Find out how to have fun in Málaga and where to go on excursions.
Sights and history
Although Málaga isn't one of the most famous historic cities, it certainly has a lot to offer and you can spend at least one full day exploring the local sights. In Málaga, you can take in sights from antiquity, the Arab Moors and the Spanish kingdom.
Check out the best sights in Málaga.
Beaches and swimming
As part of the famous Costa del Sol holiday coast, Málaga boasts several beautiful urban beaches. These stand out for their cleanliness despite being practically right in the centre of the city. The local beaches are covered with fine, light sand, all lined with beautiful pedestrian promenades with palm trees and dozens of restaurants, and all have a gentle entrance to the sea.
The top 3 most beautiful beaches in Málaga are:
The real beach eldorado starts just outside Málaga. Dozens of kilometres of beaches on the famous Costa del Sol will welcome lovers of lively resorts with many attractions, but also quieter smaller villages.
Book a hotel by the beach in Málaga
Nightlife
All major Spanish cities are bursting with nightlife, which the Spanish can enjoy to the full. It should come as no surprise that the streets of Málaga are much livelier at night than during the day. The real life doesn't really start until sometime between 7pm and 8pm and doesn't end until around 3am.
The centre of Málaga is full of great tapas bars, clubs and restaurants, with the greatest concentration around the Plaza de Uncibay in the historic centre, but also around the La Malagueta district and around the harbour on the Muelle Uno promenade.
A trip to Ronda
One of the most popular destinations throughout Andalusia is the historic town of Ronda in the hinterland. Take in the sight of the iconic bridge connecting the two parts of Ronda on high cliffs divided by a deep gorge.
A trip to Ronda can easily be done in a day. The journey takes about an hour and a half by car, and about 2 hours by bus.
For complete information on transport, sights and accommodation, see our mini-guide to Ronda.
Hiking the Caminito del Rey
Another world-famous attraction near Málaga is the spectacular Caminito del Rey, the Royal Route. The trail, literally pinned to 300-metre-high rock walls, winds its way through narrow gorges, arches over deep valleys and passes through idyllic forests.
Set aside at least 2 full days from Málaga for the Caminito del Rey. It takes about 3.5 hours to walk the entire trail, and another 45 minutes one way from Málaga by car or train. There are a large number of other hiking trails around Caminito del Rey.
The Caminito del Rey is also suitable for less trained hikers, practically all of it goes gently downhill and the paths are safe.
You can find detailed information in our mini-guide to the Caminito del Rey.
A trip to Gibraltar
The southern coast of Spain hides the natural and cultural gem that is the iconic Rock of Gibraltar. Strictly speaking, Gibraltar does not lie on the coast of Spain, but is a dependent territory of Great Britain, which adds to its appeal.
And Gibraltar in particular is one of the frequent excursions when staying in Málaga. In this case, however, it is already a must to spend at least one night in Gibraltar or in the nearby Spanish town of La Línea, where accommodation is cheaper.
The drive from Málaga to Gibraltar is 129 km and takes about an hour and a half. If you drive all the way on the motorway, you will pay 10 eur in tolls.
Public transport is catered for by Avanza buses which run from Málaga to the border town of La Línea. Buses run 5 times a day on this route and the journey takes around 2.5 hours. A one-way ticket costs about 14 eur, and you can book tickets at booking.avanza.com.
Trip to Granada
The last of the trips we'd recommend for a longer stay in Málaga is definitely the city of Granada in the Spanish interior. With the world-famous Alhambra fortress and the highest mountain in mainland Spain, the 3,478-metre Mulhacén, rising just a few kilometres from the city, Granada is one of the most visited places on the Iberian Peninsula.
- A detailed guide to Granada
Granada is 127 km from Málaga by motorway, which is not toll-free.
Public transport is best served by the Alsa buses, which leave every half hour en route. They make the journey in an hour and three-quarters and a one-way ticket, best bought via the alsa.es website, works out at about 12 eur.
The alternative connection is by rail, but it only runs 3 times a day between the towns and the journey takes almost 3 hours. Tickets are comparable in price to bus travel and can be purchased from renfe.com.
Málaga Feria
Spaniards love the various fiestas, and every major city always has at least one fiesta during the year that far exceeds the others. Málaga is no exception. The most exuberant fiesta is the so-called Málaga Feria, celebrating the reconquista of the city by Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II. Aragon in 1487.
This fiesta is held from Saturday to Sunday (9 days in total) throughout the third week of August each year. Expect lavish parades along the Passeo del Parque each evening, dazzling fireworks displays and a rich cultural programme at the Exhibition and Congress Palace in Málaga's western suburbs.
