Hello! My son (13) and I are leaving for Malaga in about 2 months' time, and I'm starting to formulate an itinerary as I need to start booking some tours in advance. We will have 7 FULL days (total trip 9 days) staying in Malaga the entire time (apt near the Cathedral). As many of you know, we (well, me) like to pack a lot into our trips. My son likes a lot of things but not so much art nor plants.

Originally I was planning: 4 days in Malaga; 3 day trips ( Caminito del Rey / Antequera / Ronda)
Now I'm reconsidering: 3 days in malaga; 4 day trips (above 3 plus a day trip to Nerja)

Asking for your thoughts?
Our 3 full days in malaga will look like this (we will intersperse day trips with stay-in-Malaga days)
1 day: 2-hr free walking tour in the morning ( https://freetoursandalucia.com/en/malaga-free-tour/ ). Afternoon visit to Alcazaba/Gibralfaro, roman theater
1 day: 3.5-hr Malaga market food tour with Spain food sherpas (https://www.spainfoodsherpas.com/malaga-tapas-tour/ ). Afternoon visit to Picasso museum
1 day: bike rental from Malaga Bikes and ride to Auto Museum, and either further west, or towards the east. Cathedral, +/- Malaga Museum

Our 4 day trips will be:
1 day - guided tour to Caminito del Rey ***
1 day - guided tour to Antequera dolmens & El Torcal (van pick-up from Malaga + bus voucher for Antequera->Malaga so we can spend extra time in Antequera after the guided tour is over) https://www.visitaantequera.com/prod...-desde-malaga/
1 day - DIY bus tour to Ronda (likely will go on a weekend because it seems like the bus runs earlier on weekends starting at 8:30am)
1 day - guided tour to Nerja caves, Nerja and Fragiliana https://www.allinmalaga.com/experiences/cueva-de-nerja/

*** Caminito del Rey Q
I found lots of local companies that offer this tour. One of them (Aloratur) has 2 options.
Option 1 - 55 euros pp; caminito del rey only https://aloratur.com/bus-caminito-entradas/
Option 2 - 62,50 euros pp, including a 1.5-hr stop in Alora + lunch, and caminito del Rey https://aloratur.com/bus-alora-caminito/

It seems like a no-brainer to choose option 2, as we get to see an extra town, plus lunch? Or do you think Alora is not worth the time and the extra money (of 7,50)

In terms of day trips in order of importance for us:
Caminito del Rey
Antequera
Nerja caves (I think?)
Ronda

What are your thoughts? Anything major I'm missing with my 3 days in malaga (yes, we are skipping art museum and botanical garden). What are your thoughts on the day trips?

We spent four nights in Malaga last month. Can't help with day trips because we spent all our time around the city (after three days/nights in Granada, which is fantastic!). Tickets to the Picasso Museum sold out several days in advance, so be sure to buy them ahead of time. Even with timed tickets, we still had to wait half an hour in line to get in. You'll enjoy the auto museum - it was an unexpected highlight. We also thought the archaeology collection at the Museum of Malaga was worth our time. It's in the former customs house. And try not to schedule your market tour for a Saturday. We went on our own, and it was so crowded we could barely move.

I can't help with day trips, either. We loved our stay in Malaga in September 2017, and I think it's an underrated city.

A highlight was our walk to the top of the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, so you are wise to include that. We loved the Cathedral. And we enjoyed walking along the promenade along the harbor and sitting outside with drinks to watch the sunset. I don't know if it will be warm enough in February to do that. There is a ferris wheel in Malaga, near the port, which is open year round. Don't know if that is something you and your son are interested in. Our friends went for a ride on it while we did something else that day. Anyways, you will love Malaga!

I was pickpocketed at the Alcazaba. I filed a police report and was apparently one of many getting robbed there. Be careful.

Thanks for all the tips! We will make sure we buy our Picasso museum tickets in advance. As for the ferris wheel... I'm reading conflicting info; I think it has been dismantled? Also, thanks for the reminder re: pickpockets. We will be careful!

Any additional insights about our Malaga itinerary and our day trip plans are welcome!

yk, It's possible the ferris wheel has been dismantled. We were there 8 years ago in 2017.

Somewhere in 2025 topics Maribel posted her experience with the Caminito. I would look for it as I know it will provide insight.

amsdon Yes, I have seen Maribel 's advice on visiting Caminito! Thanks