During our tour through Andalusia, we also stopped in Malaga, the second-largest city in the region. Malaga is located directly on the western Mediterranean Sea of Spain, on the Costa del Sol, and is surrounded by mountains. There’s much to discover in this Andalusian student city. There are beautiful viewpoints, great restaurants and cafés, a charming old town, colorful markets, a lively harbor promenade, and many historic buildings. Today, we’ll share our favorite Malaga sights, highlights, and travel tips with you. In another report, we also reveal our top highlights in Andalusia.
- Sights in Malaga
- Gibralfaro Castle in Malaga
- Old Town of Malaga
- Cathedral of Malaga
- Atarazanas Market
- Botanical Garden – Jardin la Concepcion
- Parque de Malaga
- Harbor promenade in Malaga
- Alcazaba de Malaga
- Beaches and bays
- Excursion to the village of Frigiliana
- Book tours in Malaga
- Tours in the surrounding area
- Arrival by plane
- Airport transfer
- Accommodation in Malaga
- From A Getting to B by public transport
- Travel reading for Malaga
Sights in Malaga
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The Gibralfaro Castle in Malaga
It’s best to first get an overview of the city. We recommend a walk to the castle on Monte Gibralfaro. The 14th-century Gibralfaro Castle has been a national monument of Spain since 1931. From the walls, you have a wonderful view of the city and the coast of the Costa del Sol. You can reach the castle on foot, by car, or by bus. We took a leisurely stroll up. The most beautiful route leads from the Alcazaba along Paseo Don Juan Tembpury to the steep path that leads to the top. Along your way, you’ll enjoy fantastic views every now and then.
You can also easily get to the castle by taking bus number 35. The bus runs once an hour and you can board at the Alameda Principal. The hop-on/hop-off bus* stops right in front of the castle entrance. If you want to visit the castle, you have to pay an entrance fee of €3.50. Free entry is available with the Malaga Pass. From April to October the fortress is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., in all other months from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Old Town of Malaga
In Andalusia we visited many beautiful cities, such as Seville, Ronda and Tarifa. In Malaga, we particularly enjoyed the old town. During our tour, we discovered many churches, monasteries, and palaces. Malaga’s main promenade is Calle Larios. This is also the commercial and economic center. The many pedestrian zones allow you to take a relaxing stroll through the alleys and streets. You will also find numerous restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, clubs, and galleries here. Just let yourself go and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the city.
The historic center of Malaga is characterized by architectural legacies from the 19th century. It is the oldest district of the city and captivates visitors with its unique charm. There are around 1,319 buildings here, all of which are listed as historical monuments. One of the most beautiful streets in the old town is Calle Puerta del Mar. The top sights in the old town include the Alcazaba fortress, the harbor with its Ferris wheel, Picasso’s birthplace, the Atarazanas Market, the Carmen Thyssen Museum, Malaga Cathedral, the Roman Theater, the former customs house, and Gibralfaro Castle.
Malaga Cathedral
Malaga Cathedral is located in the historic old town. This imposing and monumental church can be seen from Monte Gibralfaro. The construction of the cathedral took a total of 254 years (from 1528 to 1782). It’s no wonder, then, that several architectural styles were incorporated during this long construction period. You can recognize elements of the Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque periods. The north tower of Malaga Cathedral is 84 meters high, making it the second tallest tower in all of Andalusia.
The cathedral is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closes at 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Adults pay €5 admission, and children only pay €0.60.
Atarazanas Market
If you’re on holiday in Malaga, you should also visit the Atarazanas Market. This is the largest and oldest market in Malaga. Here you can find freshly caught fish, seafood, fruit, vegetables, dried fruit, spices, meat, and much more. Haggling is not part of the culture here. Vendors feel disrespected and want to be valued for their work and their products. The market is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Atarazanas Market is closed on Sundays.
Botanical Garden – Jardin la Concepcion
A very beautiful sight in Malaga is the Botanical Garden “Jardin la Concepcion”. This beautiful park was established in 1855 and is located north of Malaga’s old town. Here you’ll find a large collection of tropical and subtropical plants. The over 1,000 plant species originate from Asia, Africa, Europe, and America. The romantic green space invites you to relax and is also home to many historical monuments.
The Botanical Garden is just a 15-minute walk from the last stop on bus line 2. The garden is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from April to September, and only until 3:00 p.m. from October to March. The standard ticket costs €5.20 per person. Children under 6 years old are free.
Parque de Malaga
Another green oasis is located below Gibralfaro Castle and not far from the city center. Malaga Park is something like the green soul of the city. It features many tall trees, colorful flowers, numerous sculptures, fountains, pavilions, and monuments. Grab some treats and have a relaxing picnic in the city park. We highly recommend it. Especially in hot temperatures, you’ll find quiet, shady spots here.
Harbor Promenade in Malaga
Malaga offers a great mix of city, beach, and sea. The harbor promenade in Malaga is not only a cruise ship destination and commercial center, but also a recreational area for tourists and locals. Pier 1 forms the center of the harbor promenade and awaits you with restaurants, cafés, and shops. Treat yourself to a coffee and enjoy the view of the harbor and the surrounding mountains.
Alcazaba de Malaga
This fortress is located below Gibralfaro Castle. It rises above the city and offers great vantage points over Malaga and the harbor. The Alcazaba de Malaga was built in 1487 and is a testament to Arabic architecture. A trip to the fortress is worthwhile, especially for the floral splendor and the Moorish architectural style. The climb to the fortress leads you through manicured green areas with various cacti of all shapes and colors. With a bit of luck, you might even spot wild parrots.
