Is Malaga Worth Visiting? A Local’s 14 Top Reasons to Visit

Is Malaga worth visiting? The short answer is yes.

Malaga is a vibrant and lively city with many things to do for all types of travellers – from exploring its historical landmarks and visiting its significant art museums to indulging yourself in tasting the local cuisine and relaxing on its beautiful beaches.

As a local born and raised in Malaga, I can guarantee you that there are many reasons to love my hometown. I’m not the only one who says it, but many friends from other parts of the world agree that it’s underrated and is a city that is worth discovering.

In this blog, you’ll discover all the reasons why I think Malaga should be on your bucket list and find out the answers to your questions about different aspects of the city you should know about before visiting it.

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Is Malaga worth visiting? A Local’s 14 Reasons to Visit Malaga 

1. The beautiful beaches

Malaga and its surroundings have some of the best beaches in Andalucia. From crystal blue water and impressive cliffs to beaches with shallow water and excellent facilities for everyone.

You don’t need to go far to visit a beach, as you will find La Malagueta Beach just a few minutes from Malaga city centre. It’s a very accessible beach with good facilities like showers and toilets, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from restaurants.

However, if you want less touristy and off-the-beaten-track beaches, you can also find them across Costa del Sol. Marbella and Nerja have some of my favourite beaches, like Playa de Cabopino and Playa de Maro.

Overall, Malaga beaches are really good, and the city is a fantastic destination for a beach holiday.

2. The sunny weather

Malaga has lovely weather as it enjoys an average of 320 days of sun and blue skies that give you the vitamin C you need all year round. 

Summer in Malaga is scorching, but we have some cool events like the Feria de Agosto (Malaga’s Fair) and concerts. The atmosphere in the evening is amazing, as everyone comes out to have dinner or go for a walk in the port.

But despite being from Malaga, I must admit that I struggle with the heat and spend most of the afternoon on the beach or pool or inside with the air conditioning on!

Although the heat is challenging in the summer months, you’ll love it during the rest of the year. It allows you to do outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing without worrying about taking an umbrella.

The bravest travellers dive in the sea even in winter, as the temperature can reach 20 degrees Celsius (68ºF) during the day. 

The weather is definitely one of the reasons why many travellers come to Malaga. 

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3. The delicious food

If you love Mediterranean dishes, you’ll fall in love with Malaga cuisine.

Fish and seafood are the king ingredients, but you can also find delicious meat and vegetable dishes.

Espetos de sardinas is the most traditional dish in Malaga. It consists of sardine skewers slowly roasted on a small barbecue made in a boat specially prepared to cook them.

Other typical dishes are Ensalada Malagueña, a salad made with oranges, salted cod and hard-boiled eggs; Ajoblanco, a cold almond soup; and Plato de los Montes, pork with chips, fried eggs, chorizo and black pudding.

If you prefer sweet over savoury, Malaga has plenty of sweets and cakes to choose from.

My local tip is don’t leave Malaga without trying Tortas Locas, two rounded cakes put together with a pastry custard and topped with orange frosting. They’re to die for! 

4. The impressive historical buildings

Malaga is home to beautiful historic buildings full of history. They may not be as popular as other Andalusian palaces and cathedrals like the Alhambra in Granada or the Cathedral of Seville, but they have their charm, too.

If you’re wondering what the main attractions are in Malaga, here is a list of the landmarks you need to add to your Malaga itinerary.

Alcazaba de Malaga

Alcazaba de Malaga is the most emblematic building in the city, and my favourite too. This fortress palace dates back to the Moorish period in Southern Spain.

This building served as a residence first and as a military point later due to its strategic location – on the top of the hill and near the port of Malaga.

Nowadays, visiting Alcazaba is an experience that makes you feel like you’re back in the Moorish period.

Wander the scented patios filled with jasmine flowers, beautiful fountains, and monuments, walk on the walls, and enjoy the panoramic views of Malaga. 

Castillo de Gibralfaro

Gibralfaro is Malaga’s castle at the top of a hill. This 14th-century castle was built to protect the Alcazaba fortress palace and was considered one of the most impregnable fortresses in Spain during the Reconquista period.

There isn’t much to see inside the castle, but it’s still worth visiting, and it’s one of the main monuments to visit in Malaga.

Learn about the castle’s history at the Interpretation Centre and walk on the walls for some of the best views of Malaga.

