Málaga Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Málaga is a city of 590,000 people (2024) in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia, and the largest city on the Costa del Sol. The city offers beaches, hiking, architectural sites, art museums, and excellent shopping and cuisine. While more laid back than Madrid or Barcelona, Málaga is still the centre and transport hub for the hugely popular Costa del Sol region, which is flooded with tourists in the summer. The city has cashed in on the sun and sand, with lots of new construction as well as hotels and facilities geared to tourists. However, Málaga also offers some genuinely interesting historical and cultural attractions in its old city, and its setting on the coast is still beautiful.

Málaga is capital of the Málaga Province. It has a typical Mediterranean climate, and was the birthplace of the artist Pablo Picasso.

Malaga's weather is quite mild throughout the year. The city is very sunny in summer and can also experience some sun in winter. Rainfall is generally scarce and normally takes place during the spring and autumn.

During summer temperatures rise over 30 °C, in some occasions reaching up to 38-39 °C. Winters experience colder temperatures, with January averaging 9.5 °C. In September, October, April and May, the weather is mild but usually maintains a cool regime, with temperatures rarely rising over 25 °C, making it ideal to go sightseeing the city and its surrounding areas without the heat of the summer. The winter months can witness unpleasant weather with temperatures feeling colder than they are due to the wind. Sunshine is scarce during the winter, and this causes the closure of most activities. It is therefore advisable to visit Malaga in June or September, as despite the possibility of rain, the city is less crowded and the temperatures more comfortable than those of the chilly winter and of the hot summer.

Humidity is relatively high due to the proximity to the sea, so normally thermal sensation makes it seem colder or hotter than it really is.

• Málaga Tourism website

36.675-4.4991671 Málaga Airport (AGP  ^IATA). The third biggest international airport in mainland Spain (after Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat Airport). As a holiday destination, the airport's primary tenants are discount carriers and charter airlines, although limited service on the European national carriers (Air France, British Airways, etc.) is available. Seasonal service (non-daily) is available from New York-JFK on Delta.  

Getting there/away:

• Bus. Line A express is very convenient, running every 20–25 minutes and stopping at Alameda Principal and Paseo del Parque, where most of the local buses that serve the city stop as well, costs €4 (Oct 2024). The route map for bus A can be seen online. The stop names are shown on an electronic display inside the bus so you can tell when to get off. (NOTE Bus & Metro websites are geoblocked outside of Spain)
• From the airport you can get a train (C1 line), that goes to Málaga Centro Alameda station in city centre. It costs €1.80 (Dec 2024), runs every 20 to 40 minutes from about 07:00 to 01:00 and takes 8 minutes to reach the María Zambrano station for transfer to Renfe's high-speed AVE service or the main bus station which is right next to the train station. Train route and timetables are here.
• A taxi to the city centre will cost about €20, a journey to Málaga Port will cost around €25. Taxis can be found at the airport's taxi rank just outside the arrivals hall of Terminal 2. Generally, there are taxis available, although you may have to queue and in summer the queues can be very long.
• Minibus. Taxis can carry a maximum of 4 passengers regardless of passenger age. Although this can be cost effective if 4 passengers are travelling together over shorter distances, it can be expensive if travelling in large groups. Licensed minibus transfers can be ordered in advance that carry up to 17 passengers for a fixed fee and will meet you in the arrivals lounge of Terminal 2. Minibus companies can not be flagged down from outside Malaga Airport it is forbidden. A typical single transfer to Marbella will cost around €110.
• Renting a car at Málaga's airport is relatively cheap, but it is advisable to book in advance.

In Southern Spain (Andalusia) you usually get a better price using Blablacar than travelling by train or intercity bus.

36.7118-4.43212 Málaga María Zambrano , the city's sleek new train station, is about 1 km (0.62 mi) west of the city centre and served by renfe's high-speed AVE service, which zips travellers from Madrid in 2½–3 hours (some starting service from Barcelona), Cordoba 1 hour earlier or Seville 2 hours before. Several trains run each line daily. Slower (and cheaper) trains are also available. There is one train a day from Madrid on Renfe's low cost brand Avlo, but this is not necessarily the cheapest train and is priced more like a budget airline. There is another 'low cost' operator iryo^{[dead link]} providing services from Cordoba & Madrid which run several times a day.

For Granada, take a train to Bobadilla and change to a Granada-bound train there.

