Day trips from Málaga: how to fit Colomares into a Costa del Sol loop
Is Colomares worth a Málaga day trip on its own?
No. It takes 40 minutes to walk. I've watched visitors turn around after and wonder what they're meant to do for the rest of the day. You need either a second activity (Calamorro, dolphins, aquarium) or to pair it with an overnight or multi-day stay in Benalmádena. From Málaga city, the only day-trip option is the €35 full-day coach tour.
€35 full-day Málaga tour (most popular path)
The €35 full-day Costa del Sol tour runs 10 hours. Departs from Málaga. Round-trip air-conditioned coach, Spanish- and English-speaking escort all day. Four stops: Mijas Pueblo (one hour), Puerto Banús marina (one hour), Marbella (thirty to forty-five minutes), and Colomares with entry included. Guides named in reviews: Martina, Maria, Gloria, Dimitri; driver Antonio. Kirsty: "Maria took time and detail in both Spanish and English." Nana: "a day full of interesting information." Martina is named in more reviews than anyone. Denisa: "the stops in Mijas, Puerto Banús, Marbella and Colomares had the right amount of time without rushing." Oliwia: "comfortable air-conditioned coach." Rated 4.8 from 76 reviews.
The trade-off: Colomares becomes one stop inside a Costa del Sol loop. You get an hour or ninety minutes here, not a 40-minute focus. The guide is showing you the entire coast. It's the right choice if you want to see multiple towns and have Colomares as a highlight, not the main event.
DIY: train + €9 guided tour (budget path)
Take the C1 Cercanías train from Málaga to Benalmádena–Arroyo de la Miel (roughly 20 minutes, €2–3). From Arroyo de la Miel, bus M-121 uphill to Estupa Tibetana stop (ten minutes, roughly €1–2). Walk downhill fifteen minutes to the Colomares Monument entrance. Book the €9 CulturSol guided tour online. Total cost: €12–14 transport, €9 tour, €3.50 gate if self-guided instead.
Then explore Benalmádena: Mount Calamorro cable car (€18), dolphins (€20), lunch in Benalmádena Pueblo. Or return by train midday to Málaga and do something else.
Advantage: cheaper, and you control your pace and time. Disadvantage: more logistics, need to read train/bus schedules, longer day with travel time.
Málaga airport is 20 km away
If arriving at or departing from Málaga airport, the Colomares side of the coast is on your way to many accommodations. The airport is roughly 20 km from Benalmádena. Not a day trip from the airport itself (no time), but part of a larger itinerary if you're based on the Costa.
Compare the two paths
Full-day tour (€35): Coach, guide, all four towns including Colomares, air-conditioned, ten hours, high logistics handled for you, Colomares as one highlight. Best for Málaga-based visitors who want to see the coast without planning transport.
DIY train + tour (€12–14 + €9 tour): You control the pace, see Benalmádena in depth or add a second activity, cheaper overall. Best for independent travellers comfortable with transport logistics and a longer travel day.
Málaga to Benalmádena by other means
Taxi from Málaga airport: roughly €30–40. Rental car: you drive yourself, full control, parking at Benalmádena Pueblo (600 m from Colomares, free). Neither is faster or cheaper than the train unless you're splitting cost with multiple people.
See also: Benalmádena add-ons, all tours and tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Colomares worth a day trip from Málaga on its own?
No. It takes 40 minutes. You need either a second activity in Benalmádena (cable car, dolphins, aquarium) or to stay overnight. For a Málaga day trip, take the €35 full-day coach tour instead.
What is the €35 full-day Málaga tour?
A 10-hour coach loop from Málaga. Mijas Pueblo (1 hr), Puerto Banús (1 hr), Marbella (30–45 min), Colomares with entry (30–40 min). Air-conditioned coach, Spanish- and English-speaking guide. Rated 4.8 from 76 reviews. Colomares is one of four stops, not the focus.
Can I do DIY from Málaga cheaper?
Yes. Take the C1 train to Benalmádena–Arroyo de la Miel (€2–3), then bus M-121 to Estupa Tibetana (€1–2). Walk 15 minutes to the monument. Book the €9 CulturSol tour. Total: €12–14 transport + €9 tour. Cheaper but requires reading schedules and longer travel time.
How long is the C1 train from Málaga?
Roughly 20 minutes. Then bus M-121 uphill (10 minutes), then walk downhill (15 minutes). About 45–50 minutes door-to-monument.
Is the tour guide good on the €35 full-day?
Yes. Guides named: Martina, Maria, Gloria, Dimitri. Kirsty noted Maria took time and detail in both languages. Martina appears in many reviews. Denisa noted good pacing across all four stops. Oliwia noted the coach was comfortable.
What if I prefer a guide just for Colomares?
Book the €9 CulturSol tour (40 min) and add a Benalmádena activity instead of the full-day loop. Or take the DIY train route and control your own itinerary.
Can I rent a car instead?
Yes, but it’s not cheaper or faster than the train unless you have multiple people splitting cost. Parking at Benalmádena Pueblo is free (600 m from Colomares).