Looking for a great destination for a city break? Look no further: Málaga is the perfect choice!
What makes Málaga so much fun is its historic old town, authentic fishing neighbourhoods, beaches within walking distance of the centre, and of course the pleasant climate. In this article, I’m sharing a few tips for your city break to Málaga.
Contents
Travel options to Málaga
The great thing is that, in my case coming from the Netherlands, you can fly to Málaga Airport (AGP) in under 3 hours. Tickets start from €71. But prices can vary depending on the time, route and class you book. That’s why it’s recommended to book early to get the best deals.
Prefer travelling by train? That’s possible too. Málaga has a train station where you can arrive from abroad.
From the airport to the city
The airport is close to the city. There are several options to get from the airport into Málaga:
- By bus, you’ll be in central Málaga in about 30 minutes. The Airport Express bus runs every 30 to 45 minutes. The first bus leaves around 07:00 and the last one around midnight. A ticket costs €4 and you can simply buy it from the bus driver.
- By train, you’ll be in the centre in just 12 minutes (as long as you catch the train at the right time). The station is diagonally opposite the arrivals hall and a train departs roughly every 20 minutes. Take line C1 towards Málaga Alameda Centro to reach the historic centre. Keep in mind the first train towards the centre only runs from 07:00 and the last one is around midnight. You can easily buy a ticket at a machine at the station and it costs just €1.80!
- I went for convenience and took a taxi, which got me to the centre in 20 minutes. At Málaga Airport, you’ll find the taxi rank outside the arrivals hall. Taxi travel in Málaga comes with surcharges, including a mandatory airport surcharge of €5.50. Taxi fares also vary depending on the time of day and the day of the week. I paid €20 on Thursday morning for a ride into the centre, and €21 on Sunday afternoon.
Explore Málaga!
There’s so much to do in this beautiful city. I recommend starting with a bike tour so you can get a good first impression. I really loved this bike tour ( € 29,50 p.p. ) past all the highlights of Málaga — highly recommended! The tour takes about 3 hours and you’re guided by a Dutch-speaking guide who takes you past Picasso’s birthplace, a fresh food market, beautiful parks, the castle, and along the beach to the old fishing neighbourhoods. During the tour, you learn about Málaga’s history and culture and you see the city in a unique way. After the tour, you’ll have a first feel for the city and can decide what you want to do next. Book one of the many bike tours via Get Your Guide!
Discover Málaga’s rich history
Málaga is one of the oldest cities in the world and over the centuries it has been shaped by many different cultures and civilisations, including the Phoenicians, Romans and Moors. The city has played an important role in Spanish history and it’s packed with historical monuments and sights that reflect its rich past. From the Roman Theatre to the Alcazaba (fortress): there’s plenty to discover and explore in this beautiful city. I recommend a few activities to dive into the history of this fascinating place.
- Explore Málaga’s historic centre, with its narrow streets, squares and historic buildings.
- Visit the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress in the city centre with beautiful views over the harbour and the city.
- Visit the Picasso Museum, dedicated to the famous artist Pablo Picasso, who was born in Málaga.
- Visit Málaga Cathedral, an impressive Gothic building in the heart of the city.
- Explore Gibralfaro Castle, a medieval castle on a hill with stunning views over the city.
- Visit the Roman Theatre, an ancient amphitheatre dating back to the 1st century BC.
Sun, sea and beach!
One of Málaga’s biggest perks is its location by the sea. Definitely head to the beach and enjoy the sun and the water. There are lots of great beaches here. The closest beach from the centre is La Malagueta Beach. If you walk along the Muelle Uno promenade towards the lighthouse, this is the first city beach you’ll come across. It’s a lovely beach and perfect if you just want to relax and soak up the sun.
Spanish food and drinks
Make sure to try local tapas and wines in one of the many bars and restaurants around the city. There are plenty of great places in Málaga where you can enjoy the local cuisine. Here are a few tips:
- El Pimpi – a traditional restaurant with a beautiful terrace and an extensive wine list.
- La Cosmopolita – a cosy restaurant with a modern twist on traditional dishes.
- Mercado Central de Atarazanas – a covered market with different stalls where you can enjoy fresh fish, meat and vegetables.
- La Deriva – a restaurant with a beautiful view of the harbour and a menu of local, seasonal dishes.
- Los Mellizos – a restaurant known for its delicious seafood and paella.
- La Taberna del Pintxo – a tapas bar where you can enjoy delicious pintxos and other tapas dishes.
