Address: Casabermeja-Colmenar, Málaga, Spain

Just 5km north of Málaga city, Montes de Málaga Natural Park is your escape into the wild—without ever leaving the Costa del Sol. Spanning nearly 5,000 hectares, this pine-covered paradise forms the city’s “green lung,” with scenic trails, cool mountain air, and the kind of coastal views that make you forget you were downtown 20 minutes ago.
Historically, this area was all vineyards until a 19th-century phylloxera outbreak wiped them out. The reforestation that followed didn’t just bring back the green—it saved Málaga from devastating floods and birthed one of Andalucía’s most biodiverse parks. Expect to spot chameleons, wild boar, golden eagles, and even the rare European fan palm on your hike. Whether you’re cycling, birdwatching, or just looking for a quiet forest to get lost in—this is where the city exhales.
For more info, check out their website.