Our lovely list of all the best things to do in Malaga

If you don’t follow me on TikTok or  Twitter, I went on a journey with only my mom as my companion last June. Malaga surprised my mom and me; there are so many things to do in Malaga. Two girls trying to enjoy Spain and Portugal to the fullest and proving to some that Mediterranean destinations are super safe for travelling even with all the attacks in Europe. And believe me, you can’t think the number of emails and messages I get from people worried about that. Sad.

Malaga was our 3rd stop before we had the lovely Barcelona and outstanding Valencia. And you may be asking yourself: why Malaga?

With over 300 sunny days per year, lively nightlife and yet calm beaches during the day, fresh barbecue sardines and other fantastic seafood delicacies, Malaga made its way to the top of our list.

I’ll give you here some of the best options, both paid and free, of things to fill up a whole weekend. The city was even more incredible than I would expect. You will love it for sure. And if you have extra time, the small beaches around Malaga are just amazing. Costa del Sol, Marbella and other names might sound familiar to you. I haven’t been there yet, but I’ve heard from several people that it is a must go. Time was not on our side, and we had only two days, we chose to explore only Malaga.

Fotostrasse’s top suggestions of things to do in Malaga

This list is not in order of preferences or anything. I cannot rank the things I loved about the city. I’m adding the items just by looking at the photo folder from Malaga here on my laptop. So please, if you see something you love right there at the bottom of this list, don’t hate me.

Lets go to the beach

Lets start this list with a beach, bitch!? Of course! So let me present you the obvious: Playa de la Malagueta. Playa de la Malagueta  is one of Malaga’s main attractions. This lovely beach is located in the center of the city more or less. It is just a few minutes from the port.

Playa de la Malagueta is the perfect place for a day in the sun or that reinvigorating swim in the sea. For the fitness lovers, there are also many places where you can exercise yourself and burn the extra calories you’ll get from the delicious paellas.

Playa de la Malagueta
Paseo Marítimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso, s/n, 29016 Málaga, Spain
+34 951 92 60 20

Come on and wine about it

After a long walk, I think everybody deserves a break, huh? And every break demands a drink – at least to me, ok? Judge me all you want. Lol. Did you know that Malaga is famous for its exceptional wine? Well, it is. For this, I think there is no better place than Antigua Casa de Guardia.

Antigua Casa de Guardia is the oldest wine bar in Malaga. It is full of charm, and a must-go place for at least one glass of wine. This bar is like an institution in Malaga.

Unchanged for only god knows how many years; it is just a hole in the wall. Inside you’ll find all sorts of local people and the opportunity to taste several of Malaga’s best wines directly from the barrels along the wall. Your order will be chalked up on the rough plank of a bar! Simply amazing! It is loud like Spain must be and the atmosphere is fantastic. If you’re hungry check out the fresh fruits and food across the street on the Central Market Atarazanas. That is another item on this list, by the way.

Antigua Casa de Guardia
Alameda Principal, 18, 29005 Málaga, Spain
+34 952 21 46 80

More wine because we can

If you’re not a big fan of this kind of bar, you can have your wine in one of Malaga’s best places to eat, Bodega Bar El Pimpi. This place has the best Shrimp Russian Salad that I have ever eaten. Please don’t forget to order it, ok?

Bodega El Pimpi is an icon for Malaga’s cultural and social life . With walls filled with important clients’ photos and huge barrels of wine, this place is not just for food and drink but also photos. The decoration of this 18th-century building is 100% inspired by Spanish culture. So prepare yourself to see a lot of bullfighting and all. Some might not like it, some might get offended or sad, but it is part of their culture. I am personally 100% against bullfighting and everything related to animal suffering, but what can I say? I won’t impose my views.

Unless people ask me what I think, I try to keep my mouth shut, right? I’m just writing this here because I know many of you are like me, and I want to avoid surprises. Anyway, I think you shouldn’t skip this lovely place just because of some photos. I think you all should go and see that there is beauty in the Spanish culture beyond this madness with bulls. But I don’t want to talk about that here, if you guys want, we can have a conversation about this topic on our facebook group or on our twitter.

Just go there, introduce yourself and where you’re coming from and we’ll start a civil conversation. Show me your views and arguments, pro or against this. I’m all ears (eyes in this case, but you get the point). The space is yours.

But back to the wine talk, shall we?

