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…
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
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
The English Cemetery
When Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella conquered Malaga in 1487, they transformed the city into a stronghold of Roman Catholicism. Fast forward three and a half centuries, and Malaga had evolved dramatically into a thriving port and industrial hub where non-Catholics played an essential role in civic life. Yet despite this cosmopolitan shift, non-Catholics faced a grim reality: they had
Malaga Cathedral
Malaga Cathedral, officially known as the Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación, stands as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Visible from virtually anywhere in Malaga, this magnificent structure is instantly recognisable thanks to its defining feature: a single tower. This distinctive characteristic has earned it the affectionate nickname La Manquita, meaning “the one-armed lady.” Why does Malaga
Taberna Cofrade Las Merchanas
You won’t find a more authentically Malaga restaurant than Las Merchanas, this beloved city centre taberna cofrade. Inside, the walls showcase an impressive collection of Semana Santa photographs, statues, posters and sculptures. This Holy Week memorabilia surrounds diners at every turn, creating an unmistakably Spanish atmosphere that celebrates Andalusian religious traditions. The restaurant stays packed with locals throughout the evening.
Astrid Tapería Orgánica
Finding a restaurant in Malaga that satisfies carnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike can be a proper challenge, but Astrid Tapería Orgánica rises to the occasion with aplomb. This organic restaurant near Atarazanas market proves that healthy eating needn’t mean compromising on flavour or variety. A Malaga restaurant with something for everyone The beauty of Astrid lies in its inclusive approach.
Verum Restaurante, El Asador de Málaga
Meat devotees will find their spiritual home at Verum, affectionately dubbed ‘The Temple of Meat’ by locals who know a proper steak when they see one. Located in Cerrado de Calderón, just a 10-minute drive from Malaga city centre, this elegant restaurant sits atop a hill overlooking the Mediterranean coastline, where fresh sea breezes mingle with the aroma of oak-fired
La Concepción botanical gardens
The Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción, Malaga’s Botanical Gardens, is just a 15-minute drive from the historic centre and is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. When visiting this green oasis, spread across a magnificent three-hectare plot, you can scarcely believe you’re in a major city. You are immediately immersed in an almost tropical jungle, with
Hans Christian Andersen and his relationship with Malaga
Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish writer behind The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling, may have been born the son of a shoemaker in Odense, but his imagination and restless feet carried him far beyond Denmark. A passionate traveller, he explored much of Europe, often with unusual habits and eccentricities that matched his unique character. Among his most curious travel
How to get to Malaga city centre from the airport
The airport transfer is always the worst part of any trip. Luckily, there is no shortage of options to get you from the Costa del Sol’s international airport to Malaga city centre. Trains to Malaga from the airport The Renfe Cercanías is the cheapest and quickest way to travel between the airport and the city (from € 1.80 one way, 12 minutes). This
Alcazaba de Málaga
The Alcazaba of Malaga is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks and an essential stop for anyone exploring southern Spain. Built during the Muslim-ruled period of Al-Andalus, this impressive complex combines a palace, defensive fortifications and tranquil gardens. It is also one of the best-preserved Moorish citadels in Spain, attracting thousands of visitors every year. A hilltop of strategic
MuCAC Málaga
At the foot of the Alcazaba, Málaga’s historic 11th-century fortress built by the Hammudid dynasty, stands a museum space that has entered a new era. The former Municipal Heritage Museum (MUPAM) has now merged with the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo (CAC Málaga) to create MuCAC Málaga (Museo y Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga), a flagship institution with two venues:
Cordoba: the melting pot of Andalucía
One of the most popular (and easiest) day trips from Malaga is to the city of Cordoba. Cordoba has a long history as a melting pot of different cultures and religions. Beginning as a Roman settlement, by the 10th century, not only was Cordoba under Moorish rule and the capital of Al-Andalus, it was the largest, most important and most