect anything but excellence from this hotel.
MID-RANGE: Hotel Marbella Fusión – located in the old town with a restaurant and bar on-site, this is a lovely hotel with a bright and charming interior and a rhododendron-draped front wall.
BUDGET: La Morada Mas Hermosa – located in the heart of Marbella Old Town, you find restaurants and bars at your doorstep. Bright and comfortable rooms make this a great choice.
Ronda
The dramatic town of Ronda sits on both sides of the El Tajo Gorge and is connected by the striking Puente Nuevo (New Bridge.) It’s one of the most stunning towns in Malaga with splendid nature views.
There are plenty of things to do in Ronda so you can easily spend a week exploring the town and the white villages near Ronda.
Besides the New Bridge, explore Ronda’s charming old town, churches, Arab Baths, palaces, and old city walls and gates.
There are so many reasons to visit Ronda. There is great shopping in Ronda and plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy local delights.
Besides, the Serrania de Ronda region is a fabulous wine region so you can go on Ronda wine tours to explore the wineries and try exquisite local wines.
READ BEFORE YOU GO:
LUXURY: Parador de Ronda – hands down the best hotel in Ronda Spain, located in the old Town Hall, it overlooks the El Tajo Gorge and New Bridge. Enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and eat a delectable meal at the Parador restaurant.
MID-RANGE: Catalonia Ronda – a wonderful place to stay in Ronda with an infinity pool overlooking the bullring and spa and wellness center to relax after long days of sightseeing. Pets are allowed.
BUDGET: Hotel Maestranza – located near Plaza de Toros, this is a great, central hotel to stay in Ronda. There is a bar and restaurant on site. It is also accessible to people with disabilities.
Reflections on the best places to stay near Malaga
Summing up the best places to stay near Malaga, there’s a lot of variety whether you prefer a relaxing vacation with your partner, a memorable family trip, or are looking for party and fun with friends.
I’m positive you’ll find a cool place to spend your vacation on Costa del Sol as there’s so much to do.
Happy travels!