One of the most vibrant and modern cities of Andalusia on the Mediterranean coast, Málaga! This article is a guide for those who want to discover Málaga. To learn more about Andalusia You can check out our general Andalusia article. Also, don’t forget to check out our guides to Seville and Granada.
Málaga is the heart of the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) and one of the most important port cities in Spain. This place is not only known for its beaches, Málaga is also a city that stands out with its historical and cultural richness. Being the birthplace of Picasso makes Málaga a special destination for art lovers.
Although Granada is overshadowed by Cordoba and Seville in terms of history, it still bears the traces of the past with important historical buildings such as the Roman Theatre, Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle. The city’s historic centre, with its narrow streets, tapas bars and lively squares, is a delight both day and night. Málaga Cathedral (La Manquita) is one of the most important buildings of the city and has an impressive architecture.
Málaga, history, art, a destination that perfectly combines sea and city life. Whether for cultural tourism or beach holidays, a city that every traveller will enjoy. Here are the details of our Málaga trip and our recommendations!
Restaurants:
– La Cosmo
– Kaleja
– La Cosmopolita
– Hermanos Alba
– Los Marinos Jose
– Restaurante Balausta
– El Refectorium
– Unica Pizzeria
Bar / Tapas:
– Uvedoble Taberna
– Anyway Wine Bar
– Antigua Casa de Guardia (Former Guard House)
Coffee / Cafe:
– Mia Coffee
– Next Level Coffee
– BUENO Cafe
– Astrid Bakery, a small bakery
Museum, Historic Building & Park:
-Centre Pompidou Malaga
-Picasso Museum
-Museo Casa Natal de Picasso
-Malaga Museum
-CAC Malaga
-Museo Carmen Thyssen Malaga
-Alcazaba
-Teatro Romano
-Catedral de la Malaga
-Castillo de Gibralfaro
-Mercado Central de Atarazanas
-Malaga Park
-Jardin Botanico
Málaga is one of the most vibrant cities of Andalusia , offering history, art and sea pleasure together. Being the birthplace of Picasso and famous for its Mediterranean climate and beaches, Málaga is both a cultural and holiday destination. Málaga, the largest city on the Costa del Sol (Sun Coast), is ideal for both cultural trips and summer holidays with its historical heritage, vibrant city life and magnificent beaches.
Málaga, It is one of the oldest cities in Spain and has a history dating back 3000 years. It was ruled byPhoenicians, Romans, Muslims and Catholics and bears traces of each period. Alcazaba, Structures such as Gibralfaro Castle and the Roman Theatre are prime examples of this rich historical heritage.
As well as, Sea holiday thanks to its location on theMediterranean coast is also a great option for those who want to do. You can swim in the sea at the beaches near thecity centre or you can discover more natural and quiet bays around.
What kind of a city isMálaga?
✔ Historic Centre: It offers a typical Andalusian city atmosphere with its narrow stone streets, tapas bars and historical buildings.
✔ Art and Culture: It is a great destination for art lovers with its Picasso Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum and contemporary art galleries.
✔ Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle: Málaga’s most important historical buildings, offering spectacular views.
✔ Harbour Area and Beaches: You can have a pleasant time by the sea with modern restaurants, walking paths and beaches.
✔ Culinary Culture: Famous for seafood and espetos (sardines on skewers).
How many days to visit Málaga?
Málaga is a city suitable for both historical and beach holidays. You can allocate between 2 and 5 days depending on what kind of experience you want to have.
When to go to Málaga?
Málaga can be visited throughout the year as it has a Mediterranean climate, but the best period is spring, summer and autumn.
Beaches in and around Malaga
Málaga is famous for its beaches, which are easily accessible from the city centre. If you are here for a seaside holiday, you have many options from the beaches in the city centre to the more natural and quieter bays.
Close to the City Centre:
Playa de la Malagueta: The closest and most popular beach to the city centre. Surrounded by cafes and restaurants.
✔ Playa de la Caleta: A little further on from Malagueta, a quieter and cleaner beach.
✔ Playa de Pedregalejo: In the old fishing quarter, famous for its quaint seaside restaurants and tapas bars.
The Most Beautiful Beaches Around Málaga:
✔ Playa de Maro (Nerja) – Famous for its crystal clear water and natural beauty.
✔ Playa de Burriana (Nerja) – A lively beach with water sports and restaurants.
✔ Playa de Cabopino (near Marbella) – One of the most beautiful beaches in Málaga with white sand and a more natural atmosphere.
✔ Playa de los Álamos (Torremolinos) – A great option for young people and water sports lovers.
Where to stay in Malaga?
Centro Histórico: Stay in the historic centre and easily access the cultural and gastronomic life of the city.
✔ La Malagueta: Ideal for those who want to be close to the beaches.
✔ Soho District: A lively area with art galleries, hipster cafes and modern hotels.
✈️ How to get to Málaga?