Renfe also operates two Cercanías commuter rail lines out of Málaga, one west along the coast via the airport C-1 and the nearby tourist towns of Torremolinos and Fuengirola and one inland C-2. Both lines make two stops in Central Málaga: one at the María Zambrano station (where you can connect to Renfe and the bus station across the street) and one at the end of the line at Centro-Alameda, closer to the city centre where Avenida de Andalucia crosses the Guadalmedina River.

36.71605-4.425563 Malaga Centro-Alameda. The closest underground train station to the city centre. It's the first stop on the two Cercanías train lines, C1 and C2.  

The main bus station is right across the street from the train station, a km or so west of the city centre on Paseo de los Tilos. The station serves buses from all over Spain and is a major transfer point if you're passing through the region.

A substation, the 36.715833-4.4211114 Muelle Heredia bus station, is on Avenida de Manuel Agustin Heredia, adjacent to the port and handles many of the regional buses that serve the Málaga province, such as those going to nearby beach towns, many of which are operated by the Málaga Metropolitan Transport Consortium.

The A-7 E-15 motorway runs along the coast to from Gibraltar to Almeria and through Murcia and on.

The A-45 motorway runs from Cordoba to Málaga.

There is a ferry route between Málaga and Melilla in North Africa with Transmediterranea. Book early.

Cruise ships plying the Mediterranean call at 36.716667-4.4166675 the Port of Malaga.  .

36°43′12″N 4°25′15″W

The city centre of Malaga

The best way to get an impression of Málaga is to discover the charming corners, stunning sights and lovely neighbourhoods by wandering the streets and narrow roads on foot: take a stop for churros con chocolate, ice-cream, a coffee or some tapas and enjoy the Andalusian atmosphere.

Málaga is making big improvements when it comes to cycling. Nowadays Malagueños use their bikes more often to go to work or for recreational use in the weekends. Also Málaga established a cycling association supported by the local public transport association. The use of bicycles is promoted as being eco-friendly, fun, safe and healthy. Promotional campaigns in the form of group cycle activities or excursions outside Málaga are being introduced and this has led to big success.

Meanwhile, Málaga also constructed several bike lanes. Due to this construction the centre is also better connected with the northern part of the city. The historical centre of Málaga is already free of motorized vehicles, which makes cycling much safer than in the past. Also spots like the boulevard and the harbour are only accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. This 2-km-long boulevard is wide enough for cyclists to enjoy and cycle in a relaxing fashion.

Besides cycling in the city the coast area of Málaga is also worth exploring by bike. Going east from Málaga is probably the most popular route as its possible to travel along a route through the twin traditional fishing villages of Pedregalejo and El Palo all the way to the end of Rincon De La Victoria without going on the main road. Travelling west along the coast is not quite as straightforward, for example biking from Málaga to Torremolinos is a popular route but it is difficult to find a good route away from busy highways but it is possible.

Cycling inland north from Málaga is characterized by steep climbs with little in the way of long easy winding routes. The Montes de Málaga is probably the most notable mountain route from the city where an elevation of over 900 m can be reached in less than 15 km, this route is known locally as "The Reina" and is not for the lazy cyclist. Other notable climbs include a section known locally as "The Wall" which is a terrifying descent or climber's challenge depending on what direction it's cycled. "The Wall" is a 9 km section between Moclinejo and Almáchar (this is the terrifying descent direction) on an inland route from Malaga to the coastal resort of Torre Del Mar.

An alternative mountain route for the committed cyclist is around the "Sierra de Mijas". The route goes west from Málaga on quite a busy main road past the airport, then up a steep country road to the white villages of Benalmadena Pueblo and Mijas Pueblo, dropping down then to Alhaurin el Grande and back on the north side of Sierra de Mijas to Málaga via Alhaurin de la Torre.

• Escapada Cycling, Plaza Poeta Alfonso Canales. 10:00 - 20:00. High-end road bike hire. starts from €35/day. (updated Apr 2019)

There are several public transport options (bus, metro & local trains) which can save you the hassle of parking a car.

With the green travel card of CTMAM you can use all means of public transport in and around Malaga (metro, commuter trains (Cercanías), city and regional buses) for a lower price. The card can be bought in tobacco shops for €1.50 and must be charged with at least €5 (Nov 2024). There are other travel cards from Metro Málaga (covers city buses as well) & EMT Tarjeta Transbordo (see below) but this card is for buses only.

