Author: 
Malaga is a stunning city in the south of Spain that attracts millions of tourists each year. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, history buffs will love walking among the relics and ruins that transport visitors hundreds of years back in time.
That’s not to say that Malaga isn’t also a modern, progressive city — you’ll also find world-class museums, galleries, shopping, and dining here. Or, if you prefer beach hopping and day tripping, you’re perfectly located to see the best of the region by car or public transport.
If you’re planning an Andalusian adventure, keep reading for our 17 must-see attractions in Malaga and beyond.
1. Alcazaba de Málaga
Photo Credit: Robin Bairner
- Website: https://alcazabaygibralfaro.malaga.eu/es/
- Address: C/ Alcazabilla, 2, Distrito Centro, 29012 Málaga
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 8.00 pm daily
This historic Moorish castle dates back to the Kingdom of Granada and is a top attraction in Malaga. Built in the 11th century on the Monte de Gibralfaro and renovated in the 13th, rulers governed from here for hundreds of years.
Take a guided tour to learn all about this ancient structure — don’t miss the tranquil courtyards with panoramic sea views.
2. Old Town
- Website: www.malaga.com/v/city-info/
- Address: Calle Molina Lario, 29015, Malaga
- Opening hours: 24 hours
The Old Town of Malaga City is a charming maze of lanes and squares that date back hundreds of years. Today, this vibrant area is considered the heart of the city.
Locals and tourists come here to shop at boutiques and dine at tapas bars, and the nightlife here is some of the best in the region.
3. Malaga Cathedral
- Website: https://malagacatedral.com/
- Address: C. Molina Lario, 9, Distrito Centro, 29015 Málaga
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 8.00 pm Monday to Friday / 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Saturday / 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm Sunday
Catedral de Malaga sits in the heart of the city’s Old Town and is a must-see example of 15th-century Spanish Renaissance architecture. Baroque elements were added in the 17th and 18th centuries, but due to funding issues, the exterior of the cathedral remains unfinished.
In fact, locals call it “La Manquita” (the one-armed woman) due to only one of its 86-meter-tall towers being finished.
4. Caminito Del Rey
Photo Credit: Dziewul
- Website: www.caminitodelrey.info
- Address: El Caminito del Rey, 29550 Ardales, Málaga
- Opening hours: 8.00 am – 5.00 pm daily
For a unique five-mile hike, look no further than the Caminito del Rey. This trail was built in the early 1900s and sits almost 100 meters above a gorge. The path is narrow in parts, so beware if you’re afraid of heights, but all necessary equipment is provided, and the walk is safe for anyone with a decent level of fitness.
5. Castillo de Gibralfaro (Gibralfaro Castle)
- Website: https://alcazabaygibralfaro.malaga.eu/
- Address: Cam. Gibralfaro, 11, Distrito Centro, 29016 Málaga
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm daily
Once you’ve visited Alcazaba de Málaga, be sure to pay a visit to Castillo de Gibralfaro. Dating all the way back to the 10th century, the name comes from the Arabic and Greek words for “rock of the lighthouse.”
The castle can be reached by road or by hiking, and your efforts will be rewarded with panoramic views of the city below, including the bullring and the harbor.
6. Teatro Romano
- Website: www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/enclaves/enclave-arqueologico-teatro-romano-de-malaga
- Address: C/ Alcazabilla, s/n, Distrito Centro, 29015 Málaga
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Tuesday to Sunday
Teatro Romano is one of the most fascinating historical sites in Malaga and is completely free to visit. The ancient ruins have been dated to the time of the emperor Augustus and have been restored to give a glimpse into first-century life in Malaga.
7. Museo Picasso Málaga
Photo Credit: Vitalii Biliak
- Website: www.museopicassomalaga.org
- Address: Palacio de Buenavista, C. San AgustĂn, 8, Distrito Centro, 29015 Málaga
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm daily
Pablo Picasso was born right here in Malaga, and this must-see gallery is perhaps the best place in the world to see his works and learn about his life. The Picasso Museum’s expansive collection spans the artist’s long career, and you’ll see works created between 1892 and 1972 in a range of mediums.
8. Puerto de Málaga (Málaga Port)
- Website: www.puertomalaga.com
- Address: EstaciĂłn MarĂtima de Levante s/n Port of Málaga 29001, Malaga
- Opening hours: 24 hours
Malaga Port is a picturesque part of the city with wide pedestrianized streets, boutique stores, high-end restaurants, and stunning architecture. Take a pre-dinner stroll here as the sun sets over the luxury boats anchored in the harbor to see the area at its most beautiful.
9. Centre Pompidou Málaga
Photo Credit: AMJ Fotografia
- Website: https://centrepompidou-malaga.eu/
- Address: Pje. del Dr. Carrillo Casaux, s/n, Distrito Centro, 29016 Málaga
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 8.00 pm Tuesday to Sunday
The Centre Pompidou is a popular contemporary art museum in Paris, and this is the first branch to be opened outside of the French capital. This compact gallery displays a collection of around 80 works by globally renowned artists, including Frida Kahlo and Max Ernst, and temporary exhibitions pop up every few months.
Tip: Visit the gallery in the morning, then head to nearby Paseo del Muelle Uno for lunch at one of the many highly-rated restaurants located here.
