15 best things to do in Malaga

Forget the Costa del Sol clichés – Málaga isn’t some soulless resort town. Locals still outnumber tourists, and the city hasn’t sold its soul to sunseekers. Backed by the Montes de Málaga and facing the Med, this port city ticks all the right boxes: beaches, a working harbor, a walkable historic center, hilltop ruins, and a food scene that’ll keep you snacking all day.

These are the best things to do in Málaga – and exactly why the city belongs on your trip to Spain.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Spain, your essential guide for visiting Spain.

1. Dig into Málaga’s surprisingly great museum scene

Málaga punches well above its weight when it comes to museums – there are around 30 in total, covering everything from glass and wine to football and classic cars.

Start with the big one: Picasso was born here, and his legacy lives on at the Museo Casa Natal, set in his former family home. For more serious works, head to the Museo Carmen Thyssen, housed in a 16th-century palace and home to southern Spain’s top collection of 19th-century Andalusian art. It’s a satellite of Madrid’s Thyssen museum, but it stands firmly on its own.

If contemporary art’s more your thing, make your way to the CAC Málaga, just off the city center by the Guadalmedina River. The rotating exhibitions, open-air bar, and on-site sushi spot are reason enough to swing by.

Add a few of these to your Spain itinerary and you’ll see why Málaga’s more than just another beach city.

2. Climb up to Castillo de Gibralfaro for the best views in town

For one of the best things to do in Málaga, follow the winding trail up Mount Gibralfaro to this 14th-century fortress. Built to defend the Alcazaba below, Castillo de Gibralfaro offers sweeping views across the city, harbor, and the Mediterranean beyond.

Together with the Alcazaba, this hilltop stronghold is a prime example of Moorish Spain – think stone ramparts, pine-shaded paths, and panoramic watchpoints. You can hike up from the city center or take the bus (regular or tourist hop-on-hop-off) if the heat's too much.

Time your visit for late afternoon and grab a drink at the Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro. It’s part of the national network of paradores in Spain – luxury hotels set in historic buildings – and non-guests are welcome on the terrace. The sunset views over the city and harbor are hard to beat.

3. Discover the Alcazaba and the Roman amphitheatre

Málaga’s magnificent Alcazaba – along with the Gibralfaro – is an exuberant contrast to the dour fortresses of Castile. At the Alcazaba’s entrance stands a Teatro Romano, unearthed in 1951 during building works. The theatre, constructed in the second century BC, is now used as an auditorium for various outdoor entertainments.

Access to the theatre is via a Centro de Interpretación, whose exterior is decorated with extracts from the Lex Flavia Malacitana, the Roman city’s municipal law code.

Together, the Alcazaba and amphitheatre form one of the best places to visit in Spain if you’re into layered history and ancient architecture.

4. Visit Plaza de La Merced

Plaza de la Merced is one of Málaga’s central squares – busy, open, and ringed with café terraces. It hosts everything from live concerts to political rallies and festivals, making it a good place to get a feel for the city’s rhythm.

Picasso was born here in 1881, and the Fundación Picasso offers a deeper look at his life and early influences. The small exhibition space features lithographs, etchings, and paintings, many focused on female figures, alongside rotating shows.

Don’t miss the bronze sculpture of Picasso by Francisco López Hernández, casually seated on a bench near his birthplace, Casa Natal de Picasso. It’s touristy, yes, but still worth a photo.

5. Visit La Manquita – Málaga’s famously unfinished cathedral

One of the standout things to do in Málaga is to visit its Renaissance-Gothic cathedral – grand, imposing, and unmistakably lopsided.

Nicknamed La Manquita, or “The One-Armed Lady”, it’s famously missing a second tower. Construction stopped in the late 1700s when funds were redirected to support the American War of Independence against the British. Some say the locals later voted to leave it unfinished, preserving its unique character.

Whether that story’s true or not, the result is a striking landmark with a quirky backstory and a spectacular interior.

6. Stroll Málaga’s seafront – from city beaches to local hangouts

Peel yourself away from the old quarter and head for the coast. The Paseo del Parque, lined with palms and tropical plants, leads straight to El Palmeral de las Sorpresas – a wavy, white promenade that’s part sculpture, part shade structure.

Follow it to Muelle Uno, the revamped harbor and cruise terminal, with chain restaurants, indie boutiques, and a few good places to grab ice cream. Keep going past the lighthouse and you’ll hit the city beaches. Playa de la Malagueta is the closest, but if you walk east to Pedregalejo and El Palo, things get more local – cove beaches, family-run chiringuitos, and a string of low-key bars and seafood joints.

It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon or a chilled-out dinner with sea views. And if you're traveling through Spain with kids, this stretch is ideal – flat paths, playgrounds, and beaches that never feel too crowded.

7. Gorge on Spanish food at Mercado Central de Atarazanas

Set in the heart of the city, Mercado Central de Atarazanas is where Málaga feeds its people. Locals pack the stalls for fresh seafood, cured jamón, seasonal produce, and olives in every shape and flavor – a proper Spanish food feast.

The building itself is just as tasty. Behind the wrought-iron and glass facade hides a 14th-century Moorish arch, once part of a Nasrid-era shipyard commissioned by Yusuf I of Granada – the same guy behind the Puerta de la Justicia in the Alhambra. Most shoppers walk right past it, but it’s worth a pause.