Metro Málaga^{[dead link]} is a small two line light metro service that covers parts of the city. Line  1  runs West from the centre, while Line  2  runs South. You can used a contactless bank card on the barriers for a cost of €1.35 if your card is unregistered. If you register your bank card you will be charged a lower price. Both lines come together at the El Perchel (Maria Zambrano) station, from where you can also access the AVE, the Media Distancia, Regionales and Cercanías train networks at Maria Zambrano station, as well as the intercity bus station.

EMT City Buses^{[dead link]} There is a comprehensive network of city buses. Most buses call at the Alameda Principal near the Atarazanas metro station. (The EMT website and Metro Malaga are geoblocked for users outside (or appearing to be outside) Spain. If you have difficulty accessing them locally, try WiFi.) Journey planning can be done using Google Maps or Moovit. A single ride costs €1.40 (Nov 2024) which can be paid by contactless card. For using the city buses more often buy a Tarjeta Transbordo for €1.90 and charge it with €4.20 for 10 rides (Nov 2024). The Transbordo card can only be used for the city buses, not for other means of public transport.

Commuter Trains (Cercanías) There are two lines C-1 & C-2 which both call at Málaga Centro Alameda, Maria Zambrano (for mainline trains, trams & buses) & Victoria Kent. Extending well beyond the city there are two lines C-1 runs South West to Fuengirola calling at the Airport & Torremolinos amongst many other places. C-2 runs approximately North West to Alora. You can load the tickets onto +Renfe & Tú Contactless Card or an easier way is to use a contactless bank card at the carriers.

Regional buses are controlled by CTMAM.

If you want to park at Malaga airport, there are many private car parks around the airport which are much cheaper than the official airport car park.

There are many car rental companies in Malaga. Most of them are located near the airport.

Málaga has become a well-known place for visiting art galleries, historical sites and monuments in the South of Europe:

• 36.721389-4.4155561 Alcazaba, C/ Alcazabilla 2 (from the bottom of the hill in the centre of the old town; buy your tickets online and skip the queue at the entrance through the building on the right), ☏ +34 630 93 29 87, [email protected]. Apr-Oct: daily 09:00-20:00; Nov-Mar: daily 09:00-18:00. A Moorish castle built in the 11th century on a hill in the middle of the city, this old fort is the best-preserved of its kind in Spain. Upon entering you'll climb up past the ramparts offering excellent views of the city and lush gardens to a small Moorish palace at the top which holds a number of artifacts from excavations on the site. €5.50, free Sundays after 14:00.  
• 36.721189-4.4168712 Roman Theater (Teatro Romano), C/ Alcazabilla 8 (next to the Alcazaba), ☏ +34 951 04 14 00. The beautiful remains of an old Roman theater. You can view them anytime from the overlook in the plaza, but if you want to get up close you can enter the attached building, where you'll be shown a short film and view some artifacts before entering the theater itself, where you can walk past the old stage and sit on the stone steps. Free. (updated Nov 2024)

• 36.723344-4.4116533 Castillo de Gibralfaro, C/ Gibralfaro 11 (at the top of the hill, you can walk or take bus #35 (not Su)). Tu-Su 09:30-19:00, closed on Mondays. Another Moorish castle and the counterpart to the Alcazaba, the Castillo sits on a larger hill behind the Alcazaba and offers an incredible view of the city and neighboring suburbs from the ramparts that encircle the castillo. Within the fortress is a set of gardens and some displays, including an exhibit on the various military forces to have occupied the fort. Between the Castillo and the Alcazaba, visit the Alcazaba if you only have time for one, as the Castillo requires a hefty hike or a bus ride (bus 35) up the mountain. €3.50; reduced €1.50, free Sundays after 14:00. Combined ticket with Alcazaba €5.50. (updated Dec 2024)