Since Málaga has one of the largest airports in Spain, it is very easy to reach.
Getting to Málaga from Turkey
Getting from Madrid to Málaga
Getting from Barcelona to Málaga
Getting from Seville to Malaga
Transportation to Malaga City Centre from Airport
Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is only 8 km from the city centre.
Is Malaga a Safe City?
Generally a safe city. But beware of pickpockets in tourist areas. Be careful in secluded areas late at night.
Málaga, seafood, is a very pleasant city in terms of gastronomy with itstapas culture and Mediterranean cuisine. Fromtraditional tapas bars to Michelin-starred restaurants , you can find places for every taste. Here are the restaurants and tapas bars we tried and liked in Málaga!
La Cosmo, which stands out with its modern and creative tapas, is one of the most popular places in Málaga. The dishes prepared by the chef offer traditional Andalusian flavours with modern touches. The menu changes frequently and we found the dishes we tried delicious. The same chef has another restaurant called La Cosmopolita. La Cosmo was more enjoyable for us, but we must say that some of the presentations did not resemble touristic restaurants.
One of the best experiences of travelling to Malaga, It has a Michelin star and interprets traditional Andalusian cuisine with modern techniques. The menu is characterised by smoked dishes and meats cooked for long hours. Especially with the slow cooking technique called”candela” The prepared dishes are among the most special flavours of this place. If you want to have a fine-dining experience , a reservation at Kaleja is a must.
This is one of the most popular restaurants in Málaga. We visited it on the recommendation of Vedat Milor. The menu includes traditional Spanish dishes prepared with local and seasonal products. I think the menu changes every day. We should especially try mushroom dishes in season.
Hermanos Alba, one of the favourites of the locals, is especially famous for its seafood. The menu includes fresh fish, prawns, grilled octopus and oysters. They emphasise the quality of the ingredients by cooking seafood with traditional and simple methods. If you are looking for an authentic Málaga restaurant, this is the place for you. You can make a reservation here.
A little out of town, but one of the best seafood restaurants in Málaga. Fresh fish and shellfish are served here at their best. Grilled red prawns, scallops and oysters are very successful. It is definitely worth a visit for those who love seafood.
Located in a historic building, A restaurant that stands out for its elegant and high quality food. They offerMediterranean cuisine with a modern touch. In particular, they interpret traditional Andalusian dishes with new techniques. A good option for an elegant lunch or dinner. Menu here.
El Refectorium , one of the most established restaurants in Málaga, A good address for those who love traditional Spanish cuisine. Especially Galician clams, langoustines and asparagus dishes in season are among the favourites of the menu. You can see the menu here.
A great option for those who want to eat the best pizza in Malaga. The thin crust pizzas cooked in the wood oven prepared by Italian chefs are quite successful. If you want to get away from tapas and head towards Italian cuisine, this place can be a good alternative.
A place famous for its modern tapas. They serve traditional flavours with more innovative presentations. Seafood croquettes, grilled calamari and marinated sardines are among the favourite tapas. It is a nice place to enjoy tapas with a nice wine pairing. The service is a little bit troublesome, we can say that it is surprisingly delicious even though it is too central 🙂 Here is the menu .
If you like wine, this is one of the best wine bars in Málaga. They offer a large collection of wines from different regions of Spain. It is a great environment for those who want to do wine tasting. The accompanying cheese plates and charcuterie products are also quite delicious. Especially the sunset hours against the view are very pleasant. Here is the menu.
One of the oldest and most authentic wine bars in Málaga (open since 1840). Here you can experience local Málaga vermouths. It is definitely worth a visit with its rustic and historical atmosphere.
Málaga is one of the most dynamic cities of Andalusia, offering a combination of art, history and sea holidays. Being the city where Picasso was born, its location on the Mediterranean coast and its rich cultural heritage make it a destination for all tastes. Although not as famous as Granada, home of the Alhambra Palace, Cordoba with its Mezquita Catedral or Seville, the city of the Real Alcazar, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do in Malaga.
Contemporary art museumsin the city , such as the Centre Pompidou Málaga, Historical castles such as Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, There are points that attract art lovers such as the Picasso Museum. It also has beaches, markets, botanical gardens and a vibrant gastronomic scene offer holidaymakers an unforgettable experience.
Centre Pompidou Málaga
Málaga has the privilege of having the first Centre Pompidou branch in Spain. This museum, which is an extension of France’s famous modern art museum Centre Pompidou Paris, is one of the most striking buildings in the city with its colourful cube-shaped contemporary building.
Why Visit?
🎟️ Entrance Fee: 9€ Tickets can be bought at the door, it is not very crowded. Here is the website for information.
Visiting Hours: 09:30 – 20:00 (Closed on Mondays )
Gibralfaro Castle (Gibralfaro Kalesi)
Gibralfaro Castle is one of the most impressive viewpoints of Málaga. Built in the 14th century by the Nasri Sultan Yusuf I, the castle offers a magnificent view of the Gulf of Málaga.
