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 offering superb views across the Bay of Malaga.
The raised garden and children’s play area above Muelle Uno, alongside Paseo de la Farola, offers brilliant vantage points for photographing the historic Alcazaba fortress and Malaga Cathedral.
A superyacht marina in the heart of the city
Besides the enormous cruise terminal at the Levante dock, one of Malaga port’s most striking features is its dedicated superyacht marina, which opened in Muelle Uno in 2022 following extensive renovation works.
The berths accommodate luxury vessels and megayachts, bringing a touch of Monaco-style glamour to Malaga’s waterfront.
It’s not uncommon to spot impressive motor yachts moored alongside sleek sailing vessels, their gleaming hulls reflecting the Andalusian sunshine.
Even if you’re not in the market for chartering one yourself, the marina makes for excellent people-watching territory. Grab a drink at one of the waterfront bars or restaurants and you might spot wealthy yacht owners, curious tourists and local fishermen all sharing the same stretch of Mediterranean coastline.
A wide variety of shops and restaurants
You’ll find everything from fashion boutiques to ice cream parlours, plus a genuinely impressive array of restaurants and cocktail bars where you can watch luxury yachts bob gently in the marina.
The Centre Pompidou Málaga sits at the heart of the development, bringing world-class contemporary art to the Costa del Sol.
Its distinctive multicoloured cube has become something of a landmark in its own right.
Palmeral de las Sorpresas
Almost perpendicular to Muelle Uno lies the Palmeral de las Sorpresas (literally the ‘Palm Grove of Surprises’), and it lives up to its name.
This promenade cleverly blends contemporary architecture with lush tropical planting and has quickly become a modern emblem of the city.
Designed by architect Félix Hernández, it features distinctive undulating wooden pergolas that create a wave-like effect along the waterfront. The design adds movement and rhythm to the space while providing much-needed shade during Malaga’s warm summers.
Hundreds of palm trees and native Mediterranean plants line the northern edge of the walkway, creating a tropical atmosphere that feels entirely natural in this southern Spanish setting.
Scattered throughout, you’ll find public art installations and sculptures, turning the entire promenade into an open-air gallery.
Getting your bearings at the marina
Start your visit at the western end near the city centre and work your way east towards the iconic Farola (lighthouse).
The promenade connects directly to La Malagueta, Malaga’s most popular city beach, making it easy to combine culture and relaxation in a single afternoon.
If you fancy seeing the port from a different angle, various boat tours depart from the marina. These trips offer fantastic photo opportunities – whether you’re capturing the lighthouse and cruise terminal or turning back towards the city for shots of the historic centre with the Palmeral de las Sorpresas in the foreground.
Daryl is the co-founder of Malaga Guru. He is a copywriter, editor and translator who moved to Malaga 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.