• 36.720172-4.419724 Málaga Cathedral (Catedral de Málaga), Calle Molina Lario 9, ☏ +34 952 21 59 17. M-F 10:00-20:00, Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 14:00-18:00. In the heart of the city centre and well worth visiting. Adults €10. (updated Nov 2024)
• 36.721771-4.418475 Picasso Museum, Palacio de Buenavista, C/ San Agustín 8 (in Buenavista Palace in the centre of the old town), ☏ +34 952 127600. Jul-Aug: daily 10:00-20:00; Mar-Jun Sep-Oct: daily 10:00-19:00; Nov-Dec: daily 10:00-18:00. The Picasso museum hosts exclusive paintings and other artworks by the Málaga-born artist. Your entry fee also provides access to regularly changing exhibitions by other artists. €12.  
• 36.724089-4.4176076 Picasso's birthplace (Museo Casa Natal de Picasso), Plaza Merced 15, ☏ +34 951 92 60 60. Daily 09:30-20:00. Loads of objects and some paintings that the most famous artist of the 20th century created during his childhood. €3. 
• 36.721462-4.4229717 Museo Carmen Thyssen, Plaza Carmen Thyssen, C/Compañía 10, ☏ +34 902 303131. Tu-Th 10:00-20:00, F Sa 10:00-21:00, Su and holidays 10:00-20:00 (open M and closed Su in summer). Opened in 2011 and has an excellent collection of 19th and 20th century Spanish paintings. €8. 
• 36.718896-4.4126178 Centre Pompidou Málaga, Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, s/n 29016, Muelle Uno, Puerto de Málaga. 09:30-20:00 except Tuesday closed. Works from the Paris Centre Pompidou's collection. See website. (updated Nov 2024)
• 36.726831-4.4237239 Museum Jorge Rando, Calle Cruz del Molinillo 12, ☏ +34 952210991, [email protected]. M-F 10:00-14:00 & 16:00-20:00 Sa 10:00-14:00 (Afternoon session is one hour later June-September). Museum focussed on expressionist art. (updated Nov 2024)
• 36.72334-4.41973310 Interactive Museum of Music (Museo Interactivo de la Musica Málaga), Muralla Plaza de la Marina, ☏ +34 952 210 440. Daily 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-20:00. Has one of the largest collections of musical instruments in Europe. €3. 

• 36.714524-4.42553111 Centro de Arte Contemporáneo (CAC Malaga). from September 2024 closed for renovation.. Located in a former wholesale trade market, it houses a good collection of works of art and installations. Guided visits. (updated Nov 2024)
• 36.699472-4.43976912 Automobile & Fashion Museum (Museo del Automovil y la Moda), Sor Terasa Prat Avenue 15 (Bus 7 & 15 stop Avda. Sor Teresa Prat - Tabacalera; nearest metro (650m)  2  Princesa - Huelin.), ☏ +34 951 13 70 01, [email protected]. check website (available in English). An interest combined museum showing vehicles & fashion through various eras. Located in a former tobacco factory. Adult €10; 65+ €8; other concessions & groups €6. (occasional dramatised openings at higher price, check website). (updated Nov 2024)
• Russian Museum Collection, St. Petersburg-Málaga (Colección del Museo Ruso / Málaga), Avenida Sor Teresa Prat, nº 15, Edificio de Tabacalera. (see entry above for transport information.), [email protected]. (updated Nov 2024)
• 36.720371-4.41077513 Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta, Paseo de Reding. M-F 10:00-13:00 and 17:00-20:00, closed Sa Su and holidays. Málaga's bullring. 
• 36.760221-4.42583414 La Conception Botanical & Historical Garden (Botanical Garden), Camino del Jardín Botánico 3 (Bus #2 to San Jose. Walk north along Cmo de Casabermeja, then follow signs through underpass. (15 min walk). City Sightseeing Green Route goes to the gate.), ☏ +34 95 225-2148. Apr-Sep: Tu-Su 09:30-20:30; Oct-Mar: Tu-Su 09:30-17:30; closed Dec 25, Jan 1. Botanical and historical garden with beautiful views of the city from this garden; worth a visit. Adult €5.20, Reduced €3.10. (updated Nov 2024)

From 2015 to 2023, the most visited monument in Malaga was the Alcazaba (1,785,162 visitors in 2023), whereas the most successful museum was the Picasso Museum (779,279 visitors in 2023).

