Plaza Mayor / McArthurGlen Designer Outlet
Plaza Mayor was already enormous, but now, thanks to the addition of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, even the most serious shopaholic couldn’t ask for more.
This out-of-town shopping and leisure complex is the biggest in Malaga city and is close to both the airport and Guadalmar, a coastal neighbourhood to the west of the city.
Plaza Mayor is a mostly outdoor shopping area organised around a series of small plazas.
The layout creates the impression of a small town rather than a traditional shopping centre.
Designer brands and shops at Malaga’s Plaza Mayor
The complex welcomes thousands of visitors each year and offers an enormous selection of national and international stores.
Plaza Mayor features around 80 shops selling everything from fashion to homeware, while the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet boasts more than 100 designer brands offering discounted prices on premium labels.
Between the two areas, shoppers can explore over 180 retail options under one sprawling development.
Restaurants at Plaza Mayor
Between the two, the shopping complex offers more than 50 restaurants serving both traditional Spanish and international cuisine.
Whether you fancy Andalusian tapas or international fast food, you’ll find plenty of dining options throughout the centre.
English-language cinema
Plaza Mayor also houses Cine Yelmo Plaza Mayor, a multiscreen cinema.
Many films screen in versión original, which means the original language with Spanish subtitles.
As a result, English-language films are regularly available (search for VO or VOSE next to the title), making this a popular choice for international residents and tourists.
Getting to Plaza Mayor from Malaga city centre
Plaza Mayor provides ample parking for those travelling by car. However, it’s probably best to arrive by Cercanías train if possible.
The Cercanías is the local commuter train network connecting Malaga city with surrounding towns and neighbourhoods. On it, the journey from Malaga city centre takes just 15 minutes.
Taking the train helps you avoid traffic tailbacks during busy shopping periods, particularly at weekends and holidays.
The train station sits adjacent to the shopping complex, making access straightforward once you arrive.
If you’re on a quick trip and staying close to Malaga Airport, Plaza Mayor is only a short taxi ride away.
Daryl is the co-founder of Malaga Guru. He is a copywriter, editor and translator who moved to Malaga over a decade ago, having first fallen in love with the city on his Erasmus year. After working for many years at local expat newspaper SUR in English, Daryl gained expert knowledge in life from the perspective of foreign residents and decided to co-found this site in 2016.