Lovers of historical past, sunshine, tapas, wine, and all-night events will discover one million and one issues to do in Malaga. We certain did!
Malaga, and Southern Spain on the whole, is form of just like the reward that retains on giving. Birthplace of Pablo Picasso AND Antonio Banderas (the best actor ever to stroll the earth) this metropolis on Spain’s Costa del Sol additionally provides us 300 days of solar a yr. Consequently it has the mildest winters in Europe. It is usually house to historic cathedrals and castles, scrumptious tapas, a vibrant celebration scene, and a number of the coolest road artwork we’ve seen since our time in Colombia. What’s to not love?
We just lately spent six weeks residing in Malaga, and utilizing it as a base of exploration for Costa del Sol and Andalucia. Malaga’s location makes catching trains or buses to Granada, Seville, Ronda, Cordoba, and Cadiz tremendous simple and tremendous handy. Those that wish to discover southern Spain will discover Malaga to be a terrific base.
Malaga additionally boasts all the trimmings of recent life, making it a handy base of operations for digital nomads and folks with a location unbiased way of life.
When to Go to Malaga
We had been in Malaga from January to March, and we completely beloved it. Winter in Malaga is like Spring in most different European areas, and we skilled gentle climate and loads of sunshine throughout our time. There have been a number of days of rain, and infrequently windy circumstances, however for essentially the most half we basked in sunny days, and blue skies.
The summer season months from June to September can get brutally sizzling in Andalucia so in case you are delicate to 40° C/90° F temperatures you may need to take into account visiting throughout Winter or Spring.
The weeks surrounding Easter, or Semana Santa, may be very hectic, so if you wish to keep away from crowds you shouldn’t go to between Palm Friday and Easter Sunday.
We reckon January to March, and October to November are excellent occasions to go to Malaga if you wish to dodge large crowds and scorching solar.
Issues to Do in Malaga
Among the many many issues to do in Malaga there are a number of which can be so apparent we don’t even suppose they’re price mentioning a lot. Tapas excursions, wine tasting, exploring the outdated heart, purchasing, visiting the seashore…these are just about staples of life in Malaga, and are going to be taking on a deal of your time. So we don’t actually have to debate them in any nice element.
Listed here are the opposite issues it’s essential do whereas in Malaga which may not be as apparent (and a pair that ARE).
Go to the Alcazaba of Malaga
Constructed within the eleventh Century by Berber King Badis visiting the Alcazaba of Málaga (which suggests citadel in Arabic) is likely one of the most necessary and historic issues to do in Malaga.
The Alcazaba initially served as each a defensive fortress and a palace for royalty, which is obvious by its design. Its intimate and peaceable gardens, patios, fountains, and swimming pools are encased by thick partitions, turrets, and battlements meant for protection. Grim reminders of Spain’s bloody previous are additionally readily explorable comparable to a dungeon the place slave women had been locked away after a protracted day’s work.
In the present day, the Alcazaba is a wonderful place to spend a sunny afternoon exploring, and having fun with sweeping views of the Malaga and its bay.
Enter Málaga Cathedral
Malaga’s Cathedral, formally named Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (Our Woman of Incarnation), is an Roman Catholic Church positioned a number of streets from the Roman Theatre. The imposing cathedral was constructed between 1528 and 1782, and though it’s within the Renaissance architectural custom the facade is within the Baroque type.
Sandwiched between extra modest buildings, admirers run the danger of straining their necks whereas gawking on the spectacular construction’s north tower (hovering at 276 ft tall) which makes it’s the second-highest constructing in Andalusia. Moreover, friends can benefit from the constructing’s exterior from one in all its quaint little gardens.
The religious and lovers of structure and can be handsomely rewarded for paying the modest €6.00 entrance price, as the inside of the church is nothing in need of gorgeous. It accommodates many treasures, together with two large organs with over 4,000 pipes, Gothic and neoclassic altarpieces, and biblical sculptures and art work.
Catch Views from Mount Gibralfaro
From the ramparts of Fort of Gibralfaro you get commanding views of Malaga’s Outdated City, its shoreline, and the mountains within the distance.
Mount Gibralfaro is barely a big hill, standing at 130 meters, however the hike up alongside a paved highway can get a bit steep, so in case you are in poor situation and it’s an excellent sizzling day you may need to take it slowly or under no circumstances. In any other case, this can be a fabulous place to catch day by day sunsets. In case you get fortunate the skies may explode in a riot of golden colours, as you may see above.
