Algarrobo, Málaga: Holiday Guide for UK Travellers
Provincia de Málaga · Andalusia · Spain · 5,073 residents · on the coast
Algarrobo is a small coastal town in the Provincia de Málaga, home to around 5,000 people and set about 90 metres above sea level. Its two points of interest are both archaeological. The Trayamar necropolis and the Deposits of the mouth of the Algarrobo River each lie about 1.8 miles from the centre. Málaga Airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 37 minutes away by car. Larger neighbours such as Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar are only 4 miles off. Summers are hot and dry, while spring and autumn bring warm, settled days. That makes Algarrobo a calm, well-connected base for exploring this stretch of Andalusia.
Why go
- The Trayamar necropolis, an archaeological site, lies just 1.8 miles from the town.
- Málaga Airport, with direct UK flights, is about 37 minutes' drive away.
- July brings highs of 32°C and almost no rain, with just 2 mm all month.
Top sights in Algarrobo
Archaeology by the Algarrobo River
Algarrobo's sights are few but distinctive, and both are archaeological. The best known is the Trayamar necropolis, an archaeological site about 1.8 miles from the town. It is the obvious first stop for anyone with an interest in the region's distant past.
At the same distance you will find the Deposits of the mouth of the Algarrobo River, a second archaeological site. It pairs naturally with Trayamar on a single short outing. Together they give the town a quiet cultural focus rather than a crowded list of attractions.
Tours and tickets for the surrounding area can be booked directly on this page. Around 20 activities are currently shown in the booking cards.
Trayamar necropolis
archaeological site · 2 miles from the centre
Deposits of the mouth of the Algarrobo River
archaeological site · 2 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Algarrobo
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Algarrobo can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Algarrobo
Choosing a Base in Algarrobo
Algarrobo is a coastal municipality, but the town itself sits about 90 metres above sea level. Staying here means a small, low-key base of around 5,000 residents rather than a large resort. It suits travellers who want peace in the evenings and are happy to drive or take short trips for more choice.
For a livelier setting, Torre del Mar and Vélez-Málaga are both around 4 miles away and considerably larger. Many visitors stay in Algarrobo and dip into those towns for an evening out. This page shows live hotel prices, so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Algarrobo and the villages around it is a hire car from Málaga (AGP), about 37 min away.
Best time to visit Algarrobo
When to Visit Algarrobo
- 17°CJan32 mm
- 18°CFeb38 mm
- 21°CMar129 mm
- 23°CApr11 mm
- 24°CMay23 mm
- 27°CJun25 mm
- 32°CJul2 mm
- 31°CAug6 mm
- 27°CSept44 mm
- 24°COct75 mm
- 21°CNov27 mm
- 18°CDec13 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are April, May, June, September and November. April is particularly appealing, with highs of 23°C and just 11 mm of rain. November is a fine late choice too, with around 21°C and typically only one rainy day.
July and August are the hottest months, with highs of 32°C and 31°C and night-time lows of 24°C. They are also the driest, with July seeing just 2 mm of rain. The wettest month by far is March, at 129 mm. October follows with 75 mm spread across about nine rainy days.
Winters are mild, with January highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. That is noticeably warmer than a British winter, which makes a winter break here worth considering.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 10°C | 32 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 18°C | 10°C | 38 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 21°C | 12°C | 129 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 14°C | 11 mm | 12 h |
| May | 24°C | 16°C | 23 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 20°C | 25 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 32°C | 24°C | 2 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 31°C | 24°C | 6 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 20°C | 44 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 24°C | 17°C | 75 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 21°C | 14°C | 27 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 18°C | 10°C | 13 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to Algarrobo from the UK
Málaga Airport (AGP) is the closest, about 26 miles away or roughly 37 minutes by car, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Granada Airport (GRX) also has direct UK flights and lies about 32 miles away, around 46 minutes' drive. Gibraltar (GIB), again with direct UK flights, is about 85 miles away, roughly two hours by road.
If you would rather drive the whole way, the journey from Calais takes around 24 hours of driving time. That is best split over several days.
The nearest ferry ports are Málaga, about 22 miles away, and Motril, about 29 miles away. Almería is around 88 miles away. The routes listed for these ports run to Morocco, including Melilla, Nador and Tangier Med, rather than to Britain.
By air
- Málaga (AGP)26 miles, about 37 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Granada (GRX)32 miles, about 46 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Gibraltar (GIB)85 miles, about 2 h by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 23 h 45 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Málaga (22 miles), Motril (29 miles), Almería (88 miles).
Algarrobo is good for
Around Algarrobo
Day Trips from Algarrobo
Sayalonga is the closest neighbour, just 2.5 miles away. Vélez-Málaga, a sizeable town of more than 74,000 people, and the coastal town of Torre del Mar are both about 4 miles off. Torrox lies around 5 miles away.
A little further afield, Cómpeta is about 6 miles away and Frigiliana around 8 miles. Nerja, a town of nearly 22,000, is roughly 9 miles along the coast. Valdés, about 11 miles away, completes a set of easy short drives that can fill a fortnight without long journeys.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Car hire makes sense here. Three airports with direct UK flights are within two hours, and most day-trip towns lie within 11 miles.
Plan around the weather. October's nine or so rainy days and March's heavy totals call for a waterproof. July and August highs above 30°C mean sightseeing at the Trayamar necropolis is best done early or late in the day.
With a population of about 5,000, Algarrobo is a small town. For the widest choice of shops and evenings out, look to Vélez-Málaga or Torre del Mar nearby.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Algarrobo?
Málaga Airport (AGP) is the nearest, about 26 miles away and around 37 minutes by car. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Granada Airport, roughly 46 minutes away, also has direct UK flights.
What is there to see in Algarrobo?
The main sights are two archaeological sites, each about 1.8 miles from town. One is the Trayamar necropolis and the other is the Deposits of the mouth of the Algarrobo River. Tours and activities in the area can be booked on this page.
When is the best time to visit Algarrobo?
April, May, June, September and November offer the most pleasant conditions, with highs of roughly 21°C to 27°C. July and August are hottest at up to 32°C. March and October are the wettest months.
Can I drive to Algarrobo from the UK?
Yes. The drive from Calais takes around 24 hours of driving time, so most people break it over several days. Málaga's port is about 22 miles from Algarrobo, but its listed ferry routes go to Morocco rather than Britain.
Is Algarrobo good for day trips?
Very much so. Sayalonga is 2.5 miles away and Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar about 4 miles. Torrox is around 5 miles, Cómpeta 6, Frigiliana 8 and Nerja roughly 9 miles away.
Is Algarrobo warm in winter?
Winters are mild by British standards. January has highs of around 17°C and lows of 10°C, with about five rainy days. December is similar, reaching around 18°C with only 13 mm of rain.