Located on the stunning Costa del Sol in southern Spain, Malaga is a vibrant city that is the main gateway to this popular tourist destination. With its rich history, stunning architecture and welcoming atmosphere, Malaga offers visitors a captivating mix of cultural heritage and breathtaking beauty.
Málaga is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has been influenced by many Mediterranean civilizations, from the Phoenicians to the Romans, thanks to the strategic location of its port. Therefore, it is a city with a tremendous historical heritage that you should not miss.
Our visit to the city lasted just one weekend and was enough to see the main monuments. However, we feel that with a few more days we could better enjoy the city, its monuments, its beaches and also its museums.
How to get to Malaga, Spain
Malaga has an international airport, Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, which receives flights from several European cities. If you are travelling from another city in Spain, you can also arrive by train, as Malaga already has high-speed train connections and its station is located in the centre of the city.
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Also, it’s always a great idea to explore the roads around the city and reach the city by car if you’re travelling through the region. This was our case because Malaga is located very close to Caminito del Rey.
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Exploring the beautiful city of Malaga
Malaga, located on the sunny and warm coast of southern Spain, is a charming city offering a perfect blend of history, culture and stunning beaches. Here are the sights we visited and which we recommend for a weekend getaway.
It should be noted that we opted for the guided tours of the hop-on hop-off buses to avoid walking around the city since we visited in the summer and it was quite hot. However, it is not a city where the main tourist destinations are not within walking distance or public buses.
In the mountainous region near Malaga is the Torcal de Antequera Natural Landscape, which is a World Heritage Site. The journey to the bottom of the sea on one of the highest mountains in the region is magnificent.
Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle
One of the most important sights in the city is the Alcazaba. This is a Moorish fortress that dates back to the 11th century and is located on a hill where you can see the entire city. Stroll through the complex and marvel at the architecture and breathtaking views.
Located next to the Alcazaba, the Castle of Gibralfaro offers incredible panoramic views of Malaga. It is possible to explore its ancient walls and learn more about the city’s history.
Despite appearing to be united, these two monuments are separate and have separate entrances.
Malaga Cathedral
Also known as La Manquita, the Cathedral of Malaga is a beautiful Renaissance church that is certainly worth visiting. Admire its magnificent and impressive façade and enter to see its magnificent works of art.
Picasso Museum and Carmen Thyssen Museum
Malaga is the birthplace of the famous artist Pablo Picasso, and the Picasso Museum houses an extensive collection of his artwork. There are also many museums around the city worth visiting such as the fantastic Carmen Thyssen Museum, which features an exceptional collection of Andalusian art, providing a deeper understanding of the region’s culture and artistic heritage.
San Andrés and La Malagueta beach
Malaga is located next to the Mediterranean and despite its important port, there is a large stretch of beach with warm and calm waters. Playa San Andrés is the closest to the city centre and Playa de La Malagueta is one of the best-known.
What to visit around Malaga
Malaga is located in an incredibly beautiful region of Spain, and there are several attractions in the surroundings that you cannot miss and sometimes they will be the ones that can take you to Malaga. In addition to all the Costa del Sol resorts, we focus here on just a few of the destinations we consider most important:
- Marbella: Just a short drive from Malaga, Marbella is an upscale city known for its stunning beaches and sophisticated marinas.
- Caminito del Rey: If you enjoy outdoor adventures and nature, you cannot miss the Caminito del Rey. This trail was once one of the most dangerous in the world. Now, after being restored, visitors can cross canyons and suspension bridges, offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. See our article on the Caminito del Rey.
- Ronda: Another fascinating town on the outskirts of Malaga, Ronda is famous for its breathtaking views from its historic bridge, known as Puente Nuevo. In addition to the bridge, the city has very picturesque streets and a rich history. You can also see our article on Ronda here.
- Torcal de Antequera Natural Landscape: This natural landscape is located near Antequera, next to the motorway connecting Seville to Malaga. It was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco because the impressive rocky landscape formed more than 200 million years ago. This mountain area was once the bottom of the sea and the rock formations are beautiful. On-site, it has small support and several marked routes.
Where to Stay
Malaga, being a summer destination and an important city with an international airport has plenty of accommodation. On our trips to Malaga, we suggest the Hotel Barceló Malaga or Eurostarts Málaga. There are two hotels located in the central area of the city near the train station.
There are many other suggestions:
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Hotels
To find the best hotel stays use Booking. It is one of the best websites for booking stays, always with promotions on some destinations. The reliability and ease of booking and cancelling make it even the most popular.
Flights
Compare Hotels prices
To compare prices for your Stays you can use the Hotels Combined or hotellook websites. These search engines show different prices from other websites for the same destination. There may be a lower price for the same hotel on another website and these search engines will show it.
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Transfers
Transfers to and from the airport can be purchased via the website kiwitaxi. So you don’t need to get in touch with the different companies in your destination looking for the best price.
Bus or Train
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In short, Malaga is a stunning city that offers a variety of interesting attractions for anyone visiting. From its historic monuments to its beaches, Malaga has something for everyone. Also, take the opportunity to explore the surroundings of the city, from the entire Costa del Sol to the small towns in the mountainous area. Discover other Andalusian destinations.