To make the most of the magnificent Málaga region and the Andalucia coast, it’s best to set off on an adventure in your own vehicle: to explore the white villages, drive along the most beautiful mountain roads and admire the landscapes of the Costa del Sol!
Here’s our practical guide to stress-free car rental in Malaga.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
1 – Where to rent a car in Malaga: best agencies
Our preferred platform
Our first instinct is to check out the offers on DiscoverCars.
This platform allows us to easily compare offers from different rental companies: prices and conditions. And every time, we find good deals.
Where to take your car?
If you’re arriving by plane and heading straight off on your road trip, pick up your car at the airport. It’s easier to take control of a vehicle on wide main roads than in the narrow streets of a big city, especially in Malaga where traffic can be heavy!
If you want to enjoy Malaga first, don’t take a car before your road trip. You don’t need a vehicle to get around. Most of the center is pedestrianized, and parking is scarce.
Here are the biggest car rental hubs in Malaga:
- Malaga Airport (AGP): see offers
- Malaga city center: see offers
PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TO andalucia
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- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 150 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
When to rent a car
Malaga is a very popular destination, especially in summer. We therefore advise you to book as soon as you have your travel dates, to have a choice of cars and better prices!
Which are the best rental agencies in Malaga?
Some of our top-rated companies are:
- Sixt
- Enterprise
- National
- Alamo
So far, we’ve had nothing but positive experiences with no problems. When you read the comments, remember that the millions of people who haven’t had any problems don’t take the time to leave comments…
2 – Which car rental for Malaga?
Our top 3 tips for choosing your car are:
- Not too wide
- A good engine
- Automatic if possible, but in Europe you’ll find more manual cars.
What size car?
Don’t take a car that’s too wide and too long.
This will make parking easier on Malaga’s narrow streets.
Roads in old villages can also be very narrow with sharp bends. The mini, economy and compact categories are ideal.
Which engine?
The Málaga region has a number of mountain roads, especially for access to the white villages of Ronda and Frigiliana. All motor ratings are suitable.
For driving comfort, we advise you to avoid smaller engines.
Automatic or manual?
As in many European countries, most cars are manual.
Rental agencies offer automatic cars, but these are often more expensive. And there are fewer of them. So book early.
On Discovercars.com, you can use the “Automatic transmission” filter on the left, if this is a must-have for you.
WHERE TO STAY IN Málaga
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the historical center
Hotel Palacio Solecio – see photos and availability
Near the sea, Playa de la Magualeta
Gran Hotel Miramar – see photos and availability
In the Soho district
Hotel Only You Malaga – view photos and availability
3 – Permits, rules and credit cards
Minimum age
The official driving age in Spain is 18.
However, most car rental companies in Malaga require :
- be over 21 years of age
- have held a driving licence for one year or more
- additional charges apply if you are under 25 years of age
Do I need an international permit?
To drive in Malaga (for a short stay), you can use your country’s licence if:
- it has a license number
- he has a photograph
- it has a validity date
- it is written in Latin letters
European, American, Canadian, Australian… licenses are accepted.
Do I need a credit card?
The answer is “maybe”.
If you rent a car without taking the 0 deductible from the rental company, they systematically take a deposit on your credit card. Some rental companies refuse to do this when using a debit card.
If you take out insurance that sets the deductible at zero, you don’t need a credit card.
4 – Taking out insurance
Compulsory insurance
Unlimited liability insurance is compulsory in Spain.
It is automatically included in the price of all car rentals.
Supplements
For others, it depends on your risk appetite and budget. There is no particular risk in the Malaga region. There are a few unpaved roads to some beaches, but not many.
3 main options:
Option 1
Your personal car or home insurance covers car rentals (but read the fine print, it’s rare).
Option 2
Take out insurance with the rental platform.
Advantage: better price than the rental company’s price
Disadvantage: you’ll have to leave the deposit when you pick up your car, and pay it up front in the event of damage. Since we’ve been using Discovercars, we’ve always taken their insurance. We called on them following two incidents of damage. And in all cases, refunds were made within 7 days.