• Malaga Aviation Museum (Museo Aeronautico de Malaga), Plaza Pierre-Georges Latécoère s/n, 29004 Málaga, Spain (to walk from airport terminal, go on skyway by parking garage, exit parking garage by old terminal and follow sidewalk to general aviation terminal), ☏ +34 952048176. Tu 10:00-20:00; W-Sa 10:00-14:00. Unique museum with original 1940s terminal in Malaga, other buildings with old and new aviation equipment, uniforms, and models of the airport. Neat to see for kids and adults. Free parking. Free, donations. (updated Jul 2024)

• Visit the newly remodelled Port Area (south of the Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta). A hive of activity, especially at weekends, the new Port Area or Muelle Uno is a wonderful seaside addition to the city. Bars and restaurants abound overlooking the harbour and there are normally free music concerts and market stalls at weekends. A great place to people watch.
• Rock Climb. There is lots of great rock climbing in and around Málaga. The amazing El Chorro gorge is 50 minutes drive to the north west and this also features the 36.915833-4.7727781 King's little pathway (El Caminito del Rey)   - an amazing pathway suspended high above the gorge. There is also Via Ferrata and rock climbing at 36.963611-4.5455562 El Torcal (near Antequerra)  .
• Beaches: The nearest beach to the centre is La Malagueta - this is fine for a day's sunbathing although quieter and prettier beaches can be found further east or west. It can be a nice (if rather long!) walk along the waterfront to reach these beaches, otherwise you could get a bus from near the bull ring in the direction of El Palo (e.g. line 33). Malaga East tends to have smaller beaches while Malaga West have long stretches of beaches.
• 36.72079-4.421563 Sightseeing Treasure Hunt Málaga (Malaga City Adventure), Plaza de la Constitución, 29008 Málaga (meeting point next to the fountain), ☏ +34 618 250 617, [email protected]. By appointment, tours last at least 2.5 hours. Malaga City Adventure is a startup company and pioneers in Treasure Hunting Events in Málaga. They offer a Sightseeing Treasure Hunt for tourists and tailor made team building events for companies. Equipped with a treasure hunting bag, a treasure book with information and recommendations and a modern GPS-compass you explore the historical centre of Málaga, search for hidden items and solve challenging riddles to find the secret treasure. Tours last 2-3 hours, you are in your private group and do the treasure hunt at your own pace. €25 - 35. (updated Feb 2024)

• Semana Santa (Holy Week). The Holy Week processions in Málaga are known for at least 500 years, and are one of the oldest in all of Spain. They begin Palm Sunday and end Easter Sunday. The Spanish Legion's procession is a must see on Maundy Thursday. (updated Mar 2016)

• Spanish & Culture: If you have a school group, consider one of the immersion language courses at the On Spain Language School, including cultural and sports activity programme.
• Spanish: Take an intensive Spanish course at Málaga University and put it into practice at one of the city's many exciting bars.
• Spanish: Linguaschools Málaga is specialised in teaching Spanish in the old centre of Málaga since 1982.
• Spanish: There are many private language schools in Málaga offering a wide range of Spanish courses. You can search and compare online.
• Spanish: Hispania Schools Málaga Spanish courses for all ages, intensive or private. Start any Monday of the year in Malaga centre.
• Salsa: Many bars and discos in Málaga offer free Salsa classes, such as The Sound in the centre and The Swan in the trendy suburb town of Pedregalejo.

Most merchants are able to accept Credit Cards, and can use contactless tap. Although tipping is not required, if you want to add a tip you need to tell the merchant before they put the amount into the credit card machine, because there is no option to add the tip in the machine. Otherwise tip with cash. Even most bank ATM's are able to do contactless (e.g. Apple Pay) withdrawals.

• 36.71842-4.424061 Central Market (Mercado Central de Atarazanas), Calle Atarazanas (north of the Alamada Principal). M-Sa 08:00-15:00. A lively market featuring regional produce and olive oil, fish, meat, and cheese, housed in a 19th-century wrought iron building. Don't miss the restored, enormous stained glass windows, as well as the large 14th-century Moorish gate incorporated into the building's southern façade. 
• Plaza Mayor. A shopping centre full of boutiques of almost every major luxury brand in the world, including Armani, Prada, and Versace, rivalled only by Puerto Banús in Marbella. You can get there by bus, line 10, M-136 and M-123, or by train, get off on the stop "Plaza Mayor".
• El Corte Ingles A huge department store right in the heart of Málaga, it also has a huge selection of luxury brands, but its main advantage over Plaza Mayor is the selection of fragrance and its location. The metro station Guadalmedina stops right in front of it.
• Librería Rayuela idiomas, on Calle Cárcer . A valuable resource, offering textbooks and dictionaries for learning just about any European language you could desire.

Along the coast there are dozens of restaurants and chiringuitos (beach restaurants) where you can have fish, seafood, paella, sangria, etc. One of the most famous chiringuitos is El Tintero, at the east end, where there is no menu: the waiters sing out what they are carrying and they leave you a plate at your signal. From time to time, one of them offers to give you the bill.

