Up for a getaway in Spain? Take note of this route through La Axarquia in Malaga. You’ll only need a long weekend of 3-4 days, a car and good company to make the most of this experience.
Day by day of your road trip through La Axarquia in Malaga
La Axarquia is the easternmost region of the province of Malaga, a perfect combination of diverse landscapes, from peaks of over 2,000 metres to beaches with crystal-clear waters. A land of contrasts that can be fully enjoyed if you choose this route by car, offering greater autonomy and comfort, without depending on schedules.
Also, it is a perfect plan to round out your summer holidays with flexible renting if your destination is Andalusia, or as part of a road trip in the south of Spain.
Day 1: All the charm of the coast (Nerja - Frigiliana)
A coastal route doesn’t just mean beach plans. La Axarquia’s diversity allows you to combine the freshness of some caves in the morning with a meal with a view and an afternoon of beaches and promenades in the same day.
We recommend leaving early to reach your first destination, the Caves of Nerja, no later than 10:00 a.m. There’s a lot to enjoy! From Malaga, on the A-7 towards Motril, it takes about 50 minutes. To visit this scenic gem, known as the ‘cathedral of nature’, take exit 295.
The next stop is Burriana Beach. It is only 7-10 minutes down the N-340 towards the centre of Nerja. Leave the car in the public car park and take advantage of all the services of this Blue Flag urban beach with golden sand, showers, hammock rental, pedal boats, kayaks and diving centres.
You can eat in any of the beach bars of its famous promenade. The star dishes are the espetos and pescaíto frito (fried fish).
End the day with an afternoon of beauty and photography, strolling through the streets of Frigiliana. In the evening, the sunlight highlights the white of its facades and the blue of its doors. It is just over 10 minutes away via the A-7.
Day 2: White Villages and wine route (Cómpeta - Sayalonga - Algarrobo)
Leave the coast to dive into the heart of the deep Axarquia, with its winding roads between vineyards of muscatel grapes and olive trees. If you spent the night in Malaga, the drive is about an hour. From Nerja it is just over 30 minutes.
The first destination is the town of Cómpeta. Among other things, it has a viewpoint with Gaudi arches and a panoramic view of the mountains and the sea in the background. Visit any of its wineries to taste its famous sweet or dry muscatel.
In 15 minutes via the A-7206, you arrive at Sayalonga to enjoy the typical flavours of the mountains of Malaga (cachorreñas soup (garlic-orange soup), choto al ajillo (young goat in garlic sauce) or migas con tropezones (migas with meat)). End the day in the town of Algarrobo with a stroll along its coastline, much quieter than in Nerja.
Day 3: Adventure in the Sierra (Canillas de Aceituno - Alcaucín)
The final excursion in the wildest and highest area of La Axarquia, at the foot of the Natural Park of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama. A day of contrasts between suspension bridges and villages hanging from the mountain that you won’t forget in a hurry.
The star stop is Canillas de Aceituno, a beautiful village with narrow streets and flowers, whose main attraction is the route of El Saltillo. It is a path along an irrigation channel, with one of the longest suspension bridges in Spain (50 m), which crosses the canyon of the Almanchares River. It takes about 3-4 hours (round trip), but you can walk just to the bridge and back.
Without leaving the village, do not miss the iconic dish, the suckling goat roasted in a wood-fired oven.
In the evening, say goodbye to your route through La Axarquia in Malaga with an unforgettable destination. After just 20-25 minutes of spectacular views, along the MA-126, you reach Alcaucín. Arrive in time to see the sunset at El Alcázar, a hidden natural jewel.
And complete the visit at Zalia Castle, ruins of an ancient fortress that has passed through Phoenician, Roman and Arab hands. And, of course, a walk through Alcaucín, which preserves the structure of the villages of Arab origin: its narrow, labyrinthine and steeply sloping streets, adorned with hundreds of flower pots.
Rent your car in Malaga with OK Mobility and enjoy this route through La Axarquia. Every moment will be unforgettable!
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