- La Tranca – a cosy bar with a wide selection of wines and tapas.
- La Moraga – a modern restaurant with an innovative menu and beautiful views over the city.
- El Tapeo de Cervantes – a tapas bar with a wide selection of traditional and modern tapas dishes.
- La Casa del Perro – a restaurant with a cosy atmosphere and a menu of local, seasonal dishes.
Drinks and dancing
Fancy a great cocktail? There are so many fun rooftop bars where you can enjoy a fancy drink, soak up the last bit of sunshine, and take in a gorgeous view.
- La Terraza de la Alcazaba – a rooftop bar with stunning views of the Alcazaba, the city, and the sea in the distance.
- La Terraza Oasis – a rooftop bar at Oasis Hostel with lovely views over the city.
- La Terraza de la Aduana – a rooftop bar overlooking the harbour and the city.
- La Terraza de la Malagueta – a rooftop bar at Gran Hotel Miramar with views of the beach and the sea.
Another fun recommendation is one of the many catamaran cruises. From the harbour, there are several providers where you can reserve a spot on the spot. I chose a sunset catamaran cruise with a DJ, which I booked via Get Your Guide.
On top of that, there are countless bars and clubs where you can dance and party until the early hours. I especially enjoyed the La Malagueta neighbourhood. You’ll find lots of trendy bars here. The beach bars are also a great option, where you can sip a cocktail while looking out over the sea. In short: for a great night out, Málaga is the place to be!
What to do near Málaga?
Day trip to Granada and a visit to the Alhambra
Seen enough of Málaga? I took a day trip to Granada. The highlight of my visit was the Alhambra, a centuries-old fortress with beautiful palaces and gardens. It’s one of the most famous buildings in the world and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want to visit the Alhambra, I recommend buying tickets in advance to avoid queues. There are plenty of online resources that can help you plan your visit.
Besides the Alhambra, Granada has a lot more to offer, such as its beautiful cathedral, the charming streets of the Albaicín neighbourhood, and the many tapas bars where you can enjoy delicious local dishes.
There are several ways to get from Málaga to Granada. The train is a great option, and there are several trains running daily between Málaga and Granada. The shortest journey takes about 2.5 hours and you’ll get to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Andalusia along the way. Another option is travelling by bus, which can be cheaper than the train. Several bus companies operate this route, and the travel time is about 2 hours. If you want more flexibility, you can also rent a car and drive yourself. The distance between Málaga and Granada is about 136 km and the drive takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
I booked a day trip to Granada including a visit to the Alhambra and the Nasrid Palaces via Get Your Guide.
Caminito del Rey hike
Another great option just outside Málaga is the Caminito del Rey hike. It’s one of the most spectacular hikes I’ve ever done. The route runs along steep gorge walls and offers breathtaking views of the river and the mountains. The path is narrow and can feel a bit scary at times, but it’s absolutely worth it. It’s a fantastic way to experience the stunning nature of Andalusia. The Caminito del Rey has a total length of 7.7 km and the hike takes about 3 to 4 hours. Caminito del Rey is about 60 kilometres from Málaga. Do you have a rental car? Then drive via the A-357 motorway to Ardales and follow the signs to the parking area for the hiking route2. It’s also possible to travel by train or taxi.
I booked a guided tour via Get Your Guide, which lets you hop on a bus in Málaga and be brought back afterwards. Ideal after an unforgettable hike!
City break Málaga: where to stay?
From luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels, there’s something for every budget. If you want to stay in the centre, you’ll find plenty of hotels and apartments near the Cathedral and Plaza de la Merced. If you’d rather stay close to the beach, there are lots of hotels and apartments near the promenade. There are also many affordable hostels in the city, especially near the train station. I stayed in an apartment by Del Parque Flats Puerto that I booked via Booking.com. A great apartment for six people in a fantastic location. From the apartment, you can easily walk into the city, or head towards the harbour and beaches.
Conclusion: Málaga is the ideal destination for your city break
The city has everything you’re looking for in a city break: rich history, stunning architecture, amazing food, beautiful beaches and a buzzing nightlife. It’s a city you can easily explore on foot, with plenty of sights within walking distance of each other. The highlight of my visit was the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress with beautiful gardens and views over the city. On top of that, you can enjoy delicious tapas in the many bars and restaurants. Málaga is also a great base for exploring the rest of Andalusia, with plenty of beautiful cities, culture and nature nearby. In short: a city break to Málaga is highly recommended!
