Located on the Mediterranean coast, Malaga is the ideal starting point for exploring the wonders ofAndalucia. Much more than a seaside resort renowned for its vibrant nightlife, the city boasts a rich past, offering a singular heritage to visit! Between the Alcazaba, the superb Cathedral of the Incarnation and the many museums, you won’t have time to get bored! Malaga is sure to seduce you with its unique blend of history and modernity.
In this article, we give you our 10 reasons to go to Malaga, and a few points to keep in mind.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Is Malaga worth a visit?
Yes, of course! Even if the capital of the Costa del Sol is more famous for its beaches and festive atmosphere, it will surprise you with its rich historical heritage, its natural landscapes and its varied range of museums.
Put Malaga on your Andalucia travel itinerary, not least because it lies at the crossroads of many points of interest: White Villages, Caminito del Rey or Torcal de Antequera. To complete the picture, check out our selection of the city’s best attractions.
Reason 1: For its majestic Alcazaba
If you’re visiting Malaga, you won’t want to miss the Alcazaba. This term refers to the fortresses of Muslim Spain (8th-15th centuries). Built in the 11th century, Malaga’sAlcazaba is one of the most important surviving Muslim military constructions in Spain. It formed part of the defensive system of the ancient Muslim city and was linked to the city walls, which no longer exist.
From Calle Alcazabilla, you’ll appreciate its imposing exterior before exploring the maze of doors and nooks and crannies that make up its interior. Despite the crowds, we loved the charming Arab gardens with their fountains, the remains of the Nasrid palace and the few preserved archaeological finds.
And don’t forget the panoramic view from the ramparts!
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
Reason 2: For its superb Cathédrale de L’Incarnation
Malaga’s magnificent cathedral is well worth a visit in itself! We loved our visit to this atypical building, famous for its main façade, a Baroque masterpiece, and its unfinished tower giving it a unique silhouette! In addition to the beauty of its architecture, the cathedral’s interior impressed us with its imposing dimensions, rich ornamentation and numerous pieces of sacred art.
Discover our detailed visit and photos in our dedicated article!
Lovers of religious heritage can also enjoy other remarkable buildings as they stroll through the town. For our part, we particularly liked theChurch of Los Santos Martires Ciriaco y Paula, with its dazzling 18th-century Baroque interior. Also worth a visit is the 15th-century Sanctuary of Santa Maria de la Victoria, with its sumptuous camarin (chapel) and richly decorated altarpiece (cherubs, acanthus leaves, mirror frames, coats of arms).
Reason 3: For its varied museum collections
If you’re an art lover, you won’t be disappointed, as Malaga’s cultural offering is as varied as it is exciting! Picasso fans can discover the scope of his work at the Picasso Museum and visit the house where he was born. The Museo de Malaga, with its 17,000 exhibits ranging from antiquity to modern art, will also keep you busy for a while.
For those wishing to immerse themselves in Spanish culture, the Carmen Thyssen Museum is a must-see, with its collection of paintings of Spain as seen by 19th-century painters. The Musée des Costumes et des Arts Populaires (MUACP ), meanwhile, displays magnificent pieces (crockery, costumes, lace) testifying to local know-how.
Fans of contemporary art will be delighted by the Centre Pompidou, annex of the famous Parisian museum, and its famous cube signed by Daniel Buren. We also enjoyed the Centre d’Art Contemporain (CAC), showcasing the work of Spanish artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, not to mention the programming of the La Térmica third-place!
For an immersive experience, we recommend the Flamenco Museum, with its dance demonstrations. The Musée du Verre et du Crystal , with its charmingly old-fashioned guided tours, and the playfulOXO – Musée du Jeu Vidéo are also worth a visit.
See our selection of the best museums.
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Reason 4: For its welcoming beaches
What better way to balance out a day of intense cultural sightseeing than an afternoon lounging on the beach? The most famous is undoubtedly La Malagueta Beach, located near the city center, but there’s something for everyone on Malaga’s beaches!
Sports enthusiasts will want to head for Campo de Golf Beach, renowned for its ideal kitesurfing conditions, while those who prefer tranquillity will opt for Guadalmar Beach, to the west of the town. The beach at Peñon del Cuervo is worth a visit for its mysterious rocky spur, while families will be delighted at La Carihuela beach in Torremolinos.
