Have you ever heard of Antonio Banderas? Does Pablo Picasso ring a bell? These are just a few examples of the many gifts Málaga has to offer! You can actually visit the house where Picasso was born, but if your interest doesn’t go further than the artsy side, there’s also the Picasso Museum.
Planning a trip to Málaga can be quite overwhelming since there’s so much to do. We at the Multilingual Worldwiders office know this feeling all too well so we decided to provide you with a guide to make it easier for you!
1. La Manquita – The Iconic Cathedral!
You can spot it in every TikTok about Málaga, many Instagram stories and posts have been created at this very spot. You can find this beauty in the historic center. The full name of this Cathedral is actually Santa Iglesia Catedral de la Basílica de la Encarnación but the malagueños call it La Manquita (meaning the one-armed lady) because the monument was never fully completed, leaving one of its towers unfinished. If you want to see the cathedral from another perspective, you should book a table at AC hotels – the highest rooftop in Malaga!
2. Centro Histórico
After exploring the cathedral, you’ll probably have worked up an appetite. Luckily, Málaga’s historic center is packed with charming bars and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious tapas.
At night, the city comes alive with cozy, dimly lit streets, buzzing with both locals and tourists. Whether you’re looking for traditional Andalusian flavors or modern cuisine, this area offers something for everyone.
3. Castillo de Gibralfaro
Make sure to bring walking shoes because the Gibralfaro Castle is next on the list! It’s situated on the mountain with the same name. It takes a little effort to get up there but it’s definitely worth it. It’s recommended by the organization to go up following the way of the Coracha which is the most common and touristic road and walk down the Camino de Mundo Nuevo to experience the forest in Malaga. The hike takes a total of 45 minutes and is one of Malaga’s highlights!
4. Alcazaba Málaga
Pair your castle visit with a trip to Alcazaba de Málaga, a beautifully preserved Moorish fortress and palace. This historic gem is one of Spain’s most stunning Alcazabas and is surprisingly affordable to visit.
If you plan to explore both the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, consider getting the combined ticket, which allows you to visit both within 24 hours, giving you flexibility in your itinerary.
5. Teatro Romano Málaga
If it wasn’t clear by now, Málaga is one of the oldest cities in the world. So, we’re ending the historic part of this guide with the oldest monument in the City of Málaga. It’s located at the foot of the Alcazaba Fortress and has a visitors' center where you can learn more about the history of these ruins.
6. Calle Marqués de Larios
After all those historic visits it might be time to get back to the modern age and what better way to do that than shopping? A stroll through Calle Marqués de Larios will have you feeling like you’re walking through the streets of Milan!
7. Plaza Mayor
If that didn’t satisfy your shopping cravings, you should visit Plaza Mayor. It’s located outside of the city center but easy to get to with public transport or by car. It’s basically a huge outside mall with several outlets, shops, restaurants and bars. You can find something for everyone there!
8. Puerto de Málaga
Next on the list we have the Port of Málaga where there’s tons of things to do. There are fun stores to shop, great restaurants, boat rides and on Sundays there’s even a market with cute little stalls to browse through.
9. Beaches
Now this has been such an eventful trip, and you’re probably exhausted so it’s time to go relax at the beach! Málaga has no less than 16 beaches so there’s plenty of options to relax, sunbathe, swim and get a tan!
10. Mercado de Atarazanas
Last but not least we have the market of Atarazanas where you can go every day to buy fresh produce. Not only is there delicious, fresh food but you can also enjoy amazing historic architecture, you didn’t think we weren’t going to end this trip on a historic note, right? 😉 The building dates back to the 14th century and has known many different uses. It was completely refurbished so you get to enjoy the original design!
This is just a small overview of some amazing things to do in Málaga but there’s so much more to do. There’s plenty of museums to visit, hikes to be made and views to see. And the best part is, there’s over 320 sunny days in Málaga! ☀️ So pack your sunglasses and get ready to experience the Costa del Sol.
