The following list of “Top 10 Costa del Sol car day trips/excursions” (or a little more) are mostly within fairly easy reach of Benahavis Village (varying from half to 2.5 hours away). If you plan your journey you may be able to fit several of these places into one or two day trips depending on which ones appeal. They are not in any particular order although some are sequential as you can visit them together.
(1) Day Trip to Ronda (1 hr drive – North) is a ‘must see’ town / city based North of Benahavis approx 1 hr away (inland) which is an interesting drive up through the mountains and back down the other side. History, nature, gastronomy and art Ronda boasts a rich historical and artistic heritage, symbolic Roman and Moorish monuments, a lush natural environment and a breathtakingly dramatic location all contribute to make it one of the most visited and photographed cities of Andalusia. Click here for map of Ronda or Images of Ronda here.
(2) Juzcar (Smurf Village) (1 hr drive) – If you’re already going to Ronda you could also include a trip to Juzcar (Smurf Village) which is a blue village. Click here for map of Júzcar and Click here for Smurf village info. There isn’t much here and it’s a bit of a trek (12km each way, off the main Rhonda Road) but if you have time it’s a bit of an unusual place to visit and nice if you have younger kids!
(3) Setenil de las Bodegas (1 hr 15 mins) – If you’re already going to Ronda a further 20 mins will take you to this little town famous for its dwellings built into rock overhangs above the Rio Trejo. Click here for map of Setenil de las Bodegas.
(4) Casares (45 Mins – North West) – Casares was a prehistoric settlement, proven so by both the prehistoric remains found there and the Ferrete, Crestellina, and Utrera caves. After its first settlers, many civilizations have since passed through these lands. This pretty little white washed town / village is based in the mountains a little inland from the coast and West of Benahavis approx 42 KM away and takes about 45 mins or so to get to. Click here for map of Casares
(5) Castellar (1 hr – West) – Castellar de la Frontera is a village within a castle surrounded by the walls of a well preserved Moorish–Christian fortress. It is located inland from the road leading from Benahavis to Gibraltar within the Parque Natural de Los Alcornocales next to a reservoir formed by the Guadarranque River. The village was abandoned in the 1970s and its inhabitants moved to the aptly named Nuevo Castellar (Spanish: New Castellar). The derelict state of the village attracted a number of Germans who took over the empty houses and built temporary dwellings outside the walls. The village was later repopulated reporting a population in 2012 of 3,202. On clear days you can see the North African coast, Gibraltar and the villages on the mountains near Málaga to the north. Castellar is in an isolated location, at the end of a mountain road that runs off the A-368. It is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Castellar to the inter-city N-340 road and 25 kilometres (16 mi) to Gibraltar or Algeciras. Click here for map of Castellar
(6) Ojen (25 Mins – East) – is another similar white washed village that is around 30Km away (East towards Malaga and north of Marbella). (Click here for map of Ojen)
(7) Mijas Pueblo (45 Mins – East) – A little further along the motorway past Ojen is the beautiful village of Mijas which not surprisingly is a bit of a tourist mecca! Expect to see lots of tour buses and other tourists but it’s still well worth a visit and better on a clear non hazy day to get that clear view down to the sea from it’s elevated position in the mountains! (Click here for map of Mijas)
(8) El Chorro – Caminito del Rey ( 1.5 hrs – North East) – Known until recently as “the most dangerous path in the world” it was recently renovated to be safer and more secure. In just a few months it has become one of the most visited attractions in the province of Malaga. You need to pre-book tickets (sometimes months in advance), click here for more information and beware it closes if the wind goes above 35 Km/hr!
(9) Seville (2.5 – 3 hrs – North West) – A little further afield is the beautiful city of Seville that is well worth a visit but it might be worth considering either leaving very early or staying overnight as it’s a long drive for one day. I think Seville is one of the nicest cities I’ve EVER visited and I’ve been to quite a few! Click here for images of Seville. or Click here for a map of Seville
(10) Granada (2.5 hrs – East) – Another must see city which is a little further afield is the beautiful city of Granada. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of four rivers, the Beiro, the Darro, the Genil and the Monachil. Again an overnight stay or very early start should be considered as it’s a long way to go. Click Here for map of Granada
(11) Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja (40 Mins – West) – About 40 minutes drive away in the National Park of Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja which is a great place for walking, bird watching and cycling (if you can put the bike in the car). To get there head towards Estepona and come off the motorway and go into towards the town centre then take the MA-8301 into the mountains. Click Here for map of Sierra Bermeja
(12) Malaga (1hr – East) – An often overlooked city that most people just pass through the airport and don’t think to go to! It’s had a lot of work done to it in recent years and is now well worth a visit for the day. Why not spend some time there on your way home if you have a late flight from Malaga?
