Caminata por el rio Chillar rates as one of the best walks near Malaga, and it's a refreshing one in the summer when the Costa del Sol is baking hot. It starts near Nerja and follows the River Chillar gorge, all the way to the waterfall at the mouth of the river. The beginning is almost always dry, but the riverbed quickly gets wetter and wetter — and you may find that the water comes up to your thighs later on. The best bit is when the gorge narrows and you can touch both sides with your hands as you wade past!

This weird and wonderful landscape is covered in strange rock shapes. Formed millions of years ago when this part of Spain was part of the ocean bed, and then sculptured by the wind and rain ever since, many of the rocks in El Torcal Natural Park will remind you of monsters and monuments, and there are also a number of caves and galleries to explore along the way.

Situated just north of Malaga city, La Concepcion is a historic garden, originally planted by the Marquis and Marchioness of Loring in the mid-1800s. Today, it's home to several hundred types plants and trees, as well as dozens of bird species and a long list of butterflies.

Sandwiched between the west side of the city, the motorway, and the airport, Rio Guadalhorce Nature Reserve seems an unlikely location for a bird sanctuary, but this stretch of the River Guadalhorce harbors numerous different species of birds — some permanent residents and others just visitors on their way north or south. Year-round, you can expect to see egrets, avocets, warblers, and birds of prey, as well as a good number of ducks and herons; while flamingos, booted eagles, and bee eaters are a few of the species that stop by during migration seasons. Even if you're not a 'twitcher,' you'll definitely enjoy the walk along the river to the beach, a pleasant change from the hustle and bustle of Malaga.

If the sun's shining (and it probably will be), why not take a break from sightseeing and spend some time relaxing on the sand? Malaga's most popular beach is just a short walk from the center and offers plenty of beach bars for snacks and ice creams, plus some big palm trees for shade. Come summer, you can expect Playa de La Malagueta to be packed to bursting point, but otherwise it's easy to find a spot for your towel.

One of the Costa del Sol's most famous beaches, Playa La Carihuela is well worth a visit if you're in Malaga. The beach has clean sands, safe bathing, and plenty of bars for snacks and loungers.

Just a short drive inland, Ardales National Park is centered around a huge reservoir with natural sandy beaches. Here, you can hire boats, windsurfing equipment, kayaks, or just chill out on the sands. Plus, El Chorro gorge, at the top of the reservoir, offers some seriously challenging rock climbing for the ultra-adventurous.

For amazing views of the whole of the coastline, Africa on the horizon, and Malaga's inland mountain ranges, hop on the cable car in Benalmadena (near Tivoli World). At the top, you'll find a falconry show, refreshments, and a few different mountain walkways.

Animal lovers will can't miss a trip to this natural park, where different species of wolves live semi-wild in mountain habitats. On your guided tour of Lobo Park, you can admire white Alaskan wolves, European wolves, and a pack of Iberian wolves, as the knowledgeable guides give you a great insight into how they live.

Situated east of Malaga, the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alahama mountain range provide challenging hiking, amazing views, and the chance to see some of the most beautiful scenery in this part of Andalucia.