This past Fall I went on a fabulous eight day Explora cruise with a group of friends to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. One of the stops was the incredible Unesco World Heritage nominated site, Caminito de Rey, about an hour outside of the pretty coastal town of Málaga, Spain.
In a word, it was unbelievable. I never could have imagined that I would 1) be lucky enough to visit and 2) brave enough to try it. Truth be told, it was not scary and I am not one to take risks so that is saying a lot. I cannot describe how exhilarating and beautiful of a day it was — easily one of the best of my life. I would love to do it again with my two teenage boys and I would highly recommend it as a family trip for teen and adult children. It would be a very bonding experience, particularly if you are looking for something to satisfy those with high thresholds for cool vacations (I see you John and Thomas).
The walk is approximately 5 miles, takes about 3–4 hours, and runs one-way from Ardales south to Álora. Wooden boardwalks hug the cliff face hovering 328 feet above the river, with highlights including a Jurassic fossil beach and a glass balcony for the brave. It is about 40 miles from Málaga — an easy, stunning day trip from the Costa del Sol.
Travel tip: The tickets do sell out quickly so book well in advance.
Family Itinerary to the Andalusian Region in Spain
A perfect trip if you are not into cruises would be a stay at the iconic Marbella Club for long relaxing beach days and paella dinners, hiking the Caminito del Rey for action, and a visit to the Picasso Museum in nearby Málaga (Picasso’s birthplace) for culture. There are actually so many cool things to see in this area – the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Gibraltar and The Pillars of Hercules, the town of Seville, Cordoba and the the Aljama Mosque that dates back to 785, and more.
Perfect for adventurous families, couples or friends who also like some downtime at the beach. Marbella is about an hour and 15 minutes from Caminito del Rey and an hour from Málaga.
Caminito del Rey
The story begins in 1901, when a narrow path was constructed linking two waterfalls deep in the Gaitanes Gorge — built so workers could maintain a hydroelectric power complex threading through the limestone cliffs.
In 1921, King Alfonso XIII of Spain walked the trail, christening it “Caminito del Rey” — the King’s Little Path. For decades it served its industrial purpose quietly, then fell into spectacular disrepair. With railings gone and sections collapsed, it earned a grim reputation, and after four fatal accidents in two years, authorities shut it down in 2001.
After a year of restoration work and a five million euro public investment, it reopened to the public on March 28, 2015 — and the world took notice immediately. The restoration project went on to receive the prestigious European Heritage Awards. Today, its candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage recognition has been submitted , backed by a case that encompasses not just the path itself but the surrounding industrial heritage, the remarkable Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Park, and Neanderthal remains and cave paintings in the Ardales Cave dating back more than 66,000 years — the oldest known art in the world.
-Courtesty of Claude 🙂
The collection of the Museo Picasso Málaga is housed in Buenavista Palace. Located in the heart of the city’s historic quarter, it is a splendid example of sixteenth-century Andalusian architecture, with a blend of Renaissance and Mudéjar elements.
-Museo Picasso Málaga
