Cidade Turismo
Spain

Before you go

Your trip to Málaga.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Málaga – Andaluzia Destination Costa do Sol and Ronda about 210 km from Sevilha

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto de Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP) 8 km
  • Estación de Málaga-María Zambrano 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Málaga airport is 8 km from the center and has a suburban train to María Zambrano station and the city center. From Madrid, the AVE takes about 2h30 to María Zambrano, which has the bus station next to it. Confirm before booking.

How many days

Two days cover the Alcazaba, Gibralfaro, the Cathedral, the Picasso museums and the port. With three days you can add a trip to the Caminito del Rey, Nerja or Ronda. Málaga also serves as a base for Marbella and the rest of Andalusia.

When to go

April to June and September to October usually have the most balanced climate. From November to March the winter is generally mild, with shorter days, good for museums. In August the city usually holds its feria, and during Holy Week the processions fill the center.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The historic center, the port and Malagueta can be explored on foot, and there is metro, buses and commuter train. The Caminito del Rey is accessible by train, and Nerja, Marbella and Ronda by bus. A car helps for the mountain villages. In the center, parking is difficult and expensive.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Málaga
  1. Morning
    Alcazaba and Teatro Romano

    Start early at the Alcazaba, with the courtyards and fountains still empty. On the way down, see the Teatro Romano on Calle Alcazabilla and go into the interpretation center.

  2. Afternoon
    Picasso and Cathedral

    Visit the Museo Picasso Málaga, right next door. Have lunch in the center, bearing in mind that lunch starts around 14:00. Afterwards, enter the Catedral de Málaga and, if you have a reservation, go up to the roof.

  3. Late afternoon
    Calle Larios and port

    Walk down Calle Marqués de Larios and continue along Plaza de la Marina to Muelle Uno. Walk along the quay to the Centre Pompidou Málaga and the lighthouse.

  4. Evening
    Malagueta

    Finish at Playa de la Malagueta with a skewer of sardines at a chiringuito, or return to have dinner near Plaza de la Merced. Dinner usually starts after 21:00.

2 days in Málaga

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Alcazaba and Gibralfaro

    Do the Alcazaba right at opening time and climb up to Castillo de Gibralfaro via the path or by bus. Walk along the rampart path with views over the port.

  2. Afternoon
    Teatro Romano and Museo Picasso

    On the way down, see the Teatro Romano. After lunch, visit the Museo Picasso Málaga and the underground with the Phoenician ruins.

  3. Late afternoon
    Casa Natal de Picasso

    Walk to Plaza de la Merced and enter the Museo Casa Natal Picasso. Stay in the square for a coffee or a tapa.

  4. Evening
    Historic center

    Dine in the streets around Calle Larios and the Catedral, lit up at night. The Teatro Romano is also illuminated and can be seen from Calle Alcazabilla.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Market and Cathedral

    Start at the Mercado Central de Atarazanas, Monday to Saturday, to see the stalls and snack on something. Continue along Calle Larios to the Catedral de Málaga.

  2. Afternoon
    Museums in the center

    Have lunch and choose between the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga, with 19th-century Andalusian painting, and the Museo de Málaga, in the Palacio de la Aduana.

  3. Late afternoon
    Muelle Uno and Pompidou

    Walk to Muelle Uno and visit the Centre Pompidou Málaga, which usually closes on Tuesdays. Continue along the quay to Malagueta.

  4. Evening
    Praia da Malagueta

    Dine on the promenade of Playa de la Malagueta, with fish and sardine skewers, facing the sea.

3 days in Málaga

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Alcazaba and Gibralfaro

    Open the trip with the Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, allowing time for the interpretation center and the view from the top.

  2. Afternoon
    Teatro Romano and Picasso

    See the Teatro Romano and, after lunch, the Museo Picasso Málaga. If there's time left, stop by the Museo Casa Natal Picasso on Plaza de la Merced.

  3. Late afternoon
    Calle Larios

    Walk along Calle Marqués de Larios to Plaza de la Constitución at the time when the locals go out for a stroll.

  4. Evening
    Plaza de la Merced

    Have dinner near Plaza de la Merced, one of the liveliest areas at night.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Market and Cathedral

    Start at the Mercado Central de Atarazanas and head to the Catedral de Málaga, with the roof ascent booked in advance.

  2. Afternoon
    Thyssen or Museo de Málaga

    After lunch, visit the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga or the Museo de Málaga. Those who like cars can swap it for the Museo del Automóvil y la Moda.

  3. Late afternoon
    Port and Pompidou

    Walk along Muelle Uno and go into the Centre Pompidou Málaga, with Daniel Buren's colorful cube on the roof.

  4. Evening
    Malagueta

    Dine at a chiringuito on Playa de la Malagueta.

Day 3

  1. Morning
    Caminito del Rey

    Take the early train to El Chorro and the bus to the north entrance of the Caminito del Rey, with a prior reservation. Traverse the walkway along the gorge.

  2. Afternoon
    Return to Málaga

    Have lunch in El Chorro and return by train to Málaga. Those preferring a different plan can spend the afternoon at the Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción.

  3. Late afternoon
    Relax on the beach

    Relax on Playa de la Malagueta or walk along the promenade to Muelle Uno.

  4. Evening
    Last dinner

    Dine in the historic center. Alternative to the Caminito: spend the day in Nerja, with the Cueva de Nerja in the morning and the Balcón de Europa in the late afternoon.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Málaga airport to the center?

The airport is 8 km from the center. The simplest way is the commuter train, which stops at María Zambrano station and goes on to Centro-Alameda. There are also buses and taxis.

How many days to stay in Málaga?

Two days for the center, the museums and the port. Three days allow a day trip to the Caminito del Rey, Nerja or Ronda.

Does Málaga have a good beach near the center?

Yes. Playa de la Malagueta is about a 15-minute walk from the Catedral, with dark sand, fish kiosks and a promenade. The water is usually more pleasant from June to September.

Which Picasso museums are there in Málaga?

Two: the Museo Picasso Málaga, with works from all phases of the painter, and the Museo Casa Natal Picasso, in the building on Plaza de la Merced where he was born in 1881.

Can you do a day trip from Málaga to Seville or Granada?

Yes, but the days become long. Seville is around 210 km by road. Granada has bus and train connections. For both cities, spending a night there is more worthwhile.

What excursions to take from Málaga?

The Caminito del Rey by train, with a reservation; Nerja, with the cave and the Balcón de Europa; Marbella, about 60 km away; and Ronda, about 100 km inland.

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