Is Malaga worth visiting? Why it’s ideal for a short city break
Jet2holidays provided my flights and accommodation for this trip. However, all views expressed here are entirely my own and reflect my personal experience.
If you’re considering a trip to southern Spain, you might be wondering whether Malaga is somewhere to spend a few days or simply a gateway to the Costa del Sol.
Having visited Malaga twice, I can confidently say that it’s well worth visiting, particularly if you’re looking for a short city break. In fact, I enjoyed it even more on my second trip, when, in addition to visiting all the top attractions, I spent more time around the waterfront, explored further along the beach, and experienced a traditional flamenco show.
Here are 10 reasons why I think Malaga is worth visiting, along with a few things to consider before booking your trip.
10 reasons why Malaga is worth visiting
There are plenty of reasons why I think Malaga is worth it for a short break.
There are plenty of attractions to explore
Malaga has plenty to offer if you enjoy history and sightseeing. Many of its best-known attractions are concentrated in the compact old town, making it easy to explore several of them, even if you’re only visiting for a couple of days.
These include Malaga’s magnificent cathedral that sits in the heart of the old town. Go inside to see its impressive interior (unfortunately, the tower is currently closed for renovation).
Also not to be missed is Gibralfaro Castle, a 14th century castle that sits on top of Mount Gibralfaro, and offers sweeping views across the city and surrounding area.
Further down the hill is the Alcazaba, a former Moorish Palace with beautiful courtyards, gardens, and more views.
And at the bottom there’s the Roman Theatre, a well-preserved 1st-century theatre discovered in the 1950s.
You can combine city sightseeing with time by the sea
I always love destinations where you can combine city sightseeing with time spent by the sea. Valencia is one such place (another recommended option for a short city break), and Malaga is another.
In Malaga it’s particularly great because there’s not much distance between the old town and the beach – you can easily walk between these areas.
The walk from the Alcazaba takes about 20 minutes via the lovely Parque de Malaga with its tropical plants and trees and the unique contemporary Muelle Uno waterfront area and port.
Once you’re at the beach, you can hire beds if you want to chill out on the sand (if you do this, I’d recommend walking a bit further away from the huge Malagueta sign, which is in sight of the more industrial part of the city’s waterfront).
Or you could take a stroll along the promenade and grab something to eat. There are a couple of higher-end fish restaurants here, along with small beachfront bars known as chiringuitos.
Even if you don’t try some, it’s fascinating to watch the seafood being cooked outside on the barbecues.
Malaga has a fantastic food and drink scene
For me, one of the joys of visiting Malaga is enjoying its food and drink, whether that’s stopping for tapas in the old town, eating fresh seafood by the beach, or visiting the city’s lively central market.
One of the most popular venues in Malaga is El Pimpi, a charming place, full of character, and which is in the old town. It appears in lots of guides, which makes it really popular.
Fortunately, that doesn’t mean it’s not good, and as it’s so large, you can generally find a seat. I returned on my latest visit for a copa de cava (which cost just over £4 – a bargain I think for such a well-known and sought-out establishment).
The downside of such an extensive culinary scene is that with just a couple of nights in a city, it can be hard to decide where to go and what to try.
If you’re struggling with this, then I’d recommend booking a food tour. These allow you to try local specialities while accompanied by a local guide who can fill you in on some of the city’s history and culture.
If you want to learn more about the pros and cons of booking a food tour on a short city break, my guide to one I tried out in Seville might help you.
It’s a great destination for art lovers
Malaga is the birthplace of the famous artist Pablo Picasso, so it’s perfect if you’re an art lover and especially if you like his work. There are two main places where you can view this:
- The Museo Picasso Málaga, housed in the beautiful historic Palacio de Buenavista. Its collection includes a wide range of varied art work and sculptures spanning different periods of Picasso’s career, giving you a chance to see how his work developed over time.
- The Museo Casa Natal de Picasso, in the house where Picasso was born in 1881. This focuses more on Picasso himself and his family, with personal items and works by both Picasso and his father. And in the square in front, you can snap a photo of yourself sitting next to Picasso on a bench!
Other places to see art in Malaga include the Centre Pompidou Malaga in the port area, and the Carmen Thyssen Museum.
Top tip: the main Picasso Museum is very popular, so I’d recommend booking in advance. This doesn’t mean you won’t need to queue, but it does mean you’ll get in. When I went, I noticed there was pretty much always a sign at the door indicating that all tickets were sold out.
There are some great experiences to enjoy
There’s more to visiting Malaga than simply ticking off its main attractions.
One of the things I enjoyed on my second visit was taking the time to soak up the city’s atmosphere, whether that was wandering through the historic streets and squares of the old town, or spending time around the more modern waterfront at Muelle Uno.
I particularly loved sitting in the Plaza del Obispo in the old town, looking up at the Episcopal Palace and cathedral and listening to the local street singers. It’s a lovely place to grab a coffee and take some time out.
There are also plenty of places where you can watch the sun go down across the city. These include from the Alcazaba and castle, and from the rooftop terraces you’ll see as you walk around.
I was lucky enough to have one in my hotel, ME Malaga (kindly provided by Jet2holidays). It was pretty special to sit with a drink looking out over the city and towards the Alcazaba.
Another highlight of my latest visit was watching a traditional flamenco show. I went to Alegría Flamenco, close to the port, and loved the experience. At just an hour long, it was easy to fit into my short break.
Read my review of the Alegria Flamenco here.
Other experiences to consider include relaxing in the city’s Arab hammam baths, boat trips around the harbour, and sampling the local food on a tapas and wine tour.
It’s relatively affordable for a city break
Some short city breaks can be on the more expensive side. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how affordable some of Malaga’s attractions and transport options were.