The most typical thing to eat in Málaga is espetos, sardines squewered on a bamboo stick and grilled over a fire (typically driftwood); and pescaíto frito: all types of deep-fried fish from anchovies to squid. A speciality of Andalucia is fish (most commonly dogfish "cazon", although sometimes other fish such as tuna, "atun") marinated in garlic and vinegar - look on the menu for Cazon en adobo. Try also the coquinas (small clams cooked in white wine). Simply delicious!

Jamon is a regional specialty, and is an aged, salted ham, from acorn-fed pork, similar to prosciutto.

One final note: do not bother picking oranges from the trees that grow all over the city. They are of a very bitter variety and are not good to eat. You can however make marmalade out of them, if you were so inclined!

Beware of places that seem to have prices too good to be true like Bar Aduana Vieja near Malaga Museum. They'll give you extremely tiny portions but luckily they are easy to avoid - they have horrible reviews on Google Maps.

There are several inexpensive restaurants in the historical centre.

• 36.721771-4.4184651 Bodeguita El Gallo, Calle San Agustin (opposite the entrance to Picasso's museum). Typical Andalusian tavern evironment, Sweet Málaga wines and the most traditional tapas. (updated Sep 2022)
• 36.72269-4.4227622 Vegetariano El Calafate, Calle Andrés Perez, 6, ☏ +34 952 22 93 44. A hidden gem around the corner from Thyssen Museum. Offers traditional Spanish & Andalucian dishes, with a vegetarian twist. Low-key interior with art for sale on the walls. Good choice for lunch and dinner. (updated Sep 2022)
• 36.721243-4.4210573 Taberna Quitapenas Sánchez Pastor, C. Sánchez Pastor, 2. Good place to go for tapas, nice atmosphere, good service. Authentic and friendly. Great wines. (updated May 2022)
• 36.723612-4.4203464 Taperia El Beato, C. Beatas, 3. Great terrace and fantastic service. Fresh fish, homemade croquettes, meatballs in delicious almond sauce. (updated May 2022)
• 36.721886-4.419585 La Campana, C. Granada, 35. Cozy and typical Andalusian place of Malaga with a lot of history. Cozy atmosphere. (updated May 2022)
• 36.724028-4.4200566 Curry-Ya! Málaga, C. Álamos, 6. A very cozy establishment. As the name suggests, a wide variety of curry dishes. Ideal to spend some time with your close ones between spicy and sweet dishes with a Japanese essence. Good service and very good atmosphere. (updated May 2022)
• Tasca La Salita, C. Mariblanca, 10. Yummy tapas (especially the pork) at a good price. Not a touristy place with tons of seats so get there early. (updated Dec 2023)
• 36.722436-4.4205567 Spago's, Calle Calderería, 11. Reviews used to be good for this place but was more like lukewarm microwave pasta out 2 minutes after ordering. Try at your own risk. (updated Dec 2023)
• 36.724099-4.4183558 La Vegana, c San Juan de Letran 13 (off pl Merced), ☏ +34 951991609. 100% vegan tapas bar. Saturday is Paella day. See website for hours & reservations. (updated Dec 2024)

There are several fast food outlets like Taco Bell or Carl's Jr.

• 36.717284-4.4214059 Cervecería Mapamundi 2011, C. Trinidad Grund, 7. If you want to enjoy European food and very delicious beers this is the right place. A different space in the heart of Soho. A real Spanish bar. (updated May 2022)
• 36.71717-4.42201810 Taberna La Antigua, C. Trinidad Grund, 12. Typical Spanish tavern. The owner is truely attentive to the needs of customers. Good Paella. (updated May 2022)

