As the capital of the Costa del Sol, Málaga has long ceased to be a transit city and now offers much to see and experience. I think it is worth spending at least one day in Málaga and choosing the best deal for you.
Here are some of our recommendations.
Monuments
Malaga’s cathedral has only one tower, which is why malagueños (city dwellers) call it – single-handed (in Spanish). The cathedral is definitely worth a visit. Historically and architecturally built between the 16th and 18th centuries, it is one of the most important buildings in Spain. It is worth buying a ticket with the option to visit the roof of the cathedral. It is a unique experience due to the magnificent view of the city skyline.
A visit to the Alcazaba castle and Gibralfaro fortress. A trip to Malaga should also include the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle complex. The 14th-century Moorish fortress lies right next to the old town above the Roman theatre. From here you have a fantastic view of the city and harbour. From Gibralfaro, it’s just a few steps to the Parador Gibralfaro hotel, where you can enjoy a delicious coffee while taking in the beauty of Malaga.
alcazabaygibralfaro.malaga.eu/en
Roman ruins. Next to the Alcazaba fortress are the ruins of the Roman theatre, which was built at the end of the 1st century BC. It was in use until the 3rd century AD. Over time it fell into disrepair and oblivion. In 1951 it was rediscovered and slowly restored. Next to the theatre is a small exhibition centre related to Roman culture in Malaga. Through this building you can enter the stage of the former theatre. It looks most beautiful at night with the lights and the Alcazaba in the background.
www.andalucia.org/en/malaga-cultural-tourism-teatro-romano-de-malaga-trm
Museums
You could say that Málaga is a city of museums. There are now more than 40 of them, and most of them are located in the old town, so they are easily accessible. More and more museums are also being built on the outskirts of the city. Among the most interesting are:
Picasso Museum. Málaga is the city where Pablo Picasso was born in 1881. Here there is an intimate museum dedicated to him. In addition to a permanent collection, mainly of works from private collections, the gallery also offers temporary exhibitions. The facility is housed in a beautiful 16th-century nobleman’s palace. In the basement we can see the structure of the city in Phoenician and Roman times. Worth booking.
The Carmen Thyssen Museum, which, according to Baroness Thyssen, is her greatest joy as a collector. The museum displays an important collection of Spanish and Andalusian thematic paintings from the 19th century. Interesting temporary exhibitions are also regularly held.
If you like contemporary art, another museum that is absolutely worth seeing is the Centre Pompidou. It is the first sister centre of the Paris Museum outside of France. It is located in the basement of a colourful cube in the harbour area, more specifically in the Muelle Uno. The building is architecturally impressive, thanks to its glass block and two huge floors below. The collection is accompanied by constantly changing exhibitions.
The Museum of Russian Art was created in collaboration with the Russian State Art Museum in St Petersburg. The museum offers works of art that are presented chronologically, from icons to social realism. The exhibitions are regularly replaced.
Automotive Museum. It is the private collection of a Portuguese entrepreneur who combines two areas in his exhibition: automotive and fashion. Among the cars you will find luxurious, representative models of major brands such as: Hispano Suiza, Bugatti, Delage, Packard, Auburn, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Mercedes, Ferrari. The fashion exhibition presents, for example, classic hats by Balenciaga, Schiaparelli, Givenchy, Balmain, Oleg Cassini, Dior, Chanel, etc. The museum is thus ideally suited to couples: from cars to fashion.
Worth mentioning is the museum of traditions and local customs(Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares), which is located in a charming Andalusian manor house next to the Guadalmedina river.
Catering
Wine with tapas at the Bodega El Pimpi bar: El Pimpi, as they say here – is an ‘institution’ in Malaga. You should definitely drop in here and enjoy the unique atmosphere with a glass of wine and tapas. El Pimpi is the most famous bar in the city. Here, the atmosphere counts more than the quality of the tapas. You can walk through the bodega from Calle Granada to the Roman Theatre Square, admiring the many photos of actors, politicians and other personalities. There are many signatures of famous people who have entertained here, on old sherry barrels arranged pyramidically. El Pimpi has rooms, each with its own character and creating a completely different atmosphere. Exquisite wines are served. If you like sweet, we recommend one of the famous wines from Malaga – here the name of the wine in italics. They also serve very good toast with anchovies(boquerones) or anchovies(anchovies) and montaditos (small sandwiches) or a plate with local delicacies: dried ham(jamón ibérico) and long-aged cheese(queso curado).
Tapas at Taberna Uvedoble: this establishment presents a completely new type of tapas bar, somewhat in the style of a gastrobar. The decor is bright and simple, with no elaborate decoration. Only high-quality ingredients are used to prepare the dishes here. On offer is a varied selection of tapas, half and whole portions(tapas – media ración – ración). The bull tail meatballs (albondigas de rabo de toro) and potato salad with prawns (ensaladilla rusa con gambas) are worth recommending.
