Marvellous Malaga, a gateway to the Andalusia region of southern Spain and costal city to explore in it’s own right. Its compact size means you can walk from the beach to the castle to the city centre in one day. With a magical microclimate, beach life, rich cultural heritage, and a vibrant shopping scene, Malaga offers all the ingredients for a perfect mini-break getaway.
Discover Marvellous Malaga
How to get to Malaga?
Malaga’s international airport is the simplest way to explore this sunny city. Uber into the city or pick up the C1 train straight from the airport in just 12 minutes depending on your budget or luggage! Tap to buy your ticket at the airport or for more options read here.
For your return there is an array of shops, bars and eateries. However do not get caught out with passport control being after your gate is called. I guessed my gate last time so I could relax but that was a fluke! So be on alert not to race to the gate last minute when passport clearance has queues too!
Where to stay in Malaga?
As a city break there is a huge range of choice of small boutique hotels that are all very similar. I narrowed my search down to with those with rooftop bars, of course! There were a lot! If you fancy the best views in Malaga then the Parador de Gibralfaro for its incredible rooftop pool. It has an old school style and charm about it. Elegant and calming up away from the bustle of the city but I prefer super modern lodgings. My hotel goal was the Only You Hotel with a rooftop pool, gluten free restaurant on the 7th floor and a beautiful buzzing downstairs bar and oozing elegance and way out of my budget! I finally settled on the Room Mate Valeria set on the marina and was chuffed with my choice. I managed to make my way round the others, for rooftop bar purposes, so if you need more variety to decide between then check them out on my rooftop page.
I had initially been put off by the room décor and feared it was a bit bold, possibly hiding an old and tired room. Happily I was proven wrong. Beds were generous in size and super comfy. Bathroom had a walk in shower and all the amenities needed.
It was a terrific little boutique hotel – a little basic in the breakfast department and the rooftop pool was a small plunge pool – no infinity views but had a small selection of sun beds to relax on after a day exploring the city. At night it becomes quite the party. Though you wouldn’t want to be staying on the floor below as the music does go on it 1am. The massive plus though was how the hotel always ensured its guests were seated over visitors. More on the rooftop bar here. If you are looking for a perfect base to discover Malaga from then this is it.
What to do in Malaga?
Have a picture taken with Picasso and visit the museum
The birth place of the incredible artist Picasso, how can you not have the obligatory photo with the man himself. His statue is located at the Plaza de la Merced – Casa Natal Picasso his birth place – just a few minutes walk up from the museum.
The museum was wonderful for any art lovers but do book a time slot to avoid the queues. There are also plenty of tourist shops dotted around for the all the Picasso souvenirs.
Visit the Cathedral of Málaga
The Cathedral towers over the Old Town near the harbour. Its official name is Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación but it’s more commonly known as ‘La Manquita’, which means, ‘the one-armed woman’ to represent the tower that was never finished. There’s even a rooftop though (2024) currently closed for restoration.
Wander the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre
There’s a pretty impressive Roman amphitheatre, Teatro Romano which until 1951 had remained hidden. It can be found at the bottom of the Alcazaba hill and free to enter.
Climb to the 10th Century Castillo de Gibralfaro
From the amphitheatre you can then climb up from the city. I wouldn’t recommend that in the height of summer – get an Uber or go early if you are visiting then. the views are spectacular and you can reward yourself next door at Parador de Gibralfaro for a drink or stay for a leisurely lunch!
Visit the Museum Pompidou aka the giant Rubik Cube
Paris isn’t the sole city featuring a quirky Pompidou Centre building. This colourful cube is home to impressive art and museum exhibitions. Designed by a French artist, it is based at the marina, and is an offshoot of the one in Paris Pompidou. However less grand in stature and no rooftop restaurant on it but still a brilliant addition for art lovers.
Do some serious shopping
Like any good city, Malaga is great for shopping. My suitcase definitely was a few kilos heavier on the return as was I after all the sangria! Head to Calle Larios if you like your shopping designer. This is one of the most expensive streets in Spain. I prefer the small independent shops where you can bag a bargain or find a hidden treasure trove and Malaga is littered with these shops around every street.
The marina is also pretty dangerous with cute market stalls and boutique shops especially after an afternoon on some of their rooftop bars. If you are wiser than me, go before the cocktails!
Where to eat in Malaga
Being a spontaneous Spanish seaside adventure I hadn’t done proper restaurant research and this was a mistake. Despite the city being littered with tapas taverns, rooftops and restaurants some were definitely not so great to choose without reading the reviews and I remembered why I like plan so extensively! Paying for a disappointing meal or wondering overwhelmed by choice is not how I like to holiday. However our hotel helped save us after our first meal disaster!
For traditional tapas, Casa Lola’s expect queues! Then not to be confused, there is Lola, a gluten free, almost rooftop restaurant, on the 7th floor of the Only You Hotel. If you like to mix with the rich and famous then book for the popular celebrity hang out, El pipi which is owned by Antonio Banderas. For a less celebrity spotting feast I loved Cambara at the Marina – it’s got a delicious but slightly quirky menu and giraffe statues giving a beach bar energy.
For breakfast there’s super cute café called Cereal Boom that has every cereal box you could imagine! Want to be taken back to your childhood and reminisce about your nutritious start to the day then this café is for you.
And if you are looking for dining with the best views then it has to be Parador de Gibralfaro or Àtico Restaurant on top of the Marriott AC which beats their rooftop bar.
Lastly there are a vast range of beach chiringuito bars / restaurants which all seemed a much of a muchness. Our hotel recommended to avoid the ones nearest the marina and booked us at the Cachalote, a 10 minute walk along the beach.
It was perfectly nice, the loos were not! The vibe is much more authentic relaxed beach bars than the fancy beach club restaurants. For a really beautiful beach restaurant head a little further out to El Balnerio and definitely book.
Malaga Nightlife
Whilst I hadn’t researched restaurants, rooftop bars I absolutely had! And it seemed Malaga is quite the rooftop bar city. For all rooftop bars click here but I’m going to pull out two for special mention. First goes to The Top for its amazing cathedral views. It’s a chilled rooftop vibe, with a pool for guests but it definitely won the wow factor being so close to the cathedral. And the second Atico, which I did find a bit pretentious but as one of the originals it is a popular rooftop choice for many.
If you are looking for nightlife beyond bars and dancing until dawn then you are in luck. A student filled city that comes alive just as Cinderella has tucked herself up in bed (which was me so I found this great blog which should help you party the night away).
Beaches in Malaga
The only downside of this city was the beaches. They were what I expected from the Costa Del Sol. Not the prettiest but I didn’t venture more than 15 minutes down the coast. If you are happy to bring a towel and hop in the sea and dry off on the sand then you will be happy or craving an ocean walk then perfect!
Final thoughts on visiting Malaga
Not a city I had on my horizon. I had booked Marbella for a R&R beach break and was flying through Malaga so I investigated the city. Two hours from London, a rooftop haven, by the sea and a 12 minute airport transfer, it should have been on my escape list. I have already been back since. If you fancy a longer break then combine it with heading down the Marbella coast or up into the mountains to Ronda or Grenada. There’s so much to explore. What are you waiting for!