Is Malaga worth visiting? A guide to one of the most beautiful cities in Spain

Things to know before visiting Malaga

• Where is Malaga
• Best time to visit Malaga
• Malaga travel insurance

Where is Malaga?

Málaga is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, located on the Southern West coast of the peninsula, is close to the border with Portugal. It is one of the most populated areas of Spain and forms the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, together with some other great places like Granada, Seville, Cordoba and Cadiz.

The city lies along a wide bay offering an incredible view of the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to its position, take the best of the Mediterranean-mitigated weather, sweltering summers with winds coming from nearby facing Africa.

From Malaga, you can also explore the north, road-tripping toward Barcelona and exploring the fantastic Valencia. Yes, among the many reasons we suggest friends and family spend quality time in Malaga, there is the versatility of reaching other great places easily. If you are still trying to figure out where to go in Southern Spain, read our fair comparison of Malaga vs Valencia! A little spoiler, we love both for different reasons.

Best weather in Europe | The best beaches of Malaga

As we said before, Malaga and the entire Costa del Sol have got one of the best weather conditions in Europe. Thanks to 300 days of sun, it is becoming the favourite destination for expatriates from all around. We have to be honest; it was one of the main reasons after we had left London. The grey weather of the English Capital made us moody most of the year. We bet all that the southern part of Spain will become a favourite Digital nomadic destination soon.

During the summer in Malaga, the temperature will go up to 35 degrees, with days on 40 degrees as well. So, it is time for the beach already in April. This is the reason why it is called Costa del Sol. In winter, you will enjoy the sunshine with temperatures not below 15 degrees and shades all day long.

Basking in Malaga’s Sun-Kissed Beaches

Malaga is a paradise for beach enthusiasts that promises endless relaxation and recreation. The city’s crown jewel is the renowned Malagueta Beach, where sun, sand, and crystal-clear waters converge to create a beach lover’s haven.

Yet, the coastline’s allure extends beyond Malagueta, with El Palo Beach, further down, offering a quaint fishing village experience with yet cute huts where enjoy a beer and tapas. Playa El Salón, Playa El Cristo, Playa de la Misericordia, and Playa Peñón del Cuervo adding their unique charm to the already huge offer of summer retreat in Malaga.

Malaga’s beaches cater to every preference, whether you seek bustling shores or tranquil hideaways.

Great Food and drinks | The best tapas bars of Malaga

Spain is well known in the World for its great food, and you haven’t anything to envy Italy about the popular Mediterranean diet. The excellent food tradition makes Malaga “la Mecca” for food lovers. The well-known local product is Tapas. Many places in the city centre are famous as tapas bars. The area is right in the city centre, minutes away from the Roman Theatre. Also, consider Plaza de La Merced for some of the best accommodations in Malaga, but not on a budget.

Here you will find many tapas places with local beer for just 1 euro. The most popular restaurant for Tapas is Tapeo de Cervantes but also check for La Cueva, a famous Spanish chain. If you are not fancy for a beer, try out el tinto de verano instead of the Sangria not typical of this area. Remember, the local beer is the San Miguel.

Embracing Malaga’s Culinary Delights

The city’s culinary scene is a testament to the region’s vibrant culture, where meals are sustenance and a celebration of life. Delight your taste buds with exquisite tapas, savour succulent anchovies (“boquerón” in Spanish), and relish traditional delights like Malaga tortas and torrijas.

The bustling Mercado Central de Atarazanas invites you to immerse yourself in local produce and flavours, creating a culinary voyage that is as enriching as it is delicious.

Incredible Attractions of Malaga

Malaga is one of the largest cities in Spain, not famous as Barcelona and less touristy than Madrid, but incredible. There are some of the most important museums in Spain; this is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and everything in the old town remembers the artist.

The ancient Arabic past and the Moorish domination forged this territory inside. On the top of the hill of Malaga, there is the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro, a fortress looking at the sea, protecting the inhabitant from the invaders.

The other incredible attractions of Malaga are the Centre Pompidou (Modern Art), Picasso Museum, Museo de Málaga (Malaga history and Archeology) and the Roman Ruins right in the city centre. Another Attraction worth to be visited in Malaga is the local food market of Atrazana.

Malaga VS Seville: Which Spanish city you should visit

Malaga has an awesome Cruise Harbour

If you are fancy for a great relaxing holiday, Malaga is becoming one of the most popular Cruise stops around the Mediterranean sea. Not just that, the relative position to the Ocean makes it an excellent location for a Portugal and Spain coast Cruise. So we suggest you check out for a cruise that will get you here. Even if it is just one day in Malaga, you will enjoy the best that this city has to give.

