THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MALAGA
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MALAGA

INTRODUCTION: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MALAGA
THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MALAGA: Have you been considering a beach vacation to Spain and spend time on the Mediterranean Coast? Are you considering Malaga on the Costa del Sol but you need some more information before you make your final decision? Then you’ve come to the right place. This post will outline some of the highlights and points of interest of Malaga to help you plan your best vacation ever. As someone who has lived in the area for over a decade and explored a lot of the region, I’m glad to share my insider knowledge of this town on the Mediterranean.
(To find out more about this region see our related posts: Costa Del Sol, Guide to the Coast of Spain, and Guide to the Mediterranean Coast)

Location
Malaga is located on the south coast of Spain about 100km east of Gibraltar. Malaga has a population of almost 600000 making it the 6th most populous city in Spain. This is a port city with a long history and has been home to several different cultures. Even after all of this time, the influence of all of these cultures can still be seen to this day. Tourism has played an important role in the development of the city during the 20th century and to this day. With the Mediterranean climate, over 300 days of sun a year, and being the largest city on the Costa del Sol, Malaga is a major tourist destination in Spain.

History
Malaga first began as a Phoenician colony named “Malaka” around 770 BC. The city was then taken over by Carthage in the 6th century BC. This was followed by the Romans around the 1st century BC. It was then ruled by the Visigoths and then the Byzantines until the Islamic conquest around 711 AD. It stayed under Islamic rule until it was seized by Christian forces in 1487. From that point on it has remained under Christian rule. Evidence of the various periods and influences can be seen throughout the city. Some examples of these are listed below under “Things to See in Malaga”.
(To find out more about this regions, check out related posts on Costa Del Sol and Guide to the Coast of Spain and Guide to the Mediterranean Coast).

WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MALAGA?
See the Sights in Malaga
First things first. There is a whole list of sites to see right in the city itself, many of them located in or near Malaga’s “Old Town”. In addition to the tourist sites themselves, the area is lined with outdoor cafes and restaurants. Plan a whole day, bring your camera, and be ready to take some excellent photos.
-Alcazaba fortress
-Gibralfaro Castle
-Malaga Cathedral
-Picasso Museum (Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century)
-Thyssen Museum
-Roman amphitheater (accidentally discovered in 1951)
-the port of Malaga
-the bullring of the Royal Cavalry of Ronda
-The Bishop’s Palace (Palacio del Obispado)
-The Atarazanas Market

Beaches
One of the big selling points for the Costa del Sol are the beaches and this holds true for Malaga as well. With beaches directly within town, you can easily do some sightseeing in the city and end with a swim in the Mediterranean to wrap up your day.
-La Malagueta Beach, this beach is located near the city center and is the most popular beach in Malaga
-Playa de la Caleta, a quieter beach
-Playa de Pedregalejo, fishing village atmosphere
-Palo Beach, family-friendly
-Playa the la Huelin, located near the port

Water Sports and Activities
With so many sunny days, a Mediterranean climate, and being directly on the water, there are naturally a lot of water sports and activities that you can do: swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite-surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, paddle boarding, parasailing, wakeboarding, and sailing. If it can be done on water, it can be done here.

Boat Tours
Also available are various boat tours with tours lasting anywhere from less than an hour to the whole day, with most going up and down the Mediterranean coast from where you can enjoy views of the Costa del Sol from the sea.

Nightlife and Entertainment
As the “capital” city of the Costa del Sol, you will find a wide range of entertainment here for every taste and music direction. This is not a quiet little fishing village. The entertainment ranges from tapas bars and restaurants, theater performances, flamenco shows, dance clubs, and parties to live music concerts.
Shopping
In Malaga, you will find ample shopping opportunities. Your first stop should be the shopping district that runs along the Calle Larios in the “Old Town” starting near the port and running north/south. This is a pedestrian area lined with various shops including world-renowned fashion brands, and outdoor cafes and restaurants. You can also check out the Atarazanas market (see below) or the Ingles Cortez shopping mall.

