Malaga is the classic destination for a successful holiday in Spain. The city, with a mild climate, 300 sunny days a year, fortresses, castles, cathedrals, orange flavor, parrots flying free, and Arab influences, is the perfect getaway in any season.

 

The relief is not something to neglect either. That’s because Malaga is beautifully surrounded by mountains and the two rivers that flow directly into the Mediterranean, Guadalmedina and Guadalhorce. Guadal means river in Arabic.

 

Malaga has a troubled and fascinating past.

 

Among the things to know about Malaga is that it has been ruled throughout history by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, and Arabs from the north coast of Africa.

 

Since 1487, Malaga has become a Christian settlement again, and so it remains until now.

   

What I use every time I travel:

• To book hotels: Booking.com
• To book tours: GetYourGuide.com

   

 

But all nations have left their marks on the city. The most visible are the Oriental influences. These can be found mainly in architecture and gastronomy.

 

You can learn more about Andalusian culture if you visit the city during the festivals. In Malaga, influential personalities were born.

 

The most famous names are Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas. The first one even has two museums dedicated to the painter.

 

  ⇒ Watch my travel vlog from Malaga    

 

   

 

Where to stay in Malaga

 

    There are many hotels and Airbnb in Malaga, but it would be best to look for accommodation somewhere in the center.

 

This is because it’s essential to be close to the tourist attractions in the city. These are the hotels I recommend, depending on your budget:  

 

• budget: B&B Hotel Málaga Centro  – central location, breakfast, free wifi
• mid-range: Málaga Premium Hotel  – room service, delicious breakfast, modern design 
• luxury: Soho Boutique Equitativa  – restaurant, free Wifi, swimming pool

   

We stayed at a lovely apartment located right in the center, very close to all the points of interest in the city.

 

Nearby, there is underground parking, in case you need one. The apartment is called Iloftmalaga Casapalma and you will find it  HERE

 

 

13 Best things to do in Malaga 

 

1. Visit the Roman Theater

 

The oldest construction in Malaga is situated at the foot of the Alcazaba fortress.

 

Therefore, you should visit both at the same time. Add Gibralfaro castle; it will take around half a day to do them all.

 

The Roman Theater was built during Emperor Augustus. It was used until the third century, then completely abandoned until the Moorish came to Andalusia.

 

Later, it was covered with earth, so these precious elements from the city’s history were buried.

 

Until 1951, when the ruins were discovered and presented to the public to be admired, they were surprisingly very well preserved despite the centuries.

 

You can still distinguish the three elements that comprise the whole ensemble: the scene, the usual seats, and the VIP seats.

 

  ⇒ Book your ticket for the Roman Theater & Fortress Alcazaba 

 

 

2. Admire the Fortress Alcazaba | Best things to do in Malaga

 

If you are wondering what to visit in Malaga, a good answer would be Alcazaba.

 

The old and imposing Moorish fortress was built at the beginning of the 11th century, during the reign of Abd-al-Rahman I, the first Emir of Cordoba.

 

Alcazaba means fortress in Arabic, and the oriental influences are very impregnated between the brick walls.

 

Arches, towers, columns, artesian fountains, mosaic-plated pools, and weapons are all evidence of the Islamic era in Malaga. But my favorites are the gardens, beautifully decorated.

 

  ⇒ Here you will find the best hotels in Malaga.   

 

 

  Although not as famous as the fortress in Granada or Seville, Alcazaba is about 300 years older than the two.

 

Which makes it a little more mysterious and gives it an extra value. It’s one of the best attractions in Malaga.  

 

 

3. Climb to Gibralfaro Castle

 

The last of the series of historical sites in Malaga is Gibralfaro Castle. The one situated on a hill seems to watch over the entire city.

 

In the past, there used to be a road that links Alcazaba to Gibralfaro. However, now you have to use a bypass road to get here.

 

A long road with many steps in which you will have to invest time and effort.

 

As a reward, you will receive, along the route, some viewpoints from where you can admire the beautiful panorama of Malaga.

 

Comfortable footwear and water for hydration are mandatory.

 

Book your favorite tour in Malaga ⇓⇓

 

 

 

Mirador de Gibralfaro is the main viewpoint and where you can learn about the city’s main buildings.

