I went to Malaga and back in one day — it was amazing | Europe | Travel

I drove for just 15 minutes, got on a plane, and just a few hours later, I was sitting on a boat in the Mediterranean sun off the sunny shores of Malaga. And before the day is up, I’ll be back in my own bed. Extreme day trips (EDT) have surged in popularity over the past year, thanks to their affordability, efficiency, and the quick change of scenery they provide without the need for taking extended leave, and it’s a breeze to see their appeal.

The reaction from my family and friends when I mentioned my jaunt to Malaga, Spain was always the same: “Lovely, how long for?” Their bemused expressions when I replied “just for the day”, made the whole thing worth it before I’d even left.

And when they asked why I was going for such a quick trip, my reply was simple: “Why not?” Indeed, why shouldn’t I seize the opportunity to escape the UK for a day, soak up some delightful Spanish sun, wander through an unfamiliar city, and embark on a little solo escapade?

And who could pass up the chance to savour Spanish delights? Sangria on a random Thursday certainly trumps a day at the office.

I caught the earliest flight from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and the last one home. The flights to Malaga were ideally timed, with the first leaving at 5.55am and the returning taking off at 10.35pm, allowing me to fully exploit my day under the Spanish skies.

I’m astounded by the number of destinations you can reach for a day trip from Liverpool’s airport. There are several Spanish cities, like Barcelona, that offer perfectly timed flights for an extreme day trip, reports the Liverpool Echo.

But Spain isn’t the only option. Dublin, Belfast and Amsterdam, to name a few, are also incredibly accessible for a day’s visit. Some destinations are reachable within an hour, allowing you to make the most of your time in the country.

It’s worth mentioning that these day trips can be made with various airlines. For instance, you could fly out with Ryanair and return with EasyJet, or use the same airline for both journeys to certain destinations. It’s certainly worthwhile to shop around when looking for extreme day trip flights.

The day begins early. My alarm rang at 3am, allowing me enough time to prepare and make the short 15-minute drive from my home in Aigburth to Liverpool John Lennon airport for 3.45am.

I ensured I arrived two hours before my flight was scheduled to depart. But I suppose an early start is part and parcel of an EDT.

The best part is that all you need is a small handbag to carry everything you need for the day. I packed my passport, phone, lip gloss and power bank (an essential for any trip).

My airport experience was as smooth as could be. I parked in the airport’s multi-storey car park, located directly opposite the departures area. The cost for 24 hours was £58, which is quite reasonable for airport parking.

Upon arrival, I was pleasantly surprised by the absence of the usual chaotic queues and the struggle with security scanners. Instead, a welcoming staff member informed me: “You don’t need to take anything out of your bags any more.”

Liverpool airport’s cutting-edge technology now allows passengers to breeze through without the hassle of removing liquids from their bags. Incredibly, within 15 minutes, I had navigated through security, browsed duty-free, and was comfortably seated at Monty’s restaurant for breakfast.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport has been transformed by extensive refurbishments aimed at improving passenger amenities and dining options. With a new Aspire Lounge and revamped restaurants, including a fresh American diner-style establishment, the airport is gearing up for a busy summer season, and it seems their efforts are paying off.

Settling into Monty’s, the attentive staff promptly arrived to take my order. While the American pancakes were tempting, I opted for a more filling avocado bagel (£10.95) paired with a cappuccino (£3.99), which felt like good value for an airport meal.

After a delightful breakfast, it was time to board. The process was easy, simple and extremely straightforward. I swiftly moved from enjoying fresh sourdough to my gate, which was just a stone’s throw away, and soon found myself comfortably seated on the flight.

Following a two-hour and 55-minute nap, we touched down in Malaga, ready for a day of exploration. One of the key advantages of an EDT is its cost-effectiveness.

Hence, I chose public transport for my airport transfers instead of taxis. It was a breeze, with just four train stops separating the airport from the city centre – and it was incredibly affordable.

As I arrived in the city, I was captivated by the breathtaking Spanish architecture and its sheer beauty. I was slightly miffed that it had taken me 26 years to make this visit.

