Blog
Our writers share their top tips for making the most of your time in Malaga.
We also delve into local legends and curiosities about the city and take a look at everyday life in Spain…
Roscón de Reyes: the traditional Three Kings cake in Spain
Why do they eat grapes on New Year’s Eve in Spain?
The FIVE best day trips less than an hour away from Malaga
The top five best city breaks from Malaga
October 12th: Fiesta Nacional, Spain’s controversial National Day
From Arab shipyard to convent: the fascinating history of Atarazanas market
The top 5 must-try seafood dishes in Malaga
Hans Christian Andersen and his relationship with Malaga
What causes the ‘taró’ fog that closes Malaga’s beaches every summer?
The FOUR best bookshops in Malaga
Why does Malaga Airport have the code AGP?
A quick guide to exploring Malaga’s beach promenades on foot
Chiringuitos: Malaga’s iconic traditional beach bars
7 expert tips for surviving the hot Terral wind in Malaga
The (in)famous Terral wind
How to order coffee in Malaga: a beginner’s guide
Why does it always seem to rain during Semana Santa in Malaga?
What happens if it rains during Semana Santa?
5 tips for surviving Semana Santa in Malaga
Calima, the Saharan dust that turns Malaga’s skies orange
Verdiales, the Flamenco-style dance from Malaga
Lagunillas: Malaga’s alternative Barrio de las Artes
Why’s there an obelisk in Plaza de la Merced?
For the love of coffee! The 5 best specialty coffee spots in Malaga
What’s so ‘noble’ about the Hospital Noble?
Why is there a ‘German bridge’ in Malaga?
Mosaico Vintage
Searching for a bold, new look? Or at least one that you won’t find in Zara or H&M? Then head to Mosaico Vintage. You’re sure to find a bargain here at this vintage second-hand shop, tucked away on a little side street between Calle Nueva and Calle Larios. It’s a small shop, but you can find men’s and women’s clothes,
Playa de la Misericordia / Playa de Huelin
If you head west from Malaga’s historic centre, you will arrive in Huelin, one of the old industrial areas of the city, not often frequented by tourists. Huelin beach (Playa de Huelin) begins shortly after the end of the industrial part of the port, then continues west until it becomes Playa de la Misericordia (Misericordia beach). Here especially you can
Playa Peñón del Cuervo
On the eastern edge of Malaga, just before the boundary with La Cala del Moral, is one of the city’s hidden gems: Playa del Peñón del Cuervo. It’s a small, picturesque beach which stands out thanks to a large rock formation which divides it in two. Despite being relatively secluded and difficult to reach for those unfamiliar with the area,
Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro
Surrounded by pine trees atop the Gibralfaro mountain (beside the fortress of the same name), is the Parador de Málaga. Paradores de Turismo de España is a chain of state-run Spanish luxury hotels, founded by Alfonso XIII as a means to promote tourism in Spain, with the first hotel opening in 1928 in Gredos (Ávila). Elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking world,
Heladería Chocolate
Heladería Chocolate is a convenient choice if you’re on your way back to the city centre from the beach and you need a quick cool-down. Located on Calle Martínez at the bottom end of Calle Larios is this small ice cream parlour which offers a wide selection of flavours (which you can try before choosing). They also have freshly squeezed orange
La Caleta
Head east from La Malagueta and you will reach La Caleta beach. As it is slightly further from the centre, this beach is a lot cleaner, a lot less crowded and is frequented more by locals. What’s more, there are a lot more beach bars here serving food and drink all day during the summer. If you get bored of
Baños del Carmen
Baños del Carmen is the name given to the beach and the area located just to the west of the old fishing village Pedregalejo. Though the beach itself is quite small and can get very busy in the summer, there’s a good reason for that. From there you can see one of the best sunsets on the Costa del Sol,
El Balneario
El Balneario has to be Malaga’s most iconic bar and restaurant. Poking out from the seafront, at Baños del Carmen, just as Pedregalejo begins, punters get unparalleled views of the Bay of Malaga (and the occasional dolphin!) Enjoy the holiday, seaside vibes with a beer, copa or cocktail, day or night, or tuck into a nice lunch. The menu has
La Flor Negra
La Flor Negra may describe itself as a delicatessen, but it offers a hybrid of French patisserie and Italian cuisine. Throughout the day, this open kitchen (which is a delight to watch) has something to satisfy every craving. The breakfast menu includes a coffee, a loaded toast and an orange juice, while the daytime menu serves two dishes, a drink
Mia Coffee House
Mia Coffee House may be small but it has plenty to offer. The pastries and cakes made by Mia herself (with gluten-free options) make a superb complement to their outstanding coffee (some say it is the best in Malaga). Located centrally in the Entorno Thyssen, take away your cup of joe and take a stroll through the narrow alleyways and
