0
SpainTravel

Top Things to Do in Malaga, Spain

By 3 June 2015 August 8th, 2019 6 Comments

Where is Malaga, Spain?

Map of Malaga, Spain

Located in the south of Spain, Malaga is the largest city on the Costa de Sol.

It is famed for its rich architectural history, Mediterranean cuisine, outstanding local wines and beautiful sandy beaches as well as being the birthplace of Picasso.

With its historical monuments, atmospheric little streets and squares with delightful café culture, we couldn’t help but saunter around with the crowd. We found really cheap 1€ beer and tapas.

The main street to head for runs perpendicular to the stunning tree lined avenue, the Alameda, and starts at the Plaza Marina, near the port. Calle Marqués de Larios is also a bustling, pedestrianised chic area with many boutiques, designer shops and classy cafes.

Read on to find out more about the points of interests in Malaga, Spain!

What to do in Malaga, Spain

Get the top things to do in Malaga, #Spain here! Including Malaga beaches and tips on getting from #Malaga to #Granada.

Pin for later!

1. Picasso Museum / Museo Picasso

picasso museum, museo picasso, things to do in malaga

As Malaga is the birthplace of Picasso, it seems only natural that a collection of his artworks can be found in this quaint city. The Picasso Museum houses over 200 of his artworks loaned and donated by Picasso’s daughter-in-law and grandson.

Take a journey through Picasso’s artworks to trace his distinct influences in different eras, notably cubism, neoclassicism and surrealism.

2. Cathedral de Malaga

cathedral de malaga, things to do in malaga, what to do in malaga

Also known as the One-Armed Lady, the Cathedral de Malaga was a 200-year project that costed so much that one of its two bell towers remain incomplete up till today (hence the nickname!).

Its aisles give access to 15 different chapels, and it is worth signing up for a guided tour up to the roofs for panoramic views of Malaga.

3. Old Town

old town malaga, what to do in malaga, things to do in malaga

After visiting the cathedral, roam around Old Town’s medieval streets where you can find boutiques, cafes and charming restaurants.

 

4. Alcazaba de Malaga

alcazaba de malaga. things to do in malaga, alhambra

Second only to Granada’s Alhambra, the Alcazaba de Malaga is the oldest monument in the city, and is the best preserved alcazaba in Spain. Its Patio de la Alberca is especially reminiscent to Alhambra as it was built during the same era.

Do check out some of the remaining towers including the Torre de la Vela (tower), the Arco de Cristo (entrance), and the impressive Torre del Homenaje (tower).

Another highlight is the beautiful garden in the castle’s courtyards.

Today, the alcazaba houses the museum of Malaga, where you can learn all about the history of the this ancient fortress.

5. Roman Theatre

roman theatre malaga, things to do in malaga, what to do in malaga

After touring the Alcazaba, head towards the foot of it and you will find the Roman Theatre. It is one of the few ruins left in the city of Malaga after it was bombed during the civil war in the 1930s.

6. Castillo de Gibralfaro

castillo de gibralfaro, things to do in malaga, malaga attractions

The Castillo de Gibralfaro is another fortress in Malaga, Spain. It is mostly in ruins today, but you still get to see stunning views of the city from this vantage point, such as the Mediterranean coastline.

7. Malagueta beach

malagueta beach, things to do in malaga, top things to do in malaga

Thanks to a recommendation from a local sharing the table with us, we visited one of Malaga’s famous beaches, the Malagueta beach.

Malaga has a pleasant weather all year round and is considered one of the sunniest cities in Europe, so the beach is definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a nice place to lounge around.

8. Holy Week

holy week, things to do in malaga, what to do in malaga

The Holy Week is one of the main cultural events, religious and tourist attraction of Malaga. In the week leading up to Easter, parades will be held the city of Malaga where you can witness at least two large floats – one carrying a figure of Christ and one of the Virgin Mary. Processions usually start in the afternoon and last till the night.

If you’re visiting Malaga during this period of time, I highly recommended that you travel around by public transport, as some roads are cordoned off during the parade.

How to get from Malaga to Granada, Spain

Carpool

The most economical way to get from Malaga to Granada is via carpool. The journey would take less than 2 hours and the cost ranges around 9 – 12 euros.

Check out Blablacar and start planning your day trip!

Bus

I recommend travelling by bus as it is faster than the train.

Buses leave from Malaga bus station and arrive at Granada bus station. The journey takes around 2 hours and costs around 10 euros.

There are regular buses scheduled throughout the day. I went with ALSA.


Malaga is definitely one of the more underrated cities in Spain, with hidden gems around. With this guide on the 8 things to do in Malaga, this city would make a great day trip from Granada.

Also stop by Nerja while you’re here. I have combined both Malaga and Nerja as a day trip from Granada.

Nerja, things to do in malaga, day trips

Nerja used to be a fishing village, but now it has been transformed into a town with a population of 22,000. Sitting at the eastern tip of Malaga’s Costa del Sol, it boasts of 16 km of beaches.

The old quarter of Nerja town is still virtually unchanged with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses with wrought iron terraces. The town has resisted much developments of high-rise apartment blocks, preferring to stay a charming seaside town, attracting holidaymakers dreaming of sandy beaches and coastal villages.

Expenses:
Granada to Nerja by ALSA bus: 13.36€ (could be cheaper if you book in advance)
Nerja to Malaga by ALSA bus: 4.52€
Malaga to Granada by carpooling: 9-12€

Pin this!

Read other posts about Spain!

Get your FREE travel expense sheet and track your expenses!

Region(s) you're most interested about?
Isabel Leong

Isabel Leong

Full-time travel blogger at Bel Around The World and SEO coach roaming the world at a whim, Isabel helps aspiring content creators and brands get the most out of their online presence by attracting organic leads/traffic and achieving financial freedom with her Skyrocket With SEO course. She's closely involved in and has been featured as a speaker in other travel & digital nomad networks & podcasts such as Traverse, Travel Massive, The Nomadic Network and Location Indie.

6 Comments

Leave a Reply