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Málaga in Spain: fun (winter) sun destination or overrated tourist city? In this article, I’ll share my honest experience and give you a complete guide to all the attractions. The great thing is that if you plan it right, many highlights are entirely free to visit!
Is Málaga a nice city?
It’s my second time in Málaga, but there’s about 20 years between visits. So, honestly, I don’t remember much from my previous visit, and Málaga still feels like a new destination. But now that we’re being honest, I don’t need to come back for another 20 years. I’m simply not that charmed by the city.
So, as to whether Málaga is a nice city, my answer is: meh.
Look, if you’re flying from a rainy country like the Netherlands to Málaga in winter for a weekend of pleasant temperatures, eating tapas, and sitting on terraces, then I really think you’ll have a great time. But if, like me, you’ve already been in Andalusia for a while, then there are truly nicer, cozier cities nearby. Like Cádiz or Córdoba, for example. There’s absolutely no shortage of nice bars and restaurants in Málaga, but the modern side wins over the authentic side in the city. There are many chains like Starbucks and Hard Rock Café. Many tapas bars seem to cater mainly to tourists, and I also think the city lacks sufficient attractions. I would have liked to see a bit more during my stay instead of just walking in circles.
Now, this article is absolutely not going to be a complaint about Málaga. First, tastes and experiences can differ, and second, I’ve definitely done some fun things in the city too. So, I’m happy to share those with you! Additionally, I’ve mainly focused on the center and not the surrounding neighborhoods. For example, there’s a botanical garden (here) that’s supposed to be beautiful. And I’m sure there’s more to discover.
In short, no, Málaga is not MY city. Still, if you’ve just arrived from a colder climate, you’ll already be happy with the sun, tapas, and sangria. Then the attractions are just a bonus!
What must you definitely do in Málaga?
The advantage of not having a hundred thousand attractions is that you can take it easy in Málaga. A coffee here, a short walk there. Everything at a Spanish pace. On warm days, you can even go to the beach! And if you plan well, you can see a lot of things for free.
City walking tour with guide
What you should definitely do in Málaga is book a city walking tour or bike tour. Right at the beginning of your stay, so you get a good idea of what you can see and how far the distances are. I book a walking tour via Freetour that focuses on the old center. We have a small group, and the guide is really fun. A friendly man who explains very clearly where we are and what we’re seeing. We even receive a PDF with restaurant recommendations via WhatsApp during the tour. Thoughtful! With Freetour, you don’t pay for the tour, but you’re expected to tip the guide. Give at least €10.
If the Old Town Tour from Freetour is full, you can also try Guruwalk or GetYourGuide. If you prefer a bike tour, I recommend BajaBikes.
Visit the cathedral of Málaga (free)
The cathedral of Málaga, or the Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación de Málaga, has the nickname La Manquita. It means the lame lady or the one-armed lady. The right tower of the cathedral was never completed. Yet they still spent an incredibly long time building the cathedral, and as a result, you might recognize different architectural styles. Originally there was a mosque, but this is only visible in the inner courtyard with orange trees.
You’re allowed to climb the left tower, but unfortunately, it’s closed for renovation for the next three years, the security guard tells me in December 2024.
You can see the inside of the cathedral for €10. But, it can also be free! If you come between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, you can enter for free. On Sundays, you can enter for free until 9:30 AM. For certainty, check the cathedral’s website for current times. With the free visit, you don’t get the audio guide that you do get with the paid visit. I find €10 quite pricey for a church (especially since I’ve already seen quite a few from the inside during this Andalusia trip), so I go for the free option.
Teatro Romano (and fish remains) – also free
Directly in front of the Alcazaba lie the excavations of an old Roman theater. It was built in the 1st century BC, but later buildings were constructed over it. “In the time when Spaniards had no respect for culture and history,” says my walking tour guide. Later, it was recognized as important heritage, and thus the Teatro Romano was excavated again.
You can view it for free from the street and walk a bit up to the left behind it towards the Alcazaba for a view of the theater and the city. There are a few nice terraces on the square, but also take a look at the glass cube. Inside, you can see ancient basins from a fish factory. In these basins, fish remains fermented into garum, a fish sauce.