Mapas y Compañía
Just passing through the doors of Mapas y Compañía is like embarking on a journey. And that’s exactly the idea. This bookshop is filled wall to wall with maps and globes in all styles and colours and is bound to stir up a feeling of wanderlust. According to Mapas y Compañía themselves, this bookshop “specialises in helping readers and travellers
Te-Piko
Te-Piko is a great little bar to hang out at during any part of the day. With an outdoor terrace on the charming Plaza Enrique García-Herrera, this is a great spot to people watch, drink and have a nibble. Come by at breakfast time and tuck into a fresh baguette or sandwich, or arrive later for a mid-afternoon tapa and
El Diamante
This unassuming back-street bar does a basic breakfast – and does it well. They’ve been doing it for a long time, too. Since 1949, in fact. In truth not much has changed since then. All the interior furniture and even the majority of the glasses, plates and other items are still originals from that time. This is what’s earned El
Bioshop El Cambio
What was once just a small shop on Calle Compañía, El Cambio has grown to become a large supermarket on Calle Carretería with a large selection of vegan and ecological products. The self-proclaimed “vegan and organic supermarket with most variety in Malaga” was conceived with the “understanding that we are part of nature and responsible for it”. All types of
Gyms in the centre of Malaga
If you’ve chosen Malaga for your new home, you’re probably going to need somewhere to burn off those newly developed excesses you’ve acquired (especially if you want that beach bod!) There are plenty of gyms to choose from in the city but, as you might expect because of their dimensions, not so many in the city centre. Head to the
Iglesia de Sagrado Corazón (Church of the Sacred Heart)
La Iglesia de Sagrado Corazón (Church of the Sacred Heart) is *not* the Cathedral! To the untrained eye this ornate neo-Gothic church, right in the city centre, close to the Thyssen museum and Plaza de la Constitución, ticks all the boxes to be the cathedral. But, alas, it isn’t. It’s much newer than that. It was built as recently as 1920.
Entorno Thyssen
The arrival of the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga has also coincided with the regeneration of its surrounding area, known as the ‘entorno Thyssen’. In the museum’s own words: “The Museo Carmen Thyssen has been crucial for the revitalization and recovery of this part of the city, an environment that has regained its vitality and its identity as it takes on a
Café de l’Abuela
Just finished visiting the Cathedral? Or perhaps the Picasso Museum? Rest your feet and take a break at Café de l’Abuela, a cosy and inviting café located on the picturesque Calle San Agustín. With outdoor seating and a lovely views, this little café is popular with many city trippers looking recharge. The menu offers an elaborate choice of sandwiches, salads
Brunchit Coffee & Kitchen
Want to get your day started the right way? Brunchit now has three locations in Malaga city centre. As the name suggests, you can tuck into a big breakfast or brunch, choosing from a menu that includes sandwiches, pancakes, scrambled eggs, toast with charcuterie and much more. If it’s a little later in the day, order a burger, a pizza,
Pollos San Juan
The aroma of roast chicken fills the street surrounding the Atarazanas market, emanating from the unmistakable Pollos San Juan. Freshly cooked rotisserie chicken makes for a beautifully simple, traditional late lunch or dinner. It comes as no surprise therefore that their set chicken menus (quarter, half or a whole chicken served with chips and sauce) have been a staple of
Larios Centro shopping centre
First opened in 1996 and newly renovated in 2019, Larios Centro is the largest shopping centre in Malaga city centre. Barring the vast Plaza Mayor complex near the airport, Larios Centro provides the most comprehensive shopping experience under one roof in Malaga. Split between two floors, there is a wide variety of stores, with the highlights being Primark, Dunnes Stores
La Peregrina Centro
Located in the centre of Malaga, just off Plaza de la Merced, La Peregrina is a great spot for a quick lunch or a light snack. With a conch on its logo, it’s clear that this simple eatery, with a few small tables with bar stools, specialises in fish and seafood. If you want something small, there is a selection
La Calle Burger
If you’re in Malaga and you like proper burgers, La Calle Burger has to be at the top of your list. La Calle quickly went from being a slightly hidden back-street hang-out for those in the know to a fully-fledged chain in the space of the just over a year, with franchises spread out across Malaga province. And it’s easy
Asador Iñaki
If you like your meat, and you like it cooked to perfection, this place is well worth the venture out of the centre for. The new Asador Iñaki is always packed to the rafters – and for good reason. The friendly and helpful waiters will help pick out the right cut for you, accompanied by thick-cut chips and sprinkled with