Málaga

City guide · Spain

Málaga

Málaga is a municipality of Spain and the capital of the province of Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia.

4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans

Málaga is a municipality of Spain and the capital of the province of Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. With a population of 592,346 in 2024, it is the 2nd-largest city in Andalusia and the 6th-largest in the country.

It lies in Southern Iberia on the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean, primarily on the left bank of the Guadalhorce. The urban core originally developed in the space between the Gibralfaro Hill and the Guadalmedina. thumb|right|The Roman Theater (1st century BC) below the Alcazaba (11th century AD)Málaga has become a well-known place for visiting art galleries, historical sites and monuments in the South of Europe: * * thumb|500px|Panoramic view of Malaga from Gibralfaro: Malaga Cathedral (cent) * thumb|right|150px|Looking up at the tower of Málaga cathedral * * * * * * * thumb|CAC Málaga in area Soho de Málaga * * * * Princesa - Huelin. | phone=+34 951 13 70 01 | tollfree= | hours=check website (available in English) | price=Adult €10; 65+ €8; other concessions & groups €6.

Best for
First-time visitors who want Málaga without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of City.
Skip if
Skip Málaga if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.

Pick a trip length

One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.

5-day preview

Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.

Full plan
  1. 1

    City

    Walk City in Málaga. Start at Alcazaba, then Roman Theater and Castillo de Gibralfaro. Stay on foot.

    Alcazaba · Roman Theater · Castillo de Gibralfaro · Málaga Cathedral · …

  2. 2

    City

    Walk City in Málaga. Start at Picasso's birthplace, then Museo Carmen Thyssen and Centre Pompidou Málaga. Stay on foot.

    Picasso's birthplace · Museo Carmen Thyssen · Centre Pompidou Málaga · Museum Jorge Rando · …

  3. 3

    City

    Walk City in Málaga. Start at Málaga Glass & Crystal Museum, then MUCAC - La Coracha and MUCAC - Mayoristas. Stay on foot.

    Málaga Glass & Crystal Museum · MUCAC - La Coracha · MUCAC - Mayoristas · Automobile & Fashion Museum · …

  4. 4

    City

    Walk City in Málaga. Start at Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta, then La Conception Botanical & Historical Garden and Malaga Aviation Museum. Stay on foot.

    Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta · La Conception Botanical & Historical Garden · Malaga Aviation Museum · La Térmica

  5. 5

    Day trip toward Torremolinos

    Leave Málaga for the day. Come back to the same bed.

    Torremolinos · Nerja · Marbella

Where to stay

Bases that fit the walking plan.

Full guide →

  • Budget

    3 to 5 nights

    First stay

    It has a big roof-top terrace to overlook Málaga and a bar in the basement. Free Wi-Fi and breakfast. From €14, dorms and double rooms. Directions: From Bus station Paseo los Tilos it's a 2-km walk to the Oasis Hostel at Calle San Telmo 14.

  • Mid-range

    3 to 5 nights

    First stay

    Economic budget between the historical centre and the port. All rooms have private bathrooms, television and air-conditioning or heating.

  • Splurge

    3 to 5 nights

    First stay

    In the historic and commercial centre of Málaga, next to the 'Puente de la Esperanza' and a short stroll from the 'Museo de la Expiración'. Its excellent location makes it easy to enjoy Málaga's unique personality.

Getting there & when to go

Lock timing and airport basics early.

Best time

Málaga works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.

  • Shoulder months
  • High season
  • Low season
  • Rain days
Season guide →

Airport

Málaga Airport (XXX)

The best way to get an impression of Málaga is to discover the charming corners, stunning sights and lovely neighbourhoods by wandering the streets and narrow roads on foot: take a stop for churros con chocolate, ice-cream, a coffee or some tapas and enjoy the Andalusian atmosphere. Málaga is making big improvements when it comes to cycling. Nowadays Malagueños use their bikes more often to go to work or for recreational use in the weekends. Also Málaga established a cycling association supported by the local public transport association.

  • Public transit from XXX30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
  • Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Transfers →

Practical notes

Short reads before you book.

Understand

Málaga is capital of the Málaga Province. It has a typical Mediterranean climate, and was the birthplace of the artist Pablo Picasso.

Malaga's weather is quite mild throughout the year. The city is very sunny in summer and can also experience some sun in winter.

Get in

thumb|right|350px|Map of Central Málaga | url=http://www.aena.es/en/malaga-airport/index.html | email= | address= | lat=36.675 | long=-4.499167 | directions= | phone= | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price= | wikipedia=Málaga Airport | image=Malaga Airport.jpg | wikidata=Q690894 | content=The third biggest international airport in mainland Spain (after Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat Airport). As a holiday destination, the airport's primary tenants are discount carriers and charter airlines, although limited service on the European national carriers (Air France, British Airways, etc.) is available.

Seasonal service (non-daily) is available from New York-JFK on Delta. }} Getting there/away: * Bus.

Get around

The best way to get an impression of Málaga is to discover the charming corners, stunning sights and lovely neighbourhoods by wandering the streets and narrow roads on foot: take a stop for churros con chocolate, ice-cream, a coffee or some tapas and enjoy the Andalusian atmosphere. Málaga is making big improvements when it comes to cycling.

Nowadays Malagueños use their bikes more often to go to work or for recreational use in the weekends. Also Málaga established a cycling association supported by the local public transport association.

Related guides

Helpful next pages for Málaga.