We visited Malaga on a day trip, arriving there by train from Torremolinos. The train is a very convenient way to travel between the cities of the Costa del Sol, making day trips easy and perhaps the best airport transfer to Malaga. Train tickets cost only a few euros each way, and if you plan to use the train frequently, it’s worth exploring other ticket options.
Malaga is a wonderful city with plenty to see, so we recommend allocating at least a full day or even more to explore Malaga. We spent a day in Malaga and managed to visit the main attractions.
Here are our experiences of Malaga’s sights and activities, which we can definitely recommend:
Malaga Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Incarnation of Malaga, or Malaga Cathedral, is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It’s a truly impressive and ornate building. Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, the cathedral is known for its over 80-meter-high tower, which can be seen from afar above the city. It’s a must-see attraction in Malaga. You can also get a view of the cathedral from above when walking down from Castillo de Gibralfaro.
Malagueta Beach
Malaga’s most famous beach, Playa de la Malagueta, is located in the Malagueta district, just beyond the harbor basin from the city center. The beach, over a kilometer long, is lively and attracts tourists and locals alike to spend a day at the beach and enjoy the warmth of the sun. There’s a good selection of restaurants near the beach, so you can spend the day on the beach without having to leave for food. The beach is also surrounded by a pleasant promenade, so even if you don’t go to the beach, you can still enjoy the atmosphere without getting your shoes full of sand 🙂
Gibralfaro Castle
Gibralfaro Castle is also one of the city’s most famous and visited attractions. The castle is an interesting and impressive site. Some parts of the fortress were built in the 10th century, but mainly in the 14th century to protect the Alcazaba palace below. Situated over 130 meters above sea level on a hill, the castle offers stunning panoramic views in several directions over the city. You can spot the bullfighting arena, the cruise ships in the harbor, and the city’s most significant buildings from above.
You can walk on the walls of the fortress and visit the lookout towers and learn about the history of the fortress and various exhibitions.
You can reach the castle by bus or on foot. Walking may be a bit sweaty in the sunshine, but the journey up and down also offers great viewpoints and small breaks admiring the scenery help you climb up, and the real reward awaits at the top.
Admission to the castle costs a few euros, which is gladly paid just for the views the castle offers.
Calle Marques de Larios Shopping Street
Malaga’s main street is Calle Larios. Along this pedestrian street and its surroundings, you’ll find excellent shopping opportunities, and just watching the city, buildings, and hustle and bustle is an enjoyable activity.
The street is made of smooth stone slabs that seem to shine as if they were just waxed, there is no litter, and the overall look with beautiful buildings is really stylish.
At the other end of the street is also a nice square Plaza de la Constitucion, surrounded by beautiful buildings and with a beautiful fountain in the middle. It’s also a nice place to enjoy a coffee and watch people passing by.
Malaga’s Promenade – Palmeral de las Sorpresas
On the waterfront of Malaga’s port runs a beautiful and impressive promenade, which is a very cozy park-like area. The most characteristic feature of the promenade is a large pergola that provides excellent sun protection in the middle of the scorching sun. The area is very cozy, and among the long rows of palm trees, there are also many different art pieces. Walking around the port is a pleasant activity, and sometimes you can sit on the terraces found in the area to eat or enjoy a refreshing drink.
Old Town Streets and Squares
Malaga’s old town is very beautiful, and walking along its narrow streets admiring the buildings and atmosphere is a great way to spend time. Many of the buildings are very detailed and, as a result, really beautiful. A pleasant pastime is also to stop at one of the many squares in the old town and go to a café on the edge of the square to enjoy coffee and watch the city’s atmosphere.
Malaga is a very vibrant, cozy, and charming city full of history and culture. The narrow streets of the old town and the beautiful buildings are incredibly atmospheric and inviting.
There is still much more to see, and Malaga is definitely one of the cities we will gladly return to!
