24 Best Malaga Instagram Spots By a Local
Are you looking for the best Malaga Instagram spots? I have you covered!
Malaga is one of the most picturesque destinations in southern Spain. The Mediterranean Sea, historic buildings and sunny blue skies are a photographer’s dream.
I grew up in Malaga, so I know these locations very well and can’t resist taking photos of them whenever I pass by and at different times of the year.
This list includes my favourite and most popular instagrammable spots in Malaga, their exact location and my tips for taking photos of these spots.
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Instagrammable spots in Malaga
1. Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga
Malaga Cathedral is one of the best photo locations in Malaga. This Renaissance-era historic building, also known as La Manquita, is to be admired.
There are many spots to take photos of the cathedral. The first spot is outside the cathedral. You can take pictures at the main entrance, but bear in mind the crowds. Go there early.
Another beautiful photo spot is the small garden located next to the entrance.
The garden has a beautiful fountain where you can usually spot pigeons and other birds drinking water, along with beautiful flowers.
📍 Exact location: C. Molina Lario, 9, 29015 Málaga
2. Alcazaba de Malaga
Alcazaba de Malaga is my favourite place to take photos in my hometown. This Moorish fortress-palace is a paradise for photographers.
You have photo opportunities in every corner. You can take pictures at the arched doors and manicured gardens, home to pretty fountains and jasmine or roses, or walk along the Alcazaba’s walls for panoramic city views.
To enter this historic building, you must pay an entry fee of 7 euros, but you can visit it for free on Sunday afternoon.
Although visiting for free sounds amazing, it’s not the best time for taking photos because many people go there then, so it’s something to consider.
I’ve written a full guide with my best tips for visiting the Alcazaba.
📍 Exact location: C/ Alcazabilla, 2, 29012 Málaga
3. Roman Theatre
Next to the Alcazaba main entrance, you’ll see the Roman Theatre.
You can access the Roman Theatre without paying, although I think that photos are better from far away. You get the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba in the background.
Photos during daylight are beautiful, but I love them at night too because they’re lit up.
📍 Exact location: C/ Alcazabilla, s/n, 29015 Málaga
4. The Malaga sign
This sign wasn’t there long ago, so it’s recent and has become an instagrammable spot. After all, it was built for that!
I feel like it’s the typical traveller photo, and there are better photo spots in Malaga, but you might like it, and why not? Take a photo with it.
The sign reads MA()AGA, so you can place yourself where the letter “L” would go.
It’s free to access this place, but it’s monitored and doesn’t open in the evening.
📍 Exact location: C. Cilla, 29015 Málaga
5. Gibralfaro viewpoint
Mirador de Gibralfaro is Malaga’s main viewpoint. It’s located in the city centre, between the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle.
Accessing the viewpoint is the most challenging part, as you must also walk up a hill with stairs.
However, you can also take the hop-on and hop-off bus, visit the castle and then go down to the viewpoint, as it’s pretty close.
The views are spectacular regardless of how you get to Gibralfaro’s viewpoint. You can see Malaga’s bullring, port and sea at a glance.
Photos at sunset are beautiful, but it gets busy, so you might want to choose another time.
📍 Exact location: Cam. Gibralfaro, s/n, 29016 Málaga
6. Gibralfaro Castle
Gibralfaro Castle is the best-preserved fortress in Malaga, located at the very end of a hilltop.
The castle itself doesn’t have much to see; I prefer the Alcazaba because of the beautiful gardens you walk through.
However, what makes it worth visiting is the walls. It’s in there where you’ll take the best shots.
📍 Exact location: Cam. Gibralfaro, 11, 29016 Málaga
7. Pasaje Chinitas
If you’re looking for charming streets to photograph, Pasaje Chinitas must be on your list of instagrammable spots in Malaga.
Pasaje Chinitas, also known as El Pasaje de Álvarez, is at the far right end of Larios Street, next to La Canasta bakery.
It’s a narrow street that leads to a main square with bars and other alleyways. Despite how small this place is, it was a very popular meeting point among artists.
The street entrance is the shot everyone gets, but you can also take photos in the square.
📍 Exact location: Pje. Chinitas, 29015 Málaga
8. Bodega El Pimpi
Did you know that Bodega El Pimpi is considered one of the most beautiful restaurants in Spain? Yes, it’s in the second position, according to the 20 Minutos newspaper.
This bar, restaurant, and winery is a classic loved by locals and travellers alike. Some people say it’s overrated, but I think it’s worth visiting. It’s a busy place, but it’s famous for a reason.
Inside El Pimpi, you can see big barrels of wine, a wall with photos of famous people, and a lovely small courtyard.
On the outdoor terrace of El Pimpi, you get beautiful views of the Roman Theatre and Alcazaba.
