Málaga: The Complete Guide
Málaga is a modern yet historical city, the capital of its Province and is located in the center of Andalucia’s Costa del Sol, in Spain. It is the second-most largest city in Andalusia and the sixth-largest in Spain. It lies 100 kilometres east of the Strait of Gibraltar and about 130 km north of Africa. Apart from its castle, Cathedral and several museums Malaga offers a large quantity of fantastic beaches where you can enjoy the sun and the great weather.
The painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso, the Hebrew poet and Jewish philosopher Solomon Ibn Gabirol and the actor Antonio Banderas were all born in Málaga.
History of Málaga
Málaga’s history spans about 2,800 years being founded in about 770 BC by the Phoenicians and was called Malaka. From the 6th century BC the city was under the hegemony of Ancient Carthage, from 218 BC Rome followed by the Visigoths, Moors and finally the Spanish Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. The archaeological remains from its Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian past have left their mark on the city’s architecture and culture, making Malaga an absolute must on any Andalusia itinerary.
Visiting Málaga for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Málaga on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!
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24 Best places to See in Málaga
This complete guide to Málaga not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.
This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Málaga and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!
Catedral de Málaga
Location: Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga Calle Molina Lario, 9 29015 Málaga Spain | Hours: 10am-6pm Sat, 2-6pm Sun year-round, 10am-8pm Mon-Fri Apr-Jun & Oct, to 9pm Jun-Sep, to 6.30pm Nov-Mar | Price: Cathedral & Ars Málaga €6, incl roof €10 | Website | Distance: 0.1km
Visiting Catedral de Málaga
Athenaeum of Malaga
| Website | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Athenaeum of Malaga
Church of San Agustin
Visiting Church of San Agustin
Calle Larios
Location: Calle Marqués de Larios 29005 Málaga | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Calle Larios
Picasso Museum Málaga
Location: Picasso Museum Málaga Palacio de Buenavista Calle San Agustín, 8 29015 Málaga Spain | Hours: 10am-8pm Jul & Aug, to 7pm Mar-Jun, Sep & Oct, to 6pm Nov-Feb | Price: €9, incl temporary exhibition €12, free last 2hr before closing Sun | Website | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Picasso Museum Málaga
Museo de Málaga
Location: Malaga Museum Plaza de la Aduana 29015 Málaga Spain | Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-8pm. Sunday from 9am to 3pm. Closed: Monday. | Price: Free for EU citizens, 1.50 euro for others | Website | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Museo de Málaga
Iglesia de Santiago
Location: Parroquia Santiago Apóstol Málaga Calle Granada, 78 29015 Málaga Spain | Hours: 9.00 – 13.30 and 18.00 – 20.00 | Website | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Iglesia de Santiago
Teatro Romano, Malaga
Location: Teatro Romano de Málaga Calle Alcazabilla, s/n 29015 Málaga Spain | Hours: Summer: From 09.30 to 13.30 and from 17.00 to 20.00.Winter: From 09.30 to 13.30 and from 16.00 to 19.00. | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Teatro Romano, Malaga
Carmen Thyssen Museum
Location: Carmen Thyssen Museum Calle Compañía, 10 29008 Málaga Spain | Hours: 10am-8pm Tue-Sun | Price: €10, afternoons 2.30-4pm €6 | Website | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Carmen Thyssen Museum
Plaza de la Merced
| Hours: 24 Hours | Distance: 0.4km
Visiting Plaza de la Merced
Mercado de Atarazanas
Location: Mercado Central de Atarazanas Calle Atarazanas, 10 29005 Málaga Spain | Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8 am. to 3 pm. | Price: Free | Distance: 0.4km
Visiting Mercado de Atarazanas
Alcazaba, Malaga
Location: Alcazaba Calle Alcazabilla, 2 29012 Málaga Spain | Hours: Summer: 9am to 8pm. Winter: 9am to 6pm. | Price: Overall: 3,50 € Visit Alcazaba-Gibralfaro: 5,50 € Free tour every Sunday at 2 pm. | Website | Distance: 0.4km
Visiting Alcazaba, Malaga
Teatro Cervantes
Location: Teatro Cervantes Calle Ramos Marín, 1 29012 Málaga Spain | Website | Distance: 0.5km
Visiting Teatro Cervantes
Museo Casa Natal
Location: Museo Casa Natal de Picasso Plaza de la Merced, 15 29012 Málaga Spain | Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m | Price: Museo Casa Natal (Plaza de la Merced, 15): € 3 Temporary exhibition (Exhibition hall in Plaza de la Merced, 13): € 3 Combined ticket: Museum Casa Natal and temporary exhibition: € 4.FREE ENTRANCE: Sundays from 4:00 p.m. | Website | Distance: 0.5km
Visiting Museo Casa Natal
Museo del Vidrio y Cristal
Location: Plazuela Santísimo Cristo de la Sangre 2 | Hours: 11am-7pm Tue-Sun | Price: €6 | Website | Distance: 0.6km
Visiting Museo del Vidrio y Cristal
Port of Málaga
Location: Paseo del Muelle Uno, 1, 29016 Málaga, Spain | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.6km
Visiting Port of Málaga
Museo del Patrimonio Municipal
Location: Museo del Patrimonio Municipal Paseo Reding, 1 29016 Málaga Spain | Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am. to 2 pm. and from 5 pm. to 8 pm. Summer (from June 1): Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am. to 2 pm. and 6 pm. to 9 pm. On Mondays is closed. | Price: Free for EU citizens, 1.50 euro for others | Website | Distance: 0.7km
Visiting Museo del Patrimonio Municipal
Malagueta Bullring