I had a rough plan of all the sights I wanted to see and activities I wished to do during my day. Of course, preferences vary – some prefer a packed itinerary, while others, like myself, enjoy wandering and discovering new things.

However, I would recommend having some sort of plan as there is plenty to squeeze into a few hours. I was eager to explore the old town, having been captivated by online images of the castle and the enchanting narrow streets that seemed straight out of a fairy tale. The park, beach and marina were also on my itinerary.

My journey began in the stunning Parque De Malaga, but as I meandered through the city, I found myself continually distracted by other intriguing sights, particularly a market near the marina and numerous charming little shops where I could have happily spent hours.

The highlight for me was undoubtedly the exquisite city centre, home to the Alcazaba, a magnificent Muslim fortress. Ascending the stairs to the top rewards you with some truly breathtaking views of the city.

Along the marina, you’ll discover a plethora of bars, restaurants and shops – an ideal spot for a sangria break. I found myself perched on the terrace of a cocktail bar, overlooking the azure waters where luxury yachts were moored, savouring what I dare say was the finest sangria I’ve ever tasted.

It was a sublime experience. I could have easily spent the entire day there, basking in the sunshine, but with a packed schedule, I finished my drink and continued exploring the old town.

After a morning of sightseeing and shopping, my hunger pangs began to set in. I found myself settling down for some tapas at the charming Lateral restaurant, nestled within one of the quaint historic side streets.

Naturally, a trip to Spain wouldn’t be complete without indulging in patatas bravas, and given Malaga’s reputation for exceptional seafood, I opted for scallops. The meal was simply divine, but truth be told, all the eateries looked equally enticing, their tantalising dishes constantly catching my eye as I strolled around.

Following such a gastronomic feast, I felt the need to unwind, so I meandered towards the beach for a leisurely sit-down on the sandy shore. The beach was buzzing with sun-seekers basking under the splendid 27-degree sunshine.

Although a pang of envy hit me knowing they could linger while I had to head home in a few hours, it was delightful to soak up the sun during my brief visit – particularly considering I’d only driven 15 minutes from my house that morning to reach this paradise. It left me wondering why I don’t do this more often.

I initially planned to visit the castle next, but as I was sauntering back past the marina, a boat tour about to embark caught my attention. On a whim, I decided to part with 17 euros and hop aboard for a cruise along the Mediterranean coast of Malaga.

I’m glad I did. Those 90 minutes spent gliding over the crystal-clear waters, basking in the sunshine, and admiring the stunning views were absolutely worth it – can Thursdays get any better than this?

Regrettably, after a day packed with sightseeing, it was nearing supper time and also time to head back to the airport for my late-night flight home.

However, I couldn’t possibly leave without sampling a bocadillo, a Spanish-style sandwich. It’s typically a baguette filled with cured meats like Serrano or Ibérico ham – it would be downright impolite not to indulge in all the local fare.

But, en route to the city centre to procure one, I found myself utterly sidetracked by tiramisu ice cream. I can’t begin to express how thrilled I was to get my hands on this scrumptious treat.

It was nothing short of phenomenal, beyond words. I’d hop on a plane tomorrow just to savour this exact ice cream again. If you take anything away from my European day trip, let it be this.

Sadly, it’s about 8.30pm, which signals it’s time to depart. A brief four-stop journey on the cheap train and I’m back at Malaga airport ready to board my 10.35pm easyJet flight back to Liverpool.

By this point, I was quite knackered, dozing off before we even took off and waking up as we were touching down in Blighty, after the most splendid day. Honestly, I had an absolutely fantastic day out. It cost less than what I’d typically spend on a Saturday night in Liverpool city centre.

I had the opportunity to discover a new city, indulge in delicious food, bask in 27-degree sunshine, and all just a 15-minute drive from my home. EDT day trips from LJA are incredibly convenient, and I’m genuinely excited for my next one – it might become my new way of exploring Europe.

These thrilling day trips allow tourists to immerse themselves in as much local culture as possible before catching their flight back home. The best part is, costs are kept minimal as there’s no need to book accommodation.

The real knack lies in finding the right flight times to make the most of your visit.