Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world with close to 3000 years of history. It is also a main transit point for tourists arriving in the Costa del Sol, although most people arrive in Malaga airport and leave the city straight away.
Malaga is still a very Spanish, traditional city, with a lot to offer. Here is a selection of the top 15 sights that are worth seeing for yourself in Malaga.
Alcazaba
The Alcazaba – fortress – is situated just beneath the Gibralfaro Castle and is one of the best preserved Moorish military installations in Spain.
Practical information – C/ Alcazabilla 2, 29015 Malaga. Tel +34 952217646 – Map.
Roman Theatre
Just beneath the Alcazaba are the ruins of a Roman Theatre that dates back to the 3C. It was only discovered in 1951 and is currently being carefully restored. The restoration process is proving to be increasingly difficult, as large parts of the theater were used in the construction of the Alcabaza.
Practical information – Entrance is free and situated at the same place as for the Alcazaba. C/ Alcazabilla, 2, 29015 Malaga. Tel +34 952217646 – Map.
Gibralfaro
Constructed on top of Pheonician ruins towards the beginnings of the 14C. The name Gibralfaro comes from the Pheonician word for light – ‘Jbel-Faro’ – taken literally it means ‘rock of light.’
As the name implies, the views over Malaga and the Mediterranean are spectacular from the top of Gibralfaro. Probably the best in the city. Situated at 131m, there’s a bit of walk to get the top and can be hard going in the summer months.
Practical information – Summer opening times 09:30-20:00 and 09:30-18:00 in the winter time. C/ del Geógrafo David Fernández Salas, 29016 Malaga. Tel +34 952227230 – Map.
Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro
For the less energetic and those who still want to experience the breathtaking views over Malaga, the Parador Hotel situated just behind the Gibralfaro is a great alternative and is easily accessible by car.
Practical information – Monte Gibralfaro, S/N, 29016 Malaga. Tel +34 952221902 – Map.
The Picasso Museum
Malaga’s most famous artist. The Picasso Museum is situated in the center of Malaga and has recently extended its collection, now offering 233 works.
Practical information – Open Tuesdays until Sundays. Mondays closed. 010:00 – 20:00 (21:00 on Friday & Saturday). Palacio de Buenavista San Agustín, 8, 29015 Malaga. Tel +34 902443377 – Map.
Plaza de la Merced
Plaza de la Merced is most probably Malaga’s best known square. The birth place of Pablo Picasso, now known as the ‘Museo Casa Natal’ and the site where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabela entered the city after the Reconquest of Spain in the 15th century.
Nowadays, it is very cosmopolitan, with shops, bars and restaurants. It is also very popular at night – Map.
Calle Marqués de Larios
Calle Larios is the main shopping street in the centre of Malaga. The Larios family built the street in the 19C when Malaga was at the height of its industrial boom. Originally built to provide access to the new port, it is a good place for a stroll, with shops, cafes and plenty of restaurants.
Just behind Calle Larios you can wander through Malaga’s historic quarter. With a series of smaller, windy streets and countless little squares. It also one of the best places for nightlife – Map.
Plaza de la Constitución
Right in the heart of the historical center of Malaga sits the Plaza de la Constitución (at the end of Calle Larios). Formerly housing the prison, nowadays its a good place to go and have a drink in one of the many cafes and watch the world go by – Map.
Teatro Cervantes
The theatre was rebuilt completely following a fire and was opened as the Teatro Miguel de Cervantes in 1870. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that the theatre was refurbished and pushed into the limelight. Nowadays the Teatro de Cervantes is known for a wide variety of acts that perform there.
Practical information – Calle Ramos Marín, S/N 29012 Malaga. Tel +34 952224100 – Map.
Malaga’s Cathedral
Affectionately known as ‘La Manquita – the one armed lady’ – due to the fact that one of the church towers was never constructed – because of a lack of funds. Built over a mosque, construction began in 1528 and wasn’t finished until 1782. As such, the Cathedral is mix of various styles including baroque and renaissance.
Practical information – 09:30 – 18:45 during week days and Saturdays. Sunday and holidays, only services. Calle Molina Lario, 9, 29015 Malaga. Tel +34 952215917 – Map.
Santiago Church
The oldest church in Malaga, dating back to 1490. Built over an existing Mosque, the Church is a combination of Gothic and Mudéjar (Arab) style. It was also where Pablo Picasso was baptised – in 1881.
Practical information – 09.00-13.30 and 18.00-20.00 Monday to Saturday. Calle Granada S/N, 29015 Malaga – Map.
Malaga’s Town Hall
Malaga’s finest example of a modernistic building. Construction started in 1912 and finished in 1919.
Practical information – 09:00 -14:00 and 17:00 -19:00 – weekdays. Cervantes Avenue, 29016 Malaga. Tel: +34 952135000 – Map.
Playa de la Malagueta
Just a fifteen walk from the center of Malaga is the Malagueta beach. Awarded a blue flag, it is 60m wide, 2500m long and is a very popular beach.
Bars, restaurants and traditional chiringuitos are all abound. An artificial beach made from sand from the Sahara, it is a good place to go after a mornings sightseeing to cool off – Map.
Malaga’s Botanical Gardens
Malaga’s botanical gardens, also known as the – Jardines de La Concepción - are a spectacular tropical forest situated within 49 hectares of land, only 5kms north of Malaga.
Practical information – Opening 09:30 – 20:30 (summer months) or 17:30 (during the winter). Carretera de las Pedrizas, CN 331, km 166. Telephone: +34 952 252148 – Map.
Plaza de los Toros
The bull fighting ring dates back to 1876 and can hold up to 14,000 spectators. There is also a small museum dedicated to the history of bullfighting.
Practical information – Paseo de Reding, 8, 29016 Malaga. Tel +34 952221727 – Map.
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Just across the road, there’s Spain’s oldest Anglican Church, which is also worth visiting – St. George’s Church and the English Cemetery.