10. Day Trips from Malaga
Malaga is perfectly positioned to take day trips to other gems in Andalusia and beyond. Nearby Costa del Sol beach resorts like Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Marbella, and Fuengirola are easy options, but here are a few of our top picks further afield:
Nerja
This one-time fishing village is bursting with old-world charm and is a great place to spend a day sightseeing. Don’t miss the Nerja caves or the chance to eat some of the best seafood in Spain.
Ronda
Head inland to this breathtaking town perched above a dramatic gorge. Ronda is steeped in history and is a must-visit for anyone looking to better understand Spain’s rich past.
Granada
The Alhambra is Spain’s most-visited tourist attraction, and the journey is worth it just to marvel at this incredible Islamic complex. The city itself has lots to offer, so be sure to make time to explore.
Cordoba
Head further inland, and you’ll discover Cordoba, another ancient city dominated by an impressive mosque/cathedral in the city’s center.
Seville
Seville is the capital city of Andalusia and offers so much for tourists to see and do. Despite it being close enough to Malaga to visit as a day trip, it’s worth staying overnight here to soak up the atmosphere of the city.
Gibraltar
Gaze across the Strait of Gibraltar to see Europe and Africa, take a tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, and meet Barbary macaques — the only wild monkeys living in Europe.
11. Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga
- Website: https://carmenthyssenmalaga.org/
- Address: Plaza Carmen Thyssen, Calle CompañĂa, 29008 Málaga
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 8.00 pm Tuesday to Sunday
This elegant 15th-century palace now serves as an art gallery with a focus on works from Andalusia. The permanent collection also features European works dating back to the 13th century, as well as 20th-century Spanish pieces.
Take an hour-long guided tour to learn about the gallery and the works within.
12. Playa de la Malagueta
Photo Credit: Roberto Sorin
- Website: https://visita.malaga.eu/en/what-to-see-and-do/beaches/la-malagueta-beach-p103827
- Address: Paseo de Reding, 8, 29016 Malaga
- Opening hours: 24 hours
No trip to the Costa del Sol is complete without a beach day, and Playa de la Malagueta is the most popular spot for catching rays by the Mediterranean Sea. This idyllic palm-tree-lined area is a Blue Flag beach, so you can swim safely here.
13. Mercado de Atarazanas (Market Hall)
- Website: https://mercadomalaga.es/mercados/mercado-central-atarazanas/
- Address: C. Atarazanas, 10, Distrito Centro, 29005 Málaga
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 2.00 pm Monday to Saturday
This historic market was constructed in the 1800s, but the Islamic gateway dates back to the 14th century. Head inside to discover a treasure trove of fresh produce and tapas bars. Come early when the freshly caught fish arrive — this is the liveliest time of the day in the market.
14. Calle Marqués de Larios
- Website: https://visita.malaga.eu/en/what-to-see-and-do/culture/historic-monuments/squares-fountains-and-streets/calle-marques-de-larios-p103588
- Address: Calle Marqués de Larios, 29005 Málaga
- Opening hours: 24 hours / individual business opening times
Calle Larios is Malaga’s main shopping street and one of the most affluent streets in all of Spain. It’s the best place to sip coffee or a glass of wine, indulge in some retail therapy, or simply stroll and people-watch.
15. Museo de Málaga
- Website: www.museosdeandalucia.es/web/museodemalaga
- Address: Plaza de la Aduana, Distrito Centro, 29015 Málaga
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 9.00 pm Tuesday to Saturday / 9.00 am – 3.00 pm Sunday
There are two parts to the Museo de Malaga: the Museum of Fine Arts and the Provincial Archaeology Museum.
The art museum has a permanent collection of local 19th-century works, including two of Picasso’s earliest works, and the archaeology museum has a superb collection of artifacts from various periods, including Roman and Hispano-Arab times.
16. Bodega Antigua Casa de Guardia
- Website: https://antiguacasadeguardia.com/
- Address: Carretera de OlĂas-Comares, Km 2.2, Málaga-Este, 29197 Málaga
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 10.00 pm Monday to Thursday / 10.00 am – 10.45 pm Friday & Saturday / 10.00 am – 3.00 pm Sunday
This is the oldest bodega (wine bar) in Malaga, and spending time here will transport you back in time to the 1800s when it was founded by Don Jose de Guardia. Although the bar has had many owners over the years, each has kept the original name to pay homage to the man who started it all.
17. JardĂn Botánico-HistĂłrico La ConcepciĂłn
Photo Credit: katatonia82
- Website: https://laconcepcion.malaga.eu/en/
- Address: Cam. del JardĂn Botánico, 3, Cdad. JardĂn, 29014 Málaga
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm Tuesday to Sunday
This lush botanical garden is filled with plant species from all around the world and is a tranquil place to spend a few hours strolling in the sun. Explore themed sections, including areas dedicated to tropical plants, orchids, and cactuses, among many others.
There’s also a pretty cafe where you can refuel with tasty coffee and cakes.
Experience Malaga’s Best Attractions
Malaga is a city that has it all, and you’ll never be short of exciting and interesting things to do here. With this list of the 17 must-see attractions, you’re all set for a magical time in Malaga. All that’s left to decide is which hotspot you’ll visit first.
