300 days of sunshine a year, an enviable cultural offering, delicious (and cheap) food... We're talking about Malaga , the capital of the Costa del Sol and one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in all of Spain . We've visited the Andalusian city as a couple, with parents, with friends and even for work, and we've always, always, always had a great time. In this post we'll tell you 20 things to see and do in Malaga .
If you are planning to spend a weekend, here we tell you the best itinerary of Malaga in two days .
20 places to see in Malaga
Fun, lively, sunny, artistic and full of charm, Malaga is a destination that never disappoints. In addition to its beautiful beaches, friendly people and climate, Malaga has a lot of tourist attractions that offer an entertaining getaway. Are you coming with us to discover it? Here are the best things to do in Malaga and the essential places to visit:
1. Sign up for a free tour
The first thing we recommend is signing up for a free tour to start visiting Malaga. There are many in this city and with different themes, here we tell you which are the best free tours . Find the one that best suits you, or better yet: sign up for as many as you can!
2. The Alcazaba
Another thing to visit in Malaga is the Alcazaba . And it's even better if you walk up to enjoy the panoramic view of the city. This palace complex was built in the 11th century on the site of a Phoenician fortification. Ok, it's not the Alhambra in Granada , but trust us: it's well worth a visit. Inside you'll find courtyards, gardens, palaces and rooms that will transport you to another era. The entrance costs €2.20 buuuut...
3. Gibralfaro Castle, with the best views of Malaga
If you also want to visit Gibralfaro Castle (and yes, you do) there is a combined ticket for €3.55. What is it about? This castle was built to defend the Alcazaba from possible enemy attacks. Today, from its Tower of Homage there are incredible views of Malaga and from here you can get what is probably the best sunset in the city.
4. Try the sweet wine in one of its taverns
And what can you do after a magnificent sunset? Have a glass of wine and a snack before dinner, of course. A great (and legendary) place to do so is El Pimpi . We recommend their sweet Málaga Virgen wine (€2.06 a glass), a portion of dogfish to share (€11) or a light piripi, a mini-sandwich of pork loin, fresh tomato, bacon, cheese and aioli. At the end of the post you will find a section with a few gastronomic recommendations, so you can eat the whole of Málaga.
5. Calle Larios, the heart of Malaga's streets
Take a stroll down Calle Larios , one of the main shopping streets to see in Malaga, and the best advice we can give you is don't be afraid to get lost in its streets! It's an area that's always lively, with small fashion boutiques, bars, restaurants and picturesque corners.
6. Eat a skewer of sardines in El Palo
If you only spend one day in Malaga, you have to go to the beach to eat a sardine espeto . Where is the best place? There are many restaurants and beach bars that prepare it, but we recommend that you go to the El Palo neighborhood , east of Malaga, where you can find them for as little as €2 a plate. A very famous restaurant is El Tintero.
7. Pablo Picasso Museum, one of the best places to see in Malaga
One of the most brilliant artists in modern history was born in Malaga: Pablo Picasso . And in his hometown there could not be missing a museum dedicated to this revolutionary of art. Although it does not have his most famous works, it does have a very interesting collection that allows you to take a journey from his childhood to adulthood. Here you can book your ticket in advance .
8. Merced Square
Visit Plaza de la Merced , one of the most beautiful squares in the city and home to the statue of Pablo Picasso.
9. Pier One
Stroll along Muelle Uno , an open-air shopping area that has become the city's trendy area. There are shops, restaurants, cultural events and beautiful views of the port. Come on, it's one of the places to visit in Malaga without fail.
10. Malaga Fair
Yes, it's very hot in August, but there's a great reason to come here: the Malaga Fair . Have you ever been there? We haven't, but we're crazy to go and get drunk on Cartojal, the sweet wine that is drunk here (thanks Ángeles for the note). More info . Another important date to visit Malaga is Easter .
11. The Cathedral of Malaga
Another must-see is the Cathedral , the Holy Cathedral Basilica of the Incarnation , which combines different architectural styles (Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque). Admission costs €6, but if you prefer a guided tour you can opt for this one, which includes admission , of course. Fun fact: the people of Malaga call their Cathedral “La Manquita” (The One-Armed Man) because it is unfinished (it is missing the south tower).
