Malaga Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Malaga, nestled on Spain’s Costa del Sol, offers a blend of historic charm and modern attractions. Explore the Alcazaba, soak up the sun on Malagueta Beach, and visit the Picasso Museum. Enjoy tapas and flamenco in its buzzing streets.
With 299+ hand-picked places to explore, Malaga rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Malaga
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Plaza del Carbón — ideal for groups and couples seeking a lively evening atmosphere in Malaga. Just as worthwhile is Palacio de la Aduana: ideal for culture enthusiasts and history buffs, the Palacio de la Aduana offers a unique glimpse into Malaga's past. Plaza de la Aduana completes the picture: a serene square showcasing impressive architecture and historical charm in Malaga's city center.
Plaza del Carbón
Malaga • Historic Squares & Plazas
Ideal for groups and couples seeking a lively evening atmosphere in Malaga.
Palacio de la Aduana
Malaga • Historic Architecture
Ideal for culture enthusiasts and history buffs, the Palacio de la Aduana offers a unique glimpse into Malaga's past.
Plaza de la Aduana
Malaga • Historic Squares & Plazas
A serene square showcasing impressive architecture and historical charm in Malaga's city center.
Monumento al Biznaguero
Malaga • Monuments & Statues
In Plaza de la Marina, this monument honors the traditional sellers of jasmine bouquets in Malaga.
Museums & Culture in Malaga
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is La Casa Amarilla: an engaging stop for art enthusiasts exploring Malaga's cultural landscape, especially during the festival seasons. Locals will also point you to Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda — a distinct collection of classic cars and haute couture in a repurposed tobacco factory. And for something different, there's Museo del Vidrio y Cristal de Málaga: ideal for culture enthusiasts and families, this museum focuses on glass and crystal art.
La Casa Amarilla
Malaga • Art Galleries
An engaging stop for art enthusiasts exploring Malaga's cultural landscape, especially during the festival seasons.
Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda
Malaga • Museums
A distinct collection of classic cars and haute couture in a repurposed tobacco factory.
Museo del Vidrio y Cristal de Málaga
Malaga • Museums
Ideal for culture enthusiasts and families, this museum focuses on glass and crystal art.
Museo de Málaga
Malaga • Museums
Located on Plaza de la Aduana, this museum highlights Málaga's extensive history and artistic legacy.
Best Things to Do in Malaga
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it La Casa de las Habitaciones Escape Room — incorporate an escape room challenge into an evening of fun and camaraderie in Malaga. El Chorro Gorge earns its reputation too — ideal for adventure seekers and nature lovers, El Chorro Gorge offers stunning hiking opportunities. Round out the shortlist with Cooking Malaga — calle Carretería offers an engaging cooking experience focused on Andalusian cuisine.
La Casa de las Habitaciones Escape Room
Malaga • Indoor
Incorporate an escape room challenge into an evening of fun and camaraderie in Malaga.
El Chorro Gorge
Malaga • Outdoor
Ideal for adventure seekers and nature lovers, El Chorro Gorge offers stunning hiking opportunities.
Cooking Malaga
Malaga • Indoor
Calle Carretería offers an engaging cooking experience focused on Andalusian cuisine.
El Saltillo
Malaga • Outdoor
Experience one of Spain's longest suspension bridges along a captivating hiking trail in Axarquía.
Where to Eat in Malaga
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with El Mesón Ibérico — a local favorite for authentic Andalusian tapas, ideal for refueling after exploring Málaga. Just as worthwhile is Kaleja: start your culinary journey in Malaga with a meal that highlights traditional Andalusian flavors reimagined for today’s palate. Karma Asian completes the picture: located on Calle Calderería, this restaurant blends traditional Asian flavors with a contemporary twist.
El Mesón Ibérico
Malaga • Local Cuisine
A local favorite for authentic Andalusian tapas, ideal for refueling after exploring Málaga.
Kaleja
Malaga • Fine Dining
Start your culinary journey in Malaga with a meal that highlights traditional Andalusian flavors reimagined for today’s palate.
Karma Asian
Malaga • Asian Cuisine
Located on Calle Calderería, this restaurant blends traditional Asian flavors with a contemporary twist.
La Tranca
Malaga • Casual Dining
End your day in Malaga with a lively evening at this tapas bar, where locals gather for authentic flavors.
