Everything you need to know before starting the famous Caminito del Rey walkway – from parking and the shuttle bus to the North Entrance.
CAMINITO DEL REY SERIES: ALL 3 PARTS · PART 2 – THE WALK · PART 3 – FLORA & FAUNA
Getting to Caminito del Rey: Our First-Hand Arrival
Planning a visit to Caminito del Rey? This guide explains exactly how to reach the North Entrance, where to park, how the shuttle bus works, and what to expect before your adventure begins.
Caminito del Rey is one of Andalusia’s most famous attractions, but getting there isn’t as straightforward as many first-time visitors expect. Unlike most tourist sites, you can’t simply drive to the entrance, park nearby and begin walking.
Instead, you’ll need to park at the official Visitor Centre, take a shuttle bus, walk through a pedestrian tunnel and then follow the signed route to the North Entrance.
When we visited on 14 June 2026, we joined a 10:00 guided tour booked through GetYourGuide. For us, learning how to get to Caminito del Rey in advance made the journey to the North Entrance much easier. Thanks to arriving early and following the official directions, everything went smoothly. In this guide we’ll share exactly how we reached the entrance, using our own experience together with the official visitor information displayed on site.
Important: This article only covers how to reach the entrance. Continue with PART 2 – OUR CAMINITO DEL REY WALK for the walkway, gorge and suspension bridge.
If you prefer not to drive, this organised tour includes transport from Málaga or selected Costa del Sol locations, the Caminito del Rey entry ticket and a guide.
CAMINITO DEL REY TOUR WITH TRANSPORT FROM MÁLAGA & COSTA DEL SOL
Quick Facts
- Visit date: 14 June 2026
- Tour: 10:00 Guided Tour
- Booking: GetYourGuide
- Parking: Official Visitor Centre
- Parking cost: €2 all day
- Shuttle bus: Paid separately
- Bus journey: Around 10 minutes
- Bus stop: Near El Kiosko Restaurant
- Walk to North Entrance: Around 20 minutes
- Route: One-way
- Recommended arrival: At least one hour before your entry time
Driving to Caminito del Rey
Driving to Caminito del Rey was easier than we expected. As we approached the area, brown tourist signs started appearing regularly, making it very easy to stay on the correct route.
Rather than relying entirely on Google Maps, we found the official road signs much more reassuring. Every important junction was clearly marked, directing visitors towards the official Visitor Centre.
The closer you get, the more frequently the signs appear. Even if you’ve never visited before, it’s difficult to take a wrong turn if you simply follow the official Caminito del Rey signs.
The drive itself is beautiful, with mountain scenery becoming more dramatic as you approach the national park.
Parking at the Official Visitor Centre
We decided to use the official Visitor Centre car park, and we’d recommend the same to anyone visiting for the first time.
Parking cost us only €2 for the entire day, which is excellent value considering you’ll probably spend several hours exploring the area.
The car park is large, organised and only a short walk from the Visitor Centre facilities and shuttle bus stop.
One thing many visitors underestimate is how long it takes to reach the actual entrance after parking. Although none of the individual steps take very long, they quickly add up.
After parking you’ll still need to:
- walk to the shuttle stop
- take the shuttle bus
- walk through the pedestrian tunnel
- follow the signed path to the North Entrance
Because of this, we strongly recommend arriving at least one hour before your booked entry time, especially during weekends and summer.
Visitor Centre Facilities
The Visitor Centre is more than just a car park.
Here you’ll find toilets, visitor information, maps and signs explaining how the Caminito del Rey route works. The official information boards are particularly useful because they show the layout of the entire area, including the Visitor Centre, shuttle bus, North Entrance and the one-way walking route.
Even if you’ve already planned your visit at home, it’s worth spending a few minutes looking at these boards. They make it much easier to understand how everything connects together before setting off.
Taking the Shuttle Bus
After leaving the Visitor Centre, the next step is catching the official shuttle bus.
One important thing to know is that the shuttle bus is operated by a separate company, so the bus fare is not included with every entrance ticket.
Fortunately, the process was very simple.
We reached the bus stop, and within just a few minutes a shuttle arrived. There was no long queue, and boarding was quick and well organised.
The journey took around 10 minutes, following the mountain road towards El Kiosko Restaurant.
The ride is comfortable and gives you your first real views of the spectacular limestone cliffs surrounding Caminito del Rey.
