21 Of The Best Things To Do In Malaga On Your First Visit To This Spanish City
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Malaga was a real surprise of my travels in 2025. I’ve visited a few Spanish cities including Palma and Seville, but Malaga was just on the periphery of my radar. Somewhere that piqued my interest but had never been a priority on my travel wishlist.
But, Malaga should have been front and centre as it’s an incredible city. One I wholly underestimated but one I urge you to visit as soon as you can.
Malaga has the history, the culture, the weather, the beach, the great food and the even greater wine. It’s within easy reach of stunning places such as Ronda, Setinil de las Bodegas and the gorgeous coastal town of Marbella. It feels easy, and safe, to walk around and there are so many things to do in Malaga that can keep you occupied for a long weekend or more!
Maybe you’re visiting on a quick weekend away from the UK’s colder weather, or Malaga might be on your list of cities on a longer holiday around Europe. Whether you’re here for the day or in town for a week, below is a list of things to do in Malaga that will give you a good understanding of Malaga and its history, take you through its delicious food, and help you tick of some of the main sights which bring millions of people to this city each year.
Key Facts for Malaga
✈️ Flight times from UK: 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours
✈️ Flight times from USA: 8 hours 30 minutes to 14 hours depending on where you’re flying from and if you have a layover.
🛏️ Recommended hotels in Malaga: We stayed at Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Mar. This hotel was directly in Malaga city centre. The bedrooms have beautiful bathrooms, comfortable beds and well-located electric outlets around the room.
🍜 Recommended places to eat in Malaga: El Tapeo de Cervantes, Casa Lola, Restaurante Mexicano Tulum
💃 Top things to do in Malaga: Tuk Tuk Tour, Tapas and Wine Tour, Museo Picasso Malaga, and a Flamenco Show.
21 Of The Best Things To Do In Malaga
Whether it’s your first holiday in Malaga or you’re taking a day trip from somewhere else, here are 21 of the best things to do in Malaga. These activities are tried and tested yet others are additional things to do and are on my wish list for next time. All have been thoroughly researched so you know you’re enjoying the best parts of this beautiful city.
Take A Tuk Tuk Tour Of Malaga
Usually I enjoy doing a walking tour of places I visit. They’re a great way to get oriented around a new place and you get to know some secret tips by a guide that knows the destination well.
However, in Malaga, as we had taken a very early flight from the UK, we decided to do a guided tuk tuk tour. Although walking tours are great, we knew we’d be tired and a tuk tuk tour was a fun and easy way to cover more ground than we’d ever see on a walking tour.
Starting from the centre of Malaga, our tuk tuk tour took us out to Malaga’s beaches and freshly grilled sardine stalls, up to the Mirador de Gibralfaro, and through the city centre to see sights such as Mercado de Atarazanas.
We had an absolute blast with our guide who, over 2 hours, gave us information about Malaga’s residential suburbs, the city’s historic sights as well as local tips on where to enjoy a good rooftop bar – which came in very handy on our second night in the city!
👉 Check it out: 2 Hour Guided Tuk Tuk Tour Of Malaga
Enjoy A View Of Malaga From One Of The City’s Miradors
There are a few Miradors – or high view points – from which to admire Malaga. Most are up by the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro and can take between 20 – 35 minutes to walk from the centre of Malaga, but the views are so worth it. We enjoyed lunchtime views of Malaga from Mirador de Gibralfaro, but you can also walk to Mirador Panoramico de Malaga or Mirador de la Coracha (one of the nearer ones to the city and perfect for watching sunset from).
Tapas and Wine Tour
The one thing you won’t be able to avoid in Malaga is its tapas and wine scene. There are places dotted all around the city serving up tasty small plates and glasses of liquid gold. The best way to try a few places, and a few different wines, is on a tapas and wine tour.
We did this on our last evening in Malaga as we couldn’t fit it in another time but it’s probably best to do something like this early on in your trip.
Our first stop took us for a wine at Antigua Casa de Guardia, the oldest historic tavern in Malaga, a busy bar lively enough to have an atmosphere but small enough to feel like you’re visiting something special. With big barrels of wine and sherry on the back wall, your orders are written in chalk on the wooden bar. We had the option of trying the Pedro Ximinez or the Moscatel, I went for the latter as I’d tried the Pedro Ximinez before. I knew how delicious it was and although I was tempted, I tried something new and now I have two favourite drinks in Malaga.
The rest of our tapas tour took us around a pick of tapas bars where we tried various dishes including fried aubergine and ham croquettes. We enjoyed such a lovely evening as a group and met the most gorgeous couple who immediately felt like they’d been travelling with us. Apart from the food and the wine, that was my favourite thing about this tour, sharing it with such like minded people who were happy to chat about travel, wine and food as much as the rest of us.
