Malaga – Best Things to Do & Top Places to Visit

Málaga is located in Spain’s Andalusia, on the Mediterranean Sea, at the foot of the Betice Mountains. This city is a popular tourist destination for several reasons. The most important is that it is simply stunning.  You can fly directly from many cities in Europe. Even in winter it is usually warm here, with temperatures reaching 24 degrees Celsius in February (75 degrees Fahrenheit). In summer it is often very hot, even 40 degrees Celsius (more 105 degrees Fahrenheit). For this reason, this coast of Spain is called Costa del Sol – Coast of the Sun.

In this post I will talk about what is worth seeing in Málaga and what to do there. You will find out how long it takes to visit the main attractions and what to try in Andalusia.

Malaga for Free – What is Worth Knowing?

Before I get to describing the the top spots to visit, I will give you a tip on how to save money while visiting Málaga. In this city many places are available for free on Sundays, during selected hours. For example, the Picasso Museum in Málaga. Admission costs 9 euros, but on Sundays, for the last two hours you can visit it completely free of charge. Likewise for the Botanical Garden, the Alcazaba Fortress or Gibralfaro Castle.

How to visit Málaga? In my opinion, it’s worth starting with Gibralfaro Castle, moving on to the Alcazaba Fortress, the Old Town and the port. On the other hand, we visited the Botanical Garden on another day. Let me just add that Málaga is not only about history – you will also find a lot of street-art there.

Old Town in Malaga

When going on a sightseeing tour of Málaga, you should know that it is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Inhabited since the 8th century BC, the first mention of the place is the town of Malacca. Interestingly, (according to Wikipedia) the name came from the Phoenician word for salt. For that malaka in Greek means curse, calling someone that way means “a**hole”.

The Old Town of Málaga is beautiful and incredibly photogenic. If you plan to visit only the castle and fortress, don’t forget to walk around the Old Town and sit in one of the many cafes. It’s definitely worth it!

Gibralfaro Castle – One of Malaga’s Most Popular Attractions

While you’ re in Málaga, you should visit Gibralfaro Castle and Alcazaba Fortress. Inside Gibralfaro there is a small exhibition and a wonderful cafeteria. But, above all, it guarantees beautiful views and this is the reason why you should visit this touristic spot in Málaga.

It is worth to know that the castle is located on a hill of the same name (Gibralfaro). The castle was built in the first half of the 14th century. Gibralfaro is connected by a walkway with the Alcazaba fortress, which I think is also worth a visit – it’s amazing!

Notice that when you buy a ticket to the castle, it’s a good idea to buy a ticket to the fortress right away (it’s cheaper). Ticket price: 2.20 euros, in combination with the entrance to Gibralfaro Castle – 3.50 euros; children, students – 0.60 euros. Every Sunday from 2 pm admission is free (it’s worth checking the facility’s website for any changes).

Alcazaba Fortress – a Gem of Malaga

The name Alcazaba comes from “al-qasbah,” which means citadel. It is, according to many guidebooks, the best preserved Mauritanian fortress in Spain! Inside you will find numerous courtyards, patios and gardens. The Alcazaba is simply beautiful and worth a visit, so even in the off-season there are a lot of tourists. Definitely, you can feel the history there.

Ticket price: 2.20 euros, in combination with the entrance to Gibralfaro Castle – 3.50 euros; children, students – 0.60 euros. Every Sunday, from 2 pm, admission is free (it’s worth checking the facility’s website for any changes).

Ruins of the Roman Theater in Malaga

Just below the Alcazaba fortress are the ruins of the Roman Theater in Málaga. This theater was built in the 1st century BC by Romans. Interestingly, traces of the Roman theater were only encountered in 1951! If you have visited Nerja and the cave there, this may remind you of something, as the Roman Theater in Málaga was also discovered by accident.

