Sightseeing in Malaga
With Funbooker, discover the best places to visit in Malaga. The Alcazaba, museums, tuk-tuk rides and food tours are all available to book. Browse our sightseeing experiences. Best Price Guaranteed - Free Cancellation
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20,000 activities
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Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Malaga?
The places in our selection above are the basis of a first visit: the Alcazaba, a Muslim fortress perched on a hill with the Roman theatre at its foot, and the cathedral, nicknamed "La Manquita" because one of its towers was never completed.
Picasso was born in Malaga, and the museum that bears his name is right in the historic centre.
What is there to see at the Alcazaba of Malaga?
This 11th-century fortress-palace is visited through a succession of patios, gardens and fountains that climb up to the former governors' quarters.
The wall walk leads to Gibralfaro Castle, from where the view stretches over the city and the port.
When is the best time to visit Malaga?
Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for sightseeing, while summer often exceeds 30 °C.
Winters remain mild, around 17 °C during the day. In spring, Holy Week draws the crowds with its processions through the streets of the centre.
Where to eat in Malaga?
On the beaches of Pedregalejo and El Palo, the chiringuitos serve espetos, sardines grilled on a boat filled with sand.
In town, the Mercado de Atarazanas, a hall built behind a former Moorish gate, is full of local produce. For Malaga sweet wine served from the barrel, the Antigua Casa de Guardia has been doing so since 1840.
Can you visit Seville or Granada from Malaga?
Yes, both can be done in a day. Granada and its Alhambra, the Nasrid palace listed by UNESCO, are about 1.5 hours away by road, and Seville is about 2 hours away by high-speed train.
Why book an activity with Funbooker in Malaga?
Because a guide takes care of the itinerary for you.
On foot in the Alcazaba or the Picasso Museum, by tuk-tuk in the centre or by electric bike on the heights, you discover Malaga without planning the route, with extra anecdotes along the way.
Summary
Summary
The 12 must-see places to visit in Malaga
Long seen as a mere gateway to the Costa del Sol, Picasso's hometown deserves far more than a stopover. Its compact, lively historic centre is easy to explore on foot. Follow us.
Alcazaba of Malaga
Built in the 11th century, this fortress-palace climbs the hillside above the port. Its Andalusian patios and gardens, punctuated by fountains, recall the Alhambra in a more intimate version.
The climb follows cobbled paths and successive gates, with views that widen at every level. A guided tour helps you understand the history of the site and of those who lived there.
Roman Theatre
At the foot of the Alcazaba, the tiers of the Roman theatre date back to the 1st century BC. The site lay buried for centuries, until its rediscovery in 1951 during construction work.
Admission is free and a small interpretation centre tells its story. In the evening, Calle Alcazabilla alongside it comes alive with terraces, with the illuminated fortress as a backdrop.
Gibralfaro Castle
Perched above the Alcazaba, to which it is linked by a wall, this 14th-century castle offers a panorama of the bay, the port and the bullring.
The walk up is steep but short, and the reward comes as soon as you reach the ramparts. The best time is late in the day, when golden light wraps the whole city.
Malaga Cathedral
Locals nickname it la Manquita (the one-armed lady) because one of its two towers was never finished. Its construction stretched over more than two centuries, between the Renaissance and the Baroque.
Inside, the carved choir stalls and the height of the vaults are impressive. A rooftop tour also lets you walk on top of the cathedral and take in the whole historic centre.
Calle Marqués de Larios
Opened in the late 19th century, Calle Larios links the Plaza de la Constitución to the port. This pedestrian street with elegant façades and marble paving is home to shops and cafés.
It is the beating heart of the city, especially in the evening. In December its Christmas lights draw the crowds, and in August it vibrates to the rhythm of the Feria.
Atarazanas Central Market
Built on the site of former Nasrid shipyards, the market has kept the 14th-century Moorish gate. The 19th-century iron hall is lit by a large coloured stained-glass window.
Fish, dried fruit, olives and hams are piled high on the stalls. A few bars serve tapas on the go, ideal for sampling local products in late morning.
Picasso Museum Malaga
Housed in the Buenavista Palace, a 16th-century mansion, the museum brings together a large collection of works donated mostly by the artist's family. The tour covers his entire career.
Paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics let you follow the evolution of his style. In the basement, Phoenician and Roman remains uncovered during the works can also be visited.
Picasso's Birthplace
Pablo Picasso was born on Plaza de la Merced in 1881. The family apartment now houses a museum devoted to his Malaga childhood and his early years.
Personal belongings, family photos and early works make up a short visit, perfect to combine with the Picasso Museum, a few minutes' walk away.
Centre Pompidou Malaga
You cannot miss the coloured glass cube set on the port. It marks the entrance to the Centre Pompidou Malaga, the Paris museum's first branch outside France, opened in 2015.
The modern and contemporary art collections are renewed regularly. On the way out, the Muelle Uno promenade, with its shops and restaurants facing the boats, extends the visit pleasantly.
La Malagueta Bullring
Opened in 1876 a stone's throw from the beach, La Malagueta bullring is part of the city's heritage. A ticket with audio guide lets you tour it at your own pace.
The visit gives access to the stands, the ring and the museum inside the building. You discover the architecture of the venue and the place bullfighting has held in Andalusian history.
- Price: from €12 per person
La Malagueta Beach
A few minutes' walk from the centre, La Malagueta lets you go from museums to sand without taking a bus. Its chiringuitos serve espetos, sardine skewers grilled over a wood fire.
Very busy in summer, it remains pleasant off-season for a stroll along the seafront. You can then walk on to the port and Muelle Uno along the promenade.
La Concepción Historical Botanical Garden
Created in the mid-19th century by a wealthy Malaga family, this garden extends to the north of the city. It is home to tropical vegetation from all five continents.
Palm trees, bamboo, waterfalls and a viewpoint over the city make for a cool stroll, far from the bustle of the centre. Allow for a bus or car ride to get there.
Our ideas for seeing Malaga differently
The lanes of the centre and the climb to Gibralfaro can also be done by electric tuk-tuk. Several options in our catalogue add a tapas or wine tasting, or a sunset outing.
On the food side, food tours let you taste local specialities with a guide. And to gain some height, renting an off-road electric bike opens up the trails above the city.
