Malaga. A wonderful city in the south of Spain. When we first met in the spring of 2024, we fell in love at once. In the end we flew to Malaga in the Andalusia region no fewer than four times in 2024. There are also summery temperatures almost all year round. The winters are mild, so that’s an ideal time to visit, too. Malaga attractions: beach, culture, lots of tapas and even more Tinto de Verano (a mix of red wine, 7Up and fresh orange). Malaga, the ideal destination for a lovely city trip! A true ‘Let Us Stay For A Day‘ recommendation…

We booked our flight with Transavia. Ryanair is also an option. We choose the early flight whenever we can, because we think there’s less chance of delays. And it’s nice to still have some of the first travel day left in Malaga. On arrival we grab an Uber. Taxis in front of the arrivals hall entrance are also a fine alternative if you don’t have the app. There are no scammers at this airport like at Amsterdam’s Schiphol. So far we’ve always had drivers who neatly turned on the meter. In the end you’ll pay around $23 to $29 to get to the center. On a tighter budget? Take the train (Cercanías C1) from the airport. It runs regularly to the heart of the city. After that it’s finally time to discover all the sights in Malaga.

15 Things to Do in Malaga

Historic Highlights & Must-See Malaga Attractions

1. Alcazaba of Málaga This 11th-century Moorish fortress is Málaga’s crown jewel. Stroll through the beautiful gardens and enjoy the spectacular views over the city and the sea.

• Tip: Go early (9:00 AM) to avoid the crowds
• Admission: $8 (combination ticket with Gibralfaro $11). Prices doubled in 2025, so check the official website beforehand.

2. Gibralfaro Castle Next, climb to this castle for the best panorama of Málaga. It’s especially unforgettable at sunset, when the city turns orange.

• Walking time: 20 minutes from the Alcazaba
• Best time: 1 hour before sunset

3. Catedral de Málaga (La Manquita) This impressive cathedral is known for its unfinished south tower – hence the nickname “La Manquita” (the one-armed lady).

• Highlight: Climb the tower for a 360° view
• Admission: $7 (tower climb $3.50 extra)

Art & Culture

4. Picasso Museum Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga, and this museum shows his evolution as an artist.

• Must-see: Early works and ceramics collection
• Admission: $14 (free on Sundays after 4:00 PM for EU citizens)

5. Centre Pompidou Málaga The first outpost of the famous Paris museum also offers modern art in a colorful cube.

• Highlight: World-class rotating exhibitions
• Admission: from $8 (combo ticket with temporary exhibition $10, free on Sundays from 4:00 PM)

6. Carmen Thyssen Museum Also a beautiful collection of 19th-century Spanish painting in a restored palace.

• Specialty: Andalusian landscapes and costumbrismo

Hidden Gems & Malaga Attractions

7. Hammam Al Ándalus Relax in these authentic Arabic baths, inspired by Moorish tradition.

• Experience: 90 minutes of pure relaxation
• Price: From $43 (reservation required)

8. Mercado de Atarazanas This 19th-century market hall is perfect for fresh produce and local delicacies.

• Best time: Morning (9:00 AM–2:00 PM)
• Must-try: Fresh fish, Iberian ham, local cheeses

9. Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción 57-acre tropical garden with more than 25,000 plant species.

• Highlight: Japanese garden and bamboo forest
• Admission: $6

Beach Life

10. Playa de la Malagueta The closest city beach and therefore perfect for a quick dip.

• Facilities: Beach bars, showers, umbrella rentals
• Getting there: 10-minute walk from the center

11. Playa del Palo An authentic fishing village with the best beach restaurants in Málaga.

• Specialty: Espetos (grilled sardines)
• Vibe: Local and unpretentious

Modern Malaga Attractions

12. Muelle Uno A modern shopping and dining promenade in the harbor, ideal if you want to shop.

• Highlight: views of the yachts and the La Farola lighthouse (the Ferris wheel disappeared in 2020)
• Perfect for: Sunset aperitif

13. Soho District Málaga’s artistic neighborhood full of street art and trendy bars.

• Must-see: Murals by international artists
• Best time: Evening for the nightlife

14. Caminito del Rey (day trip) A spectacular hiking trail through gorges, suitable for beginners too (1 hour by car from Málaga).

• Duration: 3–4 hours of hiking
• Reservations: Required via the official website

15. Ronda (day trip) Dramatic mountain village with a famous bridge (1.5 hours by car).

Combine: With a visit to a wine region

Highlight: Puente Nuevo and Plaza de Toros

Popular & Local Restaurants in Malaga

Tapas Malaga

Oh, there are so many fantastic tapas restaurants in Malaga! On our trips we actually only cheated twice. A Mexican and an Italian were to blame. That’s why below you’ll find a really nice list of our favorite hotspots in the city. In short: finger-licking good.

