Málaga travel guide: the Alcazaba, Picasso and tapas
Málaga is an Andalusian port city with a Moorish fortress, a Picasso museum, a compact old town and a city beach, all within walking distance of each other. Three days cover the old town, the Alcazaba, the main museums and a beach afternoon. The one thing to know is the heat: July and August are very hot, and the best weeks are spring and autumn.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay in the old town or near the port, see the Alcazaba and the Picasso Museum, and spend the evenings on tapas.
- Where to stay
- The Centro Histórico for sights, Soho for art and cafés, La Malagueta for the beach.
- How many days
- Three days for the main sights. Add one or two for the beach or a day trip.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October.
- Book ahead
- The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro in busy months, the Picasso Museum and the Caminito del Rey.
- From the airport
- Málaga airport is about 8 km south west of the center. The C1 train and bus 19 reach the center in 15 to 25 minutes.
Where to stay in Málaga, in brief
Centro Histórico
sights and first-timers
The old town around the cathedral, with the Alcazaba, the Roman theater and most tapas bars. Walkable and lively at night. Some streets are noisy late.
Soho
street art, museums and cafés
The arts district between the old town and the port, with the Centre Pompidou and many murals. Quieter than the old town, and still a short walk away.
La Malagueta
the city beach
A district beside the bullring and the Malagueta beach. Good for beach days and sea views. Fewer restaurants with local character.
Lagunillas and El Perchel
a local base at lower cost
Residential districts north and west of the old town, near the train station. Less polished, with plain local bars and a ten to fifteen minute walk to the center.
Things to do in Málaga
Alcazaba
A Moorish fortress-palace on the hill above the old town, with gardens and views of the port.
a few days ahead in busy months
Gibralfaro Castle
A fortress on the ridge above the Alcazaba, with the best view of the city and the harbor. A steep walk or a short bus ride up.
Málaga Cathedral
A cathedral nicknamed La Manquita, the one-armed lady, because only one tower was built. You can visit the roof.
Picasso Museum
A museum in a palace in the old town, in the city where Picasso was born. A good first museum.
a few days ahead in busy months
Roman Theatre
A Roman theater at the foot of the Alcazaba, free to see from the outside and easy to combine with the fortress.
Centre Pompidou Málaga
A contemporary art museum in a colored glass cube at the port.
Muelle Uno and the port
A waterfront promenade with shops and cafés, good for an evening walk.
Malagueta beach
The city beach, ten to fifteen minutes on foot from the old town. Busy in summer, calm in autumn.
Atarazanas market
The central market in a nineteenth-century hall with a Moorish gate, for fruit, fish and a standing breakfast.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Málaga can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Málaga, and which to pick- Alcazaba and Gibralfaro ticketsa few days ahead in busy months
Visits can sell out in spring and summer.
- Caminito del Reyseveral weeks ahead
Entry to the gorge walk is limited and sells out well in advance.
What to skip in Málaga
- Paella on the beachfront
Paella is not the local dish, and the beach restaurants serve it to tourists. Eat fried fish or grilled sardines instead.
- Restaurants with picture menus on the main squares
They are priced for tourists. Walk two streets away and eat where locals stand at the bar.
Best time to visit Málaga
April to June and September to October are best, with warm weather and a sea that is still pleasant in autumn. Holy Week in spring brings processions and busy hotels.
July and August are very hot and crowded. Winter is mild and quiet, with sunny days between rainy ones, and the city suits a short break.
- From Málaga airportThe C1 suburban train runs to the María Zambrano station near the center in about 10 minutes. Bus 19 and taxis also run into the city.
- On footThe old town, Soho and the port are within a 20 minute walk of each other. Most visitors need no transport inside the center.
- Buses and the metroCity buses cover the beaches and Gibralfaro. The metro serves the outer districts and is rarely needed by visitors.
- To other townsTrains and coaches run to Córdoba, Seville and Granada, and local trains to Torremolinos and Fuengirola.
Málaga in three days
- Day 1
The old town: cathedral, Roman theater and Alcazaba, then tapas in the evening.
- Day 2
The Picasso Museum in the morning, Soho and the Centre Pompidou, then the port at sunset.
- Day 3
Gibralfaro for the view, a lunch of fried fish by the sea and the afternoon on Malagueta beach.
Day trips from Málaga
- GranadaThe Alhambra and the old Moorish quarter, about 1 hour 30 minutes by coach. Book the Alhambra well ahead.
- RondaA town on a gorge with an old stone bridge, about 2 hours by train or car.
- Nerja and the Caminito del ReyA coastal town to the east, and a gorge walk inland to the north west, each reached by coach, car or tour.
Málaga: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Málaga?
Three days cover the main sights. Five allows a beach day and a day trip to Granada or Ronda.
Where should I stay in Málaga?
The Centro Histórico for sights and nightlife, Soho for art and cafés, La Malagueta for the beach.
Is Málaga worth visiting?
Yes. It has a Moorish fortress, a Roman theater, good museums, a city beach and a food scene, all in a compact center.
What is the best time to visit Málaga?
April to June and September to October. July and August are very hot.
Is Málaga easy to get around?
Yes. The center is walkable and the airport is close by train and bus.
Can you swim in Málaga in winter?
The sea is cold from December to March. Most visitors come for walking and food rather than swimming then.