📌 Why Visit?
🎟️ Entrance Fee: 3,50€ Information here.
⏰ Visiting Hours: 09:00 – 20:00
Picasso Museum (Museo Picasso Málaga)
Málaga is the birthplace of one of theworld’s most famous artists , Pablo Picasso. The Picasso Museum has a large collection of more than 200 works by the artist.
📌 Why Visit?
🎟️ Entrance Fee: 12€ Information here.
⏰ Visiting Hours: 10:00 – 19:00
Other Must-See Attractions in Málaga
Málaga is not limited to Picasso and Pompidou. Historical buildings, markets, There is so much to discover in this city full ofbotanical gardens and museums.
🏛 Historical Buildings and Museums
🌿 Nature and Parks
The tradition of whitewashing has been maintained for centuries for practical and aesthetic reasons.
📍 The Most Beautiful White Villages in and around Málaga
If you want to set off from Málaga and explore the White Villages, the following villages offer great options for a day trip or a 2-day route.
White Villages Close to Málaga ( Reachable in 1 hour )
Farther White Villages ( 1-2 hours away)
Other White Villages near Cadiz and Seville
If you start from Málaga and want to see several White Villages, The following route could be ideal for a 1 or 2 day trip.
📍 Málaga → Mijas Pueblo → Frigiliana → Ronda → Setenil de las Bodegas → Málaga
2 Day Route – 6-7 Villages
📍 Málaga → Mijas Pueblo → Frigiliana → Ronda (Konaklama) → Setenil de las Bodegas → Zahara de la Sierra → Grazalema → Málaga
This programme offers a balanced itinerary for those who want to discover the most important cities and natural beauties of Andalusia. The journey starts in Málaga and ends back in Málaga via Granada, Córdoba, Seville, Ronda and the White Villages. An unforgettable journey full of historical buildings, Flamenco nights, tapas bars and Michelin-starred restaurants awaits you.
Day 1: Málaga – First Step to Andalusia
08:00 – Arrival at Málaga Airport and Car Hire
11:00 – Picasso Museum & Old Town Tour
13:00 – Lunch: Hermanos Alba or La Cosmo
15:00 – Malagueta Beach and Coastal Walk
17:30 – Akşamüstü Tapas: Antigua Casa de Guardia
18:30 – Alcazaba ve Gibralfaro Kalesi
21:00 – Dinner: Kaleja
Overnight accommodation in Málaga .
Day 2: Málaga → Granada (1.5 hour journey)
09:00 – Departure to Granada
10:30 – Arrival in Granada & Alhambra Palace
13:30 – Lunch: Maria Del O Restaurante
15:30 – Albaicín neighbourhood & Mirador de San Nicolás
17:00 – Coffee Break: Despiertoo Specialty Coffee
18:30 – Tapas: Bodegas Castañeda
21:00 – Dinner: Le Bistro by El Conjuro
Overnight stay in Granada .
Day 3: Granada → Córdoba (2 hour drive)
09:00 – Departure to Córdoba
11:00 – Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
13:00 – Lunch: El Rincon De Carmen Restaurant
15:00 – Calleja de las Flores & Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs
17:00 – Roman Bridge and Guadalquivir River Walk
18:30 – Tapas Hour: A local pub discovery
20:30 – Departure to Seville (1.5 hours)
Day 4: Seville – Flamenco & History
09:30 – Alcázar Palace
11:30 – Seville Cathedral & La Giralda
13:30 – Lunch: Canabota
15:30 – Plaza de España & Maria Luisa Park
17:00 – Tapas: Casa Morales
21:00 – Dinner: El Traga
22:30 – Flamenco Show
Overnight accommodation in Seville .
Day 5: Seville – Jerez de la Frontera and Cádiz Day Trip
09:00 – Departure to Jerez de la Frontera (1 hour)
10:00 – Sherry Tasting & Bodega Tour
13:00 – Departure to Cádiz (30 minutes)
14:00 – Lunch: Free time & Playa de la Caleta Beach
17:00 – Cádiz Cathedral and Old Town Tour
19:00 – Return to Seville
21:00 – Dinner: El Rinconcillo
Overnight accommodation in Seville .
Day 6: Seville → Ronda & White Villages (2 hours travelling)
09:00 – Departure to Ronda
11:00 – Ronda Tour
13:30 – Lunch: Tragatá | Benito Gómez | Restaurante en Ronda
15:00 – Departure to Setenil de las Bodegas
17:30 – Return to Malaga (1.5 hours)
20:00 – Dinner: Los Marinos Jose
Overnight accommodation in Málaga .
Day 7: Málaga – Return Day
09:30 – Malaga Beach Walk & Shopping
12:00 – Lunch: El Refectorium
14:00 – Transfer to Airport & Return Flight
