What to See in Málaga: Spain’s Perfect Paradise

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If you read my last post on Málaga, you must be dying to visit Spain’s perfect paradise. Located on the southern coast of Spain, Málaga is a small but beautiful city that has something for everyone to enjoy. From museums to beaches and shopping, below you will find the best things to see in Málaga. Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click the link or make a purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you, and your support keeps this website running! Please contact me if you have any questions.

See Málaga’s Beauty

When you drive or walk along the main road in Málaga, you will see a beautiful coastline on one side, with miles of white, sandy beaches, and a harbor with many big ships. On the other side, you will see stunning old buildings that are now hotels, restaurants, and museums. Along part of the road is also a park with gorgeous paths and tall, tropical trees. On the beach are unbeatable seafood restaurants if you want a delicious Spanish meal with a view. Next to the beach is a wide walking path that is great for exercise, or a scenic walk. Also, at the center of the beach is Calisthenics Park with a permanent, outdoor workout area for anyone to use. Connecting the beach to the central downtown is Calle Marqués de Larios, a main pedestrian walkway. You will walk past many shops and restaurants, up to a beautiful plaza: Constitution Plaza. The Plaza is always full of people enjoying a sunny day or a lively evening. There is a five hundred year old fountain and often times a group of performers singing or dancing. Restaurants line the edge of the Plaza with outdoor seating great for enjoying the weather, eating Spanish cuisine and people watching.

Shopping

A few blocks west of Constitution Plaza is a classic Spanish market called the Mercado Central de Atarazanas, or the Central Shipyard Market. It has endless aisles of booths selling colorful produce, fresh but strong-smelling fish, and other specialty goods such as chocolate, wine, and fresh smoothies. The market is typically busy and gives an authentic look at life in Spain. It is interesting to see the unique foods for sale. If you love to shop, or even just browse, there is a huge variety of stores in Málaga. The central shopping district has every type and style of store you can think of. There are many common stores that sell shoes and clothes, as well as specialty items, food, and souvenirs. There are clothing stores to suit anything you need, ranging from elegant and expensive to economic department stores. The shopping district has beautiful tiles and bricks lining the pedestrian-only paths. It is like being in a huge outdoor shopping mall. Be sure to take your time walking around every corner and down every path so you do not miss any hidden gems.

Málaga Cathedral

The most beautiful place you must see in Málaga is the Cathedral. The Cathedral took over two and a half centuries to build until it was finally completed in 1782. The Renaissance style of architecture makes it look very similar to the Cathedrals in Granada and Guadix. The Cathedral only has one tower unlike others from this time period. There was supposed to be a second tower constructed, but it was never completed because of the wars that began. The tower is two hundred and seventy-six feet tall, making it the second tallest cathedral in Andalusia. Inside the cathedral is a large collection of artwork and shiny, gold carved walls. There are also two large organs that have thousands of pipes and date back to the 18th century which is rare to find.

Museums in Málaga

It is time to escape the heat at The Málaga Museum. This is a great stop for everyone since the cost of entry is free if you live in the EU, or only a few Euros if you do not. The building itself is a charming former government building called the Customs Palace which was built in the 18th Century. Inside, there are two sections of art. The Fine Arts section contains two thousand pieces of fine paintings and sculptures. The Archeological section has over fifteen thousand pieces of artifacts and tombs. The museum is the largest in Andalusia, the region where Málaga is located. Another popular museum in Málaga is the Picasso Museum. Many people relate famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso to France where he lived, or Barcelona where an abundance of his work is located, but he was actually born in Málaga. Over two hundred works by Picasso are displayed here in addition to a rotation of special exhibitions. Similar to the Málaga Museum, the Picasso Museum is located in a former palace, The Buenavista Palace, which dates back to the 16th Century. If you want more history, I will be posting an in-depth look at Málaga’s historical sites next week! There is an old Roman theater, a military fortress, and my favorite, a castle.

Walk Málaga!

Unlike many major European cities, Málaga does not have a subway system. However, the city is small and condensed, so everything is walkable! You can get to all the popular attractions in Málaga on foot, and given the beauty of the buildings and streets, you will want to walk everywhere. The streets are easy to navigate, but if you get lost, the locals are very friendly and will help you find your way. Additionally, many speak English so it is easy to communicate. Staying in a hotel or hostel in the city center is the best option for convenience. However, if you are staying on the outskirts of the city, there is an easy to use bus system. Or, if you prefer, taxis are easy to come by.

Day Trips from Málaga

Málaga is also a great place to stay if you plan on taking day trips to other towns. It is easy to travel to popular cities in Andalusia (the southern region of Spain) including Granada and Seville. If you want to visit Seville, read my post here for the best places to visit! Malaga’s train station is centrally located, and trains are cheap. Located next to the train station is the bus station which is also an easy and affordable way to get to these other towns. If you have more than a few days to spend in Málaga, visiting these other towns is a great way to diversify your trip. While the towns in Andalusia all share a similar history, each one has unique attractions such as castles, cathedrals, and bullrings.

Enjoy seeing these sites in Málaga!

For being a smaller city, Málaga has plenty to do, and everyone can find something to enjoy. Make sure to see everything on this list when you visit Málaga! This is one of three posts in my Málaga series. You can find my other two posts on Málaga below, and if you want more posts on travel, click here! Don’t forget to find and book the cheapest flights using Skyscanner!