Visiting Malaga? Let yourself be inspired for its eclectic museums!
Located on the Costa del Sol, the city is more than just a seaside resort, offering a cultural offering full of surprises! In addition to the must-see Musée Picasso, you can enjoy a host of varied exhibitions ranging from archaeology to contemporary art and arts and crafts.
In this article, we give you all our photo tips for visiting Malaga’s museums and having a great time.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Malaga’s best museums: tips
Málaga’s museum offer is as varied as it is delightful, and there’s something for everyone, but we particularly recommend it:
- The Carmen Thyssen Museum: for its magnificent collection of Spanish art.
- The Picasso Museum: immerse yourself in the fascinating work of the Malaga-born artist.
- The Centre Pompidou: for its striking architecture and captivating collection.
Most of the museums are located in Malaga’s city center, and their extended opening hours make it easy to combine a day of cultural discoveries with a relaxing day at the nearby seaside.
Here’s a map to help you find your way:
To benefit from discounts on a selection of activities and cultural events, the city offers the Malaga Pass. Valid for 24 or 48 hours, it gives access to many museums and avoids queues. Book your pass here.
Ideally located on the Costa del Sol and close to the mountains, Malaga has many other treasures to discover: see our guide for lots of good ideas.
1. Carmen Thyssen Museum
Why visit it? Our review
The Carmen Thyssen Museum is a veritable nugget for lovers of Spanish art!
Housed in the magnificent 16th-century Palacio de Villalón, this museum offers a panorama of Spanish painting, from romantic landscapes to naturalism and costume scenes. A variety of themes, colors and techniques that we loved discovering! The permanent collection also includes over 230 paintings by great masters such as José Moreno Carbonero, Joaquín Sorolla and Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo.
See the article on our visit.
Our 3 favorite moments
- The fin de siècle room, devoted to the first paintings of the 20th century that mark the avant-garde, such as Joaquim Sorolla’s modernization of so-called Spanish subjects.
- The naturalist painting room, featuring large canvases of mesmerizing landscapes
- The store is beautifully stocked with beautiful books, design pieces, posters and children’s games.
Useful tips
- Access: downtown, 5min walk from the Cathedral
- Length of visit: 1h to 3h depending on whether you opt to visit the temporary collections.
- Child-friendly tour: there’s no special tour for children, but there is an educational area and an interactive terminal.
- Full adult fare: €11
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm
- Link to the official museum website here
- Buy your ticket for a guided tour: more info and availability
WHERE TO STAY IN Málaga
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the historical center
Hotel Palacio Solecio – see photos and availability
Near the sea, Playa de la Magualeta
Gran Hotel Miramar – see photos and availability
In the Soho district
Hotel Only You Malaga – view photos and availability
2. Malaga Museum
Why visit it? Our review
The Museo de Málaga is a must-see for lovers of Spanish art and archaeology! You’ll be as enchanted by the former customs house that serves as its setting as you will be by the scope of its rich, double collection, with over 15,000 pieces to discover.
The museum is distinguished by its vast spaces, where colorful scenography creates a welcoming, immersive atmosphere.
Our 3 favorite moments
- The museum’s reserves showcased like an Ali Baba’s cave
- The Spanish art collection on the 1st floor, magnified by the colorful scenography
- The vast archaeological collections on the 2nd floor and the magnificent Venus mosaic dating from the 3rd century
Useful tips
- Access: downtown, opposite Paseo del Parque
- Tour duration: 2h minimum
- Child-friendly tour: no, the tour is a little too long, although we did note the presence of several elements designed to facilitate family visits, such as child-friendly mediation panels and dedicated areas with mini-tables.
- Full adult fare: free for European citizens
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday, 9am to 3pm.
- Link to the official museum website here
More information and photos in our dedicated article.
3. Picasso Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Malaga is famous for being the birthplace of one of the most famous painters of the 20th century: Pablo Picasso! To immerse yourself in his work, you’ll need to visit his eponymous museum, housed in the former Palacio Buenavista, a Renaissance masterpiece.
This enchanting setting is the ideal setting for the artist’s various works, including oils, drawings, engravings, sculptures and ceramics, testifying to his virtuosity and constant renewal. We enjoyed a retrospective look at his work, perfectly illustrated by an enriching audio guide.
