Never far away are the looming mountains, home to the white villages of Andalusia, which make the perfect place for a day trip or a stopover on your Andalusia road trip. We recommend staying 3 nights to enjoy all the top things to do in Malaga or a bit longer if you want to explore the surrounding areas.
1. Alcazaba de Málaga
The Alcazaba is the top thing to do in Malaga and one of the most popular sites. Similar to the Alhambra in Granada (although on a much smaller scale!), this impressive fortress sits on the hill overlooking the city. It was built as part of the Nasrid Kingdom in the 11th century—a period of Islamic rule in Spain.
If you want to learn more about the Moorish period, we recommend taking a tour of Alcazaba, where you’ll get to know more details about its long and fascinating history.
Entry Fee and Opening Times
The Alcazaba de Malaga is open during the Summer (April to October) from 9 AM – 8 PM and in Winter (November to March) from 9 AM – 6 PM. The last entry is always 45 minutes before closing, so make sure to leave plenty of time.
A ticket is 3.50 EUR (3.50 USD), or you can do a combined entry with the Castillo de Gibralfaro for 5.50 EUR (5.50 USD). Tickets are not available online; you must buy them in person at the entrance. Please note that there may be a queue on weekends and in the high season.
On Sunday, after 2 PM, you can enter the site for free!
2. Castillo de Gibralfaro
The Castillo de Gibralfaro (built in the 8th century) is even higher than the Alcazaba and was used to house troops and protect the Alcazaba fortress. As you can imagine, the view up here is even better! What’s left of the castle are the ancient walls (you can walk on top of them in a circular loop). As you go, you’ll get a birdseye view of the bull arena and a few other important monuments in Malaga.
Once you’re done, there’s even a cafe where you can get a refreshing drink or coffee before making your way down to the city.
How to get to the Castillo de Gibralfaro
Even though you can see the Castillo from the Alcazaba, there is no direct path. You’ll have to leave the Alcazaba first and follow the road outside that goes uphill alongside the fort walls. It’s a 25-minute walk which has beautiful views all the way up. However, as it’s pretty steep, it’s maybe not a walk you’ll want to do in the hot summer months. You can take a bus or a rental car, as there is parking at the top.
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Entry Fee and Opening Times: 3.50 EUR (3.50 USD) or a combined ticket with the Alcazaba for 5.50 EUR (5.50 USD). In the summer months, the Castillo is open 9 AM – 8 PM, and in the winter months until 6 PM.
3. Colomares Monument
Take a half-day trip to the Colomares Monument, an unusual castle dedicated to Christopher Columbus and his discovery of America. The building tells the story of Columbus’ discovery, represented by a building that looks like a ship.
Although it was only finished in the 90s, you would think it had been built much earlier from the design and the intricate constructional details. It also contains the smallest church in the world!
After you’ve looked around every picturesque corner, wander outside in the beautiful gardens, and enjoy the incredible views from up here on the hill.
Tip: It’s best to visit in the late afternoon when it’s cooler as there’s no shade in the monument. You have to walk a hill back to the old town, so it’s best to drive if you’re visiting during the summer.
Opening times and entry fee: 3 EUR (3 USD). Open Tuesday to Sunday – 10 AM – 6 PM (in spring stays open to 8 PM). In the summer, it closes between 2 PM – 5 PM.
How to get to Colomares
The monument is located in the town of Benalmádena, which is reasonably big. We only saw one small area, which was beautiful, full of charming streets and lovely restaurants. We recommend La Cúpula Lounge or La Pala d’Oro Italian.
Most of the art is displayed without a glass front protection, so you can really admire the stunning colors! Find 2000 pieces in the fine arts collection, and discover the archeology section with over 15,000 pieces.
Make sure to take some time to admire the building itself; from the outside, the entrance is surrounded by palm trees (it reminded us of being on a palm-tree-lined beach in Sri Lanka!).
Entrance fee: 1.50 EUR (1.50 USD). Free for EU citizens to visit.
This initiative was developed as part of a city project, where the local government funded the creation of artwork to modernize the area and increase tourism. This area’s young and fun vibe has also brought with it lots of new and trendy cafes and bars, for example, this great cafe Byoko.
