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Aurea Palacio De La Tinta, Malaga

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Málaga

Updated 1 October 2026 · 15 things to do

Pictured: Aurea Palacio De La Tinta

Málaga used to be the place you flew into on the way to somewhere else. Now it's the reason to go. A Moorish fortress looks down over a Roman theatre, a cathedral nicknamed the One-Armed Lady and a port that has been given a stylish makeover; Picasso was born here, and the city has the museums to prove it; and between sightseeing, you can be on a city beach in ten minutes.

It's also one of Spain's best food cities, with proper tapas bars, fried fish at the beach and sweet Málaga wine. Add day trips to the white villages, Ronda and the Caminito del Rey, and a week passes quickly. A car is optional unless you want the mountains.

Don't miss

  1. 1The Alcazaba
  2. 2Málaga Cathedral
  3. 3Museo Picasso Málaga
  4. 4Caminito del Rey
  5. 5Ronda

The big sights

Most of them are packed into the old centre, within a short walk of each other.

  1. The Alcazaba

    Landmark

    The Moorish walls of the Alcazaba fortress in Málaga
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Moorish fortress-palace rising above the city centre dates from the 11th century, with horseshoe arches, courtyards, fountains and orange trees. The walk up is shaded and gentle, and the views over the port and the sea get better with every bend.

    Tip: Go early or late in the day to avoid the midday heat, and combine it with the Roman theatre at its foot.

  2. Gibralfaro Castle

    Landmark

    The hilltop castle of Gibralfaro above Málaga
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Above the Alcazaba, the hilltop castle of Gibralfaro gives the widest panorama in Málaga: the bullring, the harbour and the whole bay laid out below. The path along the ramparts is the draw, and the walk up through pine trees is steep but short.

  3. Málaga Cathedral

    Landmark

    Málaga Cathedral, the One-Armed Lady, with its single finished tower
    Photo: Danielmlg86, CC BY-SA 3.0 es

    Locals call it La Manquita, the One-Armed Lady, because one of its two towers was never finished. Inside, the vast Renaissance interior has a carved wooden choir, and the rooftop tour gives wide views across the old town.

  4. Roman Theatre

    Landmark

    The ancient Roman theatre at the foot of the Alcazaba
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Tucked at the foot of the Alcazaba, the 1st-century Roman theatre was rediscovered in the 1950s. It sits right beside the street, so it's an easy stop on the way up to the fortress.

Museums and art

Picasso was born in Málaga, and the city has made the most of it.

  1. Museo Picasso Málaga

    Museum

    The entrance to the Museo Picasso Málaga in the old town
    Photo: Llecco, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Housed in a handsome Renaissance palace in the old town, the Picasso Museum brings together paintings, drawings and ceramics from throughout the artist's life, many donated by his family. It's a great way to see how he evolved.

    Tip: Book ahead in high season, and see his birthplace on Plaza de la Merced afterwards.

  2. Centre Pompidou Málaga

    Museum

    You can't miss it: a colourful glass cube beside the port, which is the Spanish outpost of the Paris museum. Inside there are modern and contemporary works, and the cube itself is a popular selfie spot.

  3. Soho Málaga street art

    Neighbourhood

    The district between the river and the port has been turned into an open-air gallery, with huge murals by international and local artists. Stroll its streets, with galleries and cafés, and see how a down-at-heel corner became the city's creative quarter.

Beaches and the seafront

  1. La Malagueta

    Beach

    Beach volleyball at La Malagueta just before sunset
    Photo: Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The city beach, a ten-minute walk from the cathedral, has golden-grey sand, a long promenade and beach bars. It's perfect for a swim after sightseeing, and the nearby port promenade is the place for an evening stroll.

  2. Espetos at a chiringuito

    Food

    Sardines grilled over a fire on the beach on the Málaga coast
    Photo: gildemax, CC BY-SA 2.5

    Málaga's beach tradition: fresh sardines skewered on cane sticks and grilled over an olive-wood fire on the sand. Sit at a beach bar in Pedregalejo or El Palo, order a plate with cold beer, and eat them with your fingers.

    Tip: Sardines are at their best in summer.

Day trips

The mountains behind the coast are only a short drive away.

  1. Caminito del Rey

    Nature

    The walkway of the Caminito del Rey clinging to the gorge wall
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A walkway fixed to the walls of the El Chorro gorge, about 100 metres above the river, once among the most dangerous paths in Europe and now fully rebuilt. It's a dramatic, safe walk through limestone cliffs, but not for anyone afraid of heights.

    Tip: Tickets are limited and sell out, so book in advance.

  2. Ronda

    Day trip

    The Puente Nuevo bridge spanning the gorge at Ronda
    Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A dramatic town built on both sides of a deep gorge, joined by the Puente Nuevo, the 18th-century bridge you've seen in photographs. Wander the old Moorish quarter, peer into the gorge from the viewpoints and eat in one of the cliffside restaurants.

  3. Nerja

    Day trip

    The view from the Balcón de Europa in Nerja
    Photo: Tuxyso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A pretty coastal town to the east with a cliff-top viewpoint, the Balcón de Europa, and sheltered coves below. The nearby caves with their enormous formations are among the best-known on the Costa del Sol.

  4. Granada and the Alhambra

    Day trip

    Dawn light on the Charles V Palace inside the Alhambra in Granada
    Photo: Jebulon, CC0

    The Alhambra is one of Spain's great sights and Granada is about a couple of hours from Málaga by road or bus. It's long for a day trip but doable, especially if you've booked a timed ticket well ahead.

Eat and drink

  1. Mercado de Atarazanas

    Market

    The Mercado Central de Atarazanas in Málaga
    Photo: Rafa Esteve, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The central market sits inside a former Moorish shipyard, topped by a stunning stained-glass window. Stalls sell olives, fish, ham and fruit, and the bars around its edges serve very fresh tapas.

  2. Tapas in the old town

    Food

    Crawl the lanes around Calle Larios and order as the locals do: fried anchovies, ensaladilla rusa, and a slice of tortilla with a small glass of beer. Málaga is also famous for its sweet wine, which you can sip in old-fashioned taverns.

Where to stay in Malaga

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Málaga →

Getting around

The old centre, the port and the main museums are all walkable. Trains link the airport with the city in minutes, and buses and suburban trains reach the beaches. Hire a car for the mountains and white villages, or take a bus or organised tour.

When to go

Málaga is pleasant for most of the year. Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing and day trips, while summers are hot and good for the beach. Easter week and August fair are lively but busy.

Questions about visiting Malaga

What is Málaga best known for?
The Alcazaba, its cathedral, being the birthplace of Picasso, beach life and excellent tapas, plus being the gateway to the Costa del Sol and its white villages.
Is Málaga worth visiting?
Yes. It has a real city centre with history, museums and food, and a beach within walking distance, which makes it better than most Costa del Sol bases for a short break.
How many days do you need in Málaga?
Two or three days covers the old town, the Alcazaba and museums, with a beach afternoon. Add another two for Ronda, Nerja or the Caminito del Rey.
Do you need a car in Málaga?
Not in the city, where everything is walkable or served by buses. A car helps for the white villages and the mountains, but Ronda and Nerja can also be reached by bus.

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