• 36.7219-4.4181611 Bodega-Bar El Pimpi, Calle Granada, 62 (entrance around the corner from the Museo Picasso), ☏ +34 952 228 990, [email protected]. Daily 10:00-late. Enormously popular with locals and tourists, this place serves up excellent food and wine. Despite being frequented by such celebrities as Antonio Banderas and Placido Domingo, the prices are very moderate. (updated May 2022)
• 36.71925-4.4221112 Mesón Lo Güeno, Calle Marín García, 9, ☏ +34 952 22 30 48. Daily 12:00-24:00. Offers a large range of tapas and excellent wines. (updated May 2022)
• 36.714452-4.42737413 Restaurante Gallego Candamil, C. Cuarteles, 15 (On the street leading from the train station to the centre), ☏ +34 95 232-3907. This Galician restaurant is very popular with the locals. This is understandable when you see the great range of quality tapas at fantastic prices, e.g. tapa of empanada €1.25, glass of cider €1.15. 
• 36.722809-4.41016714 Restaurante @ Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro, Castillo de Gibralfaro, ☏ +34 95 222-1902. Castillo de Gibralfaro. Some report being disappointed by the restaurant at the Parador. The food was sub par, but the service by contrast was exemplary, together with all the nice little free appetizers, aperitifs, etc. Wine list tended towards the expensive but with the excellent idea of a monthly wine choice 'balancing quality and value', for example a very palatable Ribera del Duero Crianza at €10. Set menu €27 pp (plus VAT). Fantastic view of the city, especially from the terrace. 
• Cafetería of Hotel Castilla Guerrero, in street Córdoba, nº 7 in Málaga centre, between the Port and Alameda Principal. Offers traditional and typical Andalucian dishes, including soups, salads, meats and fishes or sandwiches, cakes, croissants or baguettes. Star dishes include: Gazpacho andaluz, Paella, Porra Antequerana, Rabo de Toro, Croquetas caseras, and many more. Breakfasts and meals with inexpensive prices.
• Meson Huesca, Calle Virgen De La Esperanza, 21. (updated Apr 2023)

• 36.718234-4.44019515 Jacinto Restaurante, Av. del Obispo Angel Herrera Oria, 7. High-end seafood restaurant (updated Aug 2022)

Málaga has a local sweet wine called Moscatel made from muscat grapes. It can be tasted in popular pubs in the city centre, like the famous old La Casa del Guardia (Avenue Alameda Principal) or the well-known El Pimpi.

Málaga nightlife will make you think that nobody sleeps in this town even during the work week! It is especially busy from Thursday to Sunday, where people buy drinks at supermarkets and drink them at night in controlled areas known as "botellodromos" in the city centre, before going into the clubs:

• Metropol, Cosa Nostra, Vaticano, Andén (big busy Latin club)
• Velvet Club (aka Sonic, plays metal, hardcore, punk) [not open Sundays]
• Nyx, Urbano, Village Green (Rock, Indie, etc.)
• White, Abyssinia, Bar El Sound (Rap, Hip Hop, R&B)
• Paradise/Punto G, Warhol (gay)
• ChillHouse ( house-dance music)
• There are several nice Moroccan-style tea houses in town, serving an amazing variety of teas in addition to other interesting non-alcoholic drinks.

Craft Beer

• 36.72374-4.4197131 Central Beers, 6 Calle Cárcer, ☏ +34 636 82 97 00. M-F 18:00-02:00; F-Sa 13:00-03:00; Su 13:00-03:00. Good choice of Belgian beers. (updated Nov 2024)
• 36.723134-4.4182492 Birras Deluxe, Plaza de la Merced 5, ☏ +34 621007218. open from 17:00. Belgian & American style beers on tap. (updated Nov 2024)

There are basically two good locations for tourist lodging in town: At the beach, or in or near the pedestrian zone in the centre. The cheapest beds are found in the red light district between the centre and the port.

• 36.721905-4.4224111 Oasis Backpackers' Hostel Malaga, Calle San Telmo 14 (in the city centre), ☏ +34 952 005 116. Check-in: midday, check-out: 11:30. It has a big roof-top terrace to overlook Málaga and a bar in the basement. Free wifi and breakfast. From €14, dorms and double rooms. Directions: From Bus station Paseo los Tilos its a 2-km walk to the Oasis Hostel at Calle San Telmo 14. Walk to the right of Paseo los Tilos turning into Callejones del Perchel. At the roundabout take a right into Avenida de la Aurora crossing the river. Continue the river bank on the this side for about 800 m, (Pasilla de Santa Isabel) until you turn right into Calle de los Cisneros. Turn into the 4th street on the left, Calle Santos, next to the right, than left again, than right again into Calle San Telmo at No. 14 from €14. 
• Pension La Palma, Calle Martinez 7, ☏ +34 95 222-6772. Run by a friendly lady, this cheap and cheerful place has rooms starting from €30. It's very central and some rooms have little balconies. 
• Pension Costa Rica, Calle Córdoba 5, ☏ +34 95 221-3577. Very primitive and in the middle of the red light district, but it seems to be one of the cheapest available. From €20. 
• Picasso's Corner, San Juan de Letrán, 9, ☏ +34 95 221-2287. Right in the historic district, close to the beach. Bar and lounge, food and disco shows. 15-20. 

