Malaga/Miraflores

I don't know Malaga particularly well, having just spend two days there in 2019. If you can give us a more specific location for the Airbnb, it would probably be helpful. Google Maps shows a neighborhood of Malaga called just "Miraflores", but when I search for "Miraflores Mijas Costas", it zeroes in on an area much closer to (east of) Marbella.

Since you plan to take a lot of trips along the coast, I think you'd appreciate being close to a train station. I'm not sure where your Airbnb fits that description.

Mijas Costa is not in the city of Malaga. It’s about 20 miles down the coast. Malaga is the name of the province as well as the city so that is probably where the confusion came from.

We don’t get an exact address until we book the Airbnb. But the map shows it in between Marbella (12 km) and Fuengirola (8 km). Thx!

That is not remotely Malaga. I'd proceed with great caution since you apparently do not plan simply to relax on a beach. That location does not look like a good base for a bunch of day trips. But that comment is based on a look at the map; I've never been there.

I neglected to ask in my first post whether you plan to have a rental car for the length of your stay. I'm a public-transportation person, so I tend to assume other people will also be traveling around by train or bus. If you'll have a car, that Airbnb may not be quite so problematic. However, I'd spend some time on ViaMichelin.com, plotting driving routes, to be sure the travel time will be reasonable.

Will you have a car or rely on Public transport? Also, what is your plan for activities? If museums, then Malaga town has plenty, but like any city, parking is a pain and the old town has no drive zones.
I have never been refused the exact address when I have asked a host before booking an AirBnB.
From there, you can look at public transit availability...if that is your plan.

You could see a lot as long as you have a car. Without a car that is not a great location as it is not on the local train line. The whole area is VERY developed for tourism, eg lots of apartments and hotels, but it has good weather, it’s relatively cheap and it’s easy to get around. Malaga itself is great, and you can head inland to the white villages and even reach Granada and Cordoba pretty easily for (long) day trips.

Easiest way to get to Malaga is the train. You can drive and park at some of the stations if you have a car. Then change in Malaga for trains elsewhere.

Thanks for all your replies! Change of possible plans now. We've found a nice place with lots of good reviews on airbnb. Located at Torrox, 15 minutes from Nerja. Close to restaurants and shops and does not require a car except for travel to other cities. Anyone been to that area? Av. de Mediterraneo. Lots of 4.8 out of 5 star reviews. Thx!

I have not been to Torrox but I do know it is not the most appealing resort. Nerja will be much nicer. If you can find somewhere there then I’d recommend it.

Torrox is a bit cheap and cheerful, full of Brits on cheap Costa Del Sol holidays although in January/February this will be less of an issue. Mijas is nicer, it has a more traditional Spanish "white town" feel to it however a car is recommended.

If it was me I would look for somewhere in the city of Malaga, right in the heart of plenty to see and do and with excellent transport oppurtunities to explore further afield.

We stayed here last December. It is a bit down the coast, but the price for these apartments was very reasonable. Bus just a block away.

https://www.travelocity.com/Benalmadena-Hotels-Sahara-Sunset-By-Diamond-Resorts.h32644110.Hotel-Information?

I like JC's suggestion of staying in Malaga. It's a wonderful city with a very pretty pedestrianized city center. It's located on the Mediterranean with a seaside promenade where you can watch the sunset. Walk to the top of the Alcazaba and the castle for stunning views of the Mediterranean and the port, and along the way you will pass lush greenery and flowers, patios, fountains, and ruins. There are tons of art museums and the Atarazanas mercado.

There is a bus station and train station so you can use public transportation for day trips if you wish. It's 1.5 hours by ALSA bus to Granada. Or you can rent a car.

We really liked Malaga and think it's under-rated and under-appreciated.

Thank you for all the good suggestions. We’ve found a 2BR 1BA fur less than $1000 for 4 weeks in Torrox and plan to have a car. Just trying to decide if that area is best for us.

That is a good price but you will be in a not so beautiful purpose built resort out of season so you need to decide how you feel about that. A lot of the restaurants won’t be open, although they get visitors all year round so it won’t be completely closed up.

I have also stayed at Sahara Sunset and really liked it. The promenade there has been done up and is very pleasant. Paloma Park is 5 mins walk away and beautiful. It’s close to Arroyo which is the main ‘proper’ town for the area with banks etc so although pretty functional it has some authentic Spanish restaurants, and it has a train station. There is more open all year round.

Benalmadena Pueblo is beautiful. It’s the old Benalmadena up on a hill overlooking the sea and tourist sprawl. I’d stay there as a preference but it’s probably more expensive.