Top 11 Malaga Tips for Travellers Suggested by a Local
If planning a trip to Malaga is on your list and you’re wondering what Malaga is like for a holiday and what things you should know before visiting my city, you’re in the right place.
As with many other European cities, visiting Malaga during the off-season is a good idea, but there are additional tips to help you have a better experience.
That’s why I’ve written this detailed guide on the best tips for visiting Malaga and which attractions you shouldn’t miss.
After reading these tips and travelling to Malaga, I’m pretty sure that you’ll agree with my friends who say my hometown is a fantastic place.
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10+ Travel Tips for Visiting Malaga
1. Visit Malaga outside the peak season
If there’s one piece of advice I’d like you to remember, it’s to visit Malaga during the shoulder season, unless you really love summer as I do and don’t want to experience any rain.
You might want to travel during this time of the year for many reasons.
Firstly, you will avoid big crowds. Secondly, you will skip the scorching weather. Last but not least, you will save money on flights and accommodation, especially if you travel to Malaga in January or February.
The off-season months offer a different experience and activities you wouldn’t consider doing when it’s scorching in Malaga.
However, the reality is that Malaga is busier every year. The city has become more popular in the past couple of years, and I feel like there are more and more tourists and digital nomads, regardless of the season.
2. Eat the local cuisine
Although we sometimes go for the safe options and foods we know, it’s worth trying local dishes.
Malaga cuisine is mainly based on fish and seafood, but you’ll be surprised by the variety of dishes. Despite being a local, I constantly keep discovering traditional dishes from the smallest villages in Malaga.
If this is your first time in the city, you can’t miss out on trying sardines. They are the most emblematic food in Malaga. Fresh sardines are seasoned with sea salt and grilled. They’re flaky, salty and delicious!
Another classic dish is ajoblanco, a cold soup made of almonds, garlic, and water, garnished with grapes.
These are only two of the many dishes you can find in Malaga, and let’s not forget about products like raisins and sugar cane honey.
My favourite places to eat these Malaga dishes are El Pimpi (the city’s most popular restaurant), Casa Lola Strachan, and Los Mellizos.
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3. Walk everywhere
Unlike cities like Madrid or Lisbon, Malaga is a city where you can walk anywhere. The old town is where you find the most emblematic sights, and they’re all next to each other.
Let’s say your hotel is in the old town and you want to visit the beach, well, you won’t need to catch a bus or taxi.
A good alternative to walking is riding a bike. You can either take a bike tour around Malaga city centre or explore it at your own pace. Here is a trusted bike rental in Malaga I recommend if you’re looking to explore the city on two wheels.
If you’re going somewhere in the outskirts, you can take public transport, which is the next cheapest option. However, if you’re in a rush or prefer to get to places quicker, Uber is great.
4. Explore beyond Malaga city centre
One of the biggest mistakes travellers make when they come to Malaga is visiting only the city centre.
Yes, the city centre is home to the most popular attractions, but if you love exploring lesser-known locations, Malaga has some unique towns you won’t want to miss.
For example, you can discover the white-painted towns of Mijas and Frigiliana, Estepona (known as the Garden of the Costa del Sol), and the lavish lifestyle of Marbella.
You can do day trips from Malaga to these places; however, I do think that places like Marbella and Estepona deserve a bit more time.
5. Experience the traditional festivals
The south of Spain is famous for its numerous festivals, and Malaga isn’t left behind. It has many festivals you might want to check out before your trip.
Malaga celebrates major events like the Three Kings Parade and Semana Santa, which are held in other cities too. But it also hosts other events that are unique to Malaga—for example, Malaga’s Fair, Feria de Agosto, which is known among us locals.
Before your trip, don’t only check out the ones in Malaga’s city centre, but also in other towns.
It’s important to note that most of these festivals and events take place from spring to early autumn.
6. Save money by visiting attractions and museums on Sundays
If you’re a savvy traveller who loves saving money while travelling, you’ll probably take a look at this, but if you don’t, you will from now on.
When comparing my hometown with other Spanish cities, I can confirm that attraction fees are reasonable. For example, entry to the Alcazaba fortress-palace costs only 7 euros.
However, you can visit this emblematic place and many others for free on Sundays. Check out every attraction’s website to find out exactly when they are free. Some are free all day, whereas others are only free the last two hours before closing.
Bear in mind that many travellers already know this. I constantly see big queues to enter the Picasso Museum on Sundays. I would rather pay than queue, but if you want to enter for free, be ready to wait.
7. Be ready for terral in summer
Many Malaga travel guides often forget to mention the terral. If you’re wondering what terral is, it consists of a warm wind blowing from the north of Africa.
This unique weather phenomenon occurs only in Malaga and its surroundings during the summer. You don’t really know how bad it is until you experience it.
Luckily, we usually experience terral for a few days in summer, and that’s it. I either stay indoors or on the shady side of the pool most of those days.
8. Feel like a local by using these expressions
Do you really need to learn Spanish before travelling to Malaga? My answer is no.
