Fountain, Plaza de la Constitucion, Málaga @ Mariano Pozo
The 1960s may have brought mass tourism to the surrounding region, but Málaga is no resort town. You’ll see more Malaguenos than tourists. Backed by the Montes de Málaga mountains, this Mediterranean port city leaves few boxes unticked – beaches, harbour, historic centre, hilltop castle, and food scene. Read our guide to the best things to do in Málaga, one of Spain’s most underrated cities.
1. Explore the Museums
Málaga has about 27 museums in total, covering glass, wine, classic cars, football and even interactive music.
Málaga’s is the birthplace of Picasso. and Málaga’s prized son is honoured at the Casa Natal museum.
Other major museums include Carmen Thyssen, a sixteenth-century palace containing Málaga’s most comprehensive Spanish art collection and part-sister museum to Madrid’s Thyssen. Another favourite is CAC, Málaga’s centre of contemporary art. Just off-centre by the Guadalmina river, its changing programme, outdoor bar and sushi restaurant are extra reasons to visit.
Our tailor-made weekend getaway to Málaga allows you to explore the city, as well as the well-known surrounding cities of Ronda and Marbella. Beautiful beaches, fascinating museums and delicious cuisine await to be discovered.
Pablo Picasso statue in Malaga © Shutterstock
2. Get some perspective at Castillo de Gibralfaro
To get some perspective, one of the things to do in Málaga is to head for the fourteenth-century Moorish citadels of Alcazaba and Gibralfaro. The winding path up Mount Gibralfaro leads to the castle ramparts where the city unfolds in front of you.
On a hot day, the bus (regular or hop-on-hop-off) is tempting and it’s worth arriving later in order to stop for sundowners at the Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro. This is a luxury hotel which welcomes non-residents to its terrace where views over the city and harbour are quite sublime.
Málaga is one of the places in Spain rich in Moorish heritage. Our guide to the best places to experience Moorish Spain will tell you where else to go in Spain to enjoy the architecture of those times.
External view of Malaga Gibralfaro Walls © Shutterstock
3. Discover Alcazaba & ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre
Málaga’s magnificent Alcazaba – along with the Gibralfaro – is an exuberant contrast to the dour fortresses of Castile and it’s one of the best things to do in Málaga. At the Alcazaba’s entrance stands a Teatro Romano, unearthed in 1951 during building works. The theatre, constructed in the second century BC, is now used as an auditorium for various outdoor entertainments.
Access to the theatre is via a Centro de Interpretación, whose exterior is decorated with extracts from the Lex Flavia Malacitana, the Roman city’s municipal law code.
Discover the best of Andalucía’s breathtaking palaces, churches, museums, vineyards, and more, as you travel through spectacular scenery dotted with pueblos blancos and bordered by rugged mountains and coast on this tailor-made trip exploring Andalucía.
The Alcazaba of Malaga © Shutterstock
4. Visit Plaza de La Merced
Plaza de La Merced is considered Málaga’s main square and you will find lots of things to do in Málaga here such as the city’s major events and festivals. Picasso was born in 1881 in the Plaza de la Merced. Here you’ll find the Fundación Picasso, a centre for scholars researching the painter’s life and work.
An exhibition space displays lithographs, etchings and washes by Picasso – mainly with women as the subject matter – plus temporary exhibitions centred around the artist’s work. Also a reminder of Picasso is the sculpture by Francisco López Hernández installed on the Plaza in 2008, close to the Casa Natal de Picasso.
Meeting place Plaza de la Merced, Malaga © Shutterstock
5. Tour the Málaga Cathedral
Just as impressive is Málaga’s Gothic/Renaissance-style cathedral. You’ll probably hear about it before you see it – it’s a miracle if 24 hours pass without someone pointing out its odd, one-tower design.
Known as La Manquita or “The One-Armed Lady”, work was halted when a bishop diverted funds to the American War of Independence against the British. “They held a referendum on the adding the second tower,” one guide said, “but they voted no to keep it unique.”
Malaga Cathedral © Shutterstock