Málaga

Travel Guide

Malaga Historic Centre showing street scenes, heritage architecture and a city
Gibralfaro Castle featuring heritage architecture, a coastal town and a bay or harbor
Malaga
Malaga showing heritage elements, interior views and a house
Venus Beach featuring a sandy beach, general coastal views and tropical scenes
Experience the traditional festivals, tapas bars and museums of this modern, sprawling city, where Picasso was born and the beauty of the Costa del Sol awaits.

Málaga has all the folklore, energy and romance of a flamenco dance on a balmy night. Phoenician, Roman, Moorish and Christian empires all left their mark on this bustling metropolis, which is Spain’s sixth-largest city. 

A walk along the winding streets of Málaga’s Old Town will take you past the palm tree-lined Paseo del Parque, the ancient ruins of the Málaga Amphitheatre and the monumental Málaga Cathedral. Visit the Moorish Alcazaba fortress from where you can follow a passageway up to the city’s landmark Gibralfaro Castle, with its views over the Alboran Sea towards Morocco.

This port city is sunny most of the year and summers can get hot in southern Spain, so don’t plan outdoor activities around noon. Have a siesta instead, followed by a lunch of adobo (fish marinated in wine), gazpacho (cold tomato soup) or pescaíto frito (fried fish).

As is the custom in Spain, dinner doesn’t start until late at night in Málaga so you’ll have plenty of sightseeing time to visit the city’s many cultural attractions. Among these is Picasso’s Birthplace (Casa Natal Picasso), in the Plaza de la Merced, and the nearby Picasso Museum Málaga.

More than 30 other local museums are dedicated to the arts and history and public shows are common too. In the late afternoon, "living" statues entertain the crowds in the main shopping street and squares. Festivals include the parades of the Semana Santa at Easter and the Feria de Málaga in August.

The province of Málaga is located on the Costa del Sol in Andalusia and the city gives access to more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of Mediterranean coastline with long, wide sandy beaches. You’re sure to find the ideal place to sunbathe, enjoy watersports or socialize in beach bars. Málaga International Airport has flights to all major European cities and high-speed trains connect Málaga with Madrid and Barcelona.

Málaga’s compact historic center is easy to explore on foot and metro buses stop at many major attractions.

Where to stay in Málaga

Port of Malaga which includes general coastal views, boating and a marina

Málaga Centro

4.5/5(518 area reviews)

Port of Malaga and Malagueta Beach are a few top attractions in Málaga Centro. Hop around the city on the metro at La Marina Station or La Malagueta Station and check out the area's fantastic nightlife, stunning cathedral, and captivating waterfront views.

Málaga Centro
Malagueta Beach showing a sandy beach and signage

La Malagueta

Pristine beaches, ample dining options, and captivating waterfront views are just a few things travelers love about La Malagueta. Sights like Malagueta Beach and Muelle Uno are top spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Málaga area at La Malagueta Station.

La Malagueta
Default Image

Malaga-Este

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the cafes and spas in Malaga-Este. You might want to make time for a stop at Malagueta Beach or Las Acacias Beach.

Malaga-Este
Malaga

Churriana

3/5(57 area reviews)

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Churriana. A stop by Malaga Airport Museum or Parador Malaga Golf Club might round out your trip.

Churriana
Malaga which includes outdoor art

Carretera de Cadiz

4/5(45 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the beaches in Carretera de Cadiz. Spend some time visiting top spots like La Misericordia Beach, and catch the metro at El Torcal Station or La Luz - La Paz Station to see more of the area.

Carretera de Cadiz
Apart from the cafe, this is just one of the many surprises in one of the largest botanical gardens in Europe. Bit of a shame it is right next to the highway now. Still a great place to explore. 

- There is a shuttle service to downtown. 

http://laconcepcion.malaga.eu/en/

Ciudad Jardin

Ciudad Jardin is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Malaga Botanical Garden and Mirador Del Cochino.