Malaga After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Café Concierto Picasso: live jazz fills the air at this cozy spot in Malaga, perfect for unwinding over drinks. Locals will also point you to La Botica de la Cerveza — renowned for its extensive craft beer selection, this pub offers a laid-back atmosphere in Malaga. And for something different, there's Clarence Jazz Club: located on Calle Cañón, this venue is popular for live jazz performances in Malaga's nightlife scene.
Café Concierto Picasso
Malaga • Live Jazz Venues
Live jazz fills the air at this cozy spot in Malaga, perfect for unwinding over drinks.
La Botica de la Cerveza
Malaga • Pubs & Bars
Renowned for its extensive craft beer selection, this pub offers a laid-back atmosphere in Malaga.
Clarence Jazz Club
Malaga • Live Jazz Venues
Located on Calle Cañón, this venue is popular for live jazz performances in Malaga's nightlife scene.
Jazz Vibra Club
Malaga • Live Jazz Venues
Ideal for jazz lovers seeking an intimate live music experience in Malaga.
Where to Stay in Malaga
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it La Casa Azul — a comfortable base for exploring Malaga, just steps from the beach and local attractions. Hotel Finca Cortesin earns its reputation too — ideal for couples and wellness enthusiasts seeking a tranquil retreat in the Andalusian countryside. Round out the shortlist with Vincci Málaga — enjoy direct access to the beach along with a range of wellness services at this modern hotel in Málaga.
La Casa Azul
Malaga • Bed & Breakfast
A comfortable base for exploring Malaga, just steps from the beach and local attractions.
Hotel Finca Cortesin
Malaga • Spa Hotels
Ideal for couples and wellness enthusiasts seeking a tranquil retreat in the Andalusian countryside.
Vincci Málaga
Malaga • Spa Hotels
Enjoy direct access to the beach along with a range of wellness services at this modern hotel in Málaga.
Palacio Solecio
Malaga • Luxury Hotels
This historic hotel makes for a refined base while exploring Malaga's cultural offerings.
Shopping in Malaga
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Vintage & Co. — integrate Vintage & Co. into an afternoon of exploring Malaga's artistic district, perfect for vintage lovers. Just as worthwhile is Epoca Segunda Mano: a charming thrift shop perfect for a leisurely day of shopping in Malaga, blending vintage finds with local flair. McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Málaga completes the picture: over 100 international designer brands offer exclusive outlet discounts in a village-like setting outside Málaga.
Vintage & Co.
Malaga • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Integrate Vintage & Co. into an afternoon of exploring Malaga's artistic district, perfect for vintage lovers.
Epoca Segunda Mano
Malaga • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A charming thrift shop perfect for a leisurely day of shopping in Malaga, blending vintage finds with local flair.
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Málaga
Malaga • Outlet Shopping
Over 100 international designer brands offer exclusive outlet discounts in a village-like setting outside Málaga.
Plaza Mayor
Malaga • Luxury Shopping
Ideal for shoppers seeking a blend of luxury and mainstream brands in a modern setting.
Parks & Green Spaces in Malaga
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Finca de la Cónsula: explore beautifully landscaped gardens showcasing Mediterranean flora and a glimpse into Malaga's cultural heritage. Locals will also point you to Jardín de los Sentidos — a sensory garden designed to engage all five senses through its diverse plant collections and tranquil features. And for something different, there's Sendero Río Verde: a scenic hiking trail that enhances a day spent exploring Malaga's natural beauty.
Finca de la Cónsula
Malaga • Botanical Gardens
Explore beautifully landscaped gardens showcasing Mediterranean flora and a glimpse into Malaga's cultural heritage.
Jardín de los Sentidos
Malaga • Botanical Gardens
A sensory garden designed to engage all five senses through its diverse plant collections and tranquil features.
Sendero Río Verde
Malaga • Hiking Trails
A scenic hiking trail that enhances a day spent exploring Malaga's natural beauty.
El Torcal de Antequera
Malaga • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Known for its striking limestone formations, this nature reserve is a draw for hikers and photographers alike.
79 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Malaga that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Malaga list:
- Cotton Vintage· Vintage & Thrift Shops
- Sala Opium· Nightclubs & Discos
- La Alacena de Francis· Secret Foodie Spots
- La Fiesta de San Juan· Festivals
- We Love Malaga Tours· Guided
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