Andalusian cuisine
If you are looking for food, then make your way to the Atarazanas market. Housed in an old shipyard building of Arab origin, this indoor food market has everything related to food which of course includes local delicacies served at various stands located throughout the hall.
Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a classic dish that originates from Andalusia. It is a cold soup made of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, garlic, bread, olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt. This is a standard meal in this region, in particular during the hot summers.
Tapas
In Malaga, one of the traditions in this area is to go on a tapas tour or “Ir de Tapas” which involves visiting several bars and restaurants and sampling different foods and drinks.
Seafood
Malaga is on the coast of Spain, so of course you will find fresh seafood (caught daily)featuring quite high on most menus. This is a great opportunity to try different seafood dishes such as paella and pescaito frito which are normally small fish (anchovies, sardines, or baby squid) dipped in batter and deep fried until golden and crispy.

Golf
There are a total of 70 golf courses in the Costa del Sol. With a wide range of courses available to suit both amateurs and pros and with year-round nice weather, you can play anytime. There are about a dozen courses within a short drive from Malaga.
Day Trips
Ronda
A great day trip option is to visit the town of Ronda which is home to its iconic bridge, “Puente Nuevo” or new bridge, built back in the 18th century over the El Tajo Gorge. Another main attraction is the old town of Ronda, which is a maze of cobble-stoned streets and white-washed houses. Take the time to walk around and explore this town and make sure to try one of the locally produced wines.

Nerja
Nerja is a small seaside town located about 50km east of Malaga on the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol. Unlike other locations on the Spanish coast, this town has not been overtaken by highrises and commercial development and still maintains that small town laid-back feel. In nearby Maro, take time to visit the famous caves that were discovered back in 1959.

Mijas
Located about 20 southwest of Malaga and perched on a hillside about 4km from the coast, this white-washed village is an ideal day trip location. The town has narrow cobble-stoned streets, outdoor cafes and restaurants in the “downtown” area, and excellent views of the surrounding hills and the Mediterranean Sea.

Antequera
Antequera is located about 30km north of Malaga. It is a mid-sized city of about 40000 inhabitants, with a high concentration of historical sights and buildings all in one area. There is a series of churches, monasteries and convents, palaces, arches, gates, shrines and a citadel. Nearby is the natural reserve of El Torcal with its landscape of limestone rocks. On the outskirts of the city, there are two Bronze Age burial mounds dating back to the 3rd millennium BCE.
Caminito Del Rey
If you are looking for a hiking trail with a twist, this 8km trail may be just the ticket. This trail consists of an engineered elevated walkway that makes its way along the walls of a gorge with spectacular views of the river below. The trail is located about 35km from Malaga and there are organized bus tours that will take you to the trails where you can complete the hike as part of an organized tour.
Note: whether you choose to go as part of a group or individually, you will need to book in advance.

Practical Information: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MALAGA
Peak Tourist Season
The peak tourist season is during July and August when most regions of Europe have their school breaks. And of course, this is when the weather is at its hottest. The end result is that millions of Europeans end up heading to the coast all at the same time.
Tip: If you are looking for a less hectic experience in Spain, you might want to consider traveling in May/June or in Sept/October. The weather is still exceptionally nice and you can escape the large crowds.

Accommodations
The main industry in the Costa del Sol is tourism so there is no shortage of hotel accommodations in the area. However, as mentioned above, summer is the busiest time in the area so I recommend that you book well in advance. There are hotels and Air BnBs in all of the different locations on the Costa del Sol and in the surrounding towns. Your best bet is to check online for available places and book as soon as you can. Check out the link below for places available right now.

FINAL THOUGHTS: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MALAGA
Malaga is an excellent vacation destination in Spain. It hits all the marks when considering a beach holiday with all of the amenities and entertainment possibilities of a big city. With its rich history, there are various sites and buildings that you can visit right within the city. Within a short distance from the city are several great day trip destinations. Being directly on the Mediterranean Sea, with beaches directly within the town, there is no end to the water sports and activities that you can do. In short, Malaga represents a great vacation destination, second to none.

“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”
How about experiencing the Mediterranean first hand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!
Reg Auge
Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.