Best Places to Stay Before Caminito del Rey: Where We Stayed and Why

Choosing where to stay before visiting Caminito del Rey can make a big difference to the experience, particularly when working around a timed entrance.

We chose Complejo Turístico La Garganta in El Chorro, close to the end of the Caminito del Rey route and opposite the shuttle bus stop. This article compares our choice with staying in Ardales or Málaga, explains the advantages of each location and helps families decide whether an overnight stay near Caminito del Rey is worthwhile.

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Quick Answer: Where Is the Best Place to Stay Before Caminito del Rey?

For the most convenient overnight stay, we would choose El Chorro, particularly Complejo Turístico La Garganta. It places you beside El Chorro railway station and close to the southern end of Caminito del Rey, where the one-way route finishes. From there, you can use the shuttle bus to reach the northern starting area before your walk.

Ardales is a practical alternative if you want to stay closer to the reservoirs and northern access area, while Málaga offers far more accommodation and dining choice but requires an earlier start and around an hour of travel by car.

Our recommendation depends on the type of trip you are planning:

• Stay in El Chorro for maximum convenience and a rural overnight experience.

• Stay near Ardales for easier access to the northern side and the surrounding lakes.

• Stay in Málaga if Caminito del Rey is one excursion within a longer city or Costa del Sol holiday.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is for families deciding whether to stay overnight near Caminito del Rey or visit as a day trip from Málaga. It is particularly useful if you have an early entry time, are travelling with children or want to avoid adding a long drive to an already active walking day.

It also helps explain an important point about the route: Caminito del Rey is a one-way walk. The northern access is near the Ardales reservoirs, but the route finishes at El Chorro. Your accommodation choice therefore needs to work alongside the shuttle bus and your plans for parking or train travel.

Caminto del Rey Map from La Garganta Hotel

Why We Stayed Near Caminito del Rey

We wanted the Caminito del Rey walk to feel like the main experience of the day rather than something squeezed between two long car journeys.

Staying locally meant we could start the morning without driving from the coast, worrying about traffic or trying to find the correct access point while watching the time. That felt particularly valuable when travelling as a family and working around a fixed entrance slot.

We also liked the idea of turning the walk into a short rural break. El Chorro feels completely different from Málaga and the resorts along the Costa del Sol, with mountains, reservoirs and the dramatic Desfiladero de los Gaitanes surrounding the village.

If you are still deciding whether the walk is suitable for your family, read Can Children Visit Caminito del Rey? Age Limits, What to Expect and Essential Family Tips.

Staying in El Chorro: Best for Convenience

El Chorro is the most convenient place to stay if your priority is Caminito del Rey.

The village sits at the southern end of the route, close to the point where walkers finish. El Chorro railway station also provides connections with Málaga, while the local shuttle bus links the southern side with the northern starting area.

This arrangement can initially seem confusing because staying at the finish does not mean you can simply walk to the entrance. You still need to travel to the northern access before your allocated time. However, it makes the end of the day much easier because you finish close to your accommodation rather than facing another long journey immediately after the walk.

Why El Chorro Works Well for Families

El Chorro is a strong choice for families who want:

• A quieter start to the day

• Accommodation close to the route

• Easy access to the shuttle bus and railway station

• Somewhere nearby to return to after the walk

• A rural stay rather than another night in a busy resort

The main limitation is choice. El Chorro is small, so it does not offer the range of hotels, shops and restaurants you would find in Málaga. It works best for one or two nights built around the walk rather than as a base for an entire Costa del Sol holiday.

Where We Stayed: Complejo Turístico La Garganta

We chose Complejo Turístico La Garganta, which sits in El Chorro beside the railway station and close to the southern end of Caminito del Rey.

The hotel is set within a converted early 20th-century flour mill and overlooks the surrounding El Chorro landscape. Its official facilities include family rooms, free parking, a restaurant, Wi-Fi and an outdoor panoramic pool with hydromassage.

Location was the main reason it worked for us. We were staying somewhere directly connected to the experience we had travelled for, rather than using a generic hotel simply as a place to sleep.

For a more detailed review of our stay, see: Complejo Turístico La Garganta Review: Is It Worth Staying Here When visiting Caminito del Rey?