Inside the fortress is a kind of museum with various exhibitions, artifacts, and excavations. The fortress is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. between April and October, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November to March. Adults pay an entrance fee of €3.50. The combined ticket for the fortress and Gibralfaro Castle costs only €5.50. You can even visit both sights for free on Sundays from 2 p.m.
Beaches and Bays
Malaga offers not only sights and cultural highlights, but also beautiful beaches in the immediate vicinity. The Playa de la Malagueta begins directly behind the harbor promenade and is approximately 1.2 kilometers long. It is naturally quite crowded during the high season, but much quieter and more relaxed during the off-season. Other popular beaches include the Playa de Los Álamos in Terremolinos and the small bay Playa de Maro in Nerja.
Excursion to the village of Frigiliana
The beautiful village of Frigiliana is arguably one of the most beautiful on the Costa del Sol. This village is picturesquely situated in the mountains, just 6 kilometers from Nerja and 15 kilometers from Malaga. Stroll through the charming streets and enjoy breathtaking views of the beautiful Mediterranean coast. The white village awaits you with Andalusian houses and a labyrinth of cobbled streets. Around the village, you’ll also find numerous hiking trails into the Sierras de Tejeda.
Book Tours in Malaga
You can book a variety of tours in Malaga. Perhaps you’d like to explore the city by bus or prefer a private guide? On a tour of Malaga, you’ll learn many interesting facts and see corners you might not have discovered on your own.
By bike through the city*: Discover Malaga on a 3-hour bike tour. Explore the historic old town, the picturesque beach promenade, the harbor, and much more.
Relaxing bath in the Hammam Al Andalus*: Experience a relaxing bath in a traditional hammam in the historic city center.
Sightseeing in Malaga by bus*: Explore the city with the famous hop-on/hop-off bus and experience the highlights in comfort.
Wine and tapas tour*: Fancy a culinary tour? On this foray into the nightlife, you’ll not only enjoy the special flair but also fine wines and traditional tapas creations.
City tour on a Segway*: Explore the highlights and sights on an exciting Segway tour. We’ve already done it in Prague and actually thought it was really cool.
Tours in the Surrounding Area
There’s also a lot to discover in the area around Malaga. How about a trip into nature or to one of the many other beautiful cities? You can even take a trip to Africa, specifically to Morocco.
Caminito del Rey Hike with Transport*: Explore one of the country’s most famous via ferratas and enjoy the breathtaking views.
Trip to Morocco*: Fancy a completely different country? Better yet, a completely different continent? Then head to Africa, to Tangier in Morocco.
Sightseeing tour to Gibraltar*: Do you know Gibraltar? This city is a British overseas territory located directly between Spain and Africa.
Day trip to Ronda*: We particularly liked the city of Ronda, and it is definitely one of the absolute highlights in Andalusia.
Arriving by Plane
You can easily reach Malaga by plane from many German cities. With the low-cost airlines Ryanair or Norwegian, you can fly to Malaga for under €40. Flights depart from Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Karlsruhe, Memmingen, Cologne, Frankfurt, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, and Hamburg. When flying with such airlines, you shouldn’t expect any comfort or additional services. You simply get from A to B, nothing more. Even hand luggage costs extra. You can book your flight as always at Flugladen.de*.
Airport transfer
The airport in Malaga is only about 13 kilometers from the city center. From here, the easiest way to get there is by shuttle bus or train. The shuttle buses on line A run every 30 minutes, depart from the airport, and take you directly to the center. A one-way trip costs around €3. The commuter train connects the airport with the city center. It departs from the Aeropuerto station. Line C1 takes you to the final stop, “Malaga Centro Alameda,” for just €1.80.
As always, you can also take a taxi. This is the fastest and certainly the most comfortable way to get there. Of course, you should also expect the journey to be more expensive than taking the bus or train. You should definitely expect to pay around €20. If you rent a car, you can of course drive directly from the airport. You can book your rental car here: billiger-mietwagen.de*. We always book our rental cars with this provider and have been very satisfied for many years.
Accommodation in Malaga
In Malaga, you’ll find numerous accommodations to suit every budget. You can stay in a hostel for an affordable price or prefer a more comfortable hotel. In the following overview, we’ve selected some really good accommodations for you.
Low-budget accommodations:
- The Lights Garden Hostel*
- Malaga Beach and Center Backpackers*
- The Lights Hostel*
- Casa Al Sur Terraza Hostel*
Mid-range accommodations:
- La Casa Mata Central*
- Casa Salamanca*
- Villa Malaga*
- Apartamentos Marques De La Merced*
Upscale accommodation:
- Soho Boutique Museo*
- Hilton Garden Inn Malaga*
- Debambu Larios*
- Hotel Sercotel Malaga*
Get from A to B by public transport
Malaga has a very good Developed bus network with 45 connections. The buses run daily between 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m., and tickets start at €1.30. A ten-trip ticket costs only €8.30. If you buy your ticket from the driver, make sure you have change with you. For security reasons, drivers don’t accept notes of €10 or more. What’s really cool, by the way, is that you can easily explore the city center on the C1 and C2 (Circular) lines.
Of course, Malaga is also great to explore on foot. Most of the sights are located in the historic city center. We simply went with the flow and explored most of the city this way. There are also many pedestrian zones in the old town, so you can stroll at a leisurely pace.
Or how about a bike? You can rent one locally and explore the city that way. There are various providers in Malaga, all with different prices. Check out the Urban Bicycles website. There, you can get a half-day bike for just €7 and a full-day bike for €12.
Travel Reading for Malaga
Are you still looking for suitable travel reading? How about the comprehensive Dumont travel guide*? Here, you’ll learn everything about Andalusia in over 440 pages. We love the travel guides from this publisher because they are well-structured and make you want to visit the destination just by reading them. In our shop you’ll also find a selection of great travel novels.