From its bright historic center to nearby beaches, these are all Malaga attractions, highlights and day trips you can’t miss on your next visit.
The city of Málaga is often forgotten in the shadow of other more iconic Andalusian cities such as Granada, Seville and Córdoba. On my first trip to Andalucia, I wasn’t even planning to visit Malaga, but the city’s airport gave me the best flight options. So I decided to check it out as I was passing by – and I’m so glad I did!
I quickly learned that there is something special about Malaga. The classy old town and the lively atmosphere of the beach combined with its Andalusian character create a very unique city.
Since that first trip almost 10 years ago, Málaga has become one of my favorite cities in Spain and I make sure to include it in all my trips to the region. It’s a city I’m always happy to return to and sad to leave.
Here are the top 7 reasons to love Malaga.
1. Historic center of Malaga
The top reason to love Málaga is undoubtedly its historic center, made up of picturesque narrow streets and elegant 19th-century buildings. But what gives this neighborhood its distinctive character is the local marble covering most streets and some facades.
Impeccable architecture
The buildings we see today were mostly built in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution, with money coming from a new bourgeoisie. Although it may be hard to imagine today, by the end of the 20th century the neighborhood had sadly fallen into disrepair. Fortunately, the government did an excellent job of restoring the area starting in the 1990s, and today the historic center is immaculate.
Lario Street
In the center of Malaga’s old town is the iconic Hello Larioswhich has become a symbol of the neighborhood, if not the entire city. With a variety of shops, bars, restaurants, there is always something going on in Calle Larios.
Malaga Cathedral
Right next to Calle Larios kiosks Malaga Cathedral. Its construction began in the 16th century over the ruins of the city’s mosque. However, the cathedral was never completed and to this day one of its two towers is missing. The malagueños refer to it colloquially as “la manquita” (the one-armed lady) and it is a must-see in Málaga.
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From strolling through the historic center to relaxing on La Malagueta beach, having a car at your disposal ensures flexibility and comfort. Move effortlessly from the cultural gems to the tranquility of Malaga’s beaches and embark on exciting day trips to destinations such as Granada, Córdoba and the charming white village of Ronda. Make your adventure in Andalucia unforgettable by choosing a stress-free exploration.
2. The beautiful beaches near Malaga
As the capital of the famous Costa del Sol, Malaga is surrounded by beautiful beaches. But the best part is that you don’t even have to go outside the city to enjoy the beach.
La Malagueta Beach
Málaga hosts 14 km. sandy beaches, with La Malagueta Beach being the closest to the city center and the most famous. From the old town, it is only a 15 minute walk to reach La Malagueta. This makes it very easy to combine a busy morning sightseeing in Malaga with a relaxing afternoon on the beach.
La Malagueta is a beautiful beach with golden sand, very popular with locals and visitors. As you would expect, it has access to all kinds of facilities and amenities (lifeguards, showers, umbrellas, sunbeds for hire, etc.). It is also surrounded by a promenade with various bars and restaurants.
Caleta and Pedregalejo beaches
La Malagueta is a thing of the past Playa de la Caleta and after that, Playa de Pedregalejo. As you move away from the center the beaches become less crowded and have more of a small town feel. Perfect for exploring the surroundings of Málaga with the kids!
3. They are Moorish fortresses
Although Malaga is not home to a super impressive Moorish palace like Alhambra of Granadahas the Alcazaba (fortress) and Gibraltar Castle. These constructions bear witness to the Al-Andalus era, when the Moors inhabited Malaga for almost 8 centuries (711-1487). And unlike the Alhambra, you can actually wander around in peace without having to fight your way through huge hoards of tourists.
Both the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro are on the same hill right next to the old town, with the Gibralfaro at the top and the Alcazaba below.
Alcazaba
The Alcazaba it was erected as a fortress-palace around 750-780 on the ruins of a Roman fortification. Today, it is possible to explore the complex, passing through a series of gates and thick fortification walls before reaching the top and finding some elaborate palace rooms and peaceful atriums.
Gibraltar Castle
To get to Gibraltar Castle, is about a 20-minute walk uphill from the entrance of the Alcazaba. The walk is beautiful and offers great views of the city, but it can be a bit strenuous if you do it in the middle of a hot sunny day. Once at the top there is a small exhibition hall, but the main thing to do is to walk around an elevated walkway along the perimeter of the defensive wall. The view of the city from here is simply amazing!