Join a tour or follow a map of all the best murals (you can find many online).
6. Málaga Cathedral
Malaga Cathedral has to be one of the city’s most unique and beautiful buildings. This enormous cathedral is more reminiscent of a palace than a religious building, with soft domed shapes, dusky pink stone, and surrounding palm trees.
Most unusual is that the Cathedral only has one bell tower (most have two), as the second one was never built. This has led locals to refer to the building fondly as ‘La Manquita’, meaning ‘the one-armed lady’. The bell tower itself is 84 meters high, making it the second tallest bell tower in Spain (after Seville)!
Did you know: Malaga Cathedral offers visitors the exclusive opportunity to climb onto the roof of the building. Most religious buildings often have their bell towers open for visits. However, this allows you to go to the main flat top of the building, providing you with unobstructed panoramic views of the city. It’s 200 steps up—but it’s so worth it!
Entry Fee: 8 EUR (7.91 USD) for a general ticket or 12 EUR (11.87 USD), including a rooftop tour. You will receive a free sound guide, and there’s also a kid’s version too if you’re traveling as a family. Skip the line and book your guided tour to Malaga Cathedral.
7. Beaches
Malaga is a coastal city, meaning there are plenty of wonderful beaches dotted along the coastline. One of the best things to do in Malaga if you’ve got some downtime is to visit one of the local beaches, relax on a sunbed and enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea after a hot day of sightseeing.
You’ll also find plenty of Chiringuitos (beach bars) along the sand, where you can enjoy some drinks as the sun goes down. Some of the best beaches in Malaga are:
- Playa de la Misericordia (please note that this is a city beach and looks onto a lot of industry)
- Playa de La Malagueta (the nicest beach of them all)
- Playa la Malagueta (long beach with city and mountain views)
Not only is it a great place to eat, but the building itself is also beautiful. It’s a stunning iron and glass structure with colorful stained glass that covers a large portion of one side.
9. Málaga Park and Jardines de Puerta Oscura
There are many lovely parks in the city, and one of the top things to do in Malaga is to spend a few hours enjoying the beautiful plants, water features, and flowers. Among the trees, you’ll also see colorful birds, including bright green Parakeets. It’s the perfect place for a stroll and to enjoy the shade of the trees as you escape the heat on a hot day in the city. The two most famous parks in Malaga are Malaga Park and Jardines de Puerta Oscura.
10. Hammam Al Ándalus Baños Árabes Málaga
If you want the ultimate relaxation on your trip, head for the Hammam Al Ándalus Baños Árabes, a traditional Arab bathhouse in the heart of Malaga. Inside, discover beautiful rooms with baths and traditional Arab tilework and stonework. You can dip in different baths, enjoy the steam room, drink traditional tea, and even have a relaxing massage. The entry includes 90-minute access and includes a massage.
11. Picasso Museum
No visit to Malaga would be complete without a visit to the Picasso Museum. The famous artist was born in Malaga, and this fascinating museum is dedicated to him and his work. As it’s located right next to the Cathedral, the museum it’s very convenient to visit, and there are nearly 150 different artworks of his on show. You can also visit the house where Picasso was born (now transformed into another museum called Museo Casa Natal de Picasso), which is just a 5-minute walk away.
Entry Fee: 9 EUR (8.81 USD) entry to the museum. Book your ticket with audio guide here.
12. Teatro Romano
Welcome to the oldest place in all of Malaga: the remarkable Teatro Romano! This ancient Roman theatre dates all the way back to the 1st century and can be visited inside or viewed from above. If you visit the viewing area (and the adjacent museum), you can see the old Amphitheater for free. You can find the remains of the Teatro Romano at the foot of the Alcazaba.
Alternatively, for more detailed information about the Teatro, book a guided tour and discover more about its history and role in Malaga.
Day Trips from Malaga
13. Half-Day Trip to Iznajar
If you’ve got a bit of extra time in Malaga, take a half-day trip to the beautiful village of Iznajar! This authentic Spanish village is one of the famous ‘White Villages of Andalusia’ (Pueblos Blancos). It sits high up on the mountain overlooking the beautiful valley and lake below.
Click here to read all about the things to do in Iznajar.