Bodega El Pimpi is one of the best places to try the Sweet Wine produced in Málaga. The wine is made of Moscatel grapes and the local wine production dates back to when the Romans were there. The sweet and strong Malaga wine represents this city’s soul. And even tho I’m not a fan of sweet wine, this one is good. It is more to the Port wine family, so that’s why I liked it. Maybe you’ll love it, maybe you’ll hate it. But the truth is that after the 2nd or the 3rd one, you’ll be ordering the next all by yourself.

Bodega El Pimpi
Calle Granada, 62, 29015 Málaga, Spain

2000 years ago, 1000 years ago, and now at the same time

Right outside El Pimpi, you can see the Roman Theater and the Alcabaza. And by ‘right outside’, I mean you can see it from the tables outside while you drink your wine, ok?

The Roman Theater is from around 2000 years ago, the Alcabaza is from about 1000 years ago, and the place where you stand in the present. It is super magic this feeling of travelling back in time.

The Roman Theater is the oldest monument in Málaga, and it is fantastic. I have a thing for ruins and history, so this place was one of the highlights of the day for me. Built around the 2nd or 3rd century, this place is open for visitors. Over there, you’ll have an interactive exhibition, and it is for free. So finish your wine #3, check the Roman Theater and go back to El Pimpi for wine #4. Deal?

If you’re already too drunk and needs a walk to sober up a bit, check out the Alcabaza on the top of the hill, just next to the Roman Theater.

The Alcabaza is a massive Moorish fortress with the best view of Malaga. Even tho it is not for free, you can check it out on a Sunday. Remember that I told you about the free entrance Sunday? So…

This place is by far one of the best-preserved Moorish fortresses I’ve seen in Spain. And since it is on the top of a hill, the view is to die for. You’ll easily spot the port, Malagueta beach and more. From there you can see everything, so prepare your camera.

Besides serving as a fortress, the ‘king’ used that place as his palace. You can see the Arab influence in the architecture all over the place. And the gardens inside are so pretty… I can imagine why the royalty chose that place to call home. The view, the weather, the garden… Just wonderful! Use this to your advantage and relax and drink some water, if you don’t want to sober up, get down and order some more wine. I won’t judge you.

Alcazaba of Málaga

Calle Alcazabilla, 2, 29012 Málaga, Spain

Roman Theatre

Calle Alcazabilla, S/N, 29005 Málaga, Spain

Visit a church while you’re drunk

Our next stop on this list is the Cathedral of Malaga. And please do not show up there after 5 wines, ok? It was only a joke.

This Cathedral is an imposing and majestic building in the middle of Malaga’s old town. It was constructed over 200 hundred years, from 1528 until 1782 and it is still not finished. The original plan was to have two big towers but you know, money does not grow on trees and they were able to finish only one. You can see the different styles of this church just by looking at it from the outside. 200 years means a lot of trends and styles, you know? I thought it was super interesting.

They call it La Manquita, which translates to something like “One-Armed Woman”. I think it is pretty obvious why right?

Cathedral of Malaga
Calle Molina Lario, 9, 29015 Málaga, Spain

See Malaga from the top

There is a giant Ferris Wheel in Malaga and from the very top of it you can see the whole city and much more. The place is called Noria Mirador Princess and it is about 10€ per adult (children is around 7€). If you have time to spare, try to get one sunset from there or go during lunchtime. One option is for the most beautiful colours you’ll see and the other will maximize how far you can see.

Noria Mirador Princess
Muelle de Heredia, Malaga, Spain

We need to talk about seafood

If you’re like me, a person completely in love with seafood, you’ll find your heaven in Malaga.

Remember to the top of this post when I said that Malaga was extraordinary for some blablabla reasons, and one of those reasons where seafood? Well, it is true.

Please make sure that one of your food stops is Los Mellizos, in the old town. The food there is so good, delicious, and fantastic that I wanted to go back and eat there again, but my mom said no. She said we only had two nights and needed to try more places. She was right but still… I regret not going back.

While there, check if they have an octopus. Remember in my post about Barcelona that I mentioned that I’d tried an octopus dish, and it instantly became my favourite dish ever? Los Mellizos have the same dish on their menu. Just saying… Pulpo a Gallega or Polbo á feira is what you’ll be looking for, ok?