Visit the Alcazaba of Málaga (free)
The Moorish fort of Málaga is one of the city’s main attractions. And I manage not to visit it. Unintentionally, of course! On Sundays, you can visit the Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro for free from 2 PM. So, I walked past the fort several times before going there on Sunday. And sure enough, it closed due to a street parade. Otherwise, it’s only $3.85 (€3.50) to enter. It would have been worth it to me. It’s supposed to be a kind of preview of the Alhambra in Granada, so hopefully, you’ll get to see it.
Climb to Castillo de Gibralfaro (free visit!)
Going up behind the Alcazaba, you reach the Gibralfaro castle via a narrow, steep road. The climb is challenging. You have a beautiful view of the harbor and the bullring, but it’s really steep. Not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. It takes about fifteen to twenty minutes to walk up.
And then you walk around the castle on the outer wall. There’s a beautiful view of the city from various spots. There’s also an inner garden, but it’s not very special in winter. You can look in the small military museum and have a coffee in the cafe, but the view is the main draw.
You can buy a combination ticket with the Alcazaba to receive a small discount or go on Sunday after 2 PM if you want to enter for free.
Free entry to Plaza de Toros
You can also visit Plaza de Toros La Malagueta for free in Málaga. But maybe you don’t feel comfortable with the idea of a bullfighting arena. I can understand that. The arena is still used for fights, but concerts are also organized there.
It’s a striking yellow and white building on the center’s east side, and it can hold up to 9,000 people. I didn’t visit the arena but only admired it from the path to Castillo de Gibralfaro. From there, you have a perfect view of it.
City park Parque de Málaga – also free
Parque de Málaga is quite green in winter, but I can imagine that in spring and summer, this is a delightfully cooling green oasis in the city. It’s full of all kinds of special foreign plants and trees. There are various seating areas and statues of important people in different places.
Roam the market: Mercado Central de Atarazanas
The covered market of Málaga is housed in an old shipyard building. Inside, it’s full of life: stalls full of fresh fish and fruit and Spaniards negotiating. The market is primarily a place to shop, with seating on the outside. The most beautiful part is that enormous stained glass window at the back, where the light falls through so beautifully. If you apply the Dutch slogan “look, look, don’t buy,” a visit to the market hall of Málaga is also free.
Street cat alley
Cat lovers take note: the alley between the Alcazaba and the Parque de Málaga is where many street cats live. Locals feed them here. When I’m there, a man walks around with a bag of fish that he feeds the cats. He stays neatly with the cats to prevent seagulls from taking the food. The cats look quite good – except for one, they all have a shiny coat and a healthy weight. If you love cats, this is a nice spot to walk by.
Have drinks in the oldest bar in Málaga
Antigua Casa de Guardia is the oldest bar in Málaga. They pour drinks directly from the barrel. These are sherries and vermouths. I think vermouth is the safest option to order, so if all the names mean nothing to you, go with that. My best friend ordered a pajarete, which is a sweet liqueur wine typical of the region.
The bar is usually very busy, with a fun mix of Spaniards and tourists. Once you’ve conquered a spot at the bar, you order, and the waiter writes the price of your order in chalk on the bar. Your total amount is calculated as soon as you’re ready to leave, and the chalk gets erased.
Muelle Uno: the hypermodern harbor
Behind the Parque de Málaga, along the water, cruise ships and ferries arrive. A modern open-air shopping center has been built here. You’ll find terraces, restaurants, and shops. It’s not really my thing: way too busy and lacking character. The lighthouse at the end is nice (you can’t go inside), and the Palmeral de Las Sorpresas is an artistic, white canopy. The nice thing is that from here, you can walk straight onto the beach of La Malagueta when you’ve had enough of the shopping scene.
(Free) Art visit at Centre Pompidou Málaga
The name may sound vaguely familiar. The original Centre Pompidou is in Paris. Here in Málaga, there’s a branch that’s also worth a visit. From the outside, in the harbor area Muelle Uno, the museum immediately stands out: it’s the glass cube with colored panels. In the Centre Pompidou, you’ll mainly find modern art.
