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Wondering whether it’s best to do 2 nights Malaga or split between Nerja

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I plan on having 2 nights in the area and wanted to spend a good part of the day just chilling on the beach in Nerja. I also wanted to check out Frigiliana (if it’s worth visiting).

I’ll be leaving from Granada in the morning and plan to take a bus to Ronda (3 hours by bus). Then spend the night in Malaga since heading straight to Nerja would take way too much bus travel in a day.

I’m debating if I could make Nerja (and maybe) Frigiliana a day trip. The next day I fly out of AGP (Malaga airport) at 20:30. So will need to be at the airport at approximately 18:30.

That means if I left at noon, I should have a couple hours to explore Malaga before my flight.

If I did a day trip I’d probably go early to the beach (earliest bus is at 08:30, arrives at 10:00). Then maybe Frigiliana at 3 pm ish. Latest bus back to Nerja is at 21:30.

Any input if I should make it a day trip or spend the night? Meaning: 2 nights in Malaga or 1 night Malaga 1 night Nerja

I haven’t been to either, in Malaga I’d like to visit the Picasso museum and Alcazaba.

Posted by
548 posts

Based on our experience, on return, I would stay in Malaga and skip Nerja. Frigiliana is beautiful but essentially a tourist town. Nerja is an expat community with a nice enough beach but does not feel like Spain. Malaga is a relaxing, comfortable Spanish city in which to walk the old center and waterfront, including beach, enjoy local sights and eat well.

Posted by
8515 posts

I move locations very often, but this is feeling rushed. I’ve stayed in all of the cities you’ve mentioned, except just a half day in Frigiliana. Consider skipping Ronda. Go from Granada south to Nerja/Frigiliana. Have your unrushed beach time - not the beaches downtown but over at Burriana & go explore Frigiliana. ( I have a beautiful canvas photo on my home office wall from that day at Frigiliana.)

Then the next day go to Malaga & enjoy the sites, museums, etc. there. The Picasso museum is great; I’ve been there twice, Be sure to purchase your ticket ahead because it’s timed entries, and it’s very popular.

Posted by
3076 posts

If you are a Picasso aficionado you will love the museum in Malaga -- better than several others devoted to Picasso.

There is also a branch of the Thyssen museum in Malaga, too.

the distinction above between tourist towns and 'real' towns is an important one -- Rick himself had a bad impression of Malaga because he went to the wrong part. Like he says about Gibraltar and some other spots along the coast, many Europeans and Brits who only want the nice weather and nothing else have turned some areas into Brighton/Hove. Your Malaga experience can be like an English summer camp or like a visit to Antibes, depending on where you look.

Posted by
403 posts

Malaga is a beautiful old city with a compact pedestrianised centre and many worthwhile sites.
I imagine Rick visited many years ago before its transformation.
I'd stay in Malaga - it also has beaches - the one east of town is better.

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