No matter where you are, you can take a picture with your meal or glass of wine!
📍 Exact location: C. Granada, 62, 29015 Málaga
9. Plaza de la Judería
Plaza de la Judería is the little square next to the well-known El Pimpi. It’s a photo spot because of the street art.
The most beautiful art mural is a woman’s face holding a Spanish fan and wearing a red rose in her hair, but also take a look at the other street art next to this one.
The street art in this square is very colourful and pops up in your feed.
📍 Exact location: Pl. de la Judería, 29015 Málaga
10. Calle San Juan
Calle San Juan is a charming street in Malaga. On both sides of the street, you have shops and an art gallery called Little People, and you can see Iglesia de San Juan, a church with a beautiful Baroque tower and a Gothic interior at the end.
Capture great shots with the tower church in the background. Note that this is usually a busy street, so I recommend going early in the morning.
📍 Exact location: C. San Juan, 29005 Málaga
11. La Terraza de Valeria
La Terraza de Valeria is a rooftop terrace located in Room Mate Collection Valeria Hotel, one of the best hotels with a rooftop pool in Malaga. You don’t need to be a guest to access it, so there’s no reason not to enjoy a cocktail or mocktail there.
They have a beautiful Andalusian-style bar with tall turquoise chairs and tables overlooking Muelle Uno and part of the Alcazaba and city centre.
It’s an excellent spot for taking photos in Malaga, and I love it there; however, it isn’t the only rooftop terrace in Malaga. Other fantastic rooftop terraces in the city are the AC Hotel by Marriott and La Terraza de La Alcazaba.
📍 Exact location: Plaza Poeta Alfonso Canales, 5, 29001 Málaga
12. Malaga Park
El Parque de Málaga (Malaga Park) is often overlooked, but it’s a beautiful place to explore, relax and take pictures.
It goes from Plaza de la Marina to Tres Gracias Fountain next to the bullring. You can walk both sides of the park and be immersed in nature. It’s home to over 300 plants, making you feel like you aren’t in the city anymore.
There are many photo opportunities in the park. I love taking photos on the walk next to Los Amorcillos Fountain and Pedro Luis Alonso Gardens, especially in winter, because of the oranges in the orange trees.
📍 Exact location: Paseo del Parque, 1, 29015 Málaga
13. Centre Pompidou Malaga
Centre Pompidou Malaga is a temporary art gallery situated in Muelle Uno.
There’s no way you’ll miss it because of the building’s shape, a cube with red, blue, yellow and green glass. The spot to take photos is just outside this giant cube.
If you take photos during daylight on a sunny day, the colourful glass reflects on the floor.
📍 Exact location: Pje. del Dr. Carrillo Casaux, s/n, 29016 Málaga
14. Muelle Uno
If you’re looking for a place to take photos in Malaga, Muelle Uno must be on your list.
Malaga’s port is beautiful and a great place to play with angles. You don’t need to limit yourself to a spot.
Take photos of the Centre Pompidou, amazing sunrises and sunsets that blend with the sea, impressive yachts and more.
The palm trees along the port give it a tropical vibe, perfect for summer photos.
Within Muelle Uno, you can find picturesque restaurants like La Bella Lola and Trocadero, where you can take insta-worthy photos. The latter one is expensive, but the decor is spectacular.
📍 Exact location: P.º del Muelle Uno, 4, 29016 Málaga
15. La Farola de Málaga
Another instagrammable spot in Malaga is the lighthouse. You’ll find it at the end of Muelle Uno, Malaga’s Port.
Get your best angle and take a photo with Malaga’s lighthouse. Pictures are even better at sunset.
📍 Exact location: P.º de la Farola, s/n, 29016 Málaga
16. La Malagueta
La Malagueta is the closest beach to Malaga city centre, which is why it’s the most visited.
Besides its convenient location, Malagueta Beach is beautiful. Go there at sunrise for magical photos.
If you can’t visit at sunrise, you can go at any other time, but avoid peak summer hours if you don’t want people in your photos.
The most famous spot is the sign that reads Malagueta. Get creative and take a photo with this lovely sign!
📍 Exact location: P.º Marítimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 29016 Málaga
17. Soho neighbourhood
Soho is Malaga’s most artistic neighbourhood, and the good thing is that it’s easy to visit because it’s next to the main attractions.
It’s the perfect place for anyone who loves street photography. There are quite a few murals to discover in Soho; you just need time to explore the streets.
Also, keep an eye out for buildings because many of these murals are on tall buildings.
Besides street art, I love the cafes and tapas bars around Soho. I especially love La Pechá and Santa Soho Specialty Coffee.
📍 Exact location: C. Barroso, 29001 Málaga
18. Pedregalejo neighbourhood
Malaga city centre is, without a doubt, where you’ll find the most picturesque locations, but that doesn’t stop there.