Why La Garganta Stood Out

La Garganta appealed because it offered:

• A location in El Chorro near the route’s finishing side

• Family room options

• Free hotel parking

• An onsite restaurant

• A panoramic outdoor pool

• A setting that felt connected to Caminito del Rey

Reception currently operates from 7:30am until 11pm, with check-in from 2pm. The hotel’s café serves breakfast from 7:30am until 11am, which is useful for families preparing for a morning walk.

Is La Garganta Worth Staying At?

For a one-night stay before or after Caminito del Rey, we think its location makes a compelling case.

It is especially suited to families who want the convenience of accommodation, parking and a restaurant in one place. The pool is another advantage during warmer months, particularly if children still have energy after the walk.

It is not a large family resort and should not be booked with that expectation. Its value lies in the setting, proximity and ease it adds to visiting Caminito del Rey.

If you would like to explore the available room types and dates, you can view Complejo Turístico La Garganta here.

Staying Near Ardales: Best for the Northern Access and Lakes

Ardales is another practical option, particularly if you intend to park near the visitor centre or northern side of Caminito del Rey.

The northern access routes begin near the reservoir area, but visitors still need to walk from the parking and restaurant area to the official entrance. Depending on the access path used, that approach can be approximately 1.5 to 2.7 kilometres.

Why Choose Ardales?

Ardales may suit families who want:

• Easier access to the northern side

• Time around the reservoirs

• A rural apartment, guest house or cottage

• A quieter base for walking, kayaking or exploring the surrounding countryside

The wider area offers hotels, guest houses, rural cottages and self-catering accommodation, so it may work particularly well for a two-night break or families wanting more space.

What Is the Drawback?

The walk finishes at El Chorro, so you still need to factor in the shuttle bus after completing Caminito del Rey if your car or accommodation is on the northern side.

This is not difficult, but it means your day does not end immediately after leaving the route. El Chorro is more convenient if you would rather finish close to your hotel.

Staying in Málaga: Best for a Wider City Break

For many families, Málaga is still the most practical place to stay when visiting Caminito del Rey.

Málaga offers the widest choice of hotels, apartments, restaurants and family-friendly facilities on the Costa del Sol. It makes the most sense if Caminito del Rey is just one activity within a wider holiday rather than the sole reason for your trip. The drive from Málaga to the Caminito del Rey area is around 47 kilometres and typically takes about an hour, while train services also connect Málaga María Zambrano with El Chorro for visitors who prefer not to drive.

This is actually the approach we took for most of our holiday. We stayed at Holiday World Polynesia, which we thoroughly enjoyed as a family base on the Costa del Sol. It offered far more facilities than somewhere like El Chorro, making it a great choice for a longer family holiday where Caminito del Rey was just one of several day trips we had planned.

If you're considering a similar approach, read Holiday World Polynesia Review for our honest experience. For more accommodation ideas, see Best Family Hotels Near Malaga.

Why Choose Málaga?

Málaga is the better base if:

• You are spending several days exploring the city or Costa del Sol

• You want a wider choice of hotels, restaurants and entertainment

• You are visiting Caminito del Rey as a single day trip

• You do not want the hassle of changing hotels for one night

• You are comfortable with an early start

What Is the Drawback?

The biggest downside is simply the extra travel.

Caminito del Rey already requires some planning, with parking, shuttle buses, access paths and timed entry slots all forming part of the experience. Adding an hour or more of driving each way inevitably makes for a longer day, particularly if you're staying further down the coast than Málaga itself.

For us, the deciding factor was our 8:40am Caminito del Rey entry time. Rather than leaving Holiday World Polynesia before breakfast and worrying about traffic or parking, we chose to stay locally the night before. That made the morning significantly more relaxed and allowed us to focus on enjoying the walk rather than rushing to get there.

Holiday World Polynesia, Malaga, Pool

Holiday World Polynesia Room with Hot Tub

El Chorro, Ardales or Málaga: Which Should Families Choose?

Choose El Chorro if:

• Caminito del Rey is the main purpose of the stay

• You want to finish near your accommodation

• You are using the train from Málaga

• You want a rural overnight experience

• You have an early entry and want to reduce morning travel

Choose Ardales if:

• You want to stay closer to the reservoirs

• You prefer rural apartments or cottages

• You want to explore the lakes and countryside

• You are happy to use the shuttle after completing the walk

Choose Málaga if:

• You are already staying in the city

• Caminito del Rey is only one part of your holiday

• You want more restaurants and accommodation choices

• You do not mind an earlier start and additional travel

Complejo Turístico La Garganta Pool Area

Swimming pool Complejo Turístico La Garganta

Is It Worth Staying Overnight for Caminito del Rey?