We also recommend a detour to the Port of Malaga. The walk begins at the Palmeral de las Sorpresas, a palm-lined avenue topped by a striking structure by Jerónimo Junquera, and continues along the harbour quays, where you can watch the yachts, ending at the lighthouse with its beautiful view of the whole Bay of Malaga.
If you go to Torremolinos, don’t miss the Benalmádena Marina and its stunning, pristine white architecture. Here you’ll find a host of restaurants, bars and stores, as well as an aquarium and diving club.
See our article on Malaga’s beaches.
Reason 5: For its colorful, unspoiled downtown area
We were pleasantly surprised by the charm of Malaga’s historic center.
The city is best explored on foot, alternating between teeming palm-lined arteries, cobbled streets with colorful facades and lively squares.
We also enjoyed discovering the various sculptures hidden around the city, such as the Picasso sculpture in Plaza de la Merced, or the Paloma Quiromantica, a tribute to the poet Rafael Perez Estrada, in Calle Bolsa.
Shopping enthusiasts will not be disappointed either! The famous Calle Marqués de Larios pedestrian street is home to many international names, but the town is also full of handicraft and second-hand stores.
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Reason 6: For its eclectic architectural heritage
Malaga is a city of contrasts, offering a journey back in time through its architecture. From the remains of the ancient Roman Theater to the Alcazaba , built in the 11th century during Moorish rule, the imposing 14th-century Château de Gibralfaro and the Cathedral of the Incarnation, the fruit of the Reconquista in the 15th century, each monument tells a chapter in the city’s history. Attentive strollers will be able to spot the various influences and appreciate the happy dialogue between the different buildings.
And don’t forget to admire the sumptuous mansions, evidence of Malaga’s golden age, dotted around the city like..:
- The 16th-century Palacio de Villalón, now the Carmen Thyssen Museum.
- The 18th-century Episcopal Palace on the Plaza de Obispo features a Baroque ensemble.
- The neoclassical Palacio de la Aduana, which once housed customs but is now the Malaga Museum.
- Les Anciens Magasins de Félix Sáenz, a modernist building designed (1912-1914) by local architect Manuel Rivera Vera (photo below).
Reason 7: For its range of bucolic walks
There are many ways to recharge your batteries in Malaga! The most accessible is undoubtedly the 800-meter-long Paseo del Parque, which runs alongside the port and offers a breath of fresh air in the middle of Malaga’s traffic-heavy city center, with its lush vegetation!
The town is also home to the marvellous La Concepción Historic Botanical Garden, created in the 19th century by a couple from Malaga’s upper middle class. A 40-minute bus ride from the center, it offers an enchanting and colorful stroll through various gardens, featuring tropical species, a multitude of flowers, ponds, waterfalls, Roman remains and impressive belvederes.
For a real change of scenery, we recommend the Parque del Guadalhorce, just a 20-minute bus ride from Malaga. This 122-hectare nature reserve is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, and marked trails enable visitors to discover the park’s flora and fauna, including dunes, salt marshes and pine forests.
Finally, the Montes Nature Park (1h from Malaga) extends over 4162ha of mid-mountain terrain, and offers numerous hiking and biking trails in the valleys. A number of inns are listed for a break (find out more on the province’s official website here).
Reason 8: For its festive atmosphere
Malaga vibrates to the rhythm of numerous festivals and cultural events throughout the year! The Malaga Carnival, reputed to be one of the finest in Andalucia, sets the city alight for ten days in November. In April, Holy Week unfolds its religious fervor with sumptuous processions. In August, the Feria de Malaga celebrates the reconquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs inside the casetas, ephemeral pavilions where locals dance and drink until dawn.
In addition to these traditional festivities, the city is also open to contemporary culture, as witnessed by the prestigious Spanish Film Festival, which attracts a large number of film buffs at the end of April. The city also hosts numerous events, concerts and theater festivals, making Malaga a dynamic cultural crossroads.
Although Malaga is known for its incredible nightlife, the city is now suffering somewhat from its party reputation. Nevertheless, enjoying its lively bars and strolling through the illuminated streets at night remains an unmissable city experience.