The fortress itself prices €3.00 to enter, and we advocate you do it a minimum of as soon as. There isn’t THAT a lot to see inside, however the partitions are cool to stroll alongside, and the small museum offers some attention-grabbing details and reveals associated to army warfare in Spain.
Spend Time on the Seashore
Undeniably the seashore goes to be excessive the checklist of how one can spend your time in Malaga. Better of all you are able to do this about 9 months out of the yr. Even within the deep winter months of January and February you’ll be capable to take a stroll alongside the coast and take within the views of the Mediterranean.
You possibly can vary up and down Costa del Sol, discovering seashores nearly in all places. Malaga itself is house to some sandy seashores as nicely, with Playa de la Malagueta positioned a really quick stroll from the very heart of Malaga.
Seashore Bars and Eating places (Chiringuitos)
Spending time on the seashore in Malaga isn’t nearly solar, sand, and sea. It entails chiringuitos, as nicely. These seashore bars/eating places supply up seafood, sangria, and shelter from the solar. There are tons of all of them alongside the seashores of Costa del Sol, and in case you are on the lookout for a seafood lunch it is best to hunt down any one in all these many institutions.
Get pleasure from Tapas and Sangria on the Plaza de la Merced
We spent most sunny afternoons sipping sangria and snacking on tapas in Plaza de la Malaga. It’s a energetic sq. buzzing with exercise, and a very good location for folks watching.
This historic sq., which is likely one of the most grand and exquisite in Malaga, is alleged to be the place Pablo Picasso took his first steps as a baby. It’s no shock contemplating the house the place Picasso was born is positioned in one of many buildings surrounding the sq.. In case you fancy a photograph op with the well-known Spanish artist, go to the bench in the west nook of the plaza the place a life-size bronze sculpture immortalizes him, making him a everlasting resident of town.
The middle of the sq. is dedicated to an imposing obelisk monument devoted to the Spanish army determine José María de Torrijos y Uriarte, who died in battle in Malaga. Surprisingly this gorgeous pillar additionally serves as a crypt for his physique.
Within the fifteenth century the sq. was house to a public market, and as we speak guests can get pleasure from scrumptious tapas, sangria, wine, or beer from one of many many eating places and bars lining its exterior. Moreover, on Sundays the sq. is house to a variety of artisan cubicles promoting quite a lot of items like jewellery, artwork, and clothes.
Browse the Museo Picasso Malaga
The Museo Picasso Malaga is a tribute to the grasp painter himself. With tons of of works by Picasso on show any artwork lover can be remiss to not commit a day to perusing the museum.
Put together your self for lengthy traces, nonetheless. Even within the off season that is a particularly widespread vacation spot for vacationers in Malaga. Don’t fear, it’s nicely price it!
There are over 30 different museums and artwork galleries to go to in Malaga, so in case you are a lover of historical past and the humanities you’re in luck!
La Concepción Botanical Backyard Malaga
Escape town and head north to Malaga’s spectacular and historic La Concepción Botanical Backyard the place you may feast your eyes on over 2,000 plant species, a few of that are over 100 years outdated.
The varied flora contains every thing from palm timber, fruit timber, water vegetation, and cacti that come from all around the globe. Moreover the botanical backyard is house to an enormous array of fowl species.
Some notable reveals embody a piece known as “Across the World in 80 Timber”, in addition to a bunch of indigenous vegetation, cacti, subtropical fruit timber, and citrus groves.
You possibly can attain the botanical backyard by automobile or by bus (line 61) which departs from Alameda, the principle boulevard in Malaga, each hour.
Go to the Centre Pompidou Málaga
Housed in a big and colourful glass dice, the Centre Pompidou Málaga, is a bit piece of Paris in Andalusia.
The museum is the primary of the Pompidou model to open exterior of France and consists of three sections: one with a group from Georges Pompidou Nationwide Centre of Artwork and Tradition with artwork from the twentieth and twenty first Centuries, a second house dedicated to momentary reveals, and a 3rd with workshops for youths.
In case you’re in Malaga and an artwork lover the Heart Pompidou Málaga is a should, particularly because it’s presently solely assured to be open till 2020.
