You will find it next to impossible to run out of things to do in Malaga, owing to this cosmopolitan coastal city’s rich mixture of history, culture, and architectural beauty.
Malaga, located on the sunny Costa del Sol, is a prime spot for sunbathing on the sand or strolling along waterfront boulevards. Its Moorish architecture and Roman ruins sit alongside avant-garde museums and more prevalent Gothic and Renaissance building styles.
You’ll also find mouthwatering Andalucian culinary specialties here, with lots of seafood and plenty of tapas, from the lively Atarazanas Market to the intimate beachside chiringuitos, where there’s always something tasty to try.
Visit Malaga Cathedral
Malaga Cathedral
In Malaga’s Old Town, visit the Malaga Cathedral, where you can take in this grand building’s stunning Renaissance architecture and elaborate Baroque façade.
The cathedral’s much-used nickname is “La Manquita,” or “The One-Armed Lady,” as the southern tower was never completed due to the government running out of money when it was being built.
Once you’re inside, you can enjoy the intricate woodwork of the choir stalls and ornate stained glass windows. The cathedral, built in the 16th century, is an architectural masterpiece with a long history, making it a pure delight to visit.
Stroll Down Calle Larios
Calle Larios
Strolling down the pedestrian-only street of Calle Larios is one of the most rewarding things to do in Malaga.
This humming pedestrian zone is famous for its grand architecture, 19th-century apartment houses, and marble-lined boulevard. It’s one of the main commercial hubs of this Spanish city, with everything from designer stores to street vendors selling small souvenirs.
Calle Larios also hosts cultural activities and celebrations throughout the year, including August’s Feria de Malaga festival and Christmastime festivities, when the street is decorated.
During your promenade, you’ll pass by coffee shops where you can stop for a snack or beverage and soak it all in. Whether you’re looking to shop, view beautiful architecture, or enjoy the city’s energy, a walk down Calle Larios will give you plenty to enjoy.
Admire Art at the Picasso Museum
Picasso Museum Photo by Dguendel on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 3.0
The Picasso Museum in Malaga should top the “to-do” list for true art lovers.
Malaga is the city where Pablo Picasso was born, and the Museo Picasso Malaga displays one of the world’s richest collections of his remarkable art, from his earliest drawings to some of his best-known creations, including Portrait of a Bearded Man and The Three Graces.
This Spanish museum is housed in the Renaissance-style Palace of Buenavista, which was built in the 1500s, and provides an intimate atmosphere.
Museo Picasso Málaga will offer you insight into how Picasso approached his work, and his influence on 20th-century art, paying tribute to one of Spain’s most important artistic heroes, creating a stimulating experience for casual visitors and art aficionados alike.
Hike to Gibralfaro Castle
Gibralfaro Castle
Hike up to Gibralfaro Castle and you will be rewarded with fantastic views of Malaga’s coastline, the Plaza de Toros, which is the city’s bullring, and the buildings and skyline below.
Gibralfaro, a defensive Spanish castle and fortress complex, was built in the 14th century by Yusuf I of Granada on a hill bearing the same name as the castle. It features a striking and very steep climb with flights of stairs shaded by eucalyptus and pine trees.
As you gain elevation, you will see panoramic views of the Mediterranean, the city, and the nearby mountains. The thick walls and burly watchtowers alone reveal this castle’s important military role through the ages.
These days, Gibralfaro Castle is a paradise for photography enthusiasts looking for expansive landscape shots, making the strenuous climb well worth the effort.
Appreciate Atarazanas Market’s Food Offerings
Atarazanas Market
Food, and lots of it, can be perused, sampled, and photographed at the lively Atarazanas Market.
When it comes to unique design, the Mercado Central de Atarazanas—open from early in the morning until mid-afternoon—features a massive stained-glass window, which is encased in a 19th-century iron and glass building, kicking off your sensory explosion upon arrival.
As you browse the offerings, you’ll come across seafood, cured meats, and traditional products like olives and cheeses, plus lots of colorful produce. You can try some tapas from some of the stalls inside the market, including fried fish, Iberian ham, paella, and Malaga wine.
Wander the floors and chat with the friendly merchants here while you sample different Andalucian flavors and enjoy the ambiance of this fun market, a great spot to dive into Malaga’s delectable culinary scene.
Trek Through Montes de Malaga Natural Park
Montes de Malaga Natural Park
If you’re up for a biking or trekking adventure, you’re in luck, as the scenic Montes de Malaga Natural Park is situated only a few minutes north of the city.
This massive preserve is one of the best places for biking in Spain, and you can also hike along trails that wind through Aleppo pine forests, crossed here and there by streams.
The park features moderate trails, as well as longer and steep paths if you’re the rugged type, taking you through the massif, with some incredible vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding Andalucian landscapes.
Malaga Natural Park is also an ideal spot for birdwatching, with species like goshawks, short-toed eagles, wood pigeons, and more darting across the terrain.
Tour the Alcazaba Palace
Alcazaba Palace
The Moorish-designed Alcazaba Palace, which shares the same hillside as Gibralfaro Castle, is a beautiful 11th-century palace fortress overlooking the city. When Andalucia was occupied by the Moors, the palace served as a cushy home for the ruling elite of the Hammudid dynasty.
The palace’s well-maintained gardens, its tilework, and its shaded courtyards will offer you a glimpse into the past, reverberating back to Andalucia’s Islamic times. The Alcazaba itself has an impressive fortification in its walls, as well as superb vistas of the port and city that make it one of the most beautiful places in Spain.
