Crushed by the fame of the three Andalusian pearls – Seville, Cordoba and Granada – Malaga is a city that only in recent years has proudly put itself forward as a holiday destination on the international scene.
Why a strong tourism industry did not develop here earlier remains a mystery. Malaga has all the credentials to occupy the top ranks of Spain’s most attractive cities.
Strategically located in the centre of the Andalusian coast that makes it an ideal base for a holiday of sea and culture, it is an elegant city with wide tree-lined boulevards, a delightful old town, impressive historical monuments, beautiful beaches within walking distance of the centre, a rich culinary tradition and a sunny, hospitable population that loves to have fun and stay out late.
The opening of museums and avant-garde buildings, the skilful restoration of the city centre and an intelligent redevelopment of urban areas that were degraded until a few years ago has breathed new life into this lively and modern city, which is now even compared to Madrid for the quality of its cultural offerings and Barcelona for its dynamism.
The historical heart of Malaga is the ‘casco antiguo‘, the old town, a tangle of narrow, winding streets dominated by an imposing Gothic cathedral that has undergone painstaking restoration in recent years.
Today, in the pedestrian streets of the centre, trendy bars can be found alongside the more traditional tapas bars, just as historic family-run shops vie for space with chic boutiques. The harbour area has also undergone a grandiose renovation that has transformed it from a run-down area to an elegant zone, giving a great boost to the city’s tourist development.
Strolling through the alleys, squares and boulevards of Malaga is relaxing, exciting and thrilling at the same time. Keep your camera handy to capture the most picturesque glimpses that will appear before your eyes at the most unexpected moments: Malaga is a city that reveals its charm slowly, unexpectedly.
The Cathedral is the city’s jewel, the result of an ambitious architectural project. Two hundred years after construction began, it was decided in 1782 to suspend work and the cathedral remained as we admire it today, incomplete but equally grand and imposing.
The affectionate nickname given to it by its citizens, La Manquita (i.e. The Lady with One Arm), is a clear reference to one of the two bell towers that remained unfinished.
Built on the site of an old mosque, of which only the lovely Patio of Oranges remains today, the cathedral is also monumental inside, with a vast central nave, a domed ceiling reaching 40 metres, a gigantic wooden choir and 15 chapels in the side aisles, rich in sacred art treasures (you can admire more in the adjoining museum).
You can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the city and the coast.
Perched in a panoramic position on the hill overlooking the city from above, the Gibralfaro Castle is a valuable testimony to Malaga’s Arab past.
Built in the 8th century and rebuilt in the 14th century, it was originally a signal tower also used as military barracks. Unfortunately, little remains of the interior, but you can walk on the outer walls and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
You can also visit a small military museum, the highlight of which is a scale model of the castle complex and the Alcazaba palace, located lower down and divided by a wall.
If you like walking, you can reach the castle by taking the Paseo Don de Temboury, an avenue south of the Alcazaba. Rather steep, it is, however, particularly impressive because it is surrounded by lush vegetation and has beautiful panoramic terraces over the city.
The ascent to the castle and the tour of the walls on foot takes a whole morning; if you have little time or do not particularly like walking, you can reach the castle by car or bus.
Further down from the castle stands the palace-fortress of the Alcazaba, a sumptuous residence of the Muslim governors of Malaga dating back to the 11th century.
It is a sort of Alhambra of Granada on a smaller scale, with horseshoe-shaped arches, courtyards and fountains characteristic of Moorish architecture; its waterways and meandering paths through the greenery offer pleasant shelter from the summer heat, in a triumph of scents of jasmine, bougainvillea and palm trees.
If you don’t want to struggle, you can take the lift up Calle Guillén Sotelo, but we recommend, if you can, that you go up on foot because the route is particularly impressive.
The Roman Theatre of Malaga, built in the 1st century BC under Emperor Augustus, represents one of the most significant archaeological treasures of the Costa del Sol. Located at the foot of the Alcazaba in the old part of the city, this monumental building bears witness to the important Roman presence in the Iberian Peninsula.
The imposing stone steps, perfectly preserved, rise majestically to create an impressive semicircular cavea capable of accommodating up to 350 spectators. Its strategic location, overlooking the Mediterranean, offered spectators of the time not only theatrical entertainment but also a breathtaking panorama.
