Málaga is home to one of Spain’s busiest airports. Millions stream through it every year on their way to the beaches of the Costa del Sol. But many skip the city of Málaga itself.
Slowly, this is changing, as the city defines itself as a destination in and of itself. And for good reason. Here are seven reasons why you should visit Málaga.
A city of art
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the city that gave birth to art royalty in the form of Picasso has a strong creative scene. But for many people, it is. Málaga’s art scene is truly world class, and it’s not all about Picasso, either (though the Picasso Museum is of course a must visit!).
Málaga brands itself as a city of museums. It’s home to more than 40 of them, covering everything from Málaga’s customs and traditions, to its history, to glassmaking, to music. Among these are a number of the best art galleries in Spain.
Carmen Thyssen Museum Malaga is one of the highlights, showcasing some of the humongous Thyssen collection with a focus on art from the South of Spain. Elsewhere is the first Pompidou Centre outside of France, showcasing a rolling selection of some of the best pieces from one of the finest collections of modern art in the world.
Add to this MAUS – Málaga’s grassroots street art movement, which has covered the walls of a district in central Málaga with edgy, sometimes huge murals – and you have one of Spain’s truly great art cities, a must visit for art lovers.
Read my guide to Málaga’s best museums here.
Málaga’s ancient and winding history
An ancient Phoenician trading post; the edge of the Roman Empire; part of the Muslim caliphate of Al-Andalus; a wealthy Spanish port town – Málaga’s history is a microcosm of Andalucía’s, shaped by so many civilisations. This is reflected in its streets and monuments, adding to the allure of its centre.
Presiding over the old town is not just one, but two Moorish castles. First is the Alcazaba, a stunning palace and fortress where the Muslim rulers of the region lived, one of the best-preserved in all of Spain. Above it is the Gibralfaro Castle, dominating Málaga’s skyline, built in a later period (14th century) to protect the Alcazaba and considered one of the most impregnable fortresses in Spain.
Below these two fortresses is Málaga’s Roman Theatre, discovered in the 1950s. Ancient history is all around you in Málaga. I even stumbled into some ruins of Phoenician and Roman Málaga, totally unaware they were there, in the basement of the Picasso Museum!
Málaga’s beautiful old town & impressive monuments
Even in a region of Spain where just about every historic centre is a knockout, Málaga more than holds its own. Boasting a history of more than 2,000 years, it’s filled with beautiful plazas, wide open boulevards and narrow, medieval lanes.
It has its fair share of astonishing architecture, too – from the iconic cathedral, to the extravagant Spanish baroque of the colourful former Bishop’s Palace (now a museum), to the neo-Mudejar stained glass of the central market.
The best way to discover Málaga’s old town is simply to explore. It’s quite large, almost entirely pedestrianised, and feels like a safe, clean and friendly town. Get lost in its winding streets and wide boulevards.
Another great way to discover it – to learn about its history, discover its highlights and a few hidden gems – is to go on a walking tour. Book the top rated option here, which includes entry to key attractions.
Gateway to natural beauty
When you think of the Costa del Sol, natural beauty might not be the first thing to come to mind. But around Málaga is some truly wonderful scenery. To the north is El Torcal de Antequera, a national park with stunning limestone rock formations, as well as Caminito del Rey, one of the highlights from our trip to Spain. Once called ‘the world’s most dangerous walkway’, it’s now an unforgettable (and totally safe) guided walk through a gorge. Book here, including transport.
To the east is even more natural beauty – another mountainous natural park with many hikes, dotted with white towns such as the gorgeous Frigliania. There’s also plenty of excellent coastline, and the famous Nerja cave complex.
And if it is the Costa del Sol you want, you can get that too. From the centre of Málaga you can easily and quickly reach the famous resorts such as Torremolinos and Marbella, for their sweeping (and crowded) beaches.
Gardens and greenery in Málaga
There’s plenty of natural beauty in Málaga itself, too. Dotted around town are towering palm trees, and along the waterfront is a delightful stroll. Right in the centre of town is the Parque de Málaga, a small botanical garden filled with plants from across the world and chirping parakeets. A little further out are the La Concepción Historical Botanical Garden, which call themselves the “best-preserved subtropical landscape garden in Europe”.
While just outside the airport is another green oasis, Paraje Natural del Guadalhorce, a spot for easy hiking and wetland birds.
Málaga’s music scene
Photo credit: Shubhika Bharathwaj, via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons
Like much of Andalucía, Málaga has a rich music history. All over the city you’ll find top flamenco bars. The top place to catch a show is Flamenco Alegría, an excellent tablao popular with tourists. It brings together high quality artists from across the region to create shows in an atmospheric setting. It’s where we went while in Málaga, and I highly recommend it – book here.
The city’s music heritage is also reflected in its museums. The interactive music museum is especially fantastic and one of Malaga’s best museums. It charts the history of musical instruments across the globe and with plenty of opportunities to try your hand at a whole host of instruments. They also put on flamenco shows, which you can book along with your tickets.
Discover Málaga’s tapas bars
Honestly, some of the best food we had in Spain was in Málaga. The tapas scene is excellent – as is, of course, the seafood. A couple of spots we especially loved were Illari Puerto, the central market (which has loads of choice!) and Restaurante Esquina Padilla.
For seafood, catch one of the many buses along the seafront.to an area called Pedregalejo – the old fishing quarter, with a nice long beach and seafood restaurants spilling out to the water.
Hopefully this blog has convinced you that Málaga isn’t a city to miss as part of your trip to Andalucía – it’s one of the best places to visit in Southern Spain. Find your perfect Málaga accommodation using the tool below! And if you’re looking for a guide of things to do in the city, read this blog on thetop 10 things to do in Malaga.
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