Ciudad Jardin
Gran hotel Miramar GL

Gran hotel Miramar GL

5 out of 5
Paseo Reding, 22, Málaga, Málaga
The price is ¥55,225 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
¥55,225
¥60,748 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Málaga. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,003 reviews)
"Beautiful building , exterior and interior. Lobby is decorated with moorish architecture style one will see in Alhambra, Granada. It’s is a beach front hotel with pool perfect for summer hot days! Very clean and comfortable rooms."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Gran hotel Miramar GL
Hotel Málaga Vibes

Hotel Málaga Vibes

3.5 out of 5
C. Gregorio Allegri S/N, Málaga, Málaga
The price is ¥15,894 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
¥15,894
¥17,484 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Málaga. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (260 reviews)
"Lovely staff, nice rooms and great rooftop bar with the best service i recieved whije on Malaga. Buffet breakfast also the best cant fault it x"

Reviewed on Jul 16, 2025

Hotel Málaga Vibes
Hotel ILUNION Malaga

Hotel ILUNION Malaga

4 out of 5
Paseo Marítimo Antonio Machado, 10, Málaga, Malaga
The price is ¥22,554 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
¥22,554
¥24,809 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Málaga. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"Loved our stay. Very clean rooms and absolutely accessible location."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Hotel ILUNION Malaga
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Limehome Málaga Calle Ancha del Carmen

Limehome Málaga Calle Ancha del Carmen

3 out of 5
C. Ancha del Carmen 21, Málaga, Málaga
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Málaga. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Port of Malaga and Malagueta Beach ...
9/10 Wonderful! (249 reviews)
A great option for self catering in Malaga
"A great apartment within walking distance of Malaga and a its old town as well as the train stations. We enjoyed our stay and look forward to using Lime Home again. We didn’t mind the fact that there is no reception as such since the response to questions were quite quick through the App. However, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Limehome Málaga Calle Ancha del Carmen
Aparthotel Spa del Palacete, Historic Center

Aparthotel Spa del Palacete, Historic Center

4 out of 5
Calle Pozos Dulces 11, Málaga, Málaga
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Málaga. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (404 reviews)
"Great location property with a small spa in the basement. Right in the centre of the old town close to shops, lots of bars and restaurants and the cathedral. Easy walking distance to the port and beach Really lovely rooms and very clean. Nespresso machine and small kitchen. Quality towels and bedding ..."

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025

Aparthotel Spa del Palacete, Historic Center
Graffiti Suites El Museo

Graffiti Suites El Museo

3.5 out of 5
Calle Madre de Dios 11, Calle Alamos 37, Málaga
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Málaga. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (588 reviews)
"This is the best apart-hotel we have ever stayed in! Beautiful apartment with high ceilings and stocked with everything we could need. It even had a water filter that would give you hot or cold water! Location was fantastic, staff at 24 hr front desk were friendly and helpful and there was a beautiful ..."

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2025

Graffiti Suites El Museo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Málaga

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
290
5 - Excellent 64%
4 - Good
128
4 - Good 28%
3 - Okay
26
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
4
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Sile

If you take a day trip to Morocco just note that the two hour drive to the ferry may not be the situation off season when they make more stops. Our day started out with a 5:30 AM pick up and we didn't get back until 11:00 PM. Plan accordingly.

5/5 - Excellent

Laura

I loved malaga so much! Such a beautiful walkable city with endless options for food and shopping. The beach is stunning with a mountainside backdrop. Easy drives or trains to nearby cities.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Fun city,safe, lots of fine people, great tapas

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful city with walks along the ocean, a park in the city centre, great shopping and excellent restaurants. There are also lots of museum and gallery options

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I definitely go back, just not in the winter months. The Tapas tour was fantastic.

5/5 - Excellent

GC

Malaga city center is clean, fun and enjoyable.

Cities near Málaga