But if you want to dine outside of the Old Town, by walking around the beach promenade, you’ll see loads and loads of options serving the next best thing about Malaga: grilled sardines. The places will be doing the BBQ on the beach, ok? Right in front of you, ok? It will be magic, ok? (OMG, I’m so hungry right now)

I’ll give you a pro tip if you’re on the sardines team: go for lunchtime. It is amazing the experience to have fresh fish and the Mediterranean sea at the same time. Order a big jar of Sangria and embrace the day drinking.

Los Mellizos
Calle Sancha de Lara, 7, 29015 Málaga, Spain

Take a walk at Paseo España

The palm trees and colorful flowers lays between the old town and new port. This park is a huge corridor connecting the old Malaga with the new Malaga. Paseo España or simply, Paseo Parque. It is the nicest walk you can have in Malaga. But you can also walk on the other side of the big Avenue called Paseo de los Curas but why would you do that?

Created in 1890´s the park is famous for its exotic and colorful plants, cute birds you can see singing from the top of the trees and the music concerts that happen every Sunday around lunch time there.

Paseo España is another great free option of things to do in Malaga.

Check the newest version of Malaga

Five years ago some renovations transformed the Malaga’s port quay into a recreation and commerce center. Shops, restaurants and bars are lined in front of the bay. Even the Pompidou is there. After Paseo de España, you’ll arrive at the port.

It is a perfect place to see the sun goes down and while you enjoy the summer breeze in your face. Shops, ice cream parlors, restaurants and bars. This side of Malaga has it all and everything is new and modern.

Designed by the architect Jerónimo Junquera the massive central Pérgola del Palmeral de las Sorpresas changes the city’s landscape with mastery. This port is one of the oldest in the world, it has around 3000 years old.

You can thank me later for the unforgettable sunset, ok?

Let’s mix cars and fashion just to make you ask yourself, “What?”

Located a bit far from the rest of the items in this list, this museum is a must if you’re into rare, original and vintage dresses and cars.

This museum is in the historic Tabacalera Building, renovated for the museum. If you’re not into cars or fashion, go for the building.

There are over 80 cars inside, and each and everyone is displayed next to a dress from the era the car is. The whole place is a private collection of a Portuguese guy that wanted to show that automobiles and fashion go together like cheese and wine.

There are cars – and dresses- made in every decade since the cars were invented. Most of them have been beautifully restored, some repainted, and some created just for this collection. This museum is probably the best car museum in the whole country.

Everything from Rolls Royce to concept cars. And the dresses range from original – and vintage – and Chanel to Oscar de la Renta.

It is not everywhere you can find such a vast and well-preserved collection of fashion and cars history. I know I never saw a more unique museum.

Museo Automovilistico
Av de Sor Teresa Prat, 15, 29003 Málaga, Spain

And for the last position, we save the best: Picasso

Like I said before, Picasso was born in Malaga. And did you know that his whole name was Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso? No? Neither do I. I’ve learned that in Malaga. For obvious reasons, he chose to use only the first and the last name, of course.

Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga, in the heart of the city. There’s even a statue of Picasso sitting almost in front of the house he was born. The city has a museum devoted to Picasso’s life and work and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday. The admission is around €10, but like I said: Free entrance on Sundays in Malaga. Show up there between 6 pm – 8 pm and this museum will be for free.

In another corner of the old town, at Plaza de La Merced, you can find Casa Natal, Picasso’s birthplace. The name of this place is Fundación Picasso. Inside there is a permanent exhibition showcasing some of his first works and many objects from his childhood.

Museo Picasso Málaga
Palacio de Buenavista, Calle San Agustín, 8, 29015 Málaga, Spain

Fundación Picasso
Plaza de la Merced, 15, 29012 Málaga, Spain

How to get your ass all the way to Malaga

Malaga has a busy airport with a connection to almost all the other European countries. There are new direct flights being open every year and there’s loads of low-cost flying there. If you rather go by train or bus it is super easy, the buses in Spain usually offer free wifi and are a cheap way to travel. We did Malaga~Lisbon and it was a piece of cake even tho it was 8 or 9 hours. And BlaBlaCar is super famous in Spain and works like a charm, make sure you have a profile there if you want to save money.

For people wanting to explore Spain a bit further, Malaga may not be the best starting point as you can find cheaper flights to Barcelona or Madrid. This guide to a week in Spain explain more your possibilities.

You can get to Malaga by train too. I and my mom arrived there without a problem from Valencia by train. Consider getting a Eurail/Interrail pass. If you’re planing to include Malaga in your first Eurotrip, check out our guide on how to plan your Eurotrip like a pro.

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