14 Amazing Things to do in Malaga, Spain
Discover the best things to do in Malaga for the perfect Spanish getaway.
Malaga is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets. With warm weather year-round, plenty of sunny days, tons of amazing restaurants, and plenty of things to do it is one of Europe’s best travel destinations.
This historic yet modern city is the perfect place to immerse yourself in wonderful beaches, rich culture, and more. It is also one of the best places to visit in spring in Europe and one of the best places to visit in winter in Europe!
Below are 14 of the best things to do in Malaga, enjoy!
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14 Amazing Things to Do in Malaga, Spain
Tour the Alcazaba
The Alcazaba is a huge fortified palace built on the hills of Malaga. It was constructed between 1057 and 1063 in the period of Muslim-ruled Al-Andalus. Here you will find huge fortified stone walls, interior gardens, arched doorways, and more. It is beautifully preserved and manicured with intricate details all around.
This is one of Malaga’s most popular attractions and visiting it is one of the top things to do in Malaga. The best thing about it is that it is not nearly as crowded as other attractions in Spain, like the similar Alhambra. If you want to enjoy the Alcazaba with fewer people try to go in the morning at 9:00 AM.
Alcazaba Information:
- Hours 9:00 AM – 20:00 PM (April 1st to October 31st)
- Hours 9:00 AM – 18:00 PM (1st November to 31st March)
- Entrance for just the Alcazaba is €3.50
- You cannot buy tickets online you must wait in line and buy them at the entrance
- Entrance is free Sunday after 2 PM
View the Famous Roman Theatre
The Roman Theatre or Teatro Romano is Malaga’s oldest monument that sits at the foot of the Alcazaba. It was built in the first century BC, under Emperor Augustus, and is not just a theater but also a contemporary museum where you can find artifacts and educational information.
The Roman Theatre is free to enter and walk around too! It is not quite as huge and grand as other Roman Ruins but one of the top free things to do in Malaga.
Admire Málaga Cathedral
The Málaga Cathedral is a stunning and commanding cathedral in the heart of the old town. It is built in the Renaissance architectural style and is easily one of the most beautiful cathedrals I’ve ever seen!
It stands out so much amongst the other buildings around it which only makes it all the more beautiful.
Admiring this cathedral from the outside is easily one of the best things to do in Malaga. You can also enter the Málaga Cathedral, which costs €6. Hours are 10 AM – 6 PM.
Stroll Through Parque de Málaga (Malaga Park)
One of the most surprising things I noticed in Malaga was all the greenery. It is such a green, lush city it almost feels like you are on a tropical getaway in Mexico or Costa Rica!
Seeing this photo below you probably wouldn’t guess Malaga, but alas it is. Heading here for a stroll in this unusual park is one of the best things to do in Malaga.
Here you will find birds chirping, well-manicured gardens, wide walking paths, people reading in the shade, and a relaxing and tranquil environment.
Malaga Park is conveniently located right beside the old town so you can use it as an easy escape from the busy city for some calm outdoor time.
Venture to the Alhambra
The stunning and awe-inducing Alhambra is one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions located in the city of Granada just 2 hours from Malaga. Close access to Alhambra is one of the many reasons to visit Malaga!
It is a giant palace and fortress complex and is one of the best-preserved palaces in the Islamic world. In fact, the Alhambra is considered one of the 7 wonders of the Muslim world.
With so much beauty, history, and magic, going to Alhambra is one of the best day trips from Malaga and is one of the BEST things to do in Malaga. I have included quite a few photos in this section because they are so beautiful. I highly recommend it, if you couldn’t tell.
Here you will find a huge area full of incredible gardens, ornate palaces, and impressive landscapes. It is built on a plateau overlooking Granada and is a place of intense natural beauty mixed with very well-preserved old architecture. There is a ton to see here and seeing everything takes around 4-6 hours depending on how quickly you explore.
If you want to plan your own itinerary you can find tickets here. There are many options but I suggest Alhambra General if you want to see the top highlights of Alhambra. You can also opt for a guided tour like the ones listed below.
The fortress and gardens are HUGE and it is so much you will miss out on without knowing the details and history, a tour will fill that gap for you!
Roam the City Streets
Malaga is a pretty small city with a quaint old town made up of small alleyways and beautiful buildings. It is easy to get caught up in seeing all the top attractions that we can forget to simply enjoy the city in its most honest form.
Simply taking a morning or evening stroll through the pedestrian-only city center and admiring all the palm trees and old buildings is one of the top things to do in Malaga.
Sunset Walk on the Waterfront
The waterfront in Malaga is quite the tourist hot spot but that doesn’t take away from its beauty.
It also just so happens to be one of the best places to watch the sunset in the city! During sunset the restaurant is full, and people are out enjoying the warm evening, and the restaurants are full. You can especially feel how alive the city is during golden hour.
Hike the Caminito del Rey trail
The Caminito del Rey trail is a unique walking path suspended 100 meters in the air on the steep and narrow walls of the gorge in El Chorro. This is one of the most unique hikes in Europe that is ultra exhilarating as you walk along the edges of the cliff face.
You can venture to the Caminito del Rey trail from Malaga in just 1 hour of driving and enjoy one of the top things to do in Malaga, and even in all of Spain! The entire hike takes around 1.5 hours and offers beyond-stunning views along the way.
Admire the views from Gibralfaro Castle
Gibralfaro Castle sits at the top of a high hill and overlooks the city of Malaga. This castle dates back to the 10th century and offers some of the most beautiful views of Malaga from above you can find.
It is connected to Alcazaba and venturing to both attractions on the same day is what most people do. Tickets to just Gibralfaro Castle are 3,50€ and for both Gibralfaro Castle and Alcazaba 5,50€.
Explore the City on a Bike
Malaga is a very bike-friendly city with large bike paths all around. This is why one of the best ways to explore the city is with a bike!
You can rent one for yourself or join a tour and go on your way to see more than you ever could by foot. Below are some great bike tours you can join to see and experience the city in a more fun way.
Day Trip to the White Towns of Andalusia
The White Towns of Andalusia are a group of villages that are known for their vibrant white buildings and unique characteristics.
They are beyond picturesque and incredibly beautiful so if you have time venturing to some will be one of the best things to do in Malaga to see more of the enchanting region. Some of the top villages that are within a reasonable driving distance from Malaga are Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda, Grazalema, and Zahara de la Sierra.
Venture to Picasso Museum Málaga
Malaga is the city where world-renowned artist Pablo Picasso was born and lived his life. As a result, there is a dedicated museum called the Picasso Museum with 285 pieces of work from him that was donated by his family. Here you will learn about Pablo Picasso’s legacy that lives on through his art.
Enjoy Delicious Food
Malaga is not just beautiful and cultural but is also a great place for foodies! There are a ton of restaurants serving many different cuisines and dishes for you to enjoy. Of course, the most popular dishes are Tapas which you can find all around the city.
See the Unique Rock Formations at El Torcal de Antequera
Take a day trip from Malaga to El Torcal de Antequera to see the unique rock formations that were shaped by erosion 150 million years ago when this mountain was under the sea. This is one of the most impressive landscapes in Europe and visiting here is one of the top things to do in Malaga.
Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance before you travel is a MUST. It’s the number one thing you should always pack before travelling that can save you a lot of money, time, and stress. With how crazy travel has gotten recently you need that peace of mind that no matter what happens there is something protecting you from losing out. I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should.
I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should. Below is my favorite travel insurer Safety Wings, enter your details to get a free quote!
Where to Stay in Malaga
Booking.comWith so many amazing things to do in Malaga, prepare for an adventure and busy getaway!
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Love,
SSW
