Sightseeing
It’s easy to get distracted in Malaga by the food and drink or the vibrant nightlife…
But there’s plenty of sights to take in too!
Lagunillas: Malaga’s alternative Barrio de las Artes
An obscure maze of alleyways, plazas, and vacant lots, hidden in plain sight behind Plaza de la Merced, Lagunillas is a slice of authentic urban Spain perfectly preserved amongst the city’s most touristic neighbourhoods. Lagunillas looks unremarkable from the outside, and is easily overlooked by art aficionados visiting Malaga in favour of the better known Sojo district, which features several […]
La Malagueta bullring
La Malagueta bullring may be one of the most emblematic buildings in Malaga, but it’s not actually all that old. It was officially opened to the public on 11 June 1876 with a fight involving the legendary Rafael Molina “Lagartijo”. The building itself was designed in neo-Mudéjar style by Joaquín Rucoba – the man also responsible for the Mercado Central […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
La Farola de Málaga lighthouse
The sea and port have always shaped Malaga’s identity, and few symbols represent this connection better than La Farola lighthouse. Standing proudly between Muelle Uno and La Malagueta beach, this historic beacon has guided sailors and captured hearts since the early 19th century. In fact, construction began in the 19th century, during the reign of Ferdinand VII, and was completed […]
Iglesia de los Santos Mártires Ciriaco y Paula (Church of Saints Ciriaco and Paula)
Right in the heart of Malaga’s historic centre, this remarkable church stands as one of the city’s most fascinating religious landmarks. Built by the Catholic Monarchs after the Christian conquest of Malaga in 1487, it’s one of just four churches constructed within the old city walls. The church honours Saints Ciriaco and Paula, who happen to be Malaga’s patron saints, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Cervezas Victoria brewery visit
Visiting the Cervezas Victoria brewery close to Malaga Airport offers a unique insight into the craftsmanship behind one of Spain’s most beloved beers. This 90-minute tour, set in a modern 3,700 m² facility designed by local firm Gana Arquitectura, is an immersive experience where visitors can explore the heart of the brewery, including the brewing and bottling areas. The factory […]
Inside Malaga CF: the behind-the-scenes La Rosaleda stadium tour
Step into the hallowed halls of La Rosaleda, home to Malaga CF and one of Andalucía’s most atmospheric football stadiums. This guided tour offers football fans and curious visitors alike the chance to explore more than 120 years of Malaga football history in the very place where the magic happens. You’ll discover the most exclusive areas of the stadium, from […]
Plaza de la Merced
Plaza de la Merced is one of the largest and most iconic public squares in Malaga city centre. The square has been a key part of the city since the Roman era, operating as a marketplace since at least the fifteenth century. This beautiful square is a must-see for many different reasons: Picasso’s birthplace Firstly, Plaza de la Merced is […]
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. […]
Castillo de Gibralfaro (Gibralfaro castle)
The magnificent Gibralfaro castle is one of the stand-out emblems of Malaga. Not only does it appear on both the city and province’s seal and flag, but it also dominates the Malaga skyline. This excellently preserved fortress, built during Malaga’s Islamic past, sits atop the hill of the same name, which has always been of enormous strategic significance throughout the […]
Parque de Málaga
There aren’t many designated green spaces in Malaga city centre, but around the Paseo del Parque, there are several in one spot. The Parque de Málaga, sandwiched between the 25-metre-wide central boulevard of the Paseo del Parque (an extension of the Alameda Principal) and the Paseo de los Curas, is 800 metres long and runs parallel to the Palmeral de […]
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 […]
Calle Larios
Malaga’s iconic main street. Now pedestrianised, Calle Larios one of the most emblematic streets in the country and serves as the main commercial and cultural artery of Malaga’s historic centre. Calle Larios stretches for about 300 metres and connects the bustling Plaza de la Constitución with the picturesque Alameda Principal. Nowadays, it’s the busiest part of the city and home […]
Teatro Romano de Málaga (Roman Theatre)
Located at the foot of the Alcazaba on the ornate Calle Alcazabilla, are the remains of Malaga’s Roman Theatre (teatro romano). Dating from the early years of the Roman Empire, like Ancient Greek theatres its design makes use of the hillside for the tiered seating. A large part of the seating remains, as does the orchestra area, decorated with large […]
Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol
The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol (Church of Saint James the Apostle), situated on the bustling Calle Granada, holds a rather special claim to fame that art lovers will adore. This is where Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, was baptised on 10th November 1881. The infant Picasso received his impressively long full name: Pablo […]
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 […]