Find out how to have fun in Málaga and where to go on day trips.

Sights and history

Although Málaga isn’t one of the most famous historic cities, it certainly has plenty to offer, and you can easily spend at least a whole day exploring the local sights. In Málaga, you can admire monuments dating from antiquity, the era of the Arab Moors and the Spanish monarchy. 

Take a look at the best sights in Málaga.

• The Moorish Alcazaba Fortress
• Gibralfaro Castle
• Málaga Cathedral
• Ancient Roman Theatre

Beaches and swimming

As part of the famous Costa del Sol holiday coastline, Málaga boasts several beautiful city beaches. These stand out for their cleanliness, despite being practically right in the city centre. The local beaches are covered in fine, light-coloured sand; they are all lined with lovely palm-lined promenades featuring dozens of restaurants, and all offer a gentle slope into the sea.

The top 3 most beautiful beaches in Málaga are:

• Playa de la Malagueta
• Playa de la Misericordia
• Playa de Las Acacias

The real beach paradise begins just beyond the borders of Málaga. Dozens of kilometres of beaches along the famous Costa del Sol welcome lovers of lively seaside resorts with plenty of attractions, as well as quieter, smaller villages.

Book a hotel by the beach in Málaga

Nightlife

All major Spanish cities are brimming with nightlife, which the Spanish know how to enjoy to the full. It should therefore come as no surprise that the streets of Málaga are much livelier at night than during the day. The real action doesn’t get going until sometime between 7 and 8 pm and doesn’t wind down until around 3 am.

The centre of Málaga is full of great tapas bars, clubs and restaurants, with the highest concentration around the Plaza de Uncibayin the historic centre, as well as in the La Malagueta district and around the harbour on the Muelle Uno promenade.

A trip to the town of Ronda

One of the most popular destinations in the whole of Andalusia is the historic town of Ronda, situated inland. Marvel at the iconic bridge connecting the two parts of Ronda, perched on high cliffs separated by a deep gorge.

A trip to Ronda can easily be done in a single day. The journey by car takes about an hour and a half, and by bus around two hours.

You can find comprehensive information on transport, sights and accommodation in our guide to Ronda.

• Puente Nuevo and 8 other places to see
• Where to buy tickets to Ronda
• Is it worth spending one night there? Hotel tips

Hiking on the Caminito del Rey

Another world-famous attraction near Málaga is the spectacular Caminito del Rey walking trail, the ‘King’s Path’. The walkway, literally clinging to 300-metre-high rock faces, winds its way through narrow gorges, spans deep valleys and leads through idyllic forests. 

Set aside at least two full days for the Caminito del Rey from Málaga. Walking the entire trail takes about 3.5 hours, and the journey from Málaga takes a further 45 minutes or so each way by car or train. There are a large number of other walking trails in the vicinity of the Caminito del Rey.

The Caminito del Rey is also suitable for less fit walkers; virtually the entire route is slightly downhill and the footpaths are safe.

You can find detailed information in our mini-guide to the Caminito del Rey.

A trip to Gibraltar

The southern coast of Spain is home to a natural and cultural gem: the iconic Rock of Gibraltar. Strictly speaking, Gibraltar is not actually on the Spanish coast, but is a British Overseas Territory, which only adds to its appeal.

Gibraltar is a popular destination for day trips whilst staying in Málaga. In this case, however, it is essential to spend at least one night in Gibraltar or in the nearby Spanish town of La Línea, where accommodation is cheaper.

The journey by car from Málaga to Gibraltar is 129 km and takes about an hour and a half. If you take the motorway the whole way, the toll will cost 10 eur.

Public transport is provided by Avanza buses, which run from Málaga to the border town of La Línea. Buses on this route run five times a day and the journey takes around 2.5 hours. A one-way ticket costs around 14 eur; you can book tickets online at booking.avanza.com.

A trip to Granada

The last of the day trips we’d recommend during a longer stay in Málaga is definitely the city of Granada in the Spanish interior. With the world-famous Alhambra fortress and the highest mountain in mainland Spain, the 3,478-metre-high Mulhacén, towering just a few kilometres from the city, Granada is one of the most visited places on the Iberian Peninsula.

• A detailed guide to Granada

Granada is 127 km from Málaga via a motorway with no tolls.

For public transport, the best option is the Alsa buses, which run every half hour. The journey takes an hour and three-quarters, and a one-way ticket – which is best bought via the alsa.es website – costs around 12 eur.

An alternative is the train, although it only runs between the cities three times a day and the journey takes nearly three hours. Tickets are similarly priced to those for the bus and can be purchased on the renfe.com website.

Málaga Feria

The Spanish love all sorts of festivals – fiestas – and every major city always has at least one festival during the year that far outshines the rest. Málaga is no exception. The most exuberant festival is the so-called Málaga Feria, which celebrates the reconquest of the city by Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1487.

This fiesta takes place from Saturday to Sunday (a total of 9 days) throughout the third week of August every year. You can look forward to lavish evening parades along the Paseo del Parque, dazzling fireworks and a rich cultural programme at the Exhibition and Congress Centre in the western suburbs of Málaga.