Car Rental in Malaga

Why rent a car in Malaga?

One of the largest cities of Andalusia, Malaga is right at the heart of the Costa del Sol region, ranking it among the top travel destinations in the country. While most visitors are naturally drawn to the sand and sea of the Mediterranean, the city has plenty of other aces up its sleeve, not least its well-preserved architecture, high-quality museums, and delicious cuisine. Finally, Malaga can also serve as a perfect hub from which you can explore the rest of Southern Andalusia with many fun day-trip destinations just a short drive away.

Top ways to enter Malaga

• Malaga Airport: The fourth-busiest in Spain (and first in Andalucia), Malaga Airport serves flights to and from destinations not only in Europe, but also North Africa and the Middle East.
• Granada Airport: About one-and-a-half hour’s drive northeast, Granada Airport is popular with low-cost carriers like Vueling and easyJet, and has connections to other Spanish cities, as well as Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom.
• Gibraltar La Linea Airport: Located about 135 km (84 mi) southeast of Malaga, Gibraltar Airport hosts flights to and from the United Kingdom and nearby Morocco.
• Sevilla Airport. Handling about seven million travelers every year, Seville Airport serves the region's capital and largest city. The drive from Seville to Malaga takes close to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• By train. Malaga is also connected to the rest of Andalusia and the rest of the country by an efficient train network. Conveniently, you can arrive in the city by train and then pick up a rental car at Malaga's Central Train Station.

City facts

• The main language spoken in Malaga in Spanish of Andalusian variety. English is also widely understood, and there are many expats along the wider Costa del Sol region who also speak French, German, Dutch, and other languages.
• Malaga is made up of 11 districts that are further divided into barrios. Keep in mind that not all of the districts are located right on the coast.
• Malaga’s climate is subtropical and gets about 300 sunny days per year. Even in winter, the average temperatures are between 13 to 20 °C (55 to 68 °F) during the day. The summers are very hot, so keeping hydrated at all times is important.

Top sights and activities

• Beaches. For most travelers, Malaga is all about the Mediterranean. The Malagueta Beach is the most famous one and located in the city, but nearby beaches like Burriana, Mijas Costa, and beaches in next-door Marbella can be just as fun and are easy to reach by a rental car.
• Picasso Museum. The famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso was a native of Malaga, and the Picasso Museum, also known as the Birthplace Museum, has many of his artworks on exhibition, as well as works by other world-famous artists like Francis Bacon, Marc Chagall, and many others.
• Alcazaba. The castle, first built by moors in the 11th century, overlooks the city and is one of the most best-preserved and impressive sites in Spain. The next-door Roman Theater tells the story of an even older chapter in Malaga’s history.
• Malaga Cathedral. Malaga is home to many beautiful Catholic churches, but Basílica de la Encarnación is arguably the standout among them. The cathedral took about 250 years to finish and therefore encompasses elements of Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassicism, and other styles, but that only makes it more impressive. It is located near Alcazaba, as well as the Castle of Gibralfaro, another architectural landmark.
• Gibralfaro. A mountain that has been fortified for more than 2,700 years, Gibralfaro has remained one of Malaga's most notable natural landmarks at least since then. The location of a mountaintop castle of the same name, Gibralfaro provides stunning views of the city and the Mediterranean sea below.
• Seville. The capital and largest city of Andalusia, Seville is also one of Spain’s finest tourist destinations. Known for its glorious past that has left dozens of stunning buildings across the city, but equally as the birthplace of Flamenco, it can be explored for weeks. Located some 205 km (127 miles) northwest of Malaga, Seville can be reached by car in about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Traffic and parking

