The top museums in Málaga at a glance
Must visit: The Picasso Museum
Best history museum: Málaga Museum
Best museum for kids: Interactive Music Museum
Best modern art gallery: Pompidou Málaga
Most famous for its beaches and as the gateway to the Costa del Sol, Málaga isn’t often looked on as a cultural destination. Too often it’s left off from Andalucía itineraries.
But when we visited we were delighted to discover in Málaga a fascinating, underrated city, with one of the best collection of museums we’ve seen anywhere in Spain. There are more than 40! Here’s my guide to the best museums in Málaga.
Museo Picasso Málaga
Málaga’s most popular museum is the city’s one true must-visit.
It’s a chance to learn about the life and work of one of the world’s most famous artists, in the city he was from. Throughout the museum, you’ll find art from throughout his career wide-spanning career. Honestly, until I visited, I hadn’t fully appreciated just how varied Picasso’s work is.
The museum also hosts excellent temporary exhibitions from a range of artists. For example, when we visited one of the surprising highlights was a temporary exhibition of photography by Joel Meyerowitz from his trip across Europe.
Visit website.
Book your ticket on Get Your Guide.
Casa Natal de Picasso (Birthplace Museum Málaga)
For a bit more of an insight into Picasso, head to the Casa Natal de Picasso museum – his birthplace. It aims to show the house Picasso grew up in, as it was at the time – and also features a number of his works. Even if you’re not a Picasso obsessive, the museum is worth visiting for an insight into life in Málaga in the 19th century.
Visit website.
Book your ticket on Get Your Guide.
Interactive Music Museum Málaga
There are plenty of music-based museums around Southern Spain, but this is surely the best. Fun, hands on and beautifully set out, it’s an excellent museum to visit for kids and adults alike.
There are a number of sections, including a fascinating exhibition exploring the history of musical instruments from across the world. You’ll have opportunities to listen to many – I discovered plenty of instruments the world over I’d never even heard of before. And you can try your hand at a few. The museum also offers flamenco shows, which you can book when you purchase your ticket.
Málaga Museum
The biggest museum in Andalucía and 5th biggest in all of Spain, the museum of Málaga tells the story of the city. Over two floors, all well laid out and recently renovated, it covers the history of Málaga through more than 15,000 artefacts. It covers all the key eras and different civilisations of Málaga’s history – from early Phoenician settlers, to Roman and Moorish Málaga. There are also rooms showcasing more modern art, from the 19th and 20th century.
Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga
One of the best art galleries in Southern Spain, and part of the gigantic Carmen Thyssen collection (which also has a major museum in Madrid). Carmen Thyssen Málaga specialises in 19th century Spanish art, with a specific focus on Andalucían artists – making it a great way to get an insight into the region’s culture.
Visit website.
Book your ticket on Get Your Guide.
Centre Pompidou Málaga
Housed in a distinctive multi-coloured cube on Málaga’s seafront is this offshoot of the iconic Pompidou Centre. It hosts a rotating selection from the Paris museum’s huge collection – meaning that Málaga gets to host a share of one of the world’s best collections of contemporary art.
We weren’t actually planning to visit, but it’s one of the few museums in Málaga actually open on Mondays! And boy, were we glad we went. Some of the installations were genuinely jaw-dropping – both in beauty, and pure size. It’s also a good gallery to take kids to.
When we visited, we were treated to a giant David Hockney, spanning an entire wall. Well worth a visit.
Visit website.
Book your ticket on Get Your Guide.
ARS Málaga – the Episcopal Palace
I’ll be honest, I had to include ARS Málaga in my list of the best museums in the city. Not because of the museum itself, but because of the building.
Housed in the colourful 18th century Bishop’s Palace, opposite the Cathedral, it’s one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Part of the building is now a museum, run by the Unicaja Foundation and hosting temporary exhibits. Visiting the museum is a chance to see a section of the interior of one of Málaga’s most iconic buildings.
Museum of Glass and Crystal Málaga
One of Málaga’s more unusual museums, the Museum of Glass and Crystal is home to a private collection of more than 3,000 pieces from throughout history. It tells the story of how glass has been used throughout history.
Like ARS Málaga, part of the attraction is the building itself, a stunningly restored 18th century palace. Visits are by guided tour only.
Not to be missed: Málaga’s historic sights
While not technically museums, anyone with an interest in history should also make sure to visit Málaga’s key historic attractions. The top three can all be found in the same area, and they are:
- The Alcazaba, a stunning Moorish palace and fortress
- Gibralfaro Castle, a hilltop Moorish defensive fortress
- The Roman Theatre
You can book a walking tour, to visit these sights and learn about them from a local guide.
In this blog I’ve outlined a handful of the very best museums in Málaga. If that’s not enough art and culture for you, you can see a list of all of the museums and galleries in Málaga here. If you’re visiting Málaga as part of a wider trip to Southern Spain, make sure to check out my Andalucía museum guide.
Read my other Andalucía guides
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