Take a stroll around the squares and gardens, and notice how the Alcazaba was built, with its arched portals and the luxurious Nasrid Palaces inside, decorated with splendid Islamic tiles and mosaics.
People Watch at Plaza de la Merced
Plaza de la Merced
Plaça de la Merced is the place to go for people-watching. Simply plop down on a chair in one of the restaurants, cafés, or bars around the square and soak it all in.
It’s a bustling square, surrounded by white, yellow, and green buildings, and is ideal for lounging around with a coffee or cold drink.
The historic plaza also features a statue of Pablo Picasso, sculpted by Francisco López Hernández, who was born nearby, and the Monumento a Torrijos obelisk. This monument honors General José Mara Torrijos, who was executed following a failed coup in 1831. You’ll also see the fabulous Teatro Cervantes, which is just behind the square.
Swing by the Roman Theater
Roman Theater
For a brief, but immersive historical experience, head to Malaga’s Roman Theater, which is free to visit and was only discovered in the 1950s.
Situated in the city’s heart, this former theater can trace its roots back to the first century, making it one of the oldest sites in town.
When you visit, pay attention to the tiered seats, and then read up on the history of this ancient amphitheater at the interpretation center, where you can learn more about the importance of the theater to Roman culture, and Malaga’s Roman past.
With the Alcazaba castle as a dramatic backdrop, the Roman Theater is an archaeological wonder that’s easy to include while you’re exploring the center of this beautiful Spanish city.
Feast on Seafood in El Palo
El Palo
If you want to eat like a local in Spain, a visit to the charming seaside barrio of El Palo is one of the best things to do in Malaga.
This barrio, with its DNA firmly rooted in the traditions of a fishing village, serves up great fish and seafood. The coastal chiringuitos, which are casual, seasonal restaurants, are well-known for their grilled “espetos” sardine skewers, along with other tasty morsels from the sea.
Sardine espetos
The aromas of fresh seafood at these beachfront restaurants, with plates of fried anchovies, calamari, grilled prawns, and more on the menu, can be relished while you gaze out over the Mediterranean.
El Palo is a wonderful location for enjoying the bounty of the sea, with its fresh food, fishing vessels dotting the coastline, and the welcoming atmosphere of an authentic Spanish beach town dishing up great food.
Read: Best Beaches in Malaga
Discover the Pueblos Blancos
Mijas
A day trip to Mijas—a scenic town in the hills about 40 minutes south of Malaga—will give you a taste of idyllic Andalucian village life. Mijas is one of the famous pueblos blancos, or historic white towns, which spill over the hillsides inland from the coast. Back in the Middle Ages and the days of piracy, these elevated positions were safer places to live than on the coast itself.
This whitewashed village has wonderful views of the Mediterranean and the surrounding countryside. Amble along its narrow, cobbled lanes festooned with colorful flowers in uniformly blue pots. Pass by artisans’ stores, small cafés, and plazas where you can stop for a coffee before checking out some of the town’s viewpoints.
Mijas is also famous for its “donkey taxis”. These beasts of burden will haul you around in two-wheelers while you explore charming lanes such as the historical San Sebastian Street, the Plaza de Toros bullring, and all of the other pretty sights.
Go Spelunking Inside the Caves of Nerja
Nerja Caves
Visit the Nerja Caves, 45 minutes east of Malaga, for a fun trip where you’ll discover an underground utopia. These massive limestone tunnels are filled with huge stalactites, stalagmites, and other astounding rock structures, some of which are millions of years old.
One of the best caves in the world, it extends for almost three miles beneath the surface of the earth, with tours taking you through illuminated chambers, including the stunning Sala del Cataclismo, or “Cataclysm Hall.”
The well-lit and well-constructed staircases and pathways make the corridors and caverns easy to navigate. And if you’re an amateur scholar of prehistory, you’ll be delighted to hear that cave paintings from the Paleolithic era were discovered here as well.
Music concerts are occasionally held inside the caves’ natural subterranean amphitheater, taking advantage of the unique acoustics. Additionally, Nerja Caves can also boast the largest stalactite on earth, giving you yet another reason to explore these amazing caverns.
Book a Tapas Crawl
Tapas
A tapas crawl or tour is one of the best foodie-oriented things to do in Malaga, whether you opt for guided or solo. Navigating from tapas bar to tapas bar lets you sample a range of cuisines, from gambas pil-pil, which are spicy garlic shrimp, to tangy Spanish cheeses, and rich Iberian hams.
Every stop is also an opportunity to enjoy your small bites with a glass of local wine, a refreshing beer, or a chilled glass of tinto de verano, which is similar to sangria.
Tapas, like savory albóndigas meatballs and salpicón de mariscos, a seafood salad, are not just a meal; they’re an excuse to socialize in some of the city’s cozy bars.
Gaze at Modern Art at Centre Pompidou
Centre Pompidou
If you have an interest in modern art, the Centre Pompidou should top your list of things to do in Malaga.
This institution, a subsidiary of Paris’ renowned Pompidou Center, is housed in a giant colored glass cube by the sea, designed to bring innovative art to the Costa del Sol.
The provisional Centre Pompidou in Malaga features exhibitions from 20th and 21st-century artists, with pieces by Frida Kahlo, Francis Bacon, and more fusing into a synthesis of painting, sculpture, and photography.
The museum’s creative displays and interactives are bound to impress. Moreover, its seaside locale makes for a pleasant walk along the waterfront after you’ve soaked in Malaga’s contemporary art scene.
Old Town Malaga
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