Related read: Barcelona for architecture lovers
4. Malaga’s culinary scene
Another good reason to love Malaga is this food. With its seaside location, Málaga offers a wide variety of fish and seafood. And its excellent climate is ideal for growing high-quality products.
Malaga’s food market
The perfect place to immerse yourself in Malaga’s culinary scene is the Atarazanas market. Apart from fish and seafood, this busy market also has a wide variety of meat products, fruits and vegetables.
Olives are very traditional and one of my favorites. Local vendors are happy to let you sample the different varieties – so take advantage and find your favorites!
Related read: An olive oil journey in Korcula, Croatia
Where to eat in Malaga
With such a great market, it’s no surprise that you can eat very well in Malaga. Although there are always new restaurants opening their doors and offering all kinds of food, there are some stores with a very long tradition in the city, such as El Pibi the Antigua Casa de Guardia.
While El Pimpi is the place to go some tapas, Antigua Casa de Guardia specializes in the local sweet wines for which Malaga and the region are famous. Huge barrels of wine are stacked and cover the entire wall of the bar. The wines are very affordable and it’s easy to try them all!
Also read: What Spain is known for
5. The avant-garde port area of Malaga
Muelle Uno
Between the historic center and Malagueta beach is the modern port area Muelle Uno (Pier One). To get there from the old town, you can follow a beautiful palm-lined promenade called Paseo del Muelle Uno.
Pompidou Center
This open-air leisure complex opened in 2011 and is filled with various shops, bars and restaurants. But if there is one building that stands out in Málaga’s Muelle Uno, this is it Pompidou Center. This cube-shaped structure is made of glass panels in many colors. It houses a permanent collection of Impressionist art from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Around Muelle Uno, you will also find many interesting activities for visitors, such as bike and segway rentals, boat tours, etc.
6. Malaga’s vibrant art scene
The aforementioned Pompidou Center is just one of the latest additions to Malaga’s art scene. However, art has a long history in Malaga.
Picasso Museums
It was in 1881 when the famous painter über Pablo Picasso was born in the Plaza de la Merced of Malaga which is located in the historic center. Today, the house of his birth is inhabited by Museo Casa Natal de Picasso. Additionally, there is a second Picasso museum in Malaga, aptly named Picasso Museum. Occupying the magnificent Buenavista Palace, the Picasso Museum consists of 12 permanent exhibition rooms.
Thyssen Museum
The Thyssen Museum, also in the center of Málaga, is the little brother of Madrid’s famous museum of the same name. It exhibits the personal collection of Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, one of the most prominent art collectors in the world. It consists of 230 works, mainly by Spanish artists of the 19th century such as Zurbarán, Sorolla, Zuloaga, Romero Torres, etc.
Contemporary Art Center of Malaga
The Contemporary Art Center is located in what is known as the ‘Soho neighborhood’ for its artsy and bohemian vibe.
Russian State Museum
The list of Malaga art museums goes on and on and even includes the Russian State Museumwhich is the first branch of the museum opened in Europe.
Although it all depends on your tastes and preferences, if you only visit one art museum while in Malaga, it should be the Picasso Museum.
7. Some of the best day trips from Malaga
Although it may seem counterintuitive, the last reason to love Málaga is actually its proximity to a variety of interesting sites. There are so many possible day trips from Malaga and the city can be a great base to explore the surrounding area.
Granada
For example, you can go from Malaga to Granada in 1 hour and 30 minutes by car or bus. This means that even without your own transport, you could get to Granada, visit the Alhambra and the Moorish neighborhood of Albaicín, and return to Malaga for dinner.
Cordoba
Another great day trip from Malaga is Cordoba. Although it takes 1 hour 45 minutes by car, you can get there in less than an hour by train. This would give you plenty of time to visit the Grand Mosque and wander around the Jewish Quarter.
Rhonda
If you are looking for a lesser known destination, its white village Rhonda it’s only 1 hour 20 minutes away by car and makes for the perfect day trip to Malaga. Famous for its massive New Bridge, this picturesque town still retains the charm that once attracted famous artists and writers such as Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway.
Now, how about combining it all into a 1-week Andalusia road trip adventure?
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Patricia Palasios combines her profession as one web and software developer with a passion for writing and travel. She is the co-founder of España Guide, a travel guide dedicated to promoting her native Spain.
