Malaga is a popular tourist destination in Spain. Andalusia and the Costa del Sol offer visitors to the area the most emblematic Spanish experiences: fried fish, tapas, wine, sun, flamenco and, if that’s your thing, bullfights.
Although it is far from being the most important city in Andalusia, Malaga is also well connected to other Andalusian cities, such as Granada, Seville and Cordoba, and has a high speed rail connection to Madrid. And with Spain’s third largest airport, it’s easy to plan the perfect Spanish vacation from Malaga.
Barcelona is famous for its art, architecture, gastronomy, and nightlife. Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of the Catalonia region in Spain, is where you’ll find the incredible Sagrada Familia church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí. Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró present modern art by its namesakes. There are also several Roman archaeological sites.
Barcelona is a city of beautiful views. It is surrounded by mountains, so there is no shortage of highlands to enjoy panoramic views. However, often the best views are from a rooftop terrace or a hotel bar, right in the center of town. From carnival rides on Mount Tibidabo to cable cars around the harbor, you’ll want to enjoy the sights as well as the art and culture while in Barcelona.
Therefore, traveling between the two areas is often something visitors will want to do. Both areas are worth seeing on a visit to Spain and you can travel by train, bus, car, or plane.
Guided Tours of Barcelona from Malaga
Tours from Malaga tend to focus on Andalusia, perhaps extending as far as Madrid, but generally no further. For a tour that takes you to Barcelona, try taking the high-speed AVE train from Malaga to Madrid and then find a guided tour of Spain from Madrid, many of which include Barcelona.
Flights between Barcelona and Malaga
There are frequent flights between Barcelona (BCN) and Malaga (AGP) and they are likely to be your cheapest and fastest option, especially if you book well in advance. The flight takes less than two hours.
Barcelona to Malaga by train
The fastest train from Malaga to Barcelona takes less than six hours. When you factor in all the extra time needed at airports, the train often ends up being a door-to-door journey faster than flying (not to mention less stressful). You can get train tickets online through sites like Rail Europe.
Trains from Barcelona to Malaga depart from Barcelona Sants station. Trains to Malaga depart from the María Zambrano train station.
Barcelona to Malaga by bus
A bus trip from Barcelona to Malaga takes approximately 13 hours. You can book most bus tickets in Spain online at no additional cost. Just pay with a credit card and print the e-ticket.
There are several night buses that run from Barcelona to Malaga.
Barcelona to Malaga by car
The 1,000-kilometer trip from Barcelona to Malaga takes approximately ten hours, traveling mainly on the AP-7 and A-92 highways. AP roads are toll roads. Consider stopping in Valencia or Murcia to finish the trip. Travelers find the long journey tedious with few scenic stops.
