Malaga Is a busy seaport and holiday resort on the Southern coast of Spain, Located on a beautiful sweeping cove of the Mediterranean coast, Malaga is the center of the Costa del Sol. Thousands of tourists visit the Costa del Sol every year but here are a few ideas for day trips in a hire car which might help you avoid the crowds and help you to catch a glimpse of the hidden gems.

Birth place of Picasso Malaga is an attractive cosmopolitan city these days. Wide shopping boulevards, networks of winding lanes around the port, 24 hour party bars, culture and history spanning back through the ages and year round great weather means Malaga is a top destination to visit. However if you stayed solely in the city you would be missing out on the magical aspects that make this region of Spain so interesting. The following destinations are all within easy reach for a day trip in your hire car.

If you head south following the twisting scenic coastal road to Marbella and Puerto Banus you will be transported to the world of the super wealthy. Home to the Spanish elite and celebrities Marbella is a destination to see and be seen in. However when you look a little closer under it's designer jewel encrusted exterior you find a wealth of history and a relaxed holiday destination perfect for a day of pampering, shopping and eating out. Make your way to Orange square to enjoy every bit of the glamour that Marbella has to offer.

Puerto Banus is where everyone keeps their yachts moored, Luxurious and extravagant the white super yachts sit contently in the marina whilst their owners enjoy a little retail therapy, Puerto Banus is a great location for a evening meal. Find a restaurant on the edge of the marina, or the exquisite white beaches, enjoy the fresh sea food and do a little people watching. A great location for a couple on holiday and using a hire car, but it isn't overly child friendly. Be warned though choose your restaurant wisely or you could end up paying a bill the size of a celebrity super yacht.

The Guadalhorce lakes near to Alora make a perfect escape for the whole family. Formed when the Guadalhorce reservoir was built they are the lake district of Spain. This area is a popular weekend escape for residents of Malaga so try to visit the lakes during the week and you will escape the crowds.

The lakes here are outstandingly beautiful and a perfect place to spend a day in the seclusion of a natural setting away from the busy hustle of Malaga city center. Watersports are plentiful, why not try your hand at sailing or wind surfing, or just enjoy a cooler moment taking a swim. Driving in your hire car to this area is part of the beauty of this road trip. The road winds through the Spanish desert which resembles something out of a clichéd western.

When you reach the lakes they look completely unexpected and alien to their surroundings. Essentially a giant artificial oasis the land surrounding them is fertile and filled with lush green woodland. Spend a day enjoying the safe turquoise waters and exploring the area on a quad bike.

For the slightly more adventurous Ronda is a fantastic destination and a real sight to behold it shouldn't take you much longer than an hour and half to reach and is well worth the added effort, the drive will also take you through some of Spain's most astonishing landscapes.

The moors ruled in this area of Spain until the middle of 15th Century, Malaga grew to become the most important trading port in the Iberian peninsular, Hence to Moors defended this part of Spain to the bitter end. Ronda was one of their last strongholds to fall into Christian hands at the end of the 15th Century.

Ronda's famous Puente Nuevo is a bridge which spans the dramatic plunging Tajo gorge it's worth a stop for the breath taking views of the surrounding country side and Serranía de Ronda mountain range. Ronda also plays home to the Plaza de Toros it's one of the oldest bullrings in Spain.

Follow the rambling cobbled streets, meander through the white washed city, and spend a moment breathing in the history; before you know it you'll be sure to find yourself at the Plaza Duquesa de Parcent. The heart of the old town it is surrounded by a convent two churches a beautiful bell tower and a scattering of quaint restaurants.