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…
The top five best city breaks from Malaga
Malaga offers plenty to explore, but many visitors use this coastal city as a gateway to discover other remarkable destinations across Andalucía. The city enjoys excellent transport links. Malaga Airport ranks among Spain’s busiest hubs, while María Zambrano train station connects travellers to destinations throughout the country. If you ever tire of Malaga’s charms, these five Andalusian cities make exceptional
Almeria: Natural parks, Moorish castles and movie magic
Getting to Almeria from Malaga takes just over two hours by car, making it one of the more ambitious day trips from the Costa del Sol – but it’s absolutely worth the journey. This eastern Andalusian city sits close to the border with Murcia and often flies under the tourist radar precisely because of its geographical isolation from the main
Teatro Echegaray
Malaga boasts two magnificent theatres, and the Teatro Echegaray stands as the more intimate of the pair alongside the larger Teatro Cervantes. You’ll find this charming venue tucked away on Calle Echegaray, a quiet street right in the heart of Malaga’s historic centre, close to the Cathedral and the Picasso museum. The building opened its doors in 1932 as a
October 12th: Fiesta Nacional, Spain’s controversial National Day
October 12th marks Spain’s Fiesta Nacional, a public holiday that commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492. This date is controversial for many, representing both Spanish pride and historical colonialism. Previously known as Día de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Day), this remains one of Spain’s two most significant national holidays alongside Constitution Day on December 6th. Catholics also know
Nerja: the heart of the Axarquía
Located approximately 45 minutes east of Malaga, Nerja stands out as the most renowned town in the Axarquía area, offering a distinct atmosphere compared to the bustling western Costa del Sol. This area attracts visitors seeking a more serene way of life, particularly within the charming whitewashed towns and villages nestled further inland. Nerja has been a popular tourist destination
Casa Lola
Casa Lola is a chain of traditional Spanish restaurants in Malaga that has experienced tremendous growth in recent years thanks to its blend of traditional Spanish cuisine with a modern twist. The menu at Casa Lola features a wide array of traditional Spanish dishes, expertly prepared with a contemporary flair. From classic tapas and regional specialities, to innovative interpretations of
Getting the bus in Malaga city
Getting around Malaga by bus is easy. Empresa Malagueña de Transportes (EMT) boasts an extensive bus network that is very reliable and safe to use. Most areas in the city are reachable by a single bus from the Alameda, the main boulevard at the bottom of Calle Larios. Paying for the bus in Malaga If you’re in Malaga for a short
Cadiz: Andalucía’s gateway to the Atlantic
Cadiz may pose some challenges in terms of getting there from Malaga, but it unquestionably justifies the effort. Situated on the Atlantic coast, this ancient port city offers a distinct atmosphere and a slightly cooler climate compared to the Mediterranean region of Andalucía. While the province of Cadiz has some of the finest beaches in Andalucía, even the city beaches
Mesón Mariano
Tucked away on Calle Granados in central Malaga, Mesón Mariano has been serving authentic Andalusian cuisine since 1988 and shows no signs of slowing down. This family-run restaurant is one of those increasingly rare places that hasn’t been swept away by chains or fleeting food trends, and it’s earned recognition from the Academia de Gastronomía de Málaga for keeping things
La Farola de Orellana
La Farola de Orellana is one of those traditional tapas bars in Malaga where time seems to stand still. This beloved establishment has been serving locals and visitors to Malaga city centre for decades, and recently it has expanded significantly by taking over the premises formerly occupied by KGB after it closed. The bar has been in business since 1938,
November 1st: Día de Todos los Santos, Spain’s Day of the Dead
Across much of the Latin world, November 1st is a massive occasion. In Spain, Día de Todos los Santos (or All Saints’ Day in English) directly follows Halloween and is a public holiday across the country. It’s a day when families and individuals remember those who have died – and the occasion is marked in many different ways. Celebrating Día
Taberna Los Gatos
Los Gatos sits in the lively Plaza Uncibay, and you might walk straight past it at first. The restaurant, which has recently undergone a renovation, often disappears behind crowds of diners either queuing to get inside or filling every stool at the outdoor tables. That said, the square’s vibrant atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for visitors wanting to experience
Rubbish collection and recycling in Malaga