Pedregalejo is a nearby traditional fishing neighbourhood known for its beaches. Not only are the beaches beautiful, but the beach promenade and streets are too.
Take photos with street art as background, on the beach or streets where houses have colourful doors or are decorated with plants.
When taking photos near houses, please be respectful.
📍 Exact location: P.º Marítimo el Pedregal, 77, 29017 Málaga
19. Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción
Jardín de la Concepción is Malaga’s botanical gardens. It’s located outside the city centre, near the motorway.
These gardens are special because they have plants from all over the world. If you love nature photography, it’s an unmissable place.
Besides taking photos of beautiful flowers and trees, the most instagrammable spot in this garden is the viewpoint, a dome from where you spot the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle and enjoy the city views.
📍 Exact location: Cam. del Jardin Botanico, 3, 29014 Málaga
Instagrammable spots near Malaga
If you aren’t visiting Malaga for a weekend, I highly recommend exploring other instagrammable spots in Costa del Sol. These are lovely locations in towns near Malaga, so it won’t take you more than 1 hour to reach them by car.
21. Castillo de Colomares
Castillo de Colomares is my favourite instagrammable spot near Malaga. This hidden gem, located in the historic centre of Benalmadena, is worth visiting.
Although its name translates to Colomares Castle, it isn’t a castle but a monument shaped like one. The memorial was built to commemorate the life and adventures of Christopher Columbus.
The architectural styles of Castillo de Colomares are impressive, and the location of this monument is also beautiful; you can admire the coastal views.
The photo opportunities are endless. I love the pictures you can get from one of the towers.
📍 Exact location: Finca la Carraca, Ctra. Costa del Sol, s/n, 29639 Benalmádena, Málaga
21. Parque de la Batería
Costa del Sol is home to lovely parks that are perfect for families and for photography. One of these parks is Battery Park in Torremolinos.
The park has a large artificial lake, marble fountains, and a tower you can climb to see beautiful coastal views.
You can take photos in the tower or gardens next to the fountains.
📍 Exact location: C. Decano Antonio Seoane, s/n, 29620 Torremolinos, Málaga
22. Mijas Pueblo viewpoint (Mirador del Compás)
Do you love panoramic views? Then, head to Mijas Pueblo viewpoint. This mountainside town is a 35-minute drive from Malaga.
This viewpoint is one of my favourites to watch the sunset. You get cotton-candy skies and incredible views of the coast.
However, this isn’t the only spot to take photos in Mijas. The town has many picturesque cobbled streets, with flower pots hanging from the walls and small, pretty shops selling crafts and traditional ceramics.
📍 Exact location: Av. del Compás, 7, 29650 Mijas, Málaga
23. Marbella Old Town
The old town of Marbella is my favourite place to take photos in Costa del Sol.
It’s a 50-minute drive from Malaga, but you can also take a bus from Malaga bus station.
In the historic centre, you’ll come across cobbled streets, white-painted buildings, beautiful squares and bars.
Every corner is an opportunity for a picture, but one of the most photographed streets is Carmen Street, which has bright blue flower pots hanging down the walls and a view of the La Encarnación tower church.
📍 Exact location: Pl. de los Naranjos, 29601 Marbella, Málaga
24. Balcón de Europa
Balcón de Europa is a 50-minute drive from the east of Malaga, in the pretty town of Nerja.
Once you walk the streets in the historic centre, you’ll come across the most famous viewpoint near Malaga.
On both sides, you’ll see two small beaches: Playa el Salón and Playa de la Calahonda, which are both stunning.
From both viewpoints, you can take incredible photos, but my favourite side is the left.
Your photos will have a breathtaking background! The Mediterranean Sea, surrounding mountains and whitewashed houses.
📍 Exact location: Balcón de Europa, 29780 Nerja, Málaga
Tips for taking photos in Malaga
- The best time to take photos in Malaga is early in the morning. It’s the quietest time, so you don’t need to stress about crowds.
- If you’re travelling solo, you can use a tripod to take photos, but if you aren’t very confident using a tripod, and we all know that tripods can’t capture certain angles, you can book a photo session in Malaga.
- Check out sunrise and sunset times the day before your photo session. It will help you plan out the day. The best photos are taken an hour before sunset.
Conclusion on Malaga Instagram spots
There are many picturesque locations in Malaga, from popular attractions like Malaga Cathedral and Alcazaba to lesser-known streets and neighbourhoods that are also worth checking out.
Do you want a photo session in Malaga? Send me an email, and I can confirm availability.
Enjoy your time in Malaga!
Cristina x
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Things to do before visiting Malaga
- Book cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport with Skyscanner.
- Check out tours and activities 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!