If you’d like to extend the pleasure, don’t hesitate to visit Picasso’s birthplace, another well-staged museum housing many other works.
Our 3 favorite moments
- The room devoted to Picasso’s bullfighting pottery
- The discovery of the remains of the building’s foundations, revealing traces of different periods, from the Phoenician to the Roman and Arab eras.
- The pretty garden patio invites you to relax after your visit.
See the article on our visit.
Useful tips
- Access: downtown, 2min walk from Alameda Principal-Norte bus station
- Length of visit: 1 to 2 hours, given the richness of the tour and the explanations provided by the audioguide.
- Child-friendly tour: no
- Full adult price: €12
- Opening hours: open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Link to the official museum website here
- Book a guided tour online: see info, prices and availability
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4. Pompidou Center
Why visit it? Our review
You’ll first come to this museum to admire its cubic architecture, adorned with the signature stripes of French artist Daniel Buren. Beneath this famous cube lie immense underground spaces housing part of the collection of Paris’s iconic Centre Pompidou museum. Renewed every two years around a different theme, the selection of works offers a forward-looking look at contemporary art. When we went there, the exhibition Habiter un lieu revealed a striking dialogue between emerging and established artists, questioning our relationship to space.
Our 3 favorite moments
- Open spaces for monumental works of art
- The architecture of the cube, which can be admired from the outside, then reveals all its beauty through its coloured reflections in the underground spaces.
- The grand staircase leading up to the exhibition was decorated with a fresco by Javier de Juan, depicting the currents of a sea “eternally dancing with itself, without regard for human beings”.
See the article on our visit.
Useful tips
- Access: in the heart of Malaga’s marina, next to La Magualeta beach, 2 minutes’ walk from the La Farola or Paseo de los Curas bus stops.
- Length of visit: 1 to 2 hours, depending on whether you choose to visit the temporary exhibitions.
- Child-friendly tours: Yes, children’s tours are offered every Sunday, with a dedicated educational area.
- Full adult admission: €9 (access to all exhibitions + audioguide)
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 8 pm
- Link to the official museum website here
- Don’t wait and book your VIP ticket: see more info and availabilities
5. Contemporary Art Center (CAC)
Why visit it? Our review
We’re convinced that contemporary art is a privileged vector for understanding the soul of a country, and the CAC in Malaga proved to be very enriching! Located in Malaga’s former wholesale market, this museum offers a striking panorama of 20th-century Spanish art through a carefully curated selection of works. Last but not least, the dynamic nature of the site, with its regularly changing exhibitions, temporary shows and stimulating encounters, makes it a lively and essential part of the Soho district.
Our 3 favorite moments
- A selection of local artists presented for the first time at the CAC in the “Neighbours IV” exhibition, whose works take Malaga as their starting point.
- A fruitful dialogue between different practices (sculptures, paintings, installations)
- The opportunity to buy multiples of the works in the store, and take home a piece of the museum with you
See the article on our visit.
Useful tips
- Access: in the Soho district
- Visit duration: 30min to 1h
- Child-friendly tour: no tour for families
- Full adult admission: Free
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 21:30
- Link to the official museum website here
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6. Museum of Popular Arts and Costumes
Why visit it? Our review
An ideal museum for those who want to immerse themselves in Spanish culture! Housed in a former 17th-century inn, this museum explores the town’s ethnographic heritage through an astonishing selection of objects. On the first floor, a reconstruction of a rural environment awaits you, with imposing exhibits such as carriages, a flour mill and a wine press. The first floor is a tribute to local know-how, with numerous costumes and handicrafts on display.
We loved this visit, which proved to be an invaluable key to understanding Malaga’s rich heritage and ancient local customs.
Our 3 favorite moments
- The pretty central courtyard, with its series of columns, dense vegetation and whitewashed walls, is ideal for a bucolic break.
- A room dedicated to the art of fishing, highlighting Malaga’s origins and its wealth since antiquity thanks to the fish trade.
- The room devoted to folklore, and in particular the barros magualenos, small, colourful terracotta sculptures featuring dancing figures.
Useful tips
- Access: downtown, next to the Atarazanas market
- Tour duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Child-friendly tour: yes, there’s no dedicated tour, but as the museum is largely made up of reconstructions, it’s great fun for the little ones.