1. Hasta los Andares, just leave it up to the owner. This is the best.
2. Taberna el Globo, at least super pinchos, just order a round of them to start with, they’re about $1 each. Yes, unbelievable, really.
3. Bodegas Tranca (cold dishes only) or bar La Tranca. Local and more traditional.
   

Restaurants Malaga

1. Anyway Wine Bar, a more upscale tapas bar. More of a European experience. Good cheeses and Iberico ham that melts on your tongue.
2. Mezcal, mostly lots of outstanding traditional tacos to eat! With a shot of tequila or mezcal on the side, of course.
3. Gusto for Neapolitan pizza or a Caesar salad if you want something different.
4. Casa Lola. Popular tapas restaurant in the center of Malaga. By now with several locations. The tapas version of Loetje (a Dutch steakhouse chain) ;-). Always busy. Give your name at the entrance & join the line. We’ve eaten here several times. Sometimes really good, but unfortunately mediocre the last time.

Rooftop Bars Malaga

1. Roommate Valeria. Cocktails, wine and a lovely view over the harbor. View of a small park where the parakeets rule. We sat here almost every day. Our favorite rooftop bar in Malaga. Service was really great & a large selection of mixed drinks.
2. AC Hotel by Marriott. Entrance is $11. Clearly popular with influencers. Makes sense, since from the top you have the most beautiful view over the city. Highest cocktail bar in Malaga. Always a line at the door.
3. La Terraza Molina Lario. Is the line too long at the Marriott? Then walk to the other side. A nice rooftop with a small pool. Several cozy seating areas. Service isn’t very quick & cocktails are fine but not spectacular. The view is cool though!

Best Cocktails Malaga

1. Renard. Best cocktails in town. Speakeasy vibes & good music. Be sure to order a Summer Paloma! Maybe not the cocktail of the month (like ours), but you have to taste this one. Do you really want to end the evening right and have no plans afterwards? Ask the cocktail boys behind the bar to make one with mezcal. Intense! Sleep well ;-).
2. Speakeasy ‘The Pharmacy’. Top cocktail bar. Just like at Renard, we often ended our day here. Great atmosphere and welcoming staff. They really know what a good cocktail is here.

Best Beach Bar

1. Tropicana, $11 a day for a sunbed, good food and drinks with service.
2. Chiringuito El Canarias Playa. Best fish restaurant and beach bar on the boulevard. Reserve for lunch or come a bit earlier in the afternoon. Otherwise join the line or have a drink at the bar while you wait.

Espresso & Coffee with Churros

1. As local as possible, at the shabby little places with fluorescent lighting. If they serve churros with your coffee, it’s truly Spanish ;-)! And holding in your belly is really not a thing next to all the retired Spaniards sitting next to me. Wearing a nice Malaga soccer jersey & you really feel like a local.

Local Bakery

1. There’s a good baker on every street corner, too. You can smell the fresh baguette with manchego or Iberico from far away.

Best Ice Cream Malaga

1. Santini’s, but there are surely more; this one is always good, though.
2. Gelato. There are simply too many delicious flavors to choose from. But the ‘Yoghurt Passion Fruit’ was our favorite.

More Malaga Hotspots from Our Google Maps

In our Google Maps we keep a list of all our favorite places in Malaga. In addition to the tips above, you’ll find even more tapas bars, cocktail bars, beach clubs and coffee spots here. Click a name to open the place directly in Google Maps.

Tapas & Spanish cuisine

• Bodega El Pimpi – iconic bodega with a terrace right next to the Roman theater and the Alcazaba.
• Antigua Casa de Guardia – the oldest bar in Malaga (since 1840), where the sweet Malaga wine still comes straight from the barrel.
• Taberna De Jarana – cozy tapas bar.
• Mesón Ibérico – tapas with Iberico ham and cured meats.
• Kraken Centro – tapas restaurant in the center.
• El Mesón de Cervantes – Spanish and Mediterranean dishes in the center.
• Buenavista Gastrobar & Tapas – Mediterranean tapas.

Fish & seafood

• El Tintero – legendary beach restaurant in El Palo, where waiters walk around with platters of fish and you grab what you want.
• Las Palmeras – fish and seafood.
• Pez Wanda – fish restaurant.
• Pez Lola – fish restaurant.
• Restaurante El Caleño – restaurant with fish and Spanish dishes.

International & special dining

• Alma Lima – Peruvian restaurant.
• Tepito – Mexican restaurant.
• Restaurante Gusto – Italian.
• Gottan Grill Centro – grill restaurant in the center.
• Beluga – Mediterranean restaurant.
• Blossom – for a special fine-dining evening.