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Reason 9: For its authentic gastronomy
Malaga is the perfect city for epicureans! Not least because the city boasts its own specialties, such as ajo blanco (a cold soup made with garlic and almonds), fried fish, borrachelos (sweet potato cakes) and, of course, the sweet Malaga wine. The city also offers a wide range of restaurants, from typical bodegas where you can eat tapas standing up, to Michelin-starred establishments and rooftops with panoramic views. You can also try your hand at one of the chiringuitos(typical beach bars), where you can enjoy an espeto de sardines (charcoal-cooked sardine skewer).
Finally, you can’t leave Málaga without visiting the Atarazanas market, where you can stock up on good produce in a vitamin-packed atmosphere! The place is worth a visit for its wrought-iron facade (built in the 19th century on the site of former Muslim wine cellars) and its splendid, colorful glass roof. Those who come early can hope to secure a seat at one of the few tables available. Otherwise, you can do as the locals do, eating standing up at the stalls or taking your spoils to one of the town’s green spaces.
Reason 10: For its roots in the heart of Andalucia
A stay in Malaga is an ideal base for discovering the rest of Andalucia. You can easily reach the mythical cities of Cordoba (2h), Ronda (1h30) and Granada (1h30) by train. Visit the official website of the national railway company here.
And don’t forget to include on your itinerary a visit to one of Andalucia’s most beautiful white villages!
You can also opt for nature excursions! Just an hour’s drive away, theEl Torcal de Antequera nature park offers hikes through a fascinating karst landscape. Also, the Caminito del Reya spectacular hiking trail, has become a must-see attraction. Apart from the cliffside hike, the most famous part is the section suspended over 100 metres above the Guadalhorce Gorge.
Some disadvantages of a trip to Malaga
The tourist influx
Due to its popularity as a seaside resort and party destination, Malaga has to cope with a sometimes intense influx of visitors. To take full advantage of Malaga’s cultural wealth, we recommend avoiding weekends, when the cultural sites are crowded and the restaurants are packed.
Visiting the city on weekdays and off-season makes for a more peaceful discovery( especiallyin winter ). It’s also a way of contributing to more responsible tourism that respects the environment and local people.
If, however, you’re taking your vacation in summer, we advise you to book your accommodation and restaurants in advance. We prefer the booking platform because it offers a wide choice of accommodations and the calendars are updated in real time.
Urbanization
Although Malaga’s city center remains unspoilt and pleasant to stroll around, the city hides a more urbanized and less charming face. Over-urbanization has left its mark on the city, with the construction of numerous skyscrapers, particularly on the seafront, spoiling the beauty of the site. If you’re looking for a place to stay, a place to stroll or a place to eat, we recommend you opt for the town’s historic center, which has been preserved over the years.
Likewise, it can be difficult to find completely undeveloped beaches close to the city center. If you prefer unspoilt beaches, you’ll have to head for the eastern beaches (Playa Penon del Cuervo is the closest) or opt for the unspoilt beaches around Nerja.
The weather
The weather is generally mild in spring, with temperatures fluctuating between 20 and 25°. Summer becomes much hotter, and 40° to 45° are easily reached in the hottest hours of the afternoon. Even though several improvements have been made in the town (sunshades, shady promenades), we advise against going there at this time of year. On the other hand, autumn and winter are good seasons, and to find out more, read our article on visiting Malaga in winter.
How to get to Malaga
To get to Malaga, you can choose from the following options:
- By plane: Malaga airport is served by many European cities. Most car rental companies can be found at the airport.
- By car: the city is easily accessible, with major highways like the A-7 and A-45 linking it to other major cities in Andalucia and Spain.
Read our article on renting a car in Malaga. - By train: María Zambrano station is connected to many other Spanish cities, including Madrid in 3 hours and Sevilla in 2 hours (more info on the official renfe website here).
- Bus: There are many direct connections from Malaga bus station to other cities in Andalucia (more info on the official movelia website here).
- By boat: Although Malaga’s port is primarily commercial, a regular passenger service links Spain with North Africa (more info here).
All you need to get around is your feet! The city center and seafront are within easy reach. We advise you not to use your car in the city center, which is often saturated with traffic.
You can also use the metro system (more info here) in the city center.
And, if you want to visit more remote areas or climb up to Gibralfaro Castle, you can opt for the good city bus network (more info on the official website here) or rent a car. See our tips here.
Finally, the cab network (see Unitaxi or Taxi Unión) is very efficient and inexpensive. There are also organized tours from Malaga. This can be a good alternative for long journeys and/or if you don’t want to drive.
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