Puerto de Malaga: the Port and the Seaside Promenade

Where to take a stroll in Málaga? For example, in the area around the port of Málaga (Puerto de Málaga). It is worth knowing that this is the oldest continuously operating port in Spain. You can take a tour from it or sit in one of the cafes or bars. A walk along the harbor promenade, or Palmeral de las Sorpresas, is really pleasant. There are palm trees, parrots and a modern arrangement of the historic promenade. There we also got a cool souvenir – a printout of our photo stylized as a page from an old newspaper.

Parque de Malaga – a Beautiful Park in Malaga

Where else can you walk around Málaga? Right next to the port there is a beautiful palm park. The park was created in the 1890s! There are a lot of interesting tropical plants. A great place to relax after sightseeing, and in the summer – escape the heat.

Picasso Museum

Among others, Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas were born in Málaga. There is a Piscasso house and museum. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to go inside, and I extremely regret it, although it’s one of the reasons I want to return to Málaga.

Admission starts at 9 euros, but on Sundays you can visit for free, for the last two hours.

La Concepcion Park

La Concepcion Park is the place to spend the whole day. There is somewhere to walk, somewhere to have a picnic. During the week there was practically no one there, on weekends this tends to change – it’s quite a popular place among locals. It’s worth knowing that the color of the water depends on the time. We were there really early in the morning, and in my opinion this is not the best time. The higher the sun, the bluer the water (better effect).

Malaga Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden of Málaga is, in my opinion, the most beautiful attraction in Málaga. Yes, some of you will say that the Alcazaba is the most impressive, and they may be right. I, however, am a great lover of nature and gardens and it’s where I spent a good few hours.

Let me start by saying that this place was created by the Marquises of Casa Loring from 1850 to 1990.

They were the ones who brought in exotic plants from the Americas, the Philippines and Australia. In addition, the garden has an amazing Barbie exhibit with various scenes telling the story of the owners and the establishment of the garden. It’s a romantic garden with winding alleys and flowing streams – a place perfect for nature lovers. Singing birds, virtually no other tourists and soothing greenery. Perfect. On top of that, inside you can take picnics, there is a cafe. A perfect place, in my opinion.

The Botanical Garden of Málaga costs 5.20 euros, and is free on Sundays from 2 pm (winter season, other hours may apply in summer). I know some of you will say that nature in Spain is so beautiful that you don’t need to pay extra. But it’s really WORTH it.

Temperature and Weather in Malaga

What is the weather like in Málaga ? First of all… sunny. After all, Málaga is located on the Costa del Sol! I visited Málaga in winter and it was the perfect time to explore the city and go sightseeing, nevertheless, I think the city is worth visiting any time of the year. Below is a table with average temperatures in Málaga: daytime, nighttime and sea temperature.

Where to Eat in Malaga?

Málaga is a paradise for fans of Spanish and Andalusian cuisine. Restaurants and pubs are really abundant, and the price range is really large – there will be more expensive and exclusive places, but also those where you can try local dishes for pennies.

Personally, I’ve been to tapas at La Taberna de Alvaro – prices start at 1 euro per appetizer. A friend also recommended Casa Lola to me – this place has the oldest tapas bar in the city. As for going out for coffee, I recommend the cafe overlooking Gibralfaro Castle.

Malaga – Accommodation

Accommodation in Málaga is indeed plentiful. Hotels, hostels, bed & breakfasts, apartments and houses – the choice is really large, nevertheless, prices in this part of Spain are quite high at the last moment, so it is better to plan your vacation in advance. Therefore, if you have a limited budget, before you book your tickets, check out accommodation prices in Málaga.

Another option would be to book accommodation in the surrounding area, which is equally beautiful. I personally recommend Nerja, a town located approx. 40 minutes from Málaga. A pretty town that is definitely worth visiting while in Andalusia. We slept in the town next door, on the Torrox Costa.

Is It Worth to Take a Trip to Malaga?

I think after this post you know that this is a rhetorical question! Málaga is beautiful, sunny, and definitely there is plenty to do. It is one of those cities in Andalusia that is saturated with attractions, interesting places. My guide is just the beginning of discovering this splendid city. Personally, I know I still have a lot to come back to Málaga for, if only for the Picasso Museum.

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