Malaga is Spain's busiest car hire airport after Madrid and Barcelona — and for good reason. It's the perfect base for exploring the Costa del Sol, the mountain villages of the Axarquía, and the dramatic interior of Andalusia. Picasso was born here; the food is outstanding; and within two hours you can be in the Sahara-like landscape of Almería or the snow-dusted peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

Picking up your hire car in Malaga

  • Malaga Airport (AGP) — All major suppliers have desks in the arrivals hall. The T3 car hire zone is a short walk or shuttle from arrivals. Allow 30–45 minutes for collection during peak season.
  • City centre pick-up — Several suppliers offer collection from Malaga city, useful if you're arriving by train or bus before starting your road trip.
  • Peak season (July–August) — Book at least 6 weeks ahead. Availability tightens dramatically and prices double. The best deals are found in April–June and September–October.

Driving in and around Malaga

  • Malaga city driving is relatively straightforward — the ring road (Ronda de Málaga) bypasses the centre efficiently.
  • The A-7 (AP-7 toll version) runs the length of the coast. The free N-340 is slower but more scenic.
  • Parking in Malaga city centre: use the underground car parks on Calle Larios or beneath the Alameda. Street parking with blue lines requires a ticket.
  • Petrol stations are abundant on all major routes; cheaper away from motorway service stations.
  • Speed cameras are active on the A-7 — the coast road has a 100 km/h limit that's strictly enforced.

Where to go — best drives from Malaga

Ronda (1 hr) — one of Spain's most dramatic towns, perched above a 100m gorge. The road up from the coast via Casares is spectacular. Granada (1.5 hrs) — the Alhambra, the Albaicín quarter and flamenco. Drive the A-92 through olive groves and pass through Antequera's impressive stone tors. White Villages circuit — the villages of Mijas, Frigiliana, Comares and Cómpeta form a half-day loop of whitewashed Andalusian perfection. Cabo de Gata (2.5 hrs) — Spain's wildest coastline, a natural park of volcanic cliffs and deserted beaches reached only by road.

Don't miss: The road from Nerja to Almuñécar (the N-340a coastal stretch) is one of the Costa's most beautiful drives — cliffs, sea views and hidden coves that the main highway bypasses entirely.
Price tip: Malaga is one of the world's most competitive car hire markets — always compare at least 4–5 suppliers before booking. Local and regional companies often undercut the big brands significantly.
Book for Malaga now: Compare live prices from 900+ suppliers at Malaga car hire. Prices from $18/day. No booking fees.