I paid around €1.85 each way from the airport to the train station, €3 to get into the Museo Casa Natal de Picasso birthplace museum, and €13 for the Museo Picasso Malaga Museum.
Entry to the Alcazaba and Castillo de Gibralfaro combined is €10, but if you visit after 2 pm on a Sunday, they are both free.
There are also plenty of other things you can experience for free in the city: wandering around the old town, popping into some of the beautiful local churches, strolling around the port area and Malagueta beach, going into the Roman Theatre, and looking out over the city from the Mirador de la Alcazaba.
Eating, drinking, and accommodation costs obviously vary depending on your choice, but you can definitely find reasonably priced options.
It’s easy to explore Malaga on foot
Another bonus in Malaga is that it is easy to explore on foot. Many of the main attractions are within walking distance of one another, and you can easily combine sightseeing in the old town with a visit to the port or beach.
For this reason, I’d explore the more central area when you’re researching which hotels in Malaga to stay in.
The exception is the castle on top of Mount Gibralfaro, which is 130 metres high. You can walk there from the Alcazaba via the Paseo de Don Juan de Temboury, but it’s a steep climb, so is probably not for everyone.
In this case, the bus is likely to be the most convenient way to get there. The public bus number 35 runs from the old town to Mount Gibralfaro.
Malaga is ideal for a solo city break
Malaga is a great destination for anyone considering solo holidays. I travelled alone on this last trip and had a wonderful time.
There’s plenty to do, whether that’s visiting museums, relaxing by the sea, or joining a guided tour. And with many of the main attractions within walking distance of one another, it’s relatively easy to explore the city independently without having to consider whether public transport or taxis are needed.
I also felt really comfortable eating out alone in the evenings. The city is so busy that if you stick to the main tourist areas, there are always other people around and plenty of activity to keep you occupied.
I’d recommend staying centrally though, if you can, so you’re within easy access to bars and restaurants for the evening times.
The city is easy to get to
If all the above has convinced you that Malaga is worth visiting, you’ll be pleased to know it’s really easy to get to and that there are plenty of flights to Malaga available.
This includes Jet2 flights from London Gatwick, as well as from London Stansted and London Luton.
Once you arrive, you can hop on the train from the airport, which will get you into the centre in less than 15 minutes.
I caught the 8.30 am flight from London Gatwick Airport, which was perfect. I checked into my hotel by early afternoon and was at the Picasso Museum by late afternoon!
Top tip: don’t waste time queuing for a train ticket in the station. You can swipe in and out with your debit or credit card instead.
Malaga is a year-round city break destination
Malaga’s location in southern Spain on the Costa del Sol means it’s a year-round destination – for much of the year, it’s blessed with warm, sunny weather and in the summer months, temperatures can rise into the low 30s in Celsius (around 87 degrees Fahrenheit).
Outside the summer heat, the city still experiences mild weather: even in December, temperatures can reach highs of 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit). This means Malaga is also a city worth visiting in winter.
And with plenty of historical attractions and museums, you’ll still have things to do if you do happen to have a bad day weather-wise.
Things to consider before visiting Malaga
I personally think Malaga is a wonderful city and I’d happily return. And the fact that it has mild and pleasant weather year-round is a bonus.
However, keep in mind that it can get very hot during the summer months, and there are times when it can be crowded.
On both my trips, there were queues to get into the Picasso Museum and the Alcazaba, so book in advance if you want to visit these.
Also check out the weather if focusing on waterside experiences is important to you. Although the city never really gets cold, this doesn’t necessarily mean it will always be good enough for swimming, sailing, or sunbathing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even if you don’t have much time available, Malaga is worth visiting for a short break.
I’d recommend staying for at least two or three nights. Although there are lots of things to do in Malaga, most are concentrated in a relatively small area, so it’s easy to get between places on a short break.
You can get my two-day Malaga itinerary here, which will show you how to organise your time between the areas.
That said, if you are flying into Malaga to go elsewhere on the Costa del Sol, then I’d still recommend popping into the city for a day. If you plan your time well and start early, you could visit the Cathedral, Alcazaba, Roman Theatre, and castle, as well as spend some time in the port area.
See my post on things to do in one day in Malaga.
I don’t think there’s a right answer to this question. Both cities are fantastic with lots of things to do and see and plenty of ways to experience the Andalucian culture. I’ve been to both within the last year and loved them equally (check out my post on Seville here).
However, if you want to combine a city break with time spent by the sea, then opt for Malaga. This also means that the sea breeze might make Malaga marginally more bearable during the hot summer months, which might be preferable for some people.
Yes, Malaga is worth visiting in winter. Its location in southern Spain means the weather stays mild, even in winter. There are also plenty of activities to do if you do happen to experience cold or rainy weather.
And aside from Christmas, the winter months may be less crowded.
During the Christmas period, Malaga hosts the Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales. You can hear folk music and watch dances from the local area being performed.
Yes, Malaga is still worth visiting if you don’t want a beach holiday. In fact most of the main attractions are in the old town – which is gorgeous – so you could easily spend most of your time here.
And while the beach is worth visiting, it doesn’t have the range of bars and restaurants you’ll find in the old town. Also note that some areas of the beach have views of the more industrial part of the city’s port.
Final thoughts: Is Malaga worth visiting?
Having visited Malaga twice, I can definitely say it’s worth visiting, especially for a short city break.
For me, it’s the combination of history, culture, good food, and time by the sea that makes Malaga such an appealing destination. And with so much within easy walking distance, it’s a perfect place to visit, even if you only have a couple of days to spare.
Thinking of visiting Malaga?
Take a look at my 2-day Malaga itinerary to help you plan your trip.