Catedral de Malaga

The Cathedral of Malaga, located in the heart of the city, is another landmark in Malaga you can’t miss. Not only is it impressive from the outside but also on the inside.

Its Baroque architecture and height are worth admiring. Malaga Cathedral is the second-highest cathedral in Andalucia despite being incomplete. It’s missing one of its towers, which is why many locals refer to it as “La Manquita.”

One of the best things to do in the cathedral is to go to its rooftop, where you can enjoy outstanding views of Malaga. 

So, is Malaga worth visiting for its historic buildings? For me, it’s a yes!

5. The lively atmosphere

Malaga is an excellent option if you’re looking for a lively destination. The city is vibrant and full of energy.

You’ll see the travellers going on a tour and taking photos, the locals having a few tapas on an outdoor terrace while chatting with friends, the children playing and running in the port, and the green parakeets flying over Malaga’s Park.

This is even more intensified in the summer, and you can sometimes experience events on Larios Street, too.

However, when you come to Malaga off-season, you’ll see a more relaxed atmosphere.

6. The events

Malaga has many things to offer, but many travellers don’t know it has incredible and unique events and festivals. These are definitely some of the things that make Malaga worth visiting.

The most popular festival is Feria de Málaga (Malaga’s Fair), which takes place in the second week of August and lasts approximately seven days.

This fair is not to miss! Watch the fireworks that mark the start of the fair, see how locals dance malagueñas, a type of flamenco, try Cartojal wine, and go on one of the attractions at the night fairs.

Other events in Malaga to add to your list are the Christmas light show held from mid-November to the beginning of January and Semana Santa. During this Easter week, you can see impressive religious parades.

7. The amazing nightlife

Malagueños know how to throw a party, so Malaga nightlife is another reason to visit.

The city centre has many clubs that play all sorts of music – from flamenco and Spanish music to R&B and reggaeton, so the options are endless.

Most clubs don’t open before 11 pm, so you’ll see locals having dinner or a few drinks at a bar before starting their night out.

Thursdays are great for clubbing if you’re looking for a young and lively atmosphere. Many university students meet on this day because they don’t have lectures on Fridays. You can also take advantage of food and drink offers on this day!

8. The incredible day trips

A good reason to choose Malaga as your holiday destination is the fact that it’s near charming whitewashed villages, Andalusian cities like Marbella, Granada and Seville, and Gibraltar.

There are plenty of exciting day trips from Malaga that you can take either by public transport or car or book a tour with companies like Get Your Guide.

Adventurous travellers will love going on the Caminito del Rey hiking trail and kayaking in Maro, whilst culture lovers will be amazed by visiting the Alhambra palace.

Because of the city’s closeness to other beautiful places, I always recommend spending more than a weekend in Malaga.

9. The wide variety of museums

Did you know that Malaga has over 30 museums? No matter what your hobbies are, you’re likely to find a museum for you in Malaga.

If you are an art lover, the Picasso Museum, Carmen Thyssen, and Pompidou Centre are must-see museums in Malaga.

If you are into history and culture, head to Malaga Museum and the Flamenco Museum.

On top of these museums, there are also museums for children, music lovers and vintage car fans. 

10. The fun family-friendly attractions

If you have children, you always want to make sure there are enough activities to do with kids wherever you go, and Malaga and its surrounding coastal towns have plenty of attractions and activities to keep even the little ones entertained.

Most museums in Malaga offer activities for children, but for me, the best part is the playgrounds and parks you can enjoy for free. And let’s not forget about the beach in summer. Central beaches like La Malagueta are ideal for families because of their accessibility, facilities and playgrounds for kids to play.

Outside Malaga, Benalmadena is a favourite among families because of the variety of attractions. Here, you can relax at La Paloma Park, go to Selwo Marina or Sealife, take the cable car to Mount Colomorro and visit Butterfly Park.

Next to Benalmadena, you’ll also find Aqualand, one of the best waterparks in Costa del Sol. It’s been open for a while. I visited it many times as a kid and teenager, but the attractions are regularly renovated.

11. The fantastic hiking trails

Malaga is known for its beautiful beaches; however, many travellers miss the opportunity to go on scenic hiking trails.

The city is surrounded by big mountain ranges and fantastic national parks which are worth exploring.

The most popular hiking trail is Caminito del Rey, which was once considered the most dangerous path in Europe. After being adapted to the public, it’s now safe to go and see the impressive landscape.