Many locals in Malaga City and its coastal towns know English. Don’t expect perfect English, but it’s generally good enough to communicate.
Unless you plan to visit a mountainside and a more remote village, you won’t need Spanish. But I think learning at least a few words is nice.
In the case you love Spain and the Spanish language and want to learn some local words or expressions, I’ve got you covered.
Here are some words and sentences we use on a regular basis:
- Pecha (a lot)
- Mijilla (a little bit)
- Estoy arrecio (I’m cold)
- To perita (It’s cool!)
- Cusha (Listen!)
- Moraga (evening party at the beach)
9. Take a guided tour of Malaga to learn about its history
Taking a guided tour isn’t for everyone, as you might not like visiting places with a big group of people or having the freedom to spend more time in places.
I totally get that. I don’t always take tours as I prefer to explore places at my own pace, but they are the best way to learn about Malaga, in this case.
There’s plenty of history behind Malaga, and even if you aren’t interested in the city’s past, why not take a food and wine guided tour?
Interested in a tour? Here are my recommendations:
10. Discover the rural side of Malaga
The natural beauty and rural side of Malaga aren’t as promoted as the city and beaches, but in my opinion, they’re well worth discovering.
You don’t need to go far from Malaga city centre to enjoy nature. Los Montes de Malaga Natural Park is a short drive. You can enjoy a walk through the forest, home to tall pine trees and small animals.
Another must-see is Sierra de las Nieves. This natural park near Ronda is stunning. I love visiting it in autumn because of the foliage.
I also recently visited Parauta, known for its Enchanted Trail (perfect for families; you can read more about it in this article) and Bosque de Cobre (Cooper Forest).
11. Visit Caminito del Rey
Caminito del Rey is one of the most impressive hiking trails in the Malaga province.
After a few attempts to visit it, I managed to book a guided tour. My partner and I agree that it was the best decision.
Of course, you can book the standard tickets and explore it at your own pace, but I wouldn’t have learned about the interesting history behind Caminito del Rey and its fauna and flora if it hadn’t been for our funny and knowledgeable guide.
Although I totally recommend visiting this place, it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Why? The heights! I would say the suspension bridge is one of the scariest parts.
If you want a quieter and lesser-known hiking trail in Malaga, check out El Saltillo in the picturesque town of Canillas de Aceituno.
Places you can’t miss in Malaga
Hopefully, the Malaga tips provided above will help you before and during your trip to Malaga. Now that we are clear on those, let’s move on to the places you shouldn’t miss while visiting my city.
- La Alcazaba de Málaga. On top of the list is the Alcazaba. It’s my favourite place because it clearly showcases the Moorish influence in Southern Spain, which is huge. The manicured gardens and walls tell a story, and I also love the city views.
- Picasso Museum. It’s the most visited museum in Malaga. The artist was born in the city, and his unique works led to the start of the Cubism movement.
- Catedral de Málaga. Malaga Cathedral is one of the main sights in the old town. Its architecture is exquisite and impressive. The entry, which includes a visit to the rooftop, is more expensive, but it’s worth it.
- Muelle Uno. It’s less of an attraction, but I love walking along Malaga’s port. You’ll find a wide variety of shops, bars, restaurants, and the Pompidou Museum. My favourite time to stroll along the port is at sunset. If you love chasing sunsets, go there if you can’t be bothered climbing up to the Gibralfaro viewpoint.
Frequently asked questions about Malaga
What do I need to know before going to Malaga?
Some of the main takeaways are to avoid visiting Malaga in summer if you don’t like hot weather and want to save money, explore beyond the city, and not forget to try the local food.
Is it customary to tip in Malaga?
Tipping in Malaga isn’t compulsory or expected. However, it’s always nice to leave tips when you receive good service. The average amount is between 1 and 3 euros.
What is Malaga best known for?
Malaga is famous for its beaches, museums (especially the Picasso Museum), golf and food culture.
Conclusion on key things to know about Malaga
Overall, Malaga is a fantastic city to visit. It has stunning beaches, important museums, good food and a lively atmosphere.
Do you have any questions about visiting my city? Drop them in the comments below.
Also, if you need extra help planning your trip to Malaga or anywhere else in Southern Spain, take a look at my one-to-one calls and personalised itineraries.
Have a great time in Malaga!
Cristina xx
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Things to do before visiting Malaga
- Book cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport with Skyscanner.
- Take a look at this Malaga hotel guide to help you choose accommodation.
- 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 hire with Discover Cars.
- Buy travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip!
Read more Malaga Tips and Guides
- How to Get from Malaga Airport to the City Centre
- Is Malaga Worth Visiting? 14 Reasons Why Malaga Needs To Be On Your List
- Malaga Travel Budget Calculator and Expert Tips
- Best Free Things to Do in Malaga (Written by a Local)
- Unusual Things to Do in Malaga
- How to Spend One Day in Malaga
- The Ultimate Malaga Food Guide