12. Terrace of the AC Málaga Palace
For a nice panoramic view of the cathedral, go up to the terrace of the AC Málaga Palacio (I used to stay here on business trips) and it's really cool, it even has a pool with a view! Entry with a drink costs €10 but the views are priceless.
13. Visit some of the best museums in Malaga
Did you know that Málaga is one of the cities with the most museums in Spain? And if you love art, you'll have a few hours to fill up here: the must-see stops are the Pompidou Centre , the Carmen Thyssen Museum and the Málaga Contemporary Centre .
14. Hammam al Andalus, one of the best things to do in Malaga
After walking around the city and its museums you will be exhausted, so there is nothing better than taking a few hours of relaxation in the Hammam al Andalus , some super beautiful Arab baths. Here you can find more information and reservations .
15. Atarazanas Central Market
Stroll through the stalls of the Mercado Central de Atarazanas , a classic in Málaga. The work of Joaquín de Rucoba, who built the market on the remains of an old naval workshop from the Nasrid era. Don't miss the stained glass window, which is a true marvel.
16. La Concepción Botanical Garden, something to see in Malaga with children
If you like quiet places and you fancy surrounding yourself with greenery, the La Concepción Botanical Garden is an oasis of peace. It was opened in 1855 and later expanded, and you will find many tropical species. Entry costs €5.20.
17. Take a dip in one of the beaches of Malaga
Another of the essential things to do in Malaga is to go for a swim at the beach , there are many of course! But we like Malagueta , quite central and with its emblematic sign. If you have several days and want to change, you can go to the beaches of La Caleta and Pedregalejo .
Why not rent a boat and set off to explore the beaches of the Malaga coast and its most inaccessible corners at your own pace? There are options with and without a skipper from less than €100 per boat/day, take a look !
18. Roman Theatre
Did you know that there is a Roman theatre in Malaga ? It was discovered in the 1950s (not long ago) and is located under the Alcazaba, right in the centre. It's quite surprising, don't you think? Imagine the faces of those who suddenly found it...
19. Explore the province of Malaga
Do you have more time and have you already done everything there is to see and do in Malaga? Consider renting a car at Malaga airport as soon as you arrive and taking a route through the province , passing through some of its most beautiful towns such as Nerja , Frigiliana , Ronda or Antequera . And, why not, extend to the most beautiful towns in Andalusia or other Andalusian capitals such as Granada , Córdoba or Seville .
20. The King's Path
Another option is to go and be scared at the famous Caminito del Rey , a 3km walkway hanging over the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. You'll be scared shitless: the walkways are nailed to the walls of the canyon and you'll literally have an abyss under your feet. There are areas where you'll be 105 metres high! Very scary! More info and reservations .
Useful information about a trip to Malaga
To help you plan your visit to Malaga better, we have some practical tips that will help you get the most out of your days in the Andalusian city:
✓ Where to eat in Malaga?
Visiting Malaga without eating your fill would be a shame. Well, for your bikini operation it would be even appreciated, but hey, one day is one day. Here is a list of 7 restaurants where you can eat in Malaga (well and cheap) . We recommend you try at least one espeto, do a mini-tapas route and have dinner with fried fish with sweet wine (super light, yes).
✓ Where to stay in Malaga?
It is clear that finding a good hotel or apartment to sleep in Malaga is important. The good thing is that the hotel offer in the city is immense and good, so we are sure that you will not have too many problems in finding the perfect solution.
→ For us, the best area to stay is the historic center. When I traveled for work, I stayed at the AC Málaga Palacio with amazing views of the cathedral. The times I went back for tourism, I opted for something cheaper, but equally central.
⭐ In this post we tell you in more detail about the best areas to stay in Malaga and we share with you some good, nice and cheap hotels.
Here are our recommendations of what we think are the best things to see and do in Malaga . Do you know more? We're sure we've forgotten some places that are also worth visiting... There are hundreds of places to visit in Malaga (not to mention its province ). We can't wait to return to this beautiful Andalusian city!