The Cruise Harbour is recently built, giving the Malaga landscape seaport a new face. When you get inside the port, you will see palm trees and a white lighthouse to welcome you to Malaga.

Being a city in development with over half a million inhabitants, Malaga keeps the traditional peculiarity of a typical Spanish Town. However, the beach makes the environment friendly, especially in the Malagueta area, full of tall residential buildings.

If you want to experience more of the typical Spanish traditions, visit the southern area of El Palo. Here you can admire unique little villas with terraces directly on the beach.

The Skyscraper of Malaga from the top of the Gibralfaro, the city’s highest point, is impressive. The sea on the side and the vast city grid on the other. Although Malaga has a busy harbour, it is not as crowded with tourists as you can think. That’s why it maintains the traditional folklore of a Spanish Town.

Locals are friendly and relaxed. The food is typical of the Region, and most dishes are seafood recipes. Usually, when visiting Spain, you go to holiday places, not genuinely traditional. So we say yes when people ask us if Malaga is worth visiting.

Malaga VS Seville: Which Spanish city you should visit

Great seaport | Enjoy the Muelle Harbour

The seaport of Málaga is the Muelle 2, restored to new life by a significant renovation, and it is now home to sculptures, and fountains with many bars, restaurants and shops.

On the seaport of Malaga, you can find the museum, Pompidou. It is the lively part of the city that goes toward the beach of La Malagueta.

The waterfront of Malaga is huge, with a modern look full of gardens and benches below amazing palm trees that make you feel like being in a tropical place.

Discovering Malaga’s Waterfront Charms

We had to go deep into Malaga waterfront, because is where you will spend most of your time. If you are visiting Malaga from March till November, it is still sunny and shiny to enjoy the beach and the seaside. Malaga’s seaport is a captivating intersection of past and present, reflecting the city’s enduring maritime legacy.

Founded over two millennia ago, the port’s transformation over the centuries has yielded a captivating waterfront adorned with stalls, restaurants, and marinas. Take a relaxed walk along the quays to experience the lively atmosphere, where you can indulge in local specialties, discover one-of-a-kind souvenirs, and absorb the maritime culture that has influenced Malaga’s character.

Efficient public Transport | Easy access from Malaga Airport to Malaga city centre

An efficient public transport makes Malaga worth visiting. Malaga is cheap both for internal and airport transportation. You don’t have to take an expensive taxi to get into town from the airport. With just 1.80 Euros you can go to the city centre by train from the airport.

If you want more, you can get a bus for 3 euros from Malaga Airport to the city centre. The train will take around 12 minutes to take you to the centre of the city, the station of Maria Zambrano. Taking a card outside of the airport for public transport will save you money.

The green card of public transport of Malaga works on buses and the metro. Using this card, you can get on the bus for 0.97 cents and on the metro for 0.82 cents. The lowest prices compared to other destinations make Spain and Malaga worth a visit.

If you do not fancy taking public transport and want to be more accessible, you can find many cars hires stands at the airport. However, we always advise you to book your car in advance, skipping the queue and find the best price.

Day trips to Unesco Heritage Sites close to Málaga

Base yourself in Málaga to discover the surround. From Malaga, you can travel to Granada, full of Unesco Heritage Sites or Sevilla, one of the best amazing cities in Andalucia.

Suppose you want to see hidden gems of Andalucia; you have to reach the little towns around Málaga. Those are popular, called Pueblos Blancos, White Villages. From Malaga, you can travel to Nerja, a typical resort town with many hotels on the seaside.

Ronda is another fantastic place to visit from Malaga; insert into the list of Unesco Heritage Sites for the incredible ancient history. The inland Roman town is the most popular among tourists. You can reach Ronda from Malaga in about one hour and for cheap.

The tickets from Malaga to Ronda goes from 5 euros if booked in advance. Mijas Pueblo is another white village close to Malaga, a marvellous small town on the rock with a great Spanish tradition. From the station of Maria Zambrano, you can get a bus to all those destinations. Is Malaga worth visiting? Yes!

Best hikes of Malaga and excursions at Caminito del Rey

Not everybody knows that Malaga’s surroundings got some of the best hikes in the Region. One of the most popular adventures to do in Malaga Costa del Sol is the Caminito del Rey.

Visit the Natural Gorge of Los Gaitanes, impressive gorges formed by the Guadalhorce River. Walk on the wooden footbridge hanging from the walls of the canyon. Then, stroll up on top of the sea and enjoy the fantastic view, a seascape of the Southern Coast of Spain.