Malaga operates a well-organised system for waste collection and recycling that keeps the streets clean whilst minimising environmental impact. The city’s approach to waste management differs from many Northern European destinations in one important way. Rather than collecting rubbish directly from outside your home, residents take their waste to designated containers positioned throughout the city. These containers appear every couple
Ultramarinos Zoilo
Tucked away on Calle Granada, steps from the Santiago church, Ultramarinos Zoilo is a Malaga grocery shop that has been selling authentic Andalusian products since 1956. The story begins with love and ambition in equal measure. When Zoilo Montero’s uncle decided to sell the shop in 1956, young Zoilo (just 21 at the time) convinced him to hand over the
Teatro del Soho Caixabank
The Teatro del Soho Caixabank is an initiative promoted by Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas to create a vibrant space for the performing arts in his home city. The theatre, in the Soho district of the city just off the main Alamada, opened in its current guise in November 2019. It took over the space formerly occupied by the Alameda theatre
Muelle Uno
Malaga’s port district has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade, and nowhere is this more evident than at Muelle Uno. Since 2011, this once-industrial dock now serves as a sun-drenched promenade where locals and visitors alike come to shop, dine and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere. The open-air complex stretches along the waterfront, lined with palm trees and
La Malagueta beach
La Malagueta beach sits right at the end of the Muelle Uno marina, nestled between Malaga’s historic lighthouse and its iconic bullring. As the most accessible stretch of sand for visitors to Malaga, just ten minutes from the city centre, it’s certainly among the most popular. It’s among the best, too. The prestigious European Foundation for Environmental Education has awarded it
Mercado de Atarazanas central food market
Whether you’re a tourist exploring Malaga’s culinary scene or a local seeking an alternative to supermarket shopping, Atarazanas Market (Mercado de Atarazanas) is the perfect place to discover authentic Andalusian gastronomy. Open every morning except Sundays, this vibrant food market features over 100 stalls, many of which are family-owned businesses passed down through generations. Here, you’ll find everything from fresh
Malaga Film Festival
Every March, the Malaga city centre undergoes yet another glamorous makeover, this time for the Festival de Málaga. The city’s beloved film festival is a 10-day celebration of Spanish-language cinema during which over 200 films are shown at spectacular venues across the city. These include Teatro Cervantes, Cine Albéniz and the Picasso Museum. Elsewhere, Calle Larios and Calle Alcazabilla serve as both a red carpet
Halloween
Although not an occasion historically celebrated in Spain, Halloween is gradually gaining popularity, drawing more and more people into the spooky spirit each year. Every year now, the streets of Malaga are especially busy with families and those who are young at heart donning extravagant costumes. As ever, the people of Malaga love to celebrate with good humour, dressing up
Getting to Malaga Airport from the city centre
The trip home after a nice holiday is always horrible. However, the trip from Malaga city centre to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport is a short one with three easy options. 1) Take the train The Renfe Cercanías suburban train is the quickest way to get between the airport and the city (12 minutes). It’s also the best value for money
From Arab shipyard to convent: the fascinating history of Atarazanas market
Today, Atarazanas is known as Malaga’s central market – a bustling marketplace and a major hub of activity in Malaga city centre. However, this vibrant food market boasts a remarkable history that spans seven centuries, reflecting the city’s evolving landscape and culture. The original Atarazanas: a 14th-century Arab shipyard When Atarazanas was first built in the 14th century, Malaga looked
Centre Pompidou Málaga
Centre Pompidou Málaga stands as the jewel in the crown of Malaga’s thriving cultural scene. This contemporary art museum represents the first international outpost of the renowned Paris-based Centre national d’art et de culture Georges-Pompidou (the Georges Pompidou National Centre for Art and Culture), marking its first location outside France. The gallery opened its doors to the public in March
The top 5 must-try seafood dishes in Malaga
While paella gets all the limelight, especially from foreigners, Malaga’s coastal cuisine offers so much more. This Mediterranean city has perfected the art of simple, fresh seafood preparations that let the quality of the catch shine through. Armed with little more than olive oil, sea salt and centuries of fishing tradition, malagueños have created dishes that are beloved across Spain. If