Cocktail bars & wine bars

• La Destilería – cocktail bar.
• Lolita Skyview – cocktail bar with a view over the city.
• ZAS – cocktail bar.
• Mañana Cocktail Bar – cocktail bar.
• Medina Bar – bar.
• Anyway Wine Bar – wine bar and restaurant.

Beach clubs & chiringuitos

• Dua Beach – beach club.
• Max Beach – beach club.
• Horno Beach Club – beach club.
• Chiringuito El Cachalote – beach bar.

Coffee, brunch & delicatessen

• Next Level Specialty Coffee – specialty coffee.
• Julieta Coffee – coffee and pastries.
• Brunchit Carretería – brunch.
• BYOKO – healthy, natural food.
• La Despensa de Victoria – delicatessen shop with Spanish products.
• La Casa del Perro – wine shop.

Want everything on the map? View our complete Malaga list in Google Maps and save it for your own city trip.

Handy Phone Apps

1. Download Tier or another app if you want to explore Malaga on an electric scooter. It’s really fun, because you see so much more of the city this way!
2. You can also easily book taxis through Uber. Still, most drivers in Malaga will always turn on the meter.
   Just flagging someone down and getting in is a fine option too. There are few to no scammers.

Tours and Tickets for Malaga Attractions

👉 Tapas and wine tours in Málaga:

👉 Day trips from Málaga:

Practical Tips for Your Malaga Trip

Best Time to Visit

• Ideal: April–June and September–October
• Avoid: July–August (too hot and crowded)
• Winter: Mild but more rain

Transportation

• From the airport: C1 train (about $2.50, under 15 minutes) or taxi ($23–29)
• In the city: Everything within walking distance, metro for the beach
• Day pass: $9.50 for unlimited public transportation

Budget Planning

• Accommodation: $91–171 per night (4-star)
• Food: $46–68 per day for two people
• Attractions: $34–57 per day
• Total: $171–285 per day for two people

Insider Tips

Language: Basic Spanish is appreciated
Siesta: Many shops close 2:00–5:00 PM
Dinner: Spaniards eat late (9:00–10:30 PM)
Sunday: Many local restaurants are closed on Sunday evening
Parking: Use Park & Ride outside the center

Frequently Asked Questions About Malaga & Attractions

What’s the difference between Malaga and Valencia?

Location & Climate: Malaga is in southern Spain (Andalusia) and is warmer and drier – on average 5–9°F warmer than Valencia. Valencia is on the Mediterranean Sea (eastern Spain) and gets more rain in fall/winter. Malaga has 300+ sunny days a year versus 260 in Valencia.

Culture & Vibe: Malaga is typically Andalusian – think flamenco, Moorish architecture, siesta culture. Valencia is more modern and business-like – more like Barcelona but smaller. Malaga feels authentically Spanish, Valencia feels more international.

Attractions: Malaga: Alcazaba, Picasso Museum, historic center, Moorish history Valencia: City of Arts & Sciences (futuristic), oceanarium, birthplace of paella

Beach: Malaga: The city beach (Malagueta) is okay, but for a real beach vacation you go to the Costa del Sol Valencia: Better city beaches (Malvarrosa), more beach culture in the city itself

Food: Malaga: Tapas, pescaíto frito, gazpacho, Andalusian cuisine Valencia: Paella (the original!), horchata, more rice dishes

Size & Crowds: Valencia: Bigger (800k residents), more traffic, more urban Malaga: More compact (570k residents), everything within walking distance, more relaxed

Price: Malaga: 15–20% cheaper than Valencia for hotels and restaurants Valencia: More expensive, especially accommodation in the center

Day trips: Malaga: Ronda, Caminito del Rey, Granada, Seville Valencia: Alicante, Xàtiva, Sagunto (less spectacular)

Our conclusion: Choose Malaga for authentic Spain, history, warmth and affordability. Choose Valencia for modern architecture, better city beaches and if you find Barcelona too busy but still want that vibe.

Why Malaga Is Perfect for Your City Trip

After four visits to Malaga, we can confidently say: this city offers everything you’re looking for in a perfect city trip. The combination of cool sights and culture, gastronomy, and an authentic Spanish atmosphere makes it ideal for couples who want to enjoy luxury accommodations combined with real local experiences.

Want more Spain? Also read our Barcelona travel guide and our tips for Ibiza. You’ll also find more information about the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro on the official website.

Malaga in a nutshell:

Rich history and modern art
Excellent restaurants for every budget
Hidden cocktail bars and spectacular rooftops
Perfect location between beach and mountains
Authentic Spanish experience without tourist traps

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