And yes, you can go here for free too. On Sundays from 4 PM, it’s free. Otherwise, a visit costs €9 (in 2025). You can buy a ticket here.
The beach of Málaga: Playa la Malagueta
Playa la Malagueta is certainly not the most beautiful beach you’ll ever see, but how amazing it is to go straight from the city to the beach? La Malagueta is a popular city beach. In winter, there are no beach beds, but there are in other months. Then, many people walk around offering souvenirs or snacks and drinks. At the end of the beach are the La Malagueta letters, where many people like to take photos.
Museum visit: Picasso museum
Did you know that Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga? So obviously there’s a Picasso museum to visit. Booking in advance seems wise because there’s constantly a line when I’m there. Friends later tell me this wasn’t the case for them, but if you want to be on the safe side, you can buy a ticket here. Or you can go on Sunday two hours before closing time because then it’s free. Of course, there might be a lot of interest, so you might want to be safe instead of sorry.
I find the museum very crowded, so I can’t really look at the works quietly and read the texts. Still, I’m glad to have seen it. If you’re a Picasso fan, you might also like to check out his birthplace (here). There, you’ll find both art and more information about his life. And, of course, you’ll find LOTS of souvenirs with Picasso designs throughout the city.
Exploring the surroundings of Málaga
Once you’ve checked off all the attractions in the center of Málaga, it’s time to explore the surroundings. You should definitely walk the Caminito del Rey, but you can also make a nice day trip to Antequera, Ronda, or Córdoba, for example. I’m happy to give you some ideas and tips for attractions in the surroundings of Málaga.
Car rental in Málaga
If you don’t plan to leave the center, you don’t really need to rent a car in Málaga. But suppose you want to see some of the surroundings. In that case, I recommend comparing prices and conditions at DiscoverCars and Rentalcars.com.
Apartment in Málaga
Are you still looking for a nice and affordable apartment in Malaga? Then I recommend Casa Alta Loft. It is located just outside the center, but within walking distance (10 minutes). The big advantage is that the owner has also reserved a spot for you in a parking garage around the corner. Ideal! By the way, I am very glad I drive a Fiat500 because it is extremely narrow in the parking garage.
Casa Alta Loft is modernly furnished and has everything you need to sleep well, chill on the couch, and cook something simple. I don’t really understand why we paid so little for it. Maybe I just got lucky? It was, in any case, an excellent deal for an apartment in Málaga; check it out here.
FAQ about Málaga
If you limit yourself to the center of Malaga, you will need two days to see most of the sights and leave time for sidewalk cafes.
A week in Málaga seems very long to me. Unless you plan to make various day trips or perhaps work part of the time. Otherwise, I would keep it to two days.
The most beautiful part of Málaga is definitely the historic center. Here you will also find most of the sights.
You can actually visit Málaga year-round, but I recommend avoiding the summer months. It gets extremely hot then. Especially in the city, the heat lingers for a long time. Málaga is pleasant even in winter. During the day, the sun often shines, allowing you to comfortably sit on a terrace in just a T-shirt. However, you’ll need to put your winter coat back on in the evenings.
More Spain inspiration?
Helpful links for your Spain trip
- Accommodation. Booking.com is always a popular choice. But you could also check Homecamper | campspace or Hostelworld for more options. HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. You can also check out WithLocals. Book ‘free’ walking tours at Freetour.com or GuruWalk and try Baja Bikes for bike tours.
- Attractions and museums. Interested in a 5% discount on museums and other attractions? Use this discount code at Tiqets: KIMOPREIS22
- Bus and train. If you want to travel by bus or train to or in Spain, Busbud and Omio are excellent companies for planning your transportation.
- Boat. You can take a boat from Barcelona to the Balearic Islands, or take a ferry between the islands. Check out the options at Direct Ferries.
- Car rental. Compare your options at Discover Cars and Rentalcars.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Be sure to check out Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? You could try Expedia or CheapOair.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel guides. I like paper travel guides to browse through, for sale at Amazon, among others.
- Yoga retreat. Or treat yourself to a yoga retreat in Spain.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I might receive a small commission.