Option 3
Take the complementary car rental. It’s more expensive, but you won’t have to pay anything up front and you won’t have to do any paperwork in the event of damage.
5 – Access to rental cars
At Malaga airport, you’ll find all the rental companies’ counters in the basement of the arrivals terminal. Cars are parked in dedicated parking lots nearby.
The various agencies at the railway station are also well signposted.
6 – Check your vehicle on pick-up
Checking the car
If you’ve taken advantage of the rental company’s top-up to set the excess to zero, there’s no need to check the condition of the car, but make sure you have all the essential equipment.
Otherwise, we recommend (just for peace of mind) that you walk around the car, take photos of any damage and inform the agency if it’s not noted in the car pick-up document.
Pay attention:
- fuel level and mileage, that they correspond to the file
- the entire exterior of the car to detect dents and scratches
- on the roof – It’s often forgotten, but it may be checked on your return.
- below the bumpers
- rearview mirrors
- inside
- tire condition
- the condition of the wing (mud wing above the wheels)
- spare wheel (if applicable, as fewer and fewer cars have a spare wheel)
Mandatory in-car equipment
In Spain, the following equipment must be available:
- 2 warning triangles, or roof beacons (mandatory)
- Reflective vest (mandatory)
- Spare wheel and tools (mandatory)
- First-aid kit (recommended but optional)
- Flashlight (recommended but optional)
- Fire extinguisher (recommended but optional)
Find out more about toll management
There are tolls in Spain.
You can pay by cash or card. So you don’t need a pass or stickers from the rental company.
You are generally required to take a ticket when you enter the freeway, then pay the toll at another booth when you leave.
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7 – Getting ready to drive in Malaga
Driving in Malaga is not particularly difficult, but you do need to be careful on mountain roads and in old villages.
See our full article on driving in Malaga (coming soon).
General rules
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Respect speed limits:
- In town: 50km/h, often less
- Other roads: from 60 to 90km/h
- Freeways: 120km/h
- BAC limit: 0.05%.
- Seatbelt use compulsory
- No phone use while driving
- Beware of blind spots on mountain bends
Main hazards
The main hazards on Malaga’s roads are..:
- Excessive speed and heavy traffic
- Narrow village roads
- Winding mountain roads
What to do in the event of an accident
If people are injured or there is a conflict, the emergency number in Spain is 112. The best order of action is as follows:
- contact the emergency services
- contact the police
- contact your rental provider
PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TO andalucia
All the information you need for your trip:
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 150 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to rent a car in Malaga?
If you’re staying only in the city center, we don’t recommend renting a car, as traffic is congested and parking spaces are scarce. On the other hand, if you want to discover the Andalusian hinterland (white villages, natural parks) and enjoy the beaches, we strongly advise you to opt for a car to make your organization easier!
Is it worth having a 4×4?
No, especially if you stay in cities. If you want to go to the Sierra Nevada, you may want to consider a vehicle more suited to mountain roads.
What to do if you are fined
You are responsible for any fines incurred during the rental period.
But it can take up to 3 months before a fine is reported to the rental company. In this case, they’ll send you a proof, charge you for it and probably add an administration fee.
What to do if there’s a problem with the car?
Don’t lose your rental agreement.
On this page, you’ll find the steps to take if you have a problem with your car. Most use a breakdown assistance service and the number will be indicated on the contract. You can then contact the rental company to see how to replace the car.
What is the budget required?
Prices vary from 20 to 85 EUR per day, depending on the season, type of vehicle and insurance chosen.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Andalusia
Inspiration
Practice
- Where to stay in Andalucia
- Best luxury hotels in Andalusia (coming soon)
- Rent a car in Andalucia
- Itineraries: 3 days – 4 or 5 days – 1 week – 10 days – 2 weeks (coming soon)