• Speed limits - 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car documentation and insurance always has to be inside a vehicle.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm travelling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the roads in Spain are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘carretera de peaje’. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The payment method may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km by car. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Granada. With Alhambra and other Islamic-era architectural monuments and sites preserved better than anywhere else, Granada is a timeless place with a very special atmosphere.
• Gibraltar. Technically part of the United Kingdom and just 6.7 square kilometers large, Gibraltar is a great place to visit. Climbing the Europa Point will let you see Africa across the Mediterranean while entering the Gibraltar rock will reveal a labyrinthine network of caves and tunnels.  On your way to Gibraltar or coming back to Malaga you can also visit beautiful natural parks like Sierra de las Nieves or Los Alcornocales. 
• El Chorro. Just 50 minutes drive from Malaga, El Chorro gorge and the nearby village of the same name is a fun place to explore. The truly adventurous ones will try to walk over the hanging walkway that’s known as Caminito del Rey (the King's Pathway).
• Acinipo. The beautiful and tranquil nature of Andalusia means that many Spaniards and other Europeans choose to retire in the area, but this tradition has surprisingly ancient roots. Even more than 2,000 years ago, the area of Malaga was popular with retiring Roman soldiers returning from battles in far-off lands. It was probably them who built the now-abandoned city of Acinipo with its baths and impressive Roman theater which has now been turned into a heritage site. Located some 100 km (62 miles) west of Malaga, the ruins are well worth a visit to have a glimpse into another time. Very rich in archaeology, artifacts, and related museums, Andalusia is also home to many Phoenician, Celtic, Moorish sites.
• Marbella. The best-known beach resort of Costa del Sol, Marbella is visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Naturally, the main attractions here are the sun and the sea, but the Marbella area has been inhabited for over two millennia and also boasts notable historical landmarks, most of which are in its well-preserved Casco Antiguo or old town. The drive from Malaga to Marbella takes about one hour. 

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Spain is the Ford Fiesta, but travelers tend to also choose the Fiat 500 and the Ford Focus a lot. The most popular car types are economy, compact and mini.

Further destinations

For more about traveling around Spain with a rental car, check out our complete guide.

• Algarve. Andalusia’s next door neighbor, the Portuguese region of Algarve is just four hour drive from Malaga and offers wild beaches, friendly towns, and distinct culture in equal measure. Do ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you crossing the border.
• Cordoba. Although its inland location means that it is perhaps not as famous as Malaga or Seville, the city of Cordoba is one of the jewels of this part of Spain. As historic as Granada, it is home to landmarks like the Roman Bridge, the well-preserved Jewish Quarter, and the Alive Museum of Al-Andalus, as well as a special atmosphere that is only aided by the relatively smaller number of visitors. Cordoba is also right next door to the beautiful Sierra de Hornachuelos Nature Park. The trip from Malaga takes less than two hours.
• Morocco. While you cannot pick up a rental car in Malaga and take it to Morocco, you can drop it of in Spain, take a ferry across the Gibraltar Strait and pick up a new one in the Moroccan city of Tangier, the fascinating entry point of Africa.
• Tarifa. The southernmost town of mainland Europe, Tarifa is a place of contrasts. Previously known for its ancient history and well-preserved landmarks, over the last decade it has been reimagined as a windsurfing, beach holiday, and marine tourism hub. Most visitors will tell you that enjoying one aspect doesn’t exclude the other. The drive from Malaga takes about two hours.

Car rental prices in Malaga

• Small cars - from $3 per day
• Medium cars - from $5 per day
• Large cars - from $11 per day
• Vans - from $10 per day
• SUVs - from $5 per day
• Convertibles - from $10 per day
• Station wagons - from $12 per day
• Premium cars - from $58 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Below, you'll find reviews about traveling to Malaga from customers who booked their rental car through us. Here's a summary of some of the most frequent tips they mentioned:

1. Explore Multiple Cities:

   • Many visitors suggest exploring nearby cities such as Seville, Cordoba, Granada, and Marbella. Example: "I visited 5 cities - Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, and Marbella. This was a great experience."

2. Visit Local Attractions:

   • Popular spots include the national reserves, coastal areas, and landmarks like the Rock of Gibraltar. Example: "We went to the Rock of Gibraltar, where a monkey took my cousin's glasses. She got them back. That was an experience for sure."

3. Enjoy Local Cuisine:

   • Recommendations for trying local restaurants, including Indian and Thai food in places like Nerja. Example: "Fabulous Indian in Nerja and Thai too. Frigiliana is worth a visit."

4. Drive Around to See More:

   • Renting a car is suggested to explore more than just the beaches. Example: "Good to get out and about and see more of the location than just the beach."

and issues to watch out for:

1. Parking Difficulties:

   • Finding parking spots can be challenging in some cities. Example: "...sometimes it was difficult to find the parking spot/lot."

2. Unexpected Experiences:

   • Encounters with local wildlife can be memorable and sometimes tricky. Example: "A monkey took my cousin's glasses. She got them back."

3. Navigation Challenges:

   • Some travelers find navigating the roads challenging but enjoyable. Example: "The roads are fun. Restaurants are great. And the cities are gorgeous."

There are many things you can do to get a good car rental deal in Malaga:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Malaga is the cheapest in June when renting a car is about 41% cheaper than the yearly average and about 54% less than renting a vehicle in July.