Accidentally rediscovered in 1951 during work on the House of Culture, the theatre underwent careful restoration that preserved its authenticity. Today, besides being a popular tourist attraction, the theatre still hosts performances and cultural events, perpetuating its original function after two thousand years of history.
The jewel in the crown of cultural tourism in Malaga is the unmissable Picasso Museum, dedicated to the brilliant painter and author of immortal works such as Guernica and Les demoiselles d’Avignon, who was born in this city.
Housed inside the beautiful Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista, it holds an interesting collection of over 200 works by Pablo Picasso donated or loaned by his heirs, including some family portraits. The basement of the museum holds a no less interesting collection of Phoenician and Roman artefacts and works of Islamic and Renaissance art.
If you want to learn more about the life and works of the Malaga artist, you can also visit Picasso’s birthplace: the house where he was born in 1881, and which his family had to leave because it was too expensive, is now home to a foundation dedicated to him. You can see a replica of the artist’s studio, personal items and temporary exhibitions.
Calle Marqués de Larios, inaugurated in 1891, is the most elegant commercial artery in Malaga. This pedestrian street, designed by architect Eduardo Strachan Viana-Cárdenas, is distinguished by its majestic neoclassical buildings with uniform marble façades and fine architectural details.
The 300-metre-long street connects the Plaza de la Constitución with the port and is paved with characteristic marble in geometric patterns that create an undulating visual effect. The buildings, all three storeys high, house luxury boutiques, historic cafés and shops of the most prestigious international brands.
The beating heart of Malaga’s social life, Calle Larios becomes particularly atmospheric during the festivities, when it is decorated with spectacular light installations. During the Feria de Málaga and Semana Santa, this elegant artery is transformed into the main stage for the city’s celebrations.
Opened in 2015, the Centre Pompidou Malaga is the first branch of the famous Parisian museum outside France. Located in the striking El Cubo building, a translucent cubic structure on the Málaga harbour, this 6,300-square-metre exhibition space is distinguished by its characteristic coloured roofing reminiscent of the architecture of its Parisian parent site.
This modern building topped by a multicoloured cube hosts contemporary art exhibitions of the highest calibre: the permanent collection offers a journey through 20th and 21st century art, with works from the extensive collection of the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The exhibition rooms house masterpieces by artists such as Frida Kahlo, Francis Bacon and Marc Chagall, while a dedicated space hosts temporary exhibitions of international scope.
One of the highlights of the collection is Kader Attia‘s touching ‘Ghost’, which, using simple aluminium sheets, depicts rows of Muslim women in the act of prayer.
This avant-garde cultural centre has transformed Málaga’s waterfront into a dynamic cultural hub, confirming the Andalusian city’s artistic vocation. The building, with its contemporary architecture and privileged location in the Port of Málaga, offers visitors not only art but also a spectacular view of the Mediterranean.
The Hammam Al Ándalus is an oasis of peace in the heart of the historic centre, faithfully recreating the atmosphere of the Arab baths of ancient Al-Andalus. Located in a 16th-century building, these thermal baths combine traditional architecture and modern comfort.
The thermal route includes three pools with different temperatures, from cold to hot, surrounded by Moorish-style arches and soft lighting created by characteristic star lamps. The ambience is enhanced by the scent of essential oils and the soothing sound of water.
The complete experience includes the traditional relaxing massage with aromatic oils and the typical mint tea served in the resting room, allowing you to experience an authentic Andalusian wellness ritual. A must after a day walking around the city!
If you visit Malaga in the summer months you will certainly need shelter from the sun during your sightseeing days. Tree-lined avenues such as the Paseo del Parque in the Alameda area, carved out of a reclaimed stretch of sea, and city parks come to your rescue.
Despite its name, Paseo de España is also a park, a green oasis of tropical plants that runs along the southern side of Paseo del Parque; about 4 kilometres from the city centre is La Concepción Botanical Garden, dating back to the mid-19th century, with over 5,000 tropical plants and an elegant and refreshing system of lakes and waterfalls.
The Caminito del Rey is an incredible suspended walkway that winds along the rock walls of the El Chorro Canyon, not far from Málaga. Originally built in 1905 for hydroelectric power plant workers, today it is one of Spain’s most exciting attractions.
