Weekend campervan route along the eastern Costa del Sol

A good weekend campervan route along the eastern Costa del Sol fits into less than 30 km: Friday night in Torrox-Costa, Saturday between the Cueva de Nerja, Maro and the Balcón de Europa, and Sunday in Frigiliana and on the beaches of Torrox. The drives are short, 10 to 20 minutes, with sea, white villages and room for the dog, without spending the weekend behind the wheel.

Here's our hour-by-hour plan, with real distances, where to leave the campervan at each stop and alternatives if you're travelling with children or a dog.

The weekend campervan route at a glance

When	Stop	Distance from Milucar	Driving time
Friday afternoon	Arrival in Torrox-Costa and seafront promenade	—	—
Saturday morning	Cueva de Nerja and Playa de Maro	11-12 km	15-18 min
Saturday afternoon	Nerja: Balcón de Europa and town centre	7 km	10 min
Sunday morning	Frigiliana	12 km	20 min
Sunday afternoon	Torrox village or Torrox dog beach	6 km / on foot	10 min

Driving distances calculated from Milucar; in a campervan or motorhome, add a few minutes.

Friday: arrival in Torrox-Costa

Torrox-Costa is a good starting point because it's right in the middle of everything: about 7 km from Nerja, about 21 km from Torre del Mar and about 52 km from Málaga (45 minutes on the A-7). If you leave work on Friday from Málaga or Granada (about 103 km, 1 h 25), you'll arrive in daylight for much of the year.

Park the campervan, open the awning and head down to the seafront promenade: it's long, completely flat and lined with beach bars and fish restaurants. Ideal for stretching your legs and having dinner without taking the vehicle.

Saturday morning: Cueva de Nerja and Maro

Get up a bit early and head east on the N-340 or the A-7. The Cueva de Nerja is on the Maro road, about 11 km (15 minutes) from Torrox-Costa. It's one of the largest caves in Andalusia, a listed Bien de Interés Cultural, and it opened to the public in 1960.

• Opening times: the official website gives opening from 9:15, with slightly later closing in summer, at Easter, Christmas and on long weekends. It's closed on certain public holidays. Check before you go.
• Tickets: can be bought online on the official website; at weekends and in high season this is strongly recommended.
• Parking: the cave has its own pay-by-time car park, easier first thing in the morning.

Afterwards, Maro is right next door (about 12 km from Milucar). Playa de Maro, at the foot of the cliffs, is one of the most beautiful in the area, but access is narrow and parking gets tricky in summer; you'll find the details in Playa de Maro: how to get there and when to go. With a large campervan, the most practical thing is not to drive down but to walk.

Saturday afternoon: Nerja and the Balcón de Europa

Head back to Nerja, about 10 minutes away. The Balcón de Europa is a viewpoint over the sea right in the centre, next to the Plaza de España, and the best spot to watch the evening draw in. Around it you'll find pedestrian streets, ice-cream parlours and terraces.

Nerja's centre isn't an easy place for a motorhome: narrow streets, heavy traffic and little room for large vehicles. With a small campervan you can look for parking on the outskirts and walk; with a motorhome, it's worth leaving it at your base and coming in by bus along the coast road (it stops outside Milucar) or by car. If you fancy linking up more stops, in Nerja, Maro and Frigiliana in a day you'll find a more intensive version of the route.

Sunday morning: Frigiliana

Frigiliana is about 12 km from Torrox-Costa (20 minutes), climbing from Nerja up into the mountains. It's one of the most visited white villages in the Axarquía: steep cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, flowerpots on the walls and sea views from the top. Walking routes start here into the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park.

Parking is the weak point for large vehicles. The old town isn't accessible by campervan and street spaces are scarce, so:

• Arrive early, when there's more space and it's cooler.
• Respect the signs at the village entrance: if there are restrictions for motorhomes, they apply.
• With a large motorhome, consider going up by car or taxi from your base.
• For up-to-date information, check the website of Frigiliana Town Council.

Sunday afternoon: Torrox village or the beach

To round off the weekend, two options depending on how you feel:

• Torrox Pueblo, about 6 km away (10 minutes): white houses and the Plaza de la Constitución for some tapas or a coffee among the locals before heading home.
• Beach without moving the campervan: from Milucar the beach is less than 100 metres away, and next to the Torrox lighthouse there's the dog beach, where dogs can run off the lead and swim.

Weekend campervan route with a dog and children

This route works really well for families because the drives are short and there's a beach round every corner. A few ideas:

• With children: they usually love the Cueva de Nerja; Frigiliana is best early in the day and with comfortable shoes, because the slopes are tiring. The Torrox-Costa promenade is flat and easy, even with a pushchair.
• With a dog: Torrox dog beach is the must-stop; you'll find all the details in Torrox's beaches, including the dog beach. If the cave or another visit doesn't allow animals, take turns or choose the beach alternative.
• In summer, avoid the middle of the day for walking around the villages and never leave the dog inside the campervan in the sun.

Where to stay: Milucar, in Torrox-Costa

For a short break, the easiest thing is to sleep both nights in the same place and get around from there. Milucar is a motorhome aire at Avenida del Peñoncillo 61, Torrox-Costa, next to the N-340 and at exit 940 of the A-7 (Torrox/Cómpeta). It's open 365 days a year and the minimum stay when booking in advance is two nights, exactly a weekend.

• Beach less than 100 metres away and Torrox-Costa centre about 2 km away.
• 16 A electricity with CEE socket (bring your cable), service point for emptying and filling up with water, Wi-Fi included, showers and washing machine.
• Pets welcome, up to two per pitch (check the conditions).
• Fenced site with barrier and cameras: you can leave the campervan and head off on a day trip with peace of mind.
• The bus stops right outside, on the coast road, in case you don't want to move the vehicle.

Bear in mind that check-out is before 11:00, so on Sunday it's best to pack up before heading off on your outing, or do Sunday's visits with the campervan already loaded on your way home.

Tips for your weekend campervan route

• Book your pitch well ahead for bank holidays, Easter and summer.
• Buy your cave tickets on the official website before you set off.
• Fill the water tank and empty the grey water at your base: that way you're lighter on the mountain roads.
• In the villages, park outside the old town and walk: you'll save time and nerves.
• Outside aires and campsites, remember that putting out an awning, table or chairs in the street counts as camping.

Frequently asked questions

How many kilometres is this weekend campervan route?

From Torrox-Costa, no stop is more than about 12 km away: the Cueva de Nerja about 11 km, Maro and Frigiliana about 12 km and Nerja about 7 km. Adding up the round trips, the weekend rarely goes over 80 km, not counting the journey to the coast.

Can you park a motorhome in Frigiliana?

The old town isn't accessible and spaces for large vehicles are scarce. Arrive early, respect the council's signs and, if your motorhome is large, consider going up by car or taxi.

What's the best time of year for this break?

Spring and autumn are ideal: pleasant temperatures and fewer people. In winter the coast's climate is mild and the villages are quiet. Summer works too, but get up early, book everything and avoid the hottest hours.

Can I do this route with a dog?

Yes. At Milucar up to two pets per pitch are allowed, and on Torrox dog beach, next to the lighthouse, dogs can run off the lead and swim. For indoor visits like the cave, check their rules on animals beforehand.

Do I need to move the campervan every day?

No. You can leave it at your base and get around by bus along the coast or by car. It's the easiest option for Nerja and Frigiliana, where parking a large vehicle is tricky.

If you fancy trying this break, reserve your pitch now for your next free weekend. Book at Milucar.