Arriving at El Kiosko Restaurant
The shuttle bus drops visitors close to El Kiosko Restaurant, which marks the beginning of the walking route towards the North Entrance.
Don’t expect to see the famous boardwalk immediately after getting off the bus. There’s still a pleasant walk ahead before reaching the entrance.
The area around El Kiosko is well organised with official signs directing visitors towards the correct path.
Even with plenty of people arriving at the same time, we never found it confusing.
Walking Through the Pedestrian Tunnel
The first part of the walk takes you through a pedestrian tunnel beneath the road.
This tunnel is part of the official visitor route and provides a safe way of reaching the walking path without crossing traffic.
Although it only takes a minute or two to walk through, it’s a useful landmark. Once you emerge on the other side, simply continue following the official Caminito del Rey signs.
Following the Official Signs
One thing that impressed us throughout the journey was the quality of the signage.
After leaving the tunnel, clear green-and-white signs continue pointing towards the North Entrance.
Several information boards also explain the layout of the area, showing where you are, where the Visitor Centre is located and confirming that Caminito del Rey is a one-way route ending at a different location.
This is useful information because many first-time visitors expect to return to the same entrance.
The Walk to the North Entrance
From the shuttle stop, it took us around 20 minutes to reach the North Entrance at a relaxed pace.
The path is easy to follow and suitable for most visitors.
Along the way you’re surrounded by impressive rock formations, Mediterranean woodland and beautiful views into the gorge.
This approach already feels like part of the adventure. We found ourselves stopping several times simply to admire the scenery before the walk had even begun.
As you get closer to the entrance, more official signs appear, making it virtually impossible to get lost.
Why You Should Arrive Early
Our guided tour started at 10:00, but we’re very glad we arrived well before that.
Although our shuttle arrived quickly and we experienced no delays, it’s easy to imagine how busy the area could become during peak season.
Our journey looked like this:
- Park at the Visitor Centre.
- Walk to the shuttle stop.
- Wait a few minutes for the bus.
- 10-minute shuttle journey.
- Walk through the pedestrian tunnel.
- Follow the official signs.
- Walk around 20 minutes to the North Entrance.
- Meet our guide before the tour.
If any one of these stages takes longer than expected, arriving just before your ticket time could become stressful.
For that reason, we’d always recommend arriving at the Visitor Centre at least one hour before your booked entry.
Practical Tips
- Use the official Visitor Centre rather than unofficial roadside parking.
- Budget €2 for all-day parking.
- Remember that the shuttle bus is paid separately.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Carry water during the warmer months.
- Follow the official signs rather than relying only on GPS.
- Keep your ticket ready before reaching the entrance.
- Allow plenty of extra time.
FAQ
Where should I park?
The official Visitor Centre is the easiest option and cost us €2 for the entire day.
Is the shuttle bus included?
No. During our visit it was operated separately and required its own payment.
How long is the shuttle journey?
Around 10 minutes.
Where does the shuttle stop?
Near El Kiosko Restaurant.
How long is the walk to the entrance?
Approximately 20 minutes at a relaxed pace.
How early should I arrive?
At least one hour before your booked entry if travelling by car.
Book Your Caminito del Rey Experience
If you are driving yourself, a guided Caminito del Rey tour with entry is the simplest option once you reach the area.
BOOK A CAMINITO DEL REY GUIDED TOUR + ENTRY
Travel Insurance and Car Rental
For a trip like this, we prefer to have travel insurance in place before we leave. It gives us extra peace of mind if plans change or something unexpected happens while we are away.
READ NEXT: OUR TRAVEL INSURANCE GUIDE
If you are driving to Caminito del Rey, having your own rental car makes getting to the Visitor Centre and planning the rest of your Andalucía trip much easier.
READ NEXT: OUR SPAIN CAR RENTAL EXPERIENCE
Conclusion
Getting to Caminito del Rey is much easier once you understand the different stages. While many visitors focus on the famous walkway itself, planning the journey beforehand will make your day far more enjoyable.
For us, everything worked perfectly. We parked at the official Visitor Centre for €2, caught the shuttle bus after only a short wait, travelled for around 10 minutes, walked through the pedestrian tunnel and followed the clearly marked path to the North Entrance in about 20 minutes.
If you’re visiting for the first time, our advice is simple: arrive early, follow the official signs and enjoy the journey. The spectacular scenery begins long before you step onto Caminito del Rey itself.