The aerial route stretches almost 8 kilometres through vertiginous gorges, with passages suspended up to 100 metres high. The reconstruction completed in 2015 has made the path safe and accessible, while keeping the thrill of the original adventure intact.
The experience of walking along this path in the sky is unforgettable: the breathtaking views of the valley, the sound of water flowing in the depths and the sensation of being suspended between heaven and earth create a unique atmosphere that captivates even the most experienced travellers.
Málaga’s most famous and popular city beach is Playa de la Malagueta9, a golden sandy beach several kilometres long, a short distance from the historical centre.
To the east of this beach begins a succession of other sandy beaches stretching for several kilometres, which also includes the two artificial beaches of Playa de Pedregalejo and Playa del Palo.
All of Malaga’s beaches are equipped and provided with numerous services, suitable both for families with small children, who can play and swim in safety, and for young people looking for fun. The general rule is that the further you are from the centre, the quieter the beaches are and the more frequented by locals.
With a hire car, you can easily reach all the most beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol and in western Andalusia from Malaga, including the picturesque Tarifa, the mecca for surfers.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Discover Malaga through the eyes of expert guides who will take you on a tour of the city's hidden treasures. Participating in a guided visit or a free tour will allow you to capture the true essence of Malaga.
The free tours are a viable alternative to traditional guided tours. They work like this: participation is free and at the end of the visit you can leave a tip at your discretion. Below you will find our favourite free tour, otherwise you can see the full list by visiting this page.
From Málaga you can easily reach several fascinating destinations. Ronda, with its spectacular bridge over the El Tajo ravine, is one of the most popular destinations, reachable within a 2-hour drive. The dramatic landscape and historic centre offer an unforgettable experience. The Caminito del Rey, once considered the most dangerous trail in the world and now perfectly safe, offers breathtaking views and is only 50 minutes away.
Frigiliana, considered to be one of the most beautiful pueblos blancos in Andalusia, is an hour away from the city and enchants with its flowery alleys and artistic ceramics. Cosmopolitan Marbella with its delightful old town and luxurious Porto Banús can be reached in 45 minutes.
Nerja, famous for its prehistoric caves and the Balcón de Europa, offers beautiful beaches and is perfect for a day of sea and culture. Antequera, with its prehistoric dolmens and Torcal, a natural park with unique rock formations, is only an hour away and is ideal for history and nature lovers.
Malaga, like all Andalusian cities, is proud of its traditions and the religious and popular festivals are followed by the entire population with intense participation and passion.
For this reason, the Feria de Malaga (mid-August), the Feria de San Bernabé (June) and El Día de la Virgen del Carmen (July), the three main traditional fiestas in Malaga, have become events of great tourist appeal.
Attending one of these events is certainly an unforgettable experience, but it should be organised in good time as these are the busiest periods for tourists and if you don’t book in time you run the risk of a sell-out.
Although it is not the most important city for flamenco, the tradition of this passionate Andalusian dance is also alive in Malaga. It will not be difficult for you to find bars, restaurants or theatres offering flamenco shows with live music accompaniment, perhaps with a convenient dinner+show package.
Compared to the beach resorts on the Costa del Sol and the most visited cities in Andalusia, Malaga has a much smaller choice of hotels and B&Bs, which is due to the fact that for many years tourism has been concentrated in other parts of the region. The good news is that compared to the more famous resorts Malaga is on average cheaper!
Now that Malaga is occupying, as it deserves, a prominent place in the Spanish tourism rankings, the accommodation offer is expanding, with many new facilities tastefully decorated and with modern comforts.
Malaga has an international airport with direct flights from many European cities, including low-cost airlines.
If you are already in Spain, you can reach Malaga by low-cost domestic flights from the main Spanish cities; from Madrid you can take a direct bus or train. Malaga is also connected by buses and trains with all major Andalusian cities.
With arental car you can reach Malaga admiring the fascinating landscape of Andalusia, which is not wrongly considered one of the most beautiful regions of Spain, and you can easily move around for exciting day trips.
What's the weather at Malaga? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Malaga for the next few days.
Malaga is the second largest city in Andalusia. It is the capital of the famous Costa del Sol in southern Spain, only 100 km from Gibraltar and just over 200 km from Seville.
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