Spend a few hours enjoying the peace of the village and admiring the traditional Andalusian patios (courtyards). For example, ‘Patio de las Comedias’, where you’ll find hundreds of different colored geranium flowers in vibrant blue pots. It’s a must-see on your Andalusia road trip and only a 1-hour drive from Malaga!
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Enjoy exploring Alhambra, and its many beautiful corners, wander the maze of narrow streets in the old town of Granada, enjoy free tapas (yes, free!) from a local bar, and dip your toes in the cooling mountain river.
How to get there: It’s straightforward to reach Granada from Malaga. If you have a car, the journey time takes approximately 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take the train (1 hour 15 minutes), which costs around 40 EUR (39.59 USD) for a round trip. If you want your Alhambra ticket and tour included, it might be worth booking a tour from Malaga, which will consist of all your entry fees and transport.
15. Hike the Caminito del Rey
Just 1-hour drive from Malaga is the thrilling Caminito del Rey. This hike used to be one of the most dangerous in the world. In recent years, the whole hike was refurbished, and it’s now completely safe and secure, with safety barriers and helmets provided.
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We recommend joining a morning walk and enjoying the view of the canyon, lakes, and surrounding Andalusian landscapes. It’s one of the top things to do in Malaga, and because of this popularity, there are plenty of organized tours leaving from the city that include your ticket and transportation.
16. Nerja and Frigiliana Day Trip
These two charming towns sit very close to each other on the beautiful coastline outside Malaga. If you have a car, they’re the perfect destinations to add to your Andalusia road trip.
Nerja is known for its lovely beaches and many seafood restaurants, most of which have excellent views across the clifftops.
Drive 10 minutes up into the surrounding mountains to discover the cute white village of Frigiliana. This lovely village is home to beautiful houses and charming shops selling ceramics, art, and clothing. There aren’t as many places to eat here as in Nerja, but the (sunset) views from the restaurant terraces are spectacular!
Where to Stay in Malaga
The best place to stay in Malaga is the Old Town, where you’ll be among the most authentic buildings in the city. It’s also only a few minutes walk from the main historical sites.
There are plenty of options to choose from for every budget, from fun hostels to boutique and 5-star hotels. See all hotels in Malaga, Spain.
Best Cafes and Restaurants in Malaga
Malaga is one of the biggest cities you’ll visit on your Andalusia road trip itinerary and, therefore, has many great restaurants, bars, and cafes. You’ll find typical Spanish delicacies, but plenty of other cuisines are on offer. Some of our favorites include:
- Casa Lola (great for tapas)
- El Pimpi (tapas and wine tasting)
- Fonzo (Sharing plates)
- Next Level (specialty coffee)
- Pizzamore (delicious Italian!)
- Restaurante Alyamal (Moroccan)
Please note: In many parts of Spain, tap water is drinkable, so there is no need to buy plastic bottles from the shop. Instead, bring your own reusable bottle and travel plastic-free!
Alternatively, the easiest way to reach Malaga is by car, adding the city as a stopover on your Andalusia road trip.
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Malaga also has a very good train station with trains leaving to many other big cities in Spain, for example, Barcelona or Madrid (these trains usually are high speed and direct).
Getting Around
The city is relatively big, so you might need to use the metro system to transfer between neighborhoods or to reach the beaches. There are taxis like Uber, Cabify, or Bolt. We found Uber and Bolt the cheapest, but there was more availability through Cabify.
Alternatively, there are many bike rental shops in Malaga where you can hire a bike for the day and enjoy the many cycling routes throughout the city and coastline.
How Much Does Malaga Cost?
Just like many other cities in Spain, Malaga is pretty cheap! Try to avoid the touristy spots as places to eat, as the restaurants will be more expensive. For example, you’ll find pricier restaurants in the Old Town or near the port. However, it can still be worth it for the lovely sea views!
Best Time to Visit
Malaga boasts 320 days of sunshine a year! However, be aware that it’s scorching in the summer, although there are many beaches to enjoy and this is the most popular time to do so. This is also the busiest time, particularly in August when the Spanish take their holidays.
The rest of the year is also beautiful; even in the winter, you’ll find blue skies, and many people still brave the water for a swim. It’s also a great time to hike and explore the surrounding area.
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