Lunch at El Tintero: the fish restaurant El Tintero is very interesting and always bustling. Strictly speaking, it is a chiringuito: a typical beach bar at the end of the El Palo promenade. The speciality is fried or grilled fish and seafood (there is also meat). The special thing is that you don’t order here. Waiters bring out ready-made dishes from the kitchen and pass between tables loudly advertising what they are carrying. You wait for your delicacy, let the waiter know and your dishes will be on your table. The prices of the dishes are calculated based on the size of the plates: there are small round plates, oval plates and trays. Then the other waiters pass by shouting: “yo cobro”, which means roughly: “you pay with me”. Finally, the plates are counted and a bill is issued.
www.facebook.com/eltinterorestaurante
Antigua Casa de Guardia – local taverna: After shopping at the local market, it’s worth popping into the emblematic 1840 taverna for a little sweet wine or beer and small tapas with anchovies(anchovies). It is a very charming place with a local flavour. Here you will only order at the bar.
Churros, or something sweet with a local flavour: When in Malaga, you must try the hot chocolate churros – these are those oblong, fried fingers of doughnut dough served with hot, thick chocolate. You’ll find the best place next to the market – Casa Aranda, which is hidden away in a small, narrow street.
Local charms
Sunset from the terrace of the AC Málaga Palacio Hotel
If you like sunsets in beautiful places, this is the right place for you. The rooftop terrace of the AC Málaga Palacio Hotel offers one of the best views. It is located right between the cathedral and the city park. With a romantic dinner or a drink at dusk, you will see a breathtaking view of the harbour and the old town.
www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/agpmg-ac-hotel-malaga-palacio
Coffee overlooking the city from the Parador Gibralfaro Hotel
The terrace of the Parador Gibralfaro Hotel, which sits on the hill of the same name, offers an equally spectacular view of the old town, the bullfighting arena and the harbour. Over a cup of coffee, you can take unique souvenir photos of Malaga. If you’re in shape, you can walk from the old town up through the Gibralfaro fortress or simply drive up by car.
www.parador.es/en/paradores/parador-de-malaga-gibralfaro
Walking tour of Atarazanas town market
A sight not to miss is the market hall of the central Atarazanas market (closed on Sundays). The only time I wouldn’t recommend a visit is on a Monday, as the most interesting part: the fish market, is closed. Other stalls are also interesting, but the fish market is special in its own way. The fish sellers, always in good humour, shout out, encouraging you to buy – a cool local flavour. If you are hungry, you can have a snack at some of the stalls. The most famous food stall is the Bar Mercado Atarazanas café, where you can order freshly prepared fish and seafood.
mercadomalaga.es/en/markets/central-market-atarazanas
A drink by the pool at the Molina Lario Hotel
The poolside lounge at the Molina Lario Hotel is located on the eighth floor. The bar has become a meeting point for many Malaga locals(malagueños) who come here for a drink after work or to have a cocktail and eat tapas in a pleasant atmosphere with a beautiful view of the cathedral and the city.
Wellness and relaxation in the Arabian bath
Sightseeing can be exhausting. How about a wellness treatment at the Arabian baths in Malaga? For example, a bath, scrub or relaxing massage for two. A delicious Moroccan mint tea is served after the treatment. Arab baths today are modelled on the traditional Hammam baths and offer customers the pleasure of wellness as enjoyed by the people in Moorish times.
malaga.hammamalandalus.com/en/promociones/
Mulle Uno harbour walk
Mulle Uno is the new harbour pier, which opened in early 2012. It elegantly connects the harbour to the city. Here you will find restaurants and boutiques, admiring the expensive yachts or strolling through the palm tree-lined park. It ends at the La Farola lighthouse. Where you’ll see the large glass coloured cube (El Cubo) is the Pompidou Centre museum.
Cycling along the waterfront
At Muelle Uno you can rent bicycles (including electric ones), and segways. So you can, for example, ride from the harbour along the quay next to the city beach of La Malagueta all the way to the Tintero restaurant, which is located at the end of the Malaga coast in the former fishing village of El Palo. Halfway along the road you pass Baños del Carmen, an early 20th century sea bathing resort, an ideal place to take a break and stop.
Boat trip on the Bay of Malaga
If you want to see the city from the sea, you can take an excursion with Muelle Uno. There are several companies offering different tours, including dolphin watching or a trip along the coast to Benalmádena and back. One of the boats has a glass floor to observe the colourful marine world.
Visit to the Victoria Brewery
The local best beer is called Victoria. You can now take a tour of the brewery, discovering the twists and turns of each stage of the brewing process. It is a 90-minute guided tour, ending with a beer tasting. Highly recommended! This is another local attraction in Malaga. You need to book.
www.cervezavictoria.es/en/visit-our-brewery
Walking along the Calle Larios promenade
Málaga’s beautiful, repre-sentative street is Calle Larios, where you can buy the best traditional ice cream in town at Casa Mira ice cream parlour. Be sure to try the Málaga i turrón (almond flavour).
Malaga can be explored on your own or with the services of a guide who will professionally adapt to the needs and interests of each visitor. We highly recommend this beautiful Mediterranean city. Malaga really is worth a visit!
