Right from the start we have good news: virtually all of Malaga is a cool and safe place to live. There are only a few areas to avoid, and the only unfriendly neighbourhood is fortunately far from the centre.
Centro Histórico: old town streets
As in virtually every major European city – the old town is a good address. Who wouldn’t want to drink their morning coffee overlooking the narrow streets of the oldest part of Malaga? And still live a stone’s throw from the sea, close to famous attractions, including Centre Pompidou Malaga.
However, there are two points to bear in mind when looking for a flat in Centro Histórico. Firstly – this neighbourhood is alive until late at night, and not just in the summer. The crowd of tourists can therefore make it difficult to fall asleep. Secondly, you will not be able to get into the old town streets by car, and there is nowhere to park. This district is an option for non-motorised visitors.
La Malagueta
The most popular postcard from Malaga? The view from the castle of Gibralfaro, or Plaza de Toros (bullfighting arena), with tall flat blocks behind it and the blue of the Mediterranean behind. That promontory jutting into the water is actually La Malagueta, the seaside district adjacent to the beach of the same name.
Flats with sea views are the most popular, but if you get a flat on the other side of the building, you won’t be at a loss either, as in the evenings you can admire the illuminated Gibralfaro and Alcazaba castles. In fact, the only downside of this neighbourhood is the prices – some of the highest in the city.
Huelin
Another seaside district, this time situated a little further west of the city centre, about four kilometres away. With its low-rise buildings, it resembles a small Andalusian town rather than part of a million-strong metropolis. Housing is noticeably cheaper there than in the eastern suburbs. It is a good option for those who value peace and quiet over proximity to bars or clubs.
Soho
Across the harbour you will find the artistic centre of the city. Soho is now Malaga’s hippest neighbourhood, a hotbed of murals, small art galleries, pubs, bars and cafés. At the same time, thanks to the regeneration carried out there in recent years, it is on a par with other areas of the tourist centre in terms of elegance. The downside? Prices, of course.
Where better not to look for housing?
As we mentioned in the introduction, almost all of Malaga is safe and recommendable to live in. We have listed some of the best addresses, but there are also many other barrios where you should feel comfortable: La Trinidad, Molinillos, Capuchinos, Mármoles, Cristo de la Epidemia, El Ejido or La Victoria. Get to know also the few enclaves that you’d better avoid, or at least not look to live in.
Palma-Palmilla
The only really dangerous neighbourhood in Malaga. It is considered one of the worst not only in this city or Andalusia, but in all of Spain. Its gateway is made up of several-storey buildings adjacent to the ring road. Behind them stretches a network of narrow streets. Palma-Palmilla has the highest crime rate in Malaga. It is best not to venture there even during the day. As this is a district on the northern edge of the city, far from the centre, few foreigners looking for a rental flat will look there.
Lagunillas
This, in turn, is a neighbourhood that can catch the attention of foreigners with its central location. It is adjacent to the Plaza de Merced, where Pablo Picasso was born and grew up, and the scenic castle hill of Gibralfaro. It will be especially attractive to students – literally a few dozen metres from Lagunillas is the university campus.
The thing is that the neighbourhood itself, also called Cruz Verde (after the longest street running through it), stands out mainly for its shabby facades. It has to be said that Lagunillas has recently experienced a second youth. Impressive murals are being created on the walls of dilapidated buildings, and local artists are trying to turn it into an art district. During the day it is worth a walk there, in the evenings it is better to choose other parts of the city.
Los Asperones
While in the case of Palma-Palmilla there would be few interested foreigners, even without the bad fame of the neighbourhood, in Los Asperones it is vain to find flats for rent at all. Besides, it is not even a fully-fledged barrio, but a conglomeration of single-storey houses sandwiched between suburban expressways in the west of the metropolis. You are unlikely to come across a rental offer in this area, but just in case you do find a reasonably priced apartment in the neighbourhood, we strongly advise against it.
Mangas Verdes
This is another district located far from the centre. But not so far that its location alone disqualifies it in the eyes of potential tenants. Mangas Verdes is situated to the north, just like Palma-Palmilla, but on the right side of the Guadalmedina riverbed. It takes at least 20 minutes to get to the centre by public transport, and the sea is even further away. The neighbourhood itself is not one of the prettiest – it is dominated by ordinary residential buildings, most of which are not in the best condition. In addition, Malaga residents complain about parking problems in the area. Mangas Verdes is located high up on a hill, so the views are an undeniable asset there, but it is still better to look elsewhere for a flat.