Our guide was also so lovely and also gave us plenty of tips on other tapas and wine bars around Malaga so it’s well worth doing this early on in your trip to get some great recommendations!
👉 Check it out: Tapas and Wine Tour Of Malaga
Take A Day Trip To Ronda
If you’re only in Malaga for a couple of days, you might want to give this one a miss but if you’re visiting for 3 or more days, I can highly recommend a day trip to Ronda.
We left Malaga early one morning, to spend the day in Ronda, a gorgeous Spanish mountain top town. We went via Setenil de las Bodegas, a village with white buildings carved into cliffs which looks and feels very dramatic when you’re there.
We were early enough to catch Setenil de las Bodegas when it was fairly quiet, coffee shops were just opening and a couple of bakeries had just started serving their freshly baked good. Everything we ate was turning into tapas at this point, so we did what any group of self-respecting women would do, and bought several cakes from a tiny little bakery and ate cake tapas on a tall bar stool, passing time one delicious bite at a time.
After the cake, we took a little detour and found some steps up to a viewpoint for Setenil de las Bodegas. What a good little detour it was – the views were impressive and you get a better idea of the scale of this town.
Then it was onto Ronda, an iconic place with a towering bridge spanning Ronda’s deep valley. We had a guided tour of Ronda along with its famous bullring before enjoying some free time. The guided tour was a great way to learn more about Ronda’s history and although I don’t agree with bullfighting, it’s really interesting to learn about the sport’s history and its place in Ronda’s culture today.
After the tour, we had some free time to explore ourselves so we headed to one of the view points to see the iconic view of Ronda’s bridge with our own eyes.
I’d recommend to go down as far into the valley as the path will take you, that way you get to see the bridge and its waterfall. As it was a hot day, we made it almost to the bottom of the path for the view you can see below – that was good enough for me as the heat was hot but seeing photos from my friends, I should have made the effort to walk the extra few hundred metres downhill.
👉 Check it out: Guided Day Trip To Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas from Malaga
The Alcazaba of Malaga and Roman Theatre
Technically, the Alcazaba of Malaga and the Roman Theatre could be two separate things to do in Malaga. You can just see the Roman Theatre by wandering past on your strolls through the city.
However, I would recommend taking a tour which starts at the Roman Theatre and then takes you into the Alcazaba of Malaga. We went on an incredible 3 hour tour with Dani, the most effervescent guide who really brought Malaga’s history to life. He told us all about the scandalous recent history of the Roman Amphitheatre but also took us right back to its historic past, showing us how it would have looked in Roman times.
Dani was also invaluable when we started our ascent into Malaga’s Alcazaba, a Muslim fortress built on the foundations of a Roman fortress, in the 11th century. This structure has gone through many evolutions and inside, the Alcazaba is like a labyrinth designed to create an impenetrable maze which would separate and entrap those trying to conquer it.
Once at the top of the Alcazaba, you’ll get to enjoy views of the city as well as tranquil spaces such as gardens and tiled courtyards – a world away from what would have been Malaga’s main defensive structure in years gone by.
👉 Check it out: Guided Tour Of Malaga’s Roman Amphitheatre and Alcazaba
Watch Sunrise At Malagueta Beach
On my last morning in Malaga, I had a couple of hours to kill before heading to the airport. So after a leisurely breakfast, we took a stroll down Malaga’s marina towards the beach. We hit the sand just as the sun was peeking above the horizon and it was just the most special way to start the day – I highly recommend you do the same one morning.
Playa de la Malagueta is around 10 minutes walk from the city centre so if you’re staying in a centrally located hotel, grab a coffee and take a steady walk down to the beach to enjoy the warm Spanish sun rising above the sea.
It was so quiet, only a few runners, deckhands rinsing down the million dollar yachts moored up at the marina, and a couple of people fishing were the only other souls by the water. As the sky turned from dawn to day, stepping foot on the cool sand was the perfect way to spend the last few hours in Malaga.
Watch A Flamenco Show At Teatro Flamenco Malaga
Going to a flamenco show is the perfect post-dinner activity. There are several places to watch flamenco in Malaga, and you might find a more authentic theatre than we did, but going to see a show at Malaga Teatro was a highlight of the trip.
After enjoying some tapas at El Tapeo de Cervantes, we wandered a few minutes to Teatro Flamenco Malaga and got settled into our seats with a tinto de verano. The lights dimmed and the show started. Passionate singers were the first to take to the stage before a dramatic flamenco performance full of energy and intensity. 3 different dancers in total all showcased different varieties of flamenco along with live music and singers. It was quite emotional at times and being so close up to the stage you can see just how expressive each dancer is. It’s honestly amazing – 1 hour of pure, quite literally ground-rocking, entertainment.
