Nerja, meanwhile, has attracted tourists for many years because it combines the attraction of aforementioned white Andalusian villages with the charm of a seaside town, complete with narrow cobbled streets and multiple lively little squares.

The historic centre’s main attraction is, without doubt, the famous Balcón de Europa. This is a large outdoor balcony, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the cliffs that cascade into the sea.

Following the coastal walkway east, you reach the incredibly popular Burriana beach, which is a popular spot for people from northern Europe and has bars and restaurants that cater for this clientele.

Here, there are also various watersports facilities, including for kayaking and paddleboarding, which take in the beautiful scenery around the Maro area.

Another major attraction nearby is the Cuevas de Nerja. These caves, which were discovered by accident in 1959 by five boys who had gone potholing, are one of Andalucía’s most fascinating attractions thanks to the giant stalactites and stalagmites that can be seen inside.

Formed around five million years ago, the caves stretch for almost five kilometres – much of which can be visited via a series of connected walkways. They are also home to Neanderthal cave paintings that date back 42,000 years.

The caves also provide a stunning backdrop for the annual international music and dance festival.

Industry has also played an important role in the development of Nerja and this can be noted in the ruins of a sugar cane factory and paper mill, as well as the Águila aqueduct, located in the area between Nerja and Maro.

Getting to Nerja on public transport is straightforward. Buses run regularly from the bus station in Malaga port throughout the day and take between 45 minutes (direct) and an hour and a half. 

4. Torremolinos

In the mid-to-late 20th century, Torremolinos was one of the hottest holiday destinations in the world.

The town, which was formerly a suburb of Malaga city, gained fame during the 1950s and 60s when it attracted many enormous showbiz personalities such as Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, Brigitte Bardot, Salvador Dalí, Elton John, Marlon Brando, Orson Welles and Frank Sinatra.

Torremolinos has always been a haven for progressives and, during the 1960s, the LGBTQ+ community found a home there during the dark days of the Franco dictatorship. As a result, the town is famous for its vibrant and liberal nightlife, with a vast offering of bars, nightclubs and flamenco tablaos.

Torremolinos town centre revolves around Calle San Miguel – a maze of artisan shops and several tapas bars, bodegas, restaurants and cafes. Meanwhile, the labyrinth of bar-filled lanes that surround Plaza La Nogalera is the focal point of the gay scene in Torremolinos. This colourful part of town boasts cabaret bars, fetish clubs and saunas, as well as exclusively LGBTQ+ hotels and beach bars.

One neighbourhood which mustn’t be overlooked is El Calvario, the old part of town, just a few hundred metres from the centre. It has the feel of a typical Andalusian village from the Spain of yesteryear. Here, you can find inviting taverns and bars offering an enormous variety of tapas and wine. 

With eight kilometres of sand, which runs from Los Álamos to La Carihuela, Torremolinos also has plenty to give in terms of beaches, many of which offer watersports. The picturesque promenade also links Torremolinos to the neighbouring Benalmádena Costa and its Puerto Marina.

In addition to the beautiful beaches, the nightlife and the liberal atmosphere, Torremolinos also has a Crocodile Park, botanical gardens and the popular Aqualand water park.

Torremolinos is just 14 kilometres from Malaga and can be reached by Cercanías train in a little over 20 minutes.

5. Fuengirola