Don’t miss walking on a glass floor that overlooks the void. Try an adventure in Malaga is not expensive, the Caminito del Rey Tours start from 20 Euros, check for the best deal.

Is Malaga worth visiting in Winter? Yes!

Yes. Malaga is also worth visiting in winter. The Costa del Sol is never too cold in the Southern part of Spain. In winter, the temperatures are not below 15 degrees, maintaining a good climate for everyone. But Malaga, Spain, is not just worth visiting in winter for the warm temperatures. 

Did you know that ski resorts are just an hour away from Malaga? Yes, in Granada, you can go up to the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range with snow, until late May. You can find some of the best ski resorts in Europe, cheap as well.

The landscape of the Sierra Nevada is one of the best we have seen. That makes Malaga a nice place to visit, base yourself and discover the surroundings. To learn more about spending winter in Malaga, read our comprehensive guide here.

Yes, Malaga has pros and cons like every other city in the world. We spent about 6 months living in Malaga and overall it was fantastic, but still, there is some stuff we didn’t like as much.

Tourists everywhere | Malaga is crowded

Let’s say we loved Malaga a lot, but there was a first phase where the city was quiet and enjoyable and another time when we wanted to be away from the crowds as expats. Malaga embodies rapid tourism growth in Spain.

Millions of global tourists flock to this vibrant city each year. Stats place Malaga as one of the main destinations in Spain, with over 1.5 Million tourists arriving at Malaga airport every summer. However, this popularity might translate to extended queues at attractions, crowded beaches, and constrained space within nightlife establishments.

High prices in key times of the year

Well, we have said that Malaga is worth visiting all year round, and it is true. However, you might face high prices at some key times of the year. Of course, summer might be expensive to get a week in a hotel, B&B or similar accommodation, but the Semana Santa and Christmas in Malaga are busy and pricey too. If you are embracing a digital nomad lifestyle or looking for a workation destination in Europe, consider an extended rental; proactive planning is crucial to anticipate potential higher costs.

We did that and worked out a private room in a local apartment, away from the centre crowds, for just €450 per month. The apartment was in a residential area, away from the crowds but a short distance from the beach and the metro, perfect for reaching the co-working space in the morning and the beach in the afternoon and late evening.

If you seek a serene beach getaway in a charming Spanish town, Malaga Centre might not align with your preferences, but close to the airport side (Playa de la Misericordia) might be your kind of soup. If you want an even deeper experience, explore the lesser-known towns and villages within Costa del Sol for a quieter experience.

Summer is extremely hot

When in Malaga for our six months retreat in Spain, we experienced the city’s extreme heat in July, and it wasn’t very pleasant. Locals tried to warn us, but nothing was comparable to the actual experience. Coming from London, where the weather is mild in summer, we felt the temperature so much that we had to escape from the city. We found shelter in Cuenca, a cute village an hour from Madrid in the centre of Spain.
Well, Malaga is still worth visiting, but you should know something before travelling to Malaga; especially during the summer, it’s vital to prepare for high temperatures. While Malaga doesn’t experience the extreme heat of some Andalusian cities like Seville, it does get notably hot and humid during the summer months. Temperatures can soar to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), making it essential to pack essentials such as ample water, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable walking shoes.

Where to go next

Seville

Barcelona

Madrid

Granada

Things to do in Malaga, Spain | Is Malaga worth visiting

If the list is not enough to make you book a holiday to Malaga, this is the guide to the best things to do in Malaga. On your next visit to Andalucia’s Capital City, you have to hike up the Gibralfaro, a Moorish Fortress, looking at the sea, protecting the old city from invaders.

Below the Gibralfaro, the Alcazaba is a remarkable proof of the traditional Arabic buildings. The Alcazaba of Malaga is an absolute hidden gem, not sponsored like the Alhambra of Granada. Still, below a forum’s ruins, a Roman Theatre hosts play for free for tourists every day.

Check for our Malaga Guide, the best way to discover and Visit Spain like a local. The local Malaga Tourism is developing great itineraries based on culture, history and arts. Thanks to the presence of the Museum of Picasso or the Modern Art Museum Pompidou. Another amazing Malaga sightseeing is the Cathedral, which is incredible and stunning even at night. Refresh and relax in the area of the Cathedral of Malaga during lunch and pick hours.

Places to visit near Malaga

If you are not fancy for a city visit, close to Malaga, there are little cities more oriented to summer tourism. The most known are Marbella and Torremolinos. We can assure you that Marbella is worth visiting. However, if you feel fancy, there is also the closest, Puerto Banus, with prices not cheap as Malaga.

We hope to have given you more than one reason to visit Malaga, Spain. Just last thing, Malaga Costa del Sol is Amazing.