Location: Paseo de Reding, 8 29016 Málaga | Hours: The bullring is open between April and September, from 10:00 - 13:00 and 18:00 - 20:00, and during the August Feria from 10:00 - 20:00. Closed at weekends. | Price: Admission: free. Entrance fee museum: € 1.80 | Distance: 0.8km
Visiting Malagueta Bullring
Castillo de Gibralfaro
Location: Castillo Gibralfaro Camino Gibralfaro, 11 29016 Málaga Spain | Hours: 9am-8pm Apr-Sep, to 6pm Oct-Mar | Price: €3.50, incl Alcazaba €5.50 | Website | Distance: 0.9km
Visiting Castillo de Gibralfaro
Aqueduct of San Telmo
Location: Acueducto San Telmo Ciudad Jardín Calle Llobregat, 14 29014 Málaga Spain | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 3.0km
Visiting Aqueduct of San Telmo
Jardin Botanico Malaga
Location: Histórico La Concepción Botanical Garden Camino del Jardín Botánico, 3 29014 Málaga Spain | Hours: 9.30am-7.30pm Tue-Sun Apr-Sep, to 4.30pm Tue-Sun Oct-Mar | Price: €5.20 | Website | Distance: 4.5km
Visiting Jardin Botanico Malaga
El Caminito del Rey
Location: Caminito del Rey El Caminito del Rey 29550 Málaga Spain | Hours: 9.30am-5pm Tue-Sun Apr-Oct, to 3pm Nov-Mar | Price: Self-guided/guided visit €10/18 | Website | Distance: 41.4km
Visiting El Caminito del Rey
Río Chillar
Location: Rio Chillar 29780 Nerja Málaga Spain | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 48.6km
Visiting Río Chillar
Caves of Nerja
Location: Fundación Cueva de Nerja Carr. de Bajada a Playa de Maro 29787 Málaga Spain | Hours: 10am-4.30pm Sep-Jun, to 7pm Jul & Aug | Price: adult/child €14/12 | Website | Distance: 51.4km
Visiting Caves of Nerja
Best Time to Visit Málaga
The best time to visit Málaga, Spain, depends on your preferences for weather, activities, and crowd levels. Here’s a breakdown of the seasons:
- Spring (March to May): Spring is a fantastic time to visit Málaga, with mild temperatures and blooming flowers adding to the city’s charm. The weather is comfortably warm, making it ideal for exploring outdoor attractions such as the Alcazaba fortress, Gibralfaro Castle, and the stunning beaches along the Costa del Sol. Additionally, spring sees fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months, allowing you to enjoy the city’s attractions without the crowds.
- Summer (June to August): Summer is the peak tourist season in Málaga, with hot temperatures and bustling beaches. This is the best time to visit if you’re looking to soak up the sun, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s nightlife. However, be prepared for higher temperatures, crowded beaches, and higher prices for accommodation and activities during this time.
- Autumn (September to November): Autumn is another excellent time to visit Málaga, with warm temperatures and fewer crowds compared to the summer months. The weather remains pleasant, allowing you to continue enjoying outdoor activities such as sightseeing, hiking, and exploring the city’s parks and gardens. Additionally, autumn sees cultural events and festivals taking place, providing opportunities to experience the local culture and traditions.
- Winter (December to February): Winter is the quietest time to visit Málaga, with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists. While the weather may not be ideal for beach activities, you can still explore the city’s cultural attractions, museums, and historic sites without the crowds. Plus, winter offers opportunities to enjoy seasonal events such as Christmas markets and festive celebrations.
Ultimately, the best time to visit Málaga depends on your preferences and what you hope to experience during your trip. Whether you prefer the vibrant atmosphere of summer, the mild temperatures of spring and autumn, or the quieter ambiance of winter, Málaga offers something for every traveler throughout the year.
Average Temperatures in Málaga
- January 17°C 63°F 6
- February 19°C 66°F 6
- March 21°C 70°F 9
- April 25°C 76°F 5
- May 26°C 78°F 3
- June 31°C 87°F 1
- July 34°C 94°F 0
- August 33°C 91°F 1
- September 30°C 86°F 3
- October 26°C 78°F 5
- November 22°C 71°F 9
- December 18°C 65°F 7
Festivals held in Málaga
How to get to Málaga
Getting to Málaga, a vibrant city located on the southern coast of Spain in the Costa del Sol region, can be done in several convenient ways depending on where you are starting from and your preferences:
By Air
Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is one of the busiest airports in Spain and serves as the main international gateway to the Costa del Sol. It’s well-connected with flights from major cities in Europe and also offers some intercontinental connections. The airport is located about 8 km southwest of Málaga city center.
By Train
Málaga is well-connected by train, including high-speed AVE services from major Spanish cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. The main train station, Málaga María Zambrano, is centrally located and offers services to a variety of national destinations.
By Car
Driving to Málaga is another option, particularly if you’re already in Spain or if you enjoy road trips. Málaga is well-connected by major highways. From Madrid, you can take the A-4 and A-44, a journey that typically takes around 5 to 6 hours.
By Bus
Buses to Málaga run frequently from cities across Spain. The main bus station in Málaga is located near the city center, providing easy access to other parts of the city and nearby towns.
By Boat
Málaga is also accessible by sea. The Port of Málaga welcomes numerous cruise ships throughout the year, and it’s also possible to arrive by ferry, particularly from Melilla and other ports in northern Africa.
Each of these options offers a different balance of cost, speed, and scenic value, depending on your travel preferences and starting point.