For families, we think an overnight stay is worth considering, particularly if you have an early entrance time or are travelling from farther along the Costa del Sol.

It removes the pressure of completing a long drive before the walk and gives you more time to understand the parking, shuttle and entrance arrangements. It also means the day can start at a more relaxed pace, which is valuable when travelling with children.

An overnight stay may be unnecessary if you are already based in Málaga, have a later entry slot or are joining an organised tour that includes transport. In those circumstances, remaining in your existing accommodation may be simpler than checking in and out for one night.

How Many Nights Do You Need Near Caminito del Rey?

For most families, one night is enough.

You could arrive in El Chorro or Ardales the afternoon before, enjoy dinner locally, complete Caminito del Rey the following morning and then continue with your wider Andalucía itinerary.

Two nights may be worthwhile if you want to:

• Spend time around the reservoirs

• Use the hotel pool

• Try another local walk

• Try other activities in the local area

• Avoid driving immediately after Caminito del Rey

La Garganta itself promotes guided Caminito del Rey visits, hiking, climbing, kayaking and other outdoor activities in El Chorro, so there is enough nearby to extend the stay if you want a slower pace.

What We Would Choose Again

We would stay in El Chorro again.

Málaga is the more versatile base for a longer holiday and Ardales makes sense for the northern access and reservoirs, but El Chorro provided the best balance for our Caminito del Rey visit. Finishing close to our accommodation made the logistics feel much easier after completing the walk.

Complejo Turístico La Garganta was particularly convenient because it combined accommodation, parking, food and a memorable setting in one place. It turned Caminito del Rey into a short family break rather than a rushed excursion from the coast.

Final Verdict: Where Should You Stay Before Caminito del Rey?

For the easiest family experience, we recommend staying in El Chorro, especially if you have an early entrance or want to reduce the amount of driving around your walk.

Complejo Turístico La Garganta was our choice because its location, family accommodation, restaurant and parking made the practical side of visiting Caminito del Rey much simpler. It is the option we would choose again for a one-night stay.

Ardales is better for families who want to stay near the reservoirs and spend longer exploring the countryside. Málaga remains the most practical option if Caminito del Rey is one day within a broader city or Costa del Sol holiday and you do not want to change hotels.

The best choice ultimately depends on whether you value convenience, rural surroundings or access to a wider range of city facilities. For us, staying close to the route allowed Caminito del Rey to be the focus of the experience without the day feeling rushed.

Frequently Asked Questions: Where to stay for Caminito del Rey

Is El Chorro the Start or End of Caminito del Rey?

El Chorro is at the southern finishing end of the one-way Caminito del Rey route. Visitors staying there normally use the shuttle bus to reach the northern access area before starting the walk.

Is Complejo Turístico La Garganta Close to Caminito del Rey?

Yes. La Garganta is in El Chorro, close to the southern end of Caminito del Rey and approximately 50 metres from El Chorro railway station.

You can read more about our experience in Complejo Turístico La Garganta Review: Is It Worth Staying Here When Visiting Caminito del Rey?

Is It Better to Stay in El Chorro or Ardales?

El Chorro is more convenient at the end of the walk, while the Ardales side places you closer to the reservoirs and northern access routes. Both require some use of the shuttle system because Caminito del Rey is a one-way route.

Can You Visit Caminito del Rey From Málaga Without Staying Overnight?

Yes. Málaga is approximately an hour away by car, and trains operate between Málaga María Zambrano and El Chorro. An organised tour can also remove the need to manage the transport and shuttle arrangements yourself.

However, we personally enjoyed staying nearby the night before. For more planning advice, see 7, 10 and 14 Day Malaga Family Itineraries (Without Spending Every Day by the Pool)

Is La Garganta Suitable for Families?

Yes. La Garganta offers family room categories, free parking, an onsite restaurant and an outdoor panoramic pool. It is best viewed as a convenient rural base for Caminito del Rey rather than a full family resort.

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We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

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