Drink Until You Drop – Malaga Wine Museum
Spain is bursting on the seams with unbelievable wine. Seemingly wherever you go you will discover a superb bottle that’s normally so moderately priced you’ll be tempted to purchase a minimum of a number of. So it’s not stunning that Malaga has a complete museum dedicated to wine.
The Museum of Wine Malaga reveals prize wines. Guests can tour the museum at their leisure for less than €5.00 or as a part of a 40 minute guided group tour for €25.00 per group. Both means, two wine tastings are included and extra tastings may be bought for a mere €1.00. We reckon this can be a nice method to spend the afternoon!
Discover El Mercado Central de Atarazanas
The central market in Malaga, though widespread amongst vacationers, is likely one of the greatest locations within the metropolis to expertise a slice of native life. Even when you don’t purchase a factor (which we extremely discourage) visiting the market provides guests a peek into the bounty of unbelievable merchandise this area in Spain has to supply.
The central market, formally the Mercado Central de Atarazanas, was initially the placement of the Nasrid shipyards till the 14th century, and later the house was used for weapons storage, and as a barracks and army hospital. In the present day it’s house to one of the vital bustling and thrilling settings in all of Malaga.
The market contains tons of of stalls with contemporary Spanish fruits and veg, fish, meats, cheeses, olives, nuts, and spices on supply. Strawberries as massive as a child’s fist, ripe and succulent avocados, salty almonds, and woody mushrooms are all for the selecting. That is, hand down, the perfect (and infrequently most cost-effective) place in Malaga to get your groceries.
The market may be overwhelming, however don’t fear when you want a break or really feel faint there are many little tapas stalls to seize a fast snack and drink earlier than heading again in to complete your purchasing.
DIY Avenue Artwork Tour in Malaga
Central Malaga has some very cool items of road artwork, which you’ll simply discover simply by strolling across the Outdated City.
For a deeper dive into city artwork enterprise into the streets to the north and north-east of Plaza Merced to uncover a number of the many superb works of artificial magnificence discovered on this metropolis. There are actually tons of of murals and work to be found, starting from small and easy to sweeping works of pure road artwork magic.
Right here’s a take a look at a number of the road artwork we present in Malaga.
Spend Time on the Seashore
When in Malaga spend a while on the seashore. Just about a no brainer, particularly in case you are visiting in the summertime and melting to bits. Head south alongside the coast in the direction of Marbella to seek out a few of Malaga’s biggest seashore locations.
You don’t must enterprise removed from the middle of Malaga to discover a completely acceptable seashore, nonetheless. Playa de la Malagueta is a literal 10 minute stroll from Malaga’s heart and is a fairly nice seashore for stress-free, sunbathing, and swimming.
Issues NOT to DO in Malaga – DON’T Go to the Bull-Preventing Ring
Look, we perceive bullfighting is a long-standing custom in Spain. Historical past blah blah blah.
F@&okay that.
It’s an antiquated instance of human brutality, and it wants to finish. A few of you gained’t agree, and that’s superb, however that’s the place we stand on this challenge. As such we boycotted every thing that needed to do with bullfighting whereas in Spain. You are able to do as you would like, however we urge you to a minimum of rethink your opinion of this “sport”.
Merely put – say NO to bullfighting!
Finest Day Journeys From Malaga
Malaga is ideally located for additional exploration of Andalucia. The town could be very nicely linked by way of prepare, bus, and aircraft to all types of great locations in Southern Spain (and Portugal, Morocco, France). Right here’s a brief checklist of locations it is best to take into account visiting for a day journey (or longer) whereas in Malaga.
Be aware: Most of the under locations may be reached by public transportation however when you’re seeking to lease a automobile in Spain click on right here for costs and choices.
Day Journey From Malaga to Ronda
We nearly determined to not embody Ronda on this checklist. It’s not as a result of we expect Ronda doesn’t deserve guests. Quite the opposite, we LOVE Ronda and need to maintain all of it to ourselves.
So keep away.
DON’T take the 2 hour prepare from Malaga to Ronda, DON’T benefit from the superb clifftop views you will discover on this grandly located city, DON’T pattern a number of the distinctive tapas you’ll discover right here, DON’T drool over the Puente Nuevo Bridge…
Keep away and simply neglect all about Ronda.
We gained’t even provide you with instructions how one can get there by bus or prepare. Google them yourselves.
