Malaga to San Pedro itinerary
70 km - 1 hour
Leave Malaga airport by car, driving very carefully and as you leave the airport. Join the A-7 motorway heading west towards Marbella.
(For a detour to the City of Malaga follow the signs to Malaga heading east on the A-7 motrway towards the city centre.)
If you don't take the motorway you will find yourself on the old N-340 coast road which passes through Torremolinos and Benalmadena and skirts the coast. This urban road has been downgraded to 80km /hr speed limit.
Taking the A-7 motorway, as you climb the hillside, there are good views of the coast from this section of road. Venta El Higueron ( exit 217km ) has a commanding view and is a good place to stop, take in the view, fill the car at the petrol station and start to enjoy the trip. You can make a side trip to Mijas Village form here.
The motorway runs into the AP-7 toll 'Autopista del Sol.' This road will save you time if heading for Marbella, San Pedro, Ronda or Estepona and beyond.
You will by-pass Fuengirola town and you will see the Aquapark. Mac Donalds, Miramar Shopping Centre. and Dunnes Stores. Leaving Fuengirola behind look out for the 10th Century restored Castillo Sohail on your left. The road now winds through some small coves. Some of the bends on this stretch are sharper than you think so be careful. El Faro the lighthouse is on your right.
This is now Mijas Costa (the part of Mijas municipal district which is on the coast ) this also includes the popular resort area La Cala de Mijas and Calahonda.
Soon you are in Marbella district. The A-7 coast road by-passes the town. La Cañada shopping center is on your right. Fork right if you don't want to take the AP-7 toll motorway to Estepona or Ronda and you enter a tunnel. The A-7 passes a golf course on the right and joins the coast road again just by Puerto Banus, the famous marina. You will also see on the left in front of Puerto Banus the 'El Corte Inglés' shopping centre, a user friendly area for tourists to stock up with provisions, or buy those forgotten items.
Now you arrive at San Pedro de Alcántara, a modern town just set back from the beach and promenade. If you are driving to Estepona keep on the road and enter the underpass. Turn off on the slip road on you right for the San Pedro to Ronda itinerary or double back at the first roundabout to visit San Pedro and the boulevard park or to head down to the beach.