 

You can see the bullfights, the port, the park, and part of the city from here.

 

Unlike Alcazaba, there are not many things to see at Gibralfaro.

 

This is because it was built several centuries later. And the primary purpose was to defend Fortress Alcazaba.

 

The castle consists of a long string of high walls that you can walk on, a few towers and a museum where you can admire military uniforms of different sizes.

 

  ⇒ Here you will find the best hotels in Malaga.  

 

 

4. Visit the Picasso Museum

 

Pablo Picasso was born here in 1881, and he made his first attempts at painting, realizing some works that you can admire at the Picasso Museum inside the Buenavista Palace.

 

Opened in 2003, the museum displays a collection of 285 works of the great artist.

 

Most of them were donated by the painter’s family. You will be able to study closely the works done by the child, adolescent, and adult Picasso.

 

Some will come with audio narration to better understand the meaning of the images.

 

They were super helpful, in my opinion. Especially since Picasso had an infinite imagination and not necessarily the most common style.

 

Unfortunately, I cannot exemplify this with images because the museum is guarded inside precisely to prevent the photographing of the works.

 

If you are a fan of art in general and especially if you love Picasso’s works or are interested in his less famous works, then this museum is for you, and it is worth putting it on the list of fun things to do in Malaga.

 

Otherwise, you may skip it, especially if your holiday time in Malaga is limited.

 

  ⇒ Book your ticket for the Picasso Museum here  

 

 

5. Visit the stunning Cathedral of Malaga | 13 Things to do in Malaga

 

Whether you are attracted to religious buildings or not, you will surely like the Malaga Cathedral, built in place of a former mosque.

 

The Roman Catholic church combines three highly appreciated architectural styles: baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic.

 

The project was started in 1528 and was completed 250 years later, more than enough time to build a true architectural masterpiece.

 

However, it’s not finished, since one of the towers is still missing.

 

This detail gives the cathedral distinctive features and also the name of La Manquita (The One-Armed Lady).

 

 

The tower alone measures 84 meters high. This places the Cathedral of Malaga second in Andalusia, after La Giralda in Seville.

 

Even if you don’t visit the interior, the exterior is gorgeous. It’s probably one of the most beautiful places to visit in Malaga.

 

  ⇒ Book a 2-hour historical center and Cathedral Tour

 

 

6. Shopping at Mercado Central

 

One of the best things to do in Malaga is to visit the market.

 

The most famous market in Malaga is open daily, except Sunday, between 8 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon.

 

Therefore, consider this program strictly to discover what is behind the massive gate.

 

And not any gate, but the gate built by Abderramán III, one of the city’s five big gates, built during the period when Malaga was under Arab domination.

 

You can be satisfied with an outside view if you arrive after 3 o’clock, as I did.

     

 

7. Taste the sweets from Sabor a Espana | Best places to visit in Malaga

 

The 5-star shop on Tripadvisor was a pleasant surprise during my holiday in Malaga.

 

There are a few in the city, and you will easily find them by the strong smell of good sweet.

 

Take a sheet and a pen and note: honey, jellies, walnuts, pineapple jam, fried caramel nuts, chocolate of all kinds, marzipan, dehydrated fruits, and teas with soothing aromas.

 

Did you crave any of these? It is solved simply by a visit to Sabor a Espana. 

 

 

8. Shopping for souvenirs

 

Each destination requires at least one souvenir. They may be kitsch but represent little symbols of your most successful vacations.

 

Shopping for souvenirs may be one of the fun things to do in Malaga. I can already think of a very diverse range of souvenirs here.

 

You can choose from fridge magnets with flamenco dancers, bulls made of mosaic, locally produced wine, extra virgin olive oil produced near the city, pottery painted with Andalusian motifs, or the name of the town, and the list can go on.

 

I hope the pictures below inspire you.

 

READ ALSO: Top things to do in Barcelona in 2 days

 

 

9. Enjoy a Paella | 13 things to do in Malaga, Spain

 

Even if paella was invented in Valencia, and you will probably eat the best food with rice and seafood there, you can enjoy the delicious preparation in Malaga. Recommendation:  Enjoy it with sangria, and success is guaranteed.

