Did you know that Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world? It dates back to the 7th century BC, when it was founded by the Phoenicians. It was later conquered by the Romans, and has been under Moorish and Christian rule. It’s also the birthplace of Picasso, and the famous Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen fell in love with the city during his travels. There’s definitely a lot of things to do in Malaga to keep you busy.
Malaga is well known for its nightlife but there’s a lot of cultural and historic sites to immerse yourself in as well. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised to find that Malaga Centro has some of the best tapas in southern Spain. For those of you visiting the city for the first time, here are the top 12 things to do in Malaga.
Best things to do in Malaga
1. Take in the views from a rooftop terrace
There are a lot of rooftop bars in Malaga to choose from and one of the best is at the AC Hotel Malaga Palacio by Marriott. These bars are great for cocktails and to take in the views of the city. You don’t necessarily need to be staying in a hotel or hostel to take advantage of the rooftop bars in Malaga, so do some research beforehand and find the ones that appeal to you.
2. Explore the world of Picasso
Did you know Picasso was born in Malaga? Just behind this statue is where Picasso was born, and there’s a museum dedicated to him as well. Picasso Birthplace Museum tickets can be purchased either in person or online. It’s one of the best things to do in Malaga so make sure you add it to your itinerary.
3. Sample the best churros in Malaga at Casa Aranda
Casa Aranda is located just next to the Atarazanas Market and is spread out in various buildings down an alleyway. There are lots of places to sit, but it’s constantly busy so if you find an empty seat I’d jump in it quickly. This is the best place to go for churros in Malaga and is a big hit with both locals and tourists.
4. Atarazanas Market
All of the food on display at the Atarazanas Market looks incredible and is fairly cheap too. There’s a very unique architectural entrance from the main street as well with a lot of history attached to it. If you’re wondering what to do in Malaga, this is a very popular spot and even has some tapas restaurants inside.
5. Join a food tour
If you like food the Walk and Taste Tour with We Love Malaga is a must. They keep the groups small and intimate so you get to feel like more of a local. These shrimps from Malaga’s market were one of my favourite things and I’m not a fish lover so that’s saying a lot. The tour is a great mix of food and history, so if you’re looking for a walking tour in Malaga that has it all, this is a great choice.
6. Malaga Cathedral
Affectionately named the “one armed woman”, Malaga Cathedral never managed to get its tower due to funds being redirected to aid in the American Revolution. And that’s how it’s going to stay! There’s a small entry fee if you want to go inside it, and you can also go up to the roof for some amazing views of the city below. Visiting the cathedral is one of the top things to do in Malaga and a major attraction.
7. Walk along the waterfront
The pathway along the Port of Malaga makes for a very beautiful walk, and it’s lined with shops and restaurants as well if you fancy a break from the sun. It’s a good leisurely thing to do in Malaga, and it’s only a 5 minute walk from the main shopping street.
8. Gibralfaro viewpoint
If you have a car, driving up to the Gibralfaro Viewpoint is a must. You can also walk to the top but it’s less than ideal on a hot day. There’s a castle next to this viewpoint as well which is worth visiting. This viewpoint offers stunning views of the city and the sea, and if you have time you can make a stop at the iconic bullring and take a tour.
9. Go on a wine and tapas tour
If you love wine and food, then the Wine and Tapas Evening Tour with Spain Food Sherpas is a great activity to do in the evening. Each food stop comes with a wine taster, and it’s a unique way to explore Malaga at night. There are a lot of tapas restaurants in Malaga, and this food tour takes you to some of the best that are frequented by locals. This is one of the most unique things to do in Malaga.
There are a lot of unique places to eat in Malaga, so do some research beforehand in order to avoid visiting the usual tourist traps.
10. Walk along Calle Marques de Larios
If you’re looking to do some shopping in Malaga head to Calle Marques de Larios and the surrounding streets. During the Christmas period the street is covered in lights which is beautiful to walk under. No trip to Malaga is complete without doing some window shopping at the very least.
11. Walk on the beach
There are a number of beaches in Malaga to choose from. La Malagueta Beach is the closest one to the city centre and you’ll easily find it at the far end of the port area. Malaga is considered one of the best places in the south of Spain for a beach vacation, so in the summer months you’ll find it very hard to find a spot on any of the beaches along the coast.
12. Roman Theatre & the Alcazaba
The Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba of Malaga are two important parts of Malaga’s history rolled into one. The theatre was excavated at the base of the medieval castle, and is another free thing to do in Malaga. If you want to sit at the top you need to pay a small entrance fee to enter the alcazaba (castle).
The alcazaba was built in the 8th century, and is the best preserved of its kind in the whole of Spain. Gibralfaro Castle sits above the alcazaba and it’s quite a trek to get to it. The castle dates back to the 10th century, and gives you one of the best views in Malaga.
There are a lot of fantastic things to do in Malaga, with the old town just waiting to be explored. There are also plenty of day trips from Malaga and unique places to visit in Andalusia if you’re planning on staying along the Costa del Sol for a while. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram too!
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