• 36.7164-4.42182 Hotel Alameda, Street Casas de campos, 3 (corner street Cordoba,9) (next to the harbour, a short walk from Alameda Principal (sur) stop on the no. 19 bus), ☏ +34 95 222-2099, [email protected]. Economic budget between the historical centre and the port. All rooms have private bathrooms, television and air-conditioning or heating. The hotel is on the eighth floor of a building shared with other businesses and you will need to use the buzzer (well labelled) to speak to reception so they can let you in. (Reception is staffed 24 hours a day.) From €55. 
• 36.71963-4.423243 Apartamentos Debambú, Calle Cintéria, 7, ☏ +34 952 21 99 16, [email protected]. Centrally located, with very clean rooms. Exceptionally clean and modern, with helpful staff. Free wi-fi, airport shuttle available. From €60/studio. 
• Málaga Hotel, Acacias de Guadalmar 153 (on Guadalmar beach), ☏ +34 95 217-6061, fax: +34 9521756552, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. 3-star hotel with garden, swimming pool, jacuzzi, restaurant. Boardwalk with beach restaurants (chiringuitos). €60 - 119. 
• 36.71647-4.423344 Oficentro Suites, C/ Tomas Heredia, 8 (city centre), ☏ +34 952 213 447, [email protected]. The apartment is fully furnished and cleaning is done weekly. (updated Mar 2024)
• Silken Puerta Málaga, Héroe de Sostoa 17, ☏ +34 93 280-2988. Very stylish four-star from the Silken chain, opposite the main train station. Beautifully decorated rooms and bathrooms, with great attention to detail. Good discounted rates in winter (€56-69+VAT). 
• Hotel Guadalmedina, Pasillo del Matadero, 16, ☏ +34 952 365 146. €55-90. 
• Suites del Pintor, C/ Montaño 18 Portal 3, ☏ +34 952 22 43 50. Bright, comfortable apartments in Malaga's historic centre (updated Jul 2016)
• Hotel MS Maestranza Málaga, Avda. Cánovas del Castillo 1, ☏ +34 952 21 36 10, [email protected]. Nice 4-star hotel in the centre of Malaga. (updated Jul 2016)
• Higueron Hotel Malaga, Curio Collection by Hilton, Avenida del Higueron, 48, Fuengirola, ☏ +34-95-1505101, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. (updated Jan 2021)

• NH Málaga, Avenida Río Guadalmedina, ☏ +34 95 207-1323. In the historic and commercial centre of Málaga, next to the 'Puente de la Esperanza' and a short stroll from the 'Museo de la Expiración'. Its excellent location makes it easy to enjoy Málaga's unique personality. 
• Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro, Castillo de Gibralfaro, ☏ +34 95 222-1902. Fantastic location with spectacular views (best on 3rd floor) over the city. Sitting area and balcony. €135 +VAT, breakfast €11. 
• Hotel del Pintor, Álamos 27, ☏ +34 95 206-0980. Opened in 2005, the Hotel del Pintor is a small urban hotel that combines design and technology with personalized attention. Central location in the historic centre, near Picasso's birthplace. €74-121. 

As of Dec 2024, Málaga and its approach roads have 5G from all Spanish carriers.

Málaga has exceptional road and motorway links, making it an excellent base for exploring the nearby villages and towns. Wonderful drives inland reveal the hidden gems of this region, with small restaurants nestling in the hills where you can experience an authentic taste of Andalucia.

There are also several tourist holiday resorts within reach: Torremolinos, Nerja and Marbella.

Berrocal's Museum System. Exhibition venue around the work of the sculptor Miguel Berrocal in the Andalusian village of Villanueva de Algaidas, in the outskirts of Málaga. The project offers the possibility to visit 3 exhibit spaces:

• The Museum has its first wing dedicated to painting and graphical works.
• The Studio-Workshop is devoted to the creative and technological processes behind his sculptures, particularly the puzzle sculptures that are made to be disassembled.
• The House-Museum focusses on the personality and life of Berrocal, and houses artworks made by his friends

For an exotic experience, you can visit the autonomous city of Melilla with a 75% discount on flights (30 min) or ferries (6 h) through the Melilla vouchers.