 

I recommend you go out for dinner, especially in the evening when the city comes to life, and all the restaurants are packed.

 

By the way, Malaga’s nightlife is fantastic!!! Go to Calle Malaga, and you will find a restaurant you like.

 

For the best food in Malaga, go to one of these restaurants: El Gastronauta, Beluga, Plaza de Chinitas, or La Bouganvilla.

 

⇒ Go on one of the top-rated food tours in Malaga

 

 

 

10. Take a walk through El Parque de Málaga

 

If you arrive in Malaga in the summer, you can consider the park as your refuge to cool off.

 

The vegetation is lush, and the huge exotic plants block the sun from entering and lighting the alleys so you can shelter here from the suffocating heat.

 

Also, the park is adorned with numerous fountains and elaborate sculptures that give it a unique beauty, especially in contrast to the greenery around it.

 

 

11. Go to the beach | Best Malaga itinerary

 

I wouldn’t say that going to the beach is the main reason to visit Malaga. But you must not miss Malagueta since they have a Blue Flag beach in the landscape.

 

Even if it means a simple evening walk on the wonderful sand and a seafood dinner on one of the terraces set near the waves of the Mediterranean Sea.

 

READ ALSO: Tres Metros sobre el cielo – movie locations in Barcelona

 

   

 

12. Walk the streets in the downtown

 

The Malaga Center is delightful, among the most beautiful I’ve seen.

 

You will love the elegant buildings, neat and splendid architecture, and wide cobbled streets decorated with palm trees.

 

It’s as fabulous during the day as the evening when the city seems even more lively.

 

Malaga is one of the favorite Spanish, French, and English holiday destinations, so you will see them having fun in the bars until later in the night.

 

One of the best things to do in Malaga is to walk on the streets and enjoy the city.

 

⇒ Grab a bike here and tour Malaga

 

   

In the center of Malaga, you will find many squares decorated with artesian fountains and palm trees. My favorite is Constitution Square.

 

Located right at the end of Calle Marqués de Larios, a very wide pedestrian alley with your favorite shops and brands. It is one of the most beautiful places in Malaga.

 

READ ALSO: 3 gorgeous towns to visit on Costa Brava, Spain

 

 

13. Day trip to Caminito del Rey

 

One of the most dangerous routes in the world is Caminito del Rei (King’s Road), built on the edge of the El Chorro gorge.

 

The best part is that it is only an hour away from Malaga, representing the perfect day trip.

 

Caminito del Rei is 7.7 km long and was initially built to allow workers access to hydroelectric power stations in the area.

 

Construction began in 1901 and was completed in 1905. But in 1921, the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, inaugurated the Conde del Guadalhorce dam.

 

  ⇒ Book a day trip to Caminito del Rey  

 

   

In 2000, the route was closed for an extended period due to many deaths in the area.

 

Later, it was reconsolidated and reopened, and now it’s much safer.

 

However, if you don’t feel very adventurous or don’t have enough time to walk Caminito del Rei, you can come to the area to admire the emerald color of the lakes in the area.

 

Put on the map Mirador de Tres Emabalses and enjoy a sensational view.

 

 

Things to know before visiting Malaga

 

Is Malaga an expensive destination?

 

  Málaga is one of the cheapest holiday areas in Spain, and most visitors appreciate that you can spend a few days in the capital, Costa del Sol, with a reasonably low budget. There are plenty of places to visit in Malaga for free or at an affordable entry price.  

 

How many days do you need to visit Malaga?

 

  Two or three days are enough to check almost everything you can do in Malaga, so I would not recommend staying longer. But if the city is to your liking, you could spend up to a week.  

 

When is the best time to visit Malaga?

 

  If you want to enjoy the sun and hot water, the best time to visit Malaga is during the summer. But this is also the busiest. From my point of view, it is best to visit Malaga in spring or autumn.  

 

Is Malaga a safe destination?

 

  Malaga is one of the safest cities in Spain, so you don’t have to worry about that. Maybe you only need to pay more attention to your pockets when you are around major tourist attractions.  

 

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