- Full adult price: €4
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
- Link to the official museum website here
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7. Automobile and Fashion Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Here’s an astonishing museum that should appeal to the whole family, as it combines fashion, automotive and contemporary art exhibits.
housed in a former tobacco factory dating from the 1930s, this museum offers an insight into historical and artistic developments since the end of the 19th century, through 13 thematic rooms.
What you can see
- A collection of vintage vehicles from 1898 to 2012, featuring rare models from leading brands such as Bugatti, Rolls Royce and Ferrari.
- The collection of 300 haute couture pieces by Chanel, Dior and Givenchy
- Contemporary art collection (sculptures, installations) and several posters
Useful tips
- Access: slightly off-center, 7-minute walk from Huelin beach (princessa-huelin metro station)
- Length of visit: 1 to 2 hours
- Child-friendly tours: Yes, the tour is fun for children, and creative workshops are offered on Saturdays, as well as theatrical tours once a month.
- Full adult price: €10
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 2.30pm and 4pm to 7pm
- Link to the official museum website here
Other museums in Malaga
Contemporary art centers
If we love heritage and nature when we visit a country, it also seems obvious to us that a territory can also be visited through the eyes of its artists. And that’s just as well, because Malaga is brimming with places that showcase contemporary creativity.
We suggest you take a look at the programming at the following venues:
- The La Termica cultural center, a third-party venue for exhibitions, workshops and events (more info here).
- The Ateneo de Malaga cultural association showcases local artists.
- The Unicaja Foundation, which hosts exhibitions and dance and theater performances.
Finally, if you’d like to discover the world of a Málaga artist, we recommend the Museo Revello del Toro (see more info here) or the Museo Jorge Rando (see more info here), two Málaga-born artists with captivating works.
Interactive museums
If you like immersion, here’s a list of museums where you can explore fascinating collections in a fun way:
- The MIMMA Museum, Malaga’s interactive music museum, offers musical exploration and the chance to try out a range of instruments (see more info here).
- The Flamenco Museum presents the history of this typical Spanish dance and offers daily musical demonstrations (more info here).
- The Musée de l’Imagination (Museum of the Imagination) offers a visual exploration, with colorful and surprising installations in which it’s a good idea to put yourself in the picture (more info here).
- The OXO-Musée du Jeu Vidéo takes you on a journey through the history of video games, with a rich collection of objects (consoles, figurines, etc.), immersive installations and free access to numerous game terminals!
Theme museums
If you like museums with a coherent set of exhibits around a single subject, we’d recommend it:
- The Russian Museum of Malaga’ s collection features rare Russian art from different periods, from avant-garde to religious icons. (more info here)
- The Aeromuseo Museum, dedicated to the history of aviation, features massive exhibits and an educational trail on the principles of aviation.
- Malaga’s Glass and Crystal Museum, housed in an 18th-century building, boasts an impressive collection of over 3,000 precious, colorful pieces. A guided tour only, the experience is well worth the detour for its old-fashioned charm (see more info here).
Malaga: An open-air museum
An eclectic heritage
Malaga is a city of contrasts, where historic heritage meets modern urban planning. We were seduced by this eclectic heritage, which we explore in our article on reasons to visit Malaga.
Street art in Soho
In addition to the city center and its elegant mansions, we recommend a trip to Soho to admire its impressive murals.
Would you like a guided tour of this vibrant and colorful neighborhood? See more info, prices and availability.
Other cultural surprises
Among our discoveries during our wanderings, we also really enjoyed the city’s few sculptures:
- The Monument to Torrijos, on the Plaza de la Merced
- Sculpture in homage to Picasso also on Plaza de la Merced
- The Ave Quiromántica sculpture: Sculpted by José Seguiri, to a design by writer Rafael Pérez Estrada, to whom it pays tribute, it is located on Calle Bolsa.
Finally, we recommend you take a look at the magnificent glass roof of the Atarazanas Market. Designed by architect Joaquín Rucoba in the 19th century, it was built over an old 12th-century building, of which only a doorway remains.
If you’re captivated by the vibrant colors outside, you’ll be delighted to discover the shimmering, mouth-watering stalls waiting for you inside.
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