Tickets can easily be bought via Get Your Guide for either Teatro Flamenco Malaga or other flamenco theatres, including Flamenco Alegria and El Gallo Ronco Flamenco, around Malaga.
👉 Check it out: Flamenco Show At Teatro Flamenco Malaga
Churros For Breakfast at Casa Aranda
Even if you have breakfast at your hotel, you have to go to Casa Aranda – this place was constantly packed with people whenever we walked by, clearly a good sign it was popular. One of our group had even had it recommended to her, so we made the time to go one morning for churros and chocolate and we weren’t disappointed.
Casa Aranda has been serving churros, chocolate and coffee since 1932. Grab a plate of the gorgeous, fluffy, warm churros, with thick chocolate for dipping (it is far too thick for drinking) for a decadent breakfast or mid-morning snack. Pair with a coffee and you enjoying a Malaga experience that both locals and visitors seem to love.
Rooftop Cocktails At Sunset
A really good top tip from our tuk tuk guide was to drop in at ATICO Bar and Restaurant, on top of the AC Hotel by Marriot Malaga Palacio, for rooftop cocktails. We had originally planned to go to the rooftop bar at H10 Croma Malaga but when we realised the AC Hotel by Marriot Malaga Palacio was just around the corner from Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Mar, it was a no brainer. It does cost €11 to enter but this is redeemable against a drink you can purchase at the bar.
With a modern vibe, low level house music echoing around the rooftop and a pool that looks more than tempting to jump into, I’d recommend going here for a pre-dinner drink before you fill yourself with tapas. We timed our visit for sunset and watching the city turn golden under the fading sunlight was an added bonus to the incredible views you can enjoy from this bar. Pair with a delicious cocktail and you’re likely going to have a good start to your evening.
Other rooftop bars in Malaga include: Lolita Skyview and Le Terraza de Valeria
Visit Museo Picasso Malaga
Picasso’s presence in Malaga is palpable, especially when you’re around the Museo Picasso Malaga. The famous Spanish artist was born in Malaga and, determined to have a home for his work in his home city, after a failed plan when the artist was alive, the Museo Picasso Malaga was finally realised in 2003.
It’s highly recommended to book tickets in advance for the museum – on the day we visited people were sadly being turned away at the door so if this is somewhere you want to visit, definitely get your tickets before you arrive in Malaga.
Housing over 200 pieces of work by Picasso, you get to see the evolution of his work right through from early sketches to more of his later pieces that are more recognisable with what you imagine Picasso’s work to be like. It’s a real eye opener into his life and the development of his art, plus the Museo Picasso Malaga is a beautiful building with a central courtyard – perfect for taking in the surroundings for a few quiet moments.
There are also rotating exhibitions here so it’s not just Picasso’s work you see but other notable artists. Farah Atassi, a Belgian artist, had an exhibition here when we visited and it was great to see other art that had inspiration from Picasso.
👉 Entry To Museo Picasso Malaga
👉 Guided Tour Of Museo Picasso Malaga With Skip The Line Ticket
Wander Malaga’s Market – the Mercado de Atarazanas
A great way to get into the beating heart of a Spanish city is through its food market and Malaga’s food market is no different. The Mercado de Atarazanas is Malaga’s oldest food market and is a haven for foodies. Top up on gorgeous spices, buy tubs of paprika to take home, or sample some tapas for lunch. I sampled some Mangosteen – something that I can never find in the UK – which was such a sweet treat.
Mercado de Atarazanas is row upon row of colourful food stalls selling fruit, vegetables, fresh fish and meat, herbs and spices, and little souvenirs – perfect if you need something to take home with you. The market itself is a 19th century iron-clad structure which used to be a Moorish shipyard, connecting Malaga’s port to the rest of the city and welcoming in fresh fish from the daily catch. Nowadays it’s slightly inland but you can still see the original market gate and the stained glass window which depicts Malaga’s history – a beautiful sight when the sunlight shines through.
The best time to visit is early in the morning while the shops are opening up their stalls or lunchtime where you can enjoy some tapas.
👉 Check it out: A Guided Foodie Tour Of Malaga’s Mercado de Atarazanas
Visit Malaga Cathedral
One thing we didn’t have planned in Malaga but ended up doing as there was no queue, and we had some spare time after visiting Museo Picasso Malaga, was seeing Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación de Málaga, or Malaga Cathedral.
I’m glad we did make time for it though because what a stunning building it is. Ornately decorated with flashes of gold and the most gorgeous stained glass windows, there are chapels surrounding the main space of the cathedral with religious sculptures and paintings throughout the cathedral.
Even if you’re not religious, Malaga Cathedral is an impressive thing to see and if you do want to learn more as you’re walking around, there is a free audio guide with your entry ticket.
I would recommend booking in advance but we were able to gain entry late afternoon with no queueing, you can easily buy tickets on the door.