Come hungry. A few stalls serve up grilled prawns, montaditos, and small plates to eat standing up – or head just outside the market to nearby tapas bars where the vibe is just as lively.

8. Explore modern art at the Pompidou Centre

If you’re into contemporary art, this is one of the best things to do in Málaga. Housed beneath a striking multicolored glass cube on Muelle Uno, the Centro Pompidou Málaga is the only branch of the Parisian original outside France.

The permanent collection focuses on the human body – whole, fragmented, or transformed – with works by Bacon, Magritte, Giacometti, Léger, and Picasso. Look out for Frida Kahlo’s portraits, Chagall’s dreamscapes, and Sigalit Landau’s haunting Barbed Hula.

Temporary shows rotate several times a year, often with a strong French or European focus. The center also hosts concerts, dance, film, and family-friendly workshops, making it a solid pick for art lovers and culture-seekers alike.

The Pompidou Centre is a standout for modern art lovers and easily earns its place among the top things to do in Spain.

9. Hike the Caminito del Rey – high, narrow and unforgettable

Once dubbed the world’s most dangerous walkway, the Caminito del Rey is now fully restored – and totally safe – but still not for the faint-hearted. This 7.7km cliffside trail clings to the walls of the Gaitanes Gorge, with glass viewing platforms, steep drop-offs, and a swaying suspension bridge near the end.

It’s one of the most popular day trips from Málaga, and worth locking in early if you’re planning a trip to Spain. You’ll need decent walking shoes, a good head for heights, and water – especially if you’re hiking in summer, when temperatures in the gorge can easily surpass 35ºC (95ºF). For cooler conditions and fewer crowds, spring and autumn are the best time to visit Spain for this kind of hike.

Entry is by timed ticket only, and it takes at least half a day, including transport. Don’t underestimate it – but don’t skip it either.

10. Watch live flamenco

Flamenco isn’t just for tourists – done right, it’s one of the most powerful things to do in Málaga. With its foot-stomping rhythm, wailing vocals, and expressive movement, flamenco channels the soul of Andalucía. In its more intense forms – like cante jondo – it’s less spectacle, more emotional gut punch.

While the origins are debated (it’s not strictly Moorish), flamenco has deep roots in southern Spain, and Málaga’s venues increasingly bring the real deal. Intimate tablaos host weekly shows, and major events take place throughout the year, including performances at the Museo Picasso and during the Bienal de Flamenco.

Check in with Turismo Municipal or your hotel for up-to-date listings – some shows sell out fast, and not all are well-advertised.

11. Walk through the Montes de Málaga Natural Park

North of the city lies Montes de Málaga, a pine-clad natural park that feels a world away from the coast. It’s an easy escape into nature, with winding trails, panoramic viewpoints, and forests of cork oak and Aleppo pine. The best route follows the old road from Colmenar, descending via the Puerto del León into the city, with big-sky views over Málaga and the Costa del Sol on the way down.

The broader Axarquía region, to the northeast, gets far fewer visitors. It’s all winding roads, rugged hills, and remote white villages. From Riogordo, you can head east to Alfarnate, or west (via a stiff climb) to Colmenar, a hill town known for its honey – the name comes from colmena, Spanish for beehive.

This is a great half- or full-day adventure if you want fresh air, a leg stretch, and a different perspective on Málaga.

12. Explore the Nerja Caves – ancient art and underground drama

A popular day trip from the city, the Nerja Caves are among the most impressive things to do in Málaga if you’re into geology, archaeology, or just want to see something completely different.

Discovered by accident in 1959, the caves stretch for nearly 5km beneath the hills above Nerja. Inside, you’ll find vast chambers, bizarre rock formations, and some of the largest stalactites in Europe. The Hall of the Nativity showcases early cave art and prehistoric tools, while other chambers feature natural columns that seem more like cathedral pillars than geology.

Self-guided tours follow safe, well-lit paths – but the place still feels raw and otherworldly. It’s a good escape from the summer heat and gives a whole new perspective on the region’s ancient past.

13. Wander the streets of Soho – Málaga’s urban art district

Once a run-down neighborhood, Soho has reinvented itself as the city’s creative hub. Massive murals by big names like Obey (Shepard Fairey) and D*Face dominate building facades, while side streets are filled with local graffiti, indie galleries and concept cafés.

It’s a short walk from the center but feels completely different – rawer, more lived-in. Drop by the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo (CAC) if you missed it earlier, or just stroll with a coffee and see what grabs you. It’s street art with attitude, not a sanitised open-air museum.

14. Eat grilled sardines in Pedregalejo

Want to eat like a local? Head to Pedregalejo, an old fishing village turned beach suburb east of the city center. Right on the sand, you’ll see sardines skewered on sticks, roasting over wood fires in old fishing boats – the classic espetos. This is one of the most authentic ways to try Málaga’s food scene without breaking the bank.

The promenade here is laid-back and lined with family-run restaurants, not tourist traps. Go at sunset, order cold beer or tinto de verano, and dig in with your fingers.

15. Catch a match at La Rosaleda Stadium

If you’re in town during football season, check the schedule at La Rosaleda, home to Málaga CF. It’s not La Liga these days, but the fans don’t care – the vibe’s still rowdy and passionate, and tickets are much easier (and cheaper) to score than in Madrid or Barcelona.

You don’t need to be a diehard to enjoy it. Grab a beer, pick a side, and join in the chants. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a derby day or a dramatic last-minute goal.