Sights and activities in Málaga
Alcazaba – the most popular attraction in Málaga, a powerful military fortress built by the Moors (medieval Muslim inhabitants of the region) on a hill overlooking the city on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. The castle Castillo de Gibralfaro is located just above the fortress and dates from the same period. Málaga's Roman theatre lies at the bottom of the fortress.
Museums – Málaga has around 30 museums to explore, the most famous being the Málaga Picasso Museum. Other museums include the Centro Pompidou de Málaga, Colección del Museo Ruso (Collection of the Russian Museum), Málaga Municipal Museum, Museo del Automóvil y la Moda de Málaga (Automobile and Fashion Museum of Málaga) and Museo del Vidrio y del Cristal de Málaga (Glass and Crystal Museum of Málaga).
Jardín Botánico – a large tropical-inspired botanical garden in downtown Málaga.
Catedral de la Encarnación – a magnificent cathedral from the 1600s, located in the old city. Another impressive building is the Plaza de Toros – Málaga's great bullring.
Beaches – Málaga is the capital of Costa del Sol and has several kilometres of beautiful sandy beaches. The most popular are La Malagueta and La Caleta. The beaches are located along the Pablo Ruiz Picasso boardwalk, which is lined with restaurants and bars.
Shopping in Málaga
Calle Marqués de Larios and Calle Nueva – the main shopping streets of Málaga, lying parallel to each other. The shopping here is dominated by shoes and fashion, and most of the Spanish clothing giants are represented.
El Corte Inglés – a Spanish department store chain with a wide range of goods, close to Calle Marqués de Larios and Calle Nueva.
Centro Larios and Plaza Mayor – two large shopping centres with everything from clothing and restaurants to bowling and cinema.
Mercado Central Atarazanas – buy delicious fresh vegetables, meat, fish, cheese and spices at budget-friendly prices. A great place to buy souvenirs, gifts or something tasty and inexpensive to eat.
Mercadillo Baños del Carmen – Málaga's largest outdoor market.
Spanish food & drinks in Málaga
A trip to Málaga is not complete without a visit to one of the city’s many affordable tapas bars. The most common foods in Málaga are seafood and various soup dishes, some of which originate from Roman or Moorish times. Grilled fish is also a popular beach snack that you can buy from shacks called chiringuitos.
Tapas – miniature portions of various dishes, served cold or hot. Tapas are very popular in Spain and often ordered and eaten while standing at the bar. Enjoy them as small starters or snacks, or order several to make up a meal; in Spain it’s most common to eat tapas between meals.
Gazpacho – a cold soup made of tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, olive oil, garlic and water, sometimes served with a hard-boiled egg or ham.
Porra Antequerana – a thicker cold soup with the same ingredients as gazpacho, but without water.
Ajoblanco – a cold soup with garlic, olive oil and ground-up peeled and roasted almonds. Served with white Muscat grapes.
Gazpachuelo Malagueño – a fish and potato soup with vinegar. Served with hard-boiled eggs and toast.
Boquerones – anchovies, often fried in oil.
Boquerones en vinagre – uncooked vinegar-marinated anchovies, often served as tapas.
Fritura Malagueña – several different varieties of seafood (fish, shellfish, squid, etc.) fried together.
Espetos de Sardinas – sardines roasted on a skewer and grilled, often served at chiringuitos on the beach.
Berza Malagueña – a cabbage stew with beans, beef, chicken, pork, vegetables and spices.
Gachas Malagueñas – a winter dessert of fried bread pieces with a sweet hot sauce.
Mosto – a sweet wine made from Muscat grapes.
Moroccan tea house – known for a large selection of teas and other non-alcoholic beverages.
Other typically Spanish drinks are sangria (red wine, fruit juice and ice) and Cava (the Spanish equivalent of champagne).
Things to see and do near Málaga
From Málaga you can easily get to other cities along the coast, and even across the Strait of Gibraltar.
Nerja – a village known for its Arab neighbourhood of whitewashed houses and a stalactite cave, Cueva de Nerja, approximately one hour from Málaga.
Córdoba – a village with a beautiful mosque (Mezquita), synagogue and the traditional Jewish quarter.
Playa Las Acacias – several beautiful beaches with the Blue Flag eco-label (a mark of water quality and beach safety), a few miles east of downtown Málaga.
Granada – the city with the Moorish Alhambra Palace, the Gothic Cathedral and the Arab Quarter of Albaicín, between 90–120 minutes by bus from Málaga.
Nature adventures – Selwo in Estepona (a natural park with adventure activities) and Caminito del Rey (a walking trail running along the cliffs of a steep-walled gorge).
Gibraltar – take a daytrip across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco and visit the city of Tangier; remember to bring your passport when travelling.
Fuengirola – easily accessible due to great infrastructure, this lively town is a popular tourist hotspot that attracts visitors with its gorgeous sandy beaches and vibrant atmosphere. In addition to relaxing at the beach, it’s worth visiting Finca del Secretario, archeological ruins from the Roman period, and Sohail Castle.
Torremolinos – this former fishing village is now a popular resort town where you can find numerous sunny beaches and many entertainment options to choose from. Head to La Carihuela, a charming fishing neighbourhood, to taste exquisite seafood or walk along Paseo Marítimo, a seaside promenade lined with shops, bars and cafes. Attractions such as the Crocodile Park and Aqualand Torremolinos are also popular among tourists.
Marbella – if you’re seeking a bit of luxury and glamour, Marbella is the place to be. Relax on sun-kissed beaches, dine in fine restaurants and discover the famous marina Puerto Banús, known for its luxury yachts, designer boutiques and vibrant nightlife.
Benalmádena – just 20km from Málaga, this coastal town boasts a long coastline with a number of beaches and a spectacular marina. Known for its stunning views, seaside activities and family-friendly attractions such as Tivoli World, Benalmádena is a perfect tourist resort.
Mijas – a charming coastline town where you can admire stunning views of the sea on a hillside and enjoy the beach. Walking along the narrow streets snaking between gorgeous whitewashed buildings, you can take in the town’s unique history and discover sights such as Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Peña and Mijas Bullring.
Ronda – a town spread out on mountainous terrain, about 100km from Malaga. It is famous for its gorge and the Puente Nuevo bridge that crosses it, offering breathtaking views. The city is also the home to Plaza de Toros de Ronda, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings, and the well-preserved Arab baths.
