Málaga in 5 Days on a Budget (Daily Costs)
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5 days: the city plus the golden triangle
Five days lets you pair the Málaga city core with the two great Andalusian day trips, Granada and Córdoba, and still fit the Caminito del Rey. Book the Alhambra and the walkway first, they both sell out. Budget roughly 30-70 euros a day beyond your room, spiking on the Granada and Córdoba days. The 4-day plan is the shorter version; the 6-day plan adds Seville.
Book before you go:
- A Málaga hotel on Booking.com
- Alhambra, Córdoba and Caminito trips on GetYourGuide
- Book the Alhambra and Caminito del Rey before anything else and verify current fares
| Day | Focus | Rough cost (solo, no hotel) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Alcazaba, Gibralfaro, Roman Theatre, Cathedral | 15-30 euros |
| Day 2 | Picasso, Atarazanas, espeto beach | 25-40 euros |
| Day 3 | Granada and the Alhambra | 45-70 euros |
| Day 4 | Córdoba and the Mezquita | 55-85 euros |
| Day 5 | The Caminito del Rey | 25-45 euros |
Day 1: The Moorish and Roman core
Free Roman Theatre, then the combined Alcazaba and Gibralfaro ticket (about 5.50 euros, verify) and the wall walk up to the castle terrace. Down to the Cathedral, “La Manquita,” and tapas in the old town. Tip: take the free Alcazaba footpath up to Gibralfaro instead of paying for both sites separately.
Day 2: Picasso, the market and the beach
Picasso in the morning, the Casa Natal birthplace and the Museo Picasso Málaga (about 12 euros, verify). Walk Calle Larios to the Atarazanas Market for a counter lunch, then east to Pedregalejo for an espeto. Tip: today is your rest-legs day before three day trips, keep the afternoon on the beach and eat your big meal as a late lunch.
Day 3: Granada and the Alhambra
The Alhambra, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away (verify the direct service), on a timed ticket around 19 euros booked well ahead on the official Patronato site (verify). Fill the rest of the day with the free Albaicín lanes and viewpoints. Tip: the Nasrid Palaces have a fixed entry time printed on your ticket, arrive early or you forfeit it.
Day 4: Córdoba and the Mezquita
Córdoba is the easiest golden-triangle trip, about 50 minutes on the AVE (verify). The Mezquita, its forest of around 850 red-and-white arches, runs about 13 euros (verify). Wander the free Jewish quarter and the Roman bridge after. Tip: enter the Mezquita in the first hour, both to beat the heat and because early mornings are often cheaper or free (verify current policy).
Day 5: The Caminito del Rey
The Caminito del Rey, about an hour by road, a 2.9-kilometre cliff walkway reopened in 2015, around 10 euros, timed online booking only (verify). Tip: book the earliest slot and wear grippy shoes, the boardwalk is exposed and gets busy and hot by late morning.
How much does 5 days in Málaga cost?
Figure roughly 180-270 euros across the five days for tickets, transport and meals, plus your room. The two AVE-and-ticket days, Granada and Córdoba, carry most of the cost; the city days and the Caminito stay low.
Read more: Málaga Day Trips on a Budget has all the options with costs, or, for a longer trip, the 6-day itinerary adds Seville.