If you plan to explore Southern Spain to enjoy amazing food and great views, you should not miss Malaga. This beautiful seaside city is located in the Costa del Sol region. As you may know, it is the birthplace of Antonio Banderas and Pablo Picasso. There are a few museums in the city that showcase Pablo Picasso’s artworks and life.
A trip to Malaga is a great opportunity to learn more about the Andalusian culture and Islamic past of Spain. The city offers a wide variety of attractions and activities to tourists. They visit this place to watch flamenco shows during the festivals, relax at beach resorts, take photos of the Alcazaba fortress, and much more.
You should stay at least seven days to explore this charming place and get to know Malaga like locals. We’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Malaga. Check it out!
1. Discover Historic Sites
Considering that this is a historic city, starting a journey by visiting historic sites would be a logical choice for you. See the influence of the Islamic culture in the city by walking over to magnificent La Alcazaba. Get back to old Roman times by exploring a Roman Theater.
That’s not all. There are also many other historic sites waiting to be discovered by tourists.
Be sure to visit them in order to learn more about Malaga’s history.
- Explore Roman Theatre: This old monument is situated in the close vicinity of the Alcazaba. Roman Theatre has been buried for several centuries. It was discovered and renovated about 70 years ago.
- Admire La Alcazaba: This remarkable fortress was built by the Muslims during the 11th century. Today, Alcazaba is considered to be the most iconic monument and historic site in the city.
- Marvel at Málaga Cathedral: One of the tallest cathedrals in Andalucia, the Cathedral of Málaga (also called La Manquita) dates back to the 16th century. It was constructed on the foundations of an old mosque. Go up the 88 meters high tower by climbing roughly 200 steps to enjoy scenic views of the city. You’ll marvel at stained-glass windows, decorated ceilings, and beautiful chapels along the way.
- Enjoy Panoramic Views of The City at Gibralfaro Castle: Another place that allows visitors to enjoy breathtaking views is Gibralfaro Castle. This marvelous historic site is also worth exploring.
2. Visit Museums and Art Galleries
Malaga is home to a large number of museums (there are almost thirty museums) and art galleries. That makes it the cultural hub of Andalucia and a popular city for those who love museums. Maybe these museums are not as popular as the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville and Museo del Prado in Madrid, but they are worth visiting for sure. Here’s a list of the top 5 museums in Malaga:
If you like reading, we recommend visiting the Malaga Cove Library. It’s positioned at 2400 Via Campesina. This facility was originally used as an art gallery. It features a Mediterranean Revival architecture style and consists of 5 levels.
3. Watch Flamenco Shows
Attending a flamenco show is a must-do when visiting Southern Spain. This is a unique chance to watch live flamenco performances that are typical of Andalusia. Flamenco is not just a dance. It is a mixture of clapping, dancing, singing, and playing Spanish guitars.
It’s best to visit this place in August when Feria de Agosto (also known as Málaga Fair) is held in Malaga. You will be able to watch bullfights at La Malagueta in addition to flamenco performances. This lovely festival takes place on the 3rd week of August each year. During this local event, the city streets are decorated with paper lanterns and flowers.
- Where to attend flamenco shows in Malaga throughout the year? Check out these locations:
- Tablao Flamenco Los Amayas
- Kelipe Centro de Arte Flamenco
- Cal y Canto
Many tourists also visit Seville and Barcelona, aside from Malaga, to attend flamenco shows. If you want to enjoy an unforgettable evening experience, you should combine tapas and flamenco. This is an amazing two-in-one tour!
4. Have Fun at the Malaga Beaches
No trip to Malaga is complete without visiting at least one beach close by. This is especially true for the summer vacations in Malaga. The city offers a number of beaches to visitors, allowing them to swim, sunbathe, relax and have fun. Some of the best Malaga beaches include:
- Malagueta beach
- La Caleta beach
- Pedregalejo beach
- El Palo beach
- El Campo de Golf beach
- La Misericordia beach
- San Andrés beach
5. Shop at Local Shops and Markets
The market is one of the best places to connect with locals and get tasty local products when traveling somewhere. The same is true for Malaga. Local shops and markets are the focal points of daily life in the city. This is something that every visitor should experience.
Go to Atarazanas market (Mercado de Atarazanas) for delicious local products. From meat and cheese to fresh fruits and vegetables, there is a wide range of products to choose from. There are also stalls selling fresh bread, sherry, and local honey. Those stalls are favored by locals because of the reasonable prices and large diversity of products.
Malaga Cove Market is another place you need to visit during your trip to Malaga. It is not a classic market but a mixture of a local deli, store, bakery, and tapas bars. People go to Malaga Cove Ranch Market to indulge in delicious food like lasagna, banana bread, rotisserie chicken, enchiladas, pita chips, etc.
You can also drink beer and try high-quality wines at Malaga Cove Market. If you are a fan of wine tourism, you need to visit this place besides other traditional wineries in Spain on your journey.
6. Go Camping in Malaga
Do you like camping? There is a decent number of campsites in the vicinity of Malaga, so you will easily find an appropriate place to pitch your tent. Why go camping? It is a great way to explore the amazing landscapes of this area while connecting with nature.
Bear in mind that wild camping isn’t allowed in most camping areas. You will have to obtain prior consent before pulling out a tent. If you don’t want to risk anything, your best bet is to camp at an established rural campsite. Here are the most popular campsites and camping areas in Malaga province:
- Hidden Valley Andalucia
- Área recreativa Los Sauces
- Malaga Monte Parc
- La Fábrica de la Luz
- Núcleo de Torrijos
Bonus: Discover Attractions Around Malaga by Going On a Daily Tour or a Road Trip
Can you afford a few more days to explore nearby cities? Awesome! Malaga is an incredible home base for exploring Southern Spain and Andalusia. This area is widely known for its Mediterranean coastline, sandy beaches, seafood, picturesque villages, as well as cultural and historic sites. Try to include all of these attractions in your itinerary when planning your visit to Malaga.
Listed below are a few tourist destinations close to Malaga that you need to check out:
Conclusion:
The centre of Malaga is a place where you can spend hours and return to visit without ever getting bored. There’s so much to see that it’s impossible to even enumerate. Malaga is rich in culture, modernity and historical monuments. You can find all the hot spots on the list above and enjoy your trip.