However, this isn’t the only hike; many more aren’t very popular among travellers—for example, the Cooper Forest or La Concha hikes. The latter offers spectacular views of Gibraltar and the African continent.

12. Its delicious sweet wines

If you’re a wine lover, this is another reason to add Malaga to your Spain bucket list. Sweet wine is the province’s speciality, but you can also enjoy other types of wines.

During your visit to Malaga, you can go on a food and wine tour in the city centre, but I highly recommend going on a day trip to Ronda. The town is full of impressive attractions like Tajo de Ronda and has the best vineyards and wineries in Malaga.

You can also have a glass of Malaga’s sweet wine at El Pimpi Bodegas Bar, located next to Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre if you don’t want to go on a wine tour or have limited time in the city.

13. It has some of the best golf courses in Spain

The weather and land conditions make Costa del Sol one of the top places to play golf in Spain.

A few minutes from the airport, you’ll find a great golf course in Torremolinos, but this is one of the many golf courses in the area.

Whether you’re a beginner or have been playing in a few competitions, there’s a golf course for you here.

14. It is a shopping paradise

Malaga is also a destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping spots in Malaga, and this does not include the ones outside the city centre.

You can find big shopping centres with the favourite international stores like Zara, Stradivarius and H&M to shopping streets, like Calle Larios, where you can shop for souvenirs and unique gifts from local businesses too.

Larios Shopping Centre is one of the most popular ones in Malaga, but if you want a wider variety of shops, food and entertainment, my favourite is Plaza Mayor, located near the airport.

The cons of visiting Malaga

The pros of visiting Malaga outweigh the cons, but it’s important to know the not-so-good side of the city, too.

The heat

Summer in Malaga is a synonym for warm temperatures. Whether you like or dislike the heat, you’ll find Malaga weather a bit challenging during the summer months.

The average maximum temperature is 30º degrees Celsius (86 ºF), and the minimum is 22º degrees Celsius (71.6 ºF).

However, you’ll often experience hotter days than 30 degrees Celsius (86 ºF) and a few days of terral, a very warm wind coming towards Malaga’s province.

The crowds

Malaga has become a popular destination, even more so in the summer. You’ll see travellers from all around the world, especially British and German travellers who have been visiting Malaga and Costa del Sol for years.

Due to the number of national and international tourists, as well as the locals, Malaga is crowded during the peak season and important events like Christmas and Easter.

However, you can still experience a less crowded Malaga for the rest of the year.

The noise

Malaga is noisy as well as many big cities in Spain, and unless you stay away from the city centre, you can hear lots of noise from people, music and rubbish trucks which come late at night.

You may want to consider this when choosing accommodation in Malaga city centre.

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Other Frequently Asked Questions About if Malaga Is Worth Visiting

Conclusion: is Malaga worth visiting?

Absolutely! Malaga isn’t an airport destination as some people think. The city offers many things – from beautiful landmarks and interesting museums to beaches and exquisite gastronomy.

Malaga is also a great place to go on day trips or start a road trip in Southern Spain.

Although Malaga is worth visiting, it’s good to look at all the different destinations you can visit in Andalucia and see which one suits your travel needs. A classic comparison is Malaga vs Seville.

People ask me which one is best to visit, and it really depends on your travel preferences. Seville is my top choice to sightsee since its landmarks are out of this world, and there are many more than in Malaga. However, choose Malaga if you want a beach holiday combined with sightseeing.

Enjoy your time in Malaga!

Cristina x

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Top things to do before visiting Malaga Spain

• Book cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport with Skyscanner.
• Looking for accommodation? Read my Malaga hotel guide.
• Check out these tours and activities you can do in Malaga with Get Your Guide.
• Book a free walking tour in Malaga with GuruWalk.
• Travelling around Costa del Sol? Check and compare car rentals with Discover Cars.
• Buy travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip!

Other travel guides about Malaga

Are you still thinking if Malaga is worth visiting? Take a look at these guides:

• 20+ Best Free Things To Do in Malaga You Can’t Miss
• 20 Unusual Things To Do in Malaga
• Incredible Festivals in Malaga
• Where To Stay in Malaga: 17+ Best Hotels and Areas
• Incredible Day Trips From Malaga
• Reasons Why You Will Love Visiting Malaga in Winter
• How To Spend Christmas in Malaga Like a Local
• Malaga Vs Marbella: Which Place Is Best To Visit?

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