City, Beach, Coastal
Malaga
Málaga
The capital of the Costa del Sol and birthplace of Picasso, a sunny coastal city with a Moorish fortress, good beaches and a thriving art scene.
Malaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol, on the south coast of Spain. Long seen as just the gateway airport for the beach resorts, it has reinvented itself as a lively cultural city in its own right. This is the birthplace of Picasso, and it now has a string of museums, a hilltop Moorish fortress, a revamped port and city beaches, all under near-constant sun. Warm, walkable and easy-going, Malaga is a great base for southern Spain.
What Malaga is known for
Malaga is best known today as the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and art runs through the modern city. You can visit the house where he was born and the Picasso Museum nearby, alongside a branch of Paris's Pompidou Centre and other galleries that have turned a once-overlooked port city into a cultural hub. History sits right in the centre too. The Alcazaba, a well-preserved Moorish fortress, rises above a Roman theatre, with the higher Gibralfaro castle offering wide views over the city and sea. Below them, the old town is a walkable mix of cathedral, squares and tapas bars. Then there is the coast. Malaga has city beaches, a smart redeveloped port at Muelle Uno and a strong tradition of seafood, especially sardines grilled on skewers over open fires. Sunny almost all year and well connected by air and high-speed rail, Malaga has grown from a place people passed through into a destination of its own.
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Experiences and things to do in Malaga
For art, start at the Picasso Museum and the house where he was born, then visit the Pompidou Centre by the port. If you like history, climb to the Alcazaba fortress and the Gibralfaro castle above it for views over the city and sea, passing the Roman theatre on the way. Wander the old town to the cathedral and its tapas bars. When the sun calls, relax on the city beach at La Malagueta and stroll the redeveloped port. For food, try fresh sardines grilled on skewers at a beach restaurant. Whichever way you want to play, Malaga has it.
Where to stay in Malaga
Where you base yourself shapes the trip. The historic centre puts you within walking distance of the museums, fortress and tapas bars. The Soho district near the port is the arty, modern choice. For sand on the doorstep, the seafront areas around La Malagueta and Pedregalejo are best, the latter known for its old fishing-quarter feel and seafood.
Food and drink in Malaga
Malaga's food is coastal and unfussy. The signature dish is espetos, fresh sardines skewered and grilled over open fires on the beach. Try fritura malaguena, a plate of mixed fried fish, and the sweet local wine made from Moscatel grapes. The city's old tabernas and beach chiringuitos are the places to eat it all, simply and well.
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Best time to visit Malaga
Malaga enjoys warm weather almost all year, which makes it a popular winter-sun spot as well as a summer one. The best times to visit are spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October), with pleasant heat for sightseeing and the beach. Summer is hot and busy. Winter is mild and quiet, good for the museums and old town without the crowds.
Getting to Malaga and around
Malaga Airport (AGP) is one of Spain's busiest, just west of the city, with flights from across Europe and a train into the centre in around 12 minutes. Malaga is also on the high-speed AVE rail network, with fast trains to Madrid, Cordoba and Seville. The centre is compact and walkable, and the same local train line runs along the coast to several Costa del Sol resorts.
Nearest Airport to Malaga
Nearest Sea Port to Malaga
Travel tips for visiting Malaga
Use the cheap airport train into the city, which is faster than a taxi in traffic. Explore the compact old town on foot, as most sights sit close together. Climb to the Gibralfaro castle in the morning or late afternoon for the best light and views. Try espetos, grilled sardine skewers, at a beachfront chiringuito. Take the coastal train or the AVE for easy day trips along the coast or to Cordoba. Book Picasso Museum tickets online in busy periods to skip the queue.
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