Málaga in 6 Days on a Budget (Daily Costs)
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6 days: the city and the whole golden triangle
Six days is enough to do the Málaga core and the full Andalusian golden triangle, Granada, Córdoba and Seville, plus the Caminito del Rey. That is three ticketed day trips back to back, so book the Alhambra, the Seville Alcázar and the walkway before you leave home. Budget roughly 30-85 euros a day beyond your room. The 5-day plan drops Seville; the 7-day plan adds a slower coastal day.
Book before you go:
- A Málaga hotel on Booking.com
- Golden-triangle day trips on GetYourGuide
- Alhambra, Seville Alcázar and Caminito del Rey all sell out, book them first
| Day | Focus | Rough cost (solo, no hotel) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Alcazaba, Gibralfaro, Roman Theatre, Cathedral | 15-30 euros |
| Day 2 | Picasso, Soho, 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 | Seville | 70-100 euros |
| Day 6 | The Caminito del Rey | 25-45 euros |
Day 1: The Moorish and Roman core
Free Roman Theatre, the combined Alcazaba and Gibralfaro ticket (EUR 10, or EUR 7 for one site; free for everyone every Sunday from 14:00), the steep climb up to the castle terrace (about 20 minutes on foot or EMT bus 35), and the Cathedral, “La Manquita.” Tapas in the old town. Tip: take the free footpath up beside the Alcazaba instead of buying both fortress and castle entries.
Day 2: Picasso, Soho and the beach
The Casa Natal birthplace and the Museo Picasso Málaga (EUR 13, free the last two hours on Sundays) in the morning, the free Soho murals and Banderas’s Teatro del Soho after, then an espeto on the sand at Pedregalejo. Tip: rest today, three day trips follow, and eat your main meal as a cheap late beach lunch.
Day 3: Granada and the Alhambra
The Alhambra, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away, timed ticket (EUR 22.27 online) booked ahead on the official Patronato site, plus the free Albaicín. Tip: the Nasrid Palaces slot on your ticket is fixed, be at the gate early.
Day 4: Córdoba and the Mezquita
Córdoba, about an hour on the AVE (check Renfe for disruption before booking), for the Mezquita and its roughly 850 arches (about 15 euros), then the free Roman bridge and Jewish quarter. Tip: go into the Mezquita first thing, before the heat and the tour groups build.
Day 5: Seville
Seville is the longest trip, roughly 2 hours by AVE with one change via Córdoba or Bobadilla. Prebook the Alcázar (around 15 euros, verify); the Plaza de España and the cathedral exterior are free to admire. Tip: this is a full, tiring day, take the earliest train out and a later one back to make the hours count.
Day 6: The Caminito del Rey
The Caminito del Rey, about an hour by road, a one-way route of about 7.7 km with 2.9 km of cliff boardwalk, 3 to 4 hours, EUR 10 for the general ticket, children under 8 not admitted, best booked online. Tip: after three big city days, this open-air walk is the payoff, book an early slot and wear proper shoes.
How much does 6 days in Málaga cost?
Figure roughly 250-370 euros across the six days for tickets, transport and meals, plus your room. Seville and Córdoba are the priciest days on their AVE fares; the city core and the Caminito keep the average down.
Read more: Málaga Day Trips on a Budget covers each trip with costs, or, for a slower week, the 7-day itinerary adds a coastal day at Nerja.