📍 Málaga – Beaches, Culture & a Great City Vibe
Drive time: ~1 hour
Perfect for: A mix of beach, city strolls, and culture
Málaga is one of those cities that surprises people. It’s not just a place you fly into — it’s actually full of history, great food, and fun things to do with or without kids.
Start at the port where there’s a lovely promenade (Muelle Uno) lined with palm trees, restaurants, and even a small playground.
From there, you can walk up to Gibralfaro Castle for amazing views over the city and sea. Or visit the Alcazaba — a beautiful Moorish fortress right in the city center.
The old town is full of life too, with narrow streets, cool little shops, and plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants. And if you like art, don’t miss the Picasso Museum or the Centre Pompidou by the port.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Family Tip
Take the glass elevator up to Gibralfaro Castle — saves a climb and the views are worth it! The Centre Pompidou also has colourful exhibitions kids might enjoy.
On our last visit my kids really enjoyed the Video Game Museum. It’s really fun and you can play lots of games from the past. 👾 🕹️
👀 Don’t Miss:
- Tapas at El Pimpi or Mercado Central
- Gibralfaro Castle
- Picasso Museum
- Port promenade (Muelle Uno)
➡ Find out more things to do on the Malaga Tourism website.
📍 Ronda – A Town on the Edge (Literally)
Drive time: ~1 hour 45 mins
Perfect for: Jaw-dropping views, history, and a bit of drama
Ronda feels like something out of a fantasy novel!
Ronda is built right on top of a deep gorge, and the Puente Nuevo bridge that connects the two sides is stunning. If you’ve seen it in photos, it’s even better in person. The views from both sides are incredible.
Once you’ve walked across the bridge, take your time wandering through the old town. It’s peaceful and charming, with cobbled streets and little cafés tucked away on quiet corners.
For tapas be sure to check out El Lechuguita – It’s quite an experience.
You can also visit the bullring, one of the oldest in Spain, and the small museum inside. Even if you’re not into bullfighting, the building itself is really interesting and full of history.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Family Tip
Hold hands near the cliffs! There are some big drop-offs around the viewpoints. Bring snacks or grab lunch on a terrace overlooking the gorge — many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.
Stop for an ice cream in the old town after exploring!
👀 Don’t Miss:
- Puente Nuevo
- The old town
- Ronda Bullring & Museum
Find more things to do on the Ronda Tourism website.
📍 Setenil de las Bodegas – Houses Built Into Rocks
Drive time: ~1 hour 45 mins
Perfect for: A unique little adventure and a great lunch stop
Setenil is one of those places that makes you go “wow” the second you arrive. The town is built right into the cliffs — some streets are completely covered by overhanging rock!
The most famous of these is Calle Cuevas del Sol, where cafés and shops sit snug under the natural stone ceiling.
It’s a small town, so you don’t need a full day here, but it’s a great stop if you’re heading to or from Ronda.
The walk through town is scenic and interesting, and there are lots of great photo spots.
There’s not a huge amount to do, but that’s kind of the point — it’s all about wandering, looking up in amazement, and maybe grabbing some local tapas in a cave café.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Family Tip
Kids will love how the town feels like a mix between a village and a cave. Be ready to take lots of pictures of them pretending to “hold up the rock.”
Don’t Miss:
- Calle Cuevas del Sol
- The cave cafés
- Walk along the river for more views
- Local jamón and cheese!
📍 Seville – Culture, Flamenco, and Orange Trees
Drive time: ~2.5 hours
Perfect for: A weekend trip full of beauty, history, and food
Seville is the kind of city that stays with you. It’s big and full of life, but the historic center is compact and walkable.
There’s something beautiful on every corner — orange trees line the streets, tiled courtyards peek out behind doors, and there’s always music in the air.
The Real Alcázar is a must — it’s like stepping into a fairytale palace, with gardens you can get lost in.
The Seville Cathedral is huge and impressive, and you can climb the Giralda tower for amazing city views (no stairs, just a ramp!).
Another great place to enjoy amazing views is in the rooftop bar on top of the Abba hotel. The food and drinks up there are pretty decent too!
Don’t miss Plaza de España — a giant, semi-circular building with canals and tiled benches representing every province in Spain. Kids love running around here or even renting a little rowboat.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Family Tip
My kids loved Plaza de España and the surrounding park. Great for playing a game of hide and seek.
The Real Alcázar has plenty of shady garden space for breaks. Go early to avoid long queues or book tickets online in advance.
Don’t Miss:
📍 Tarifa – Where the Med Meets the Atlantic
Drive time: ~1.5 hours
Perfect for: Beach vibes, windsurfing, and relaxed charm
Tarifa is the southernmost point of mainland Europe — and it has a totally different feel from other places near Estepona. It’s a mix of boho surfer town and historic fortress city.
The beaches are stunning! They are very different to the beaches in Estepona. With pure golden sand and clear Atlantic waters, they are great for families.
However, they are often windy — perfect for kite surfers – but keep this in mind if you if you’re going to be using a parasol.
The old town is a maze of whitewashed streets filled with surf shops, chill cafés, and friendly locals.
If you like history, check out Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno, a fortress right near the port. And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even take a ferry to Tangier for the day.
Family Tip
Tarifa’s beaches are wide and clean — bring buckets, kites, and windbreakers. You’ll also need plenty of sun cream. The waters a pretty shallow for quite a way out so great for paddling.
Don’t Miss:
- Playa de Los Lances
- Tarifa Old Town
- Castillo de Guzmán
- Watching kite surfers at the beach
Tips for Day Trips from Estepona
- Bring water, and snacks, especially if traveling with kids
- Plan your parking ahead of time (some old towns have tight streets)
- Leave early to beat traffic and enjoy a full day out
- Don’t forget sun hats and sunscreen — even in cooler months!
📌 Final Thoughts
There’s so much more to explore just outside of Estepona. Whether you’ve got a free afternoon or want to turn it into a full-day family trip, these spots are packed with beauty, culture, and fun.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve got a favorite nearby place I missed!
Share your thoughts and help others!