👉 Check it out: Skip The Line Malaga Cathedral Tickets
Wander Down To Malaga’s Marina
Fancy drooling over million dollar yachts? Well Malaga’s marina is the place to be. Millionaire’s yachts sit on the water, glistening in the Spanish sun. If yachts aren’t your thing though, Malaga’s marina is a hive of activity with plenty of bars, restaurants and shops perfect for enjoying on a sunny afternoon, or a balmy evening!
Other Things To Do In Malaga
These are some other things to do in Malaga that look really great but I haven’t personally. They’re definitely on my list for next time though!
Walk The Caminito del Rey
Another day trip you could do if you don’t fancy going to Ronda, is walking the Caminito del Rey. 58km from Malaga, the Caminito del Rey, or The King’s Pathway, was once one of the world’s most dangerous walks. Not any more, although the path is reserved for those with a head for heights, the route has safety measures in place and is ready to walk safely.
Originally, the Caminito del Rey was a route between the waterfalls of Gaitanejo and El Chorro so that maintenance workers could bring equipment to the local hydroelectric dam. Today, those ready to walk its path will take on an 8km trail with parts hanging 100m over cliff edges as well as going through huge valleys and canyons. You’ll also see Desfiladero de los Gaitanes – this is a gorge carved out by the river Guadalhorce, with walls 700 metres high.
👉 Check it out: Caminito del Rey Trips and Guided Tours
Enjoy A Winery Tour
If you want to know more about Malaga’s wines, why not go on an exclusive winery tour? You’ll head into the hills of Mijas to sample six organic wines. Whites, roses, and reds are all meticulously paired with delicious food and depending on the day, you might also get to sample a sparkling or orange wine.
This is a small group tour, perfect for really getting to know each winery in depth and enjoying the company of a group who, hopefully, love wine as much as you do!
👉 Check it out: Malaga Vineyard and Cellar Visit With 6 Wine Tastings
Gibraltar Day Trip
Don’t want to miss your chance at visiting Gibraltar? Well this is the day trip for you! Take a coach ride down to Spain’s southern tip and enjoy duty free shopping or ascend to the top the Rock of Gibraltar via cable car to see the famous Barbary apes that call this place home. You’ll have 5 hours in Gibraltar to explore before heading back to Malaga!
👉 Check it out: Malaga to Gibraltar Day Trip
Cordoba Day Trip
Alternatively, instead of heading south to Gibraltar, you can head north to Cordoba. There are a couple of options available here: First, a day trip where you can enjoy Cordoba for 8 hours under your own steam. Or enjoy a guided tour with tickets to the Mosque-Cathedral and a guided tour in Cordoba. There’s also free time with this option too so you can explore at your own pace for 3 hours.
👉 Check it out: Day Trip To Cordoba with Mosque-Cathedral Tickets
Tour of Malagueta Bullring
If you didn’t get the chance to tour the bullring on a day trip to Ronda, why not take a tour of Malaga’s Malagueta bullring? I’m not an advocate for bullfighting but it’s really interesting to learn about its history and its place in Andalucia’s culture today.
Taking a tour of the Malagueta bullring brings the past and present together with virtual reality and sensory experiences, but you’ll also get access to the exhibition centre which houses historical objects from the Malagueta bullring’s history.
👉 Check it out: Tour Of Malagueta Bullring
Visit The Centre Pompidou Malaga
If you take a stroll near Malaga’s marina, you’ve probably seen the multicoloured facade of the Centre Pompidou Malaga. If you visit here, you’ll get to see works from Picasso and Giacometti, and tickets include entry to all exhibitions including permanent and temporary.
👉 Check it out: Centre Pompidou Malaga Entry Tickets
Relax At A Traditional Hammam Spa
Spend some time at a traditional hammam spa where you get to alternate between hot, warm and cold baths and then sweat it out in a steam room. Fully relax with a massage which uses essential oils before ending your experience with a refreshing green tea. The perfect activity if you need to wind down from city living for a bit!
👉 Check it out: Traditional Hammam Spa Entry
Catamaran Sailing Trip At Sunset
How does enjoying a Spanish sunset with a glass of cava in hand on a spacious catamaran sound? Dreamy right? Hop on board a sunset sailing trip and relax with chill-out music playing in the background while the sun goes down and the city lights of Malaga start twinkling in the evening sky.
👉 Check it out: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Trip
What makes Malaga special is how effortlessly it blends culture, coastline and everyday Spanish life. So, even though this is a list of the best things to do in Malaga, it’s a destination that doesn’t ask you to rush or tick boxes, but instead invites you to soak it all in at your own pace.
Whether you’re here for a long weekend or using it as a base to explore Andalucia, Malaga has a way of making you feel instantly at home and will leave you already planning your return before you’ve even left.