Day Journey From Malaga to Granada
Granada stunned us with its vibrant Outdated City and the views it supplied of the Alhambra.
After visiting 30,000 castles in Europe of the final two years we thought we had been a bit castled out…after which the Alhambra occurred. Whereas not precisely a fortress within the typical Medieval European sense this Moorish fortress is totally gorgeous, inside AND out.
We advocate a minimum of one night time in Granada to not rush something, however in case you are low on time a day journey needs to be adequate when you depart early and return late.
Professional Tip – Ebook your Alhambra tickets upfront on-line. The ticket buying course of whenever you purchase Day Of tickets is a complete cluster-fuck. We realized that the laborious means. Be higher vacationers than us.
Try our information for issues to do in Granada for more information on this spectacular metropolis!
Day Journey From Malaga to Seville
Seville deserves excess of a day, and greater than per week if we’re to be brutally sincere. Andalusia’s capital metropolis is spectacular, and holds extra beneath the floor than first meets the attention.
A shocking Outdated City space based mostly across the Alcazar and the Plaza de Espana is simply the beginning of what Seville has to supply. The town continues to shock us, and we’ve been there 3 times now. Actually we might advocate Seville as a base of operations over Malaga if Seville wasn’t landlocked as a result of we simply love the water an excessive amount of.
Go to Seville. Discover Seville. Fall in love with Seville. Right here is our information to all the perfect issues to do in Seville Spain!
In case you are touring on a finances, or backpacking, here’s a useful checklist of the perfect hostels in Seville.
Day Journey From Malaga to Cordoba
Cordoba is one in all Spain’s most lovely cities and the proper place for a culture-filled metropolis break. It additionally makes for a very simple day journey from Malaga, though we might advocate spending a minimum of one night time in Cordoba. Try our article on issues to do in Cordoba, and begin planning your go to!
The place to Keep in Malaga
Picnic Desires Boutique Hostel
Situated half a block from Plaza de la Merced, the Picnic Desires Boutique Hostel is likely one of the greatest locations to remain in Malaga.
The boutique hostel has quite a lot of cozy personal and shared rooms to selected from, a few of which have a stunning little balcony. Rooms are embellished with mild colours, pure supplies, and up-cycled objects. All rooms embody air-con and heating, so that you’ll really feel comfy it doesn’t matter what the season.
Picnic Desires Boutique Hostel additionally has a unbelievable vegetarian and vegan restaurant on-site that’s open from 8:00 am to Midnight so a superb breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack is at all times an possibility.
The Gentle’s Hostel – Finest Funds Hostel in Malaga
In case you’re a younger traveler, finances traveler, or backpacker the Gentle’s Hostel in Malaga is a wonderful possibility. This uber energetic hostel is positioned in Central Malaga and surrounded by a great deal of bars and eating places. The dorm rooms have wood bunk beds (no clanking ladders) with privateness curtains, cozy mattresses, and particular person lockers. The hostel presents friends a free linens, discounted scooter leases, free wifi, an inexpensive breakfast buffet, and free Sangria each night!
Moreover, it’s the one hostel in Malaga with a rooftop terrace. So when you’re on the lookout for a superb finances hostel possibility with an excellent social ambiance, try the Gentle’s Hostel.
Need extra choices on the place to remain in Malaga? Try our information to the perfect hostels in Malaga Spain!
Closing Ideas on Malaga
Merely put, we actually loved Malaga. We appreciated it on Day One and our appreciation solely grew because the weeks glided by. People in Malaga are fairly relaxed, social, and festive. Waiters are nice, town feels secure even because it events till daybreak, and the final ambiance is open and alluring.
Foodies will discover a terrific number of scrumptious dishes, vegans and vegetarians can be pleasantly stunned by the choices obtainable, nerds will geek out on historic stuff, artwork aficionados will affectionately affectionate, and wine lovers will drink liter upon liter of scrumptious fermented fruit.
Some may discover town a bit too busy within the heart, some may say there are too many vacationers, some may say there are higher Spanish cities to cities to spend time in. Honest sufficient. We nonetheless advocate Malaga as a vacation spot for vacationers, backpackers, and digital nomads seeking to spend a while on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
Go to Malaga. Get pleasure from it as a lot as we did. Inform us what you thought within the feedback under. And as at all times, journey nicely buddies.
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