The coastal city of Malaga, Spain provides a multitude of things to do all year long. Tourists flock to Malaga, the capital city of the Costa Del Sol, for sunshine, visits to the variety of light, airy palacios reformed as art museums and food, food, food.
What’s not to love?!
Read on for the best five things to do in Malaga, Spain.
Things to do in Malaga
Malaga is well-connected to the larger Spanish cities of Madrid and Barcelona by train. If you are traveling internationally, you can arrive at the Malaga-Costa Del Sol airport for easy transport into the city. You can easily appreciate the city sites in a single weekend. If you can spare four days or longer, plan to book a car and spend some time exploring the Costa Del Sol. Below you will find suggestions for city attractions as well as possible day trips. ¡Disfruta la Costa del Sol!
Malegueta Beach
The most important part of the Costa del Sol is, of course, the coast. The Malegueta beach is very accessible from the Malaga city center and stretches for more than half a mile along the tranquil Mediterranean. It’s the perfect place for a lazy day in the water, a slow walk in the sand or ‘lunch with a view’ at a beachside chiringuito. Make a reservation at Chirinquito Mediterraneo if you want something fancy. Otherwise, east in your bathing suit at any of the open-air options along the boardwalk.
Museums
As the birthplace of Pablo Ruiz y Picasso, Malaga has built quite a reputation on its museums. The city center boasts two Picasso-themed museums (of course). First, you can tour Picasso’s birth home (the Casa Natal). Then, head around the corner to the Picasso Art Museum. The museum houses more than 200 works, all donated by the Picasso family.
Fun fact: the museum is housed on the street where Picasso went to nursery school. When you’re there, it’s well worth a visit to go downstairs and view the remains of the ancient Phonecian city that have been preserved beneath the building (free with admission).
Not interested in Pablo and his cubism? Fear not. Of course, Malaga has other options. You can spend the morning pursuing the collections of Carmen Thyssen or the Centre Pompidou.
Gibralforo Castle
The Gibralforo Castle sits above the old town of Malaga, a lookout and armory collection site that dates back to the 10th century. The visit provides breath-taking views of the city and the sea. You can stroll through the onsite museum that depicts the history of Spanish warfare, or just walk the walls and take in the views. There is a footpath from the Plaza de la Merced in Malaga city and the castle can also be accessed by taxi or public bus.
Hotels and Restaurants
Hotels:
The best and most affordable bet for lodging in downtown Malaga is to book an apartment through Booking or Airbnb. Look for something near the Plaza de San Francisco or the Plaza de Montaño. If you prefer a hotel, you may be able to find a good rate at the AC Hotel by Mariott Malaga Palacio. The location can’t be beat!
Restaurants:
Fair warning: Malagueños like to talk about food so much, people call themselves and the members of their football team ‘Boquerones’ (anchovies). Visit Puro Pescaito in the heart of downtown for a taste of the local seafood and the local culture at lunch or dinner. If you want something more fancy, make an advance booking at Ocho Bistro near the Malaga Cathedral. For an afternoon coffee and great people watching, stop at Cafe Central in the Plaza de la Constitution.
Day Trips: Caminito Del Ray
The hills that surround Malaga provides world class hiking options within only a few hours. For a memorable day hike, book a spot on the Caminito Del Rey, the walking path through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge. Pro-tip: the area is controlled by the Spanish government and they only let a certain number of hikers pass through each day. You need to book your spot in advance at this website.
If you prefer the coast, you can explore nearby Marbella, Torremolinos and Nerja.
For other Spanish travel suggestions, check out my post on Valencia. Happy travels!