How you can Plan a Journey to Málaga, Spain

Málaga, Spain is a sun-seeker’s paradise. The town alongside the nation’s southern coast is the sunniest place in Europe, getting greater than 280 sunshine hours a month, which works out to greater than 3,000 hours of sunshine a yr. Málaga sits on the aptly named Costa del Sol, or the “solar coast,” however this metropolis has much more going for it than simply the solar. It is also a cultural paradise and the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. 

“Málaga is a incredible vacation spot as a result of it has a Mediterranean local weather. Its winters are gentle, and the summers are good and heat. It has a sometimes-overlooked historical past wealthy in Roman historical past and Moorish affect. There are numerous cultural actions to do, such because the Picasso Museum and flamenco exhibits,” Kristin Espinar, founding father of Should See Spain, shared. And, as with the remainder of Spain,  Espinar added, “Málaga has incredible delicacies — particularly recent native seafood and tapas. Do not miss native chiringuitos, that are seaside seafood eating places that locals flock to.” 

Able to discover this incredible metropolis? This is what it is advisable to find out about visiting Málaga, Spain. 

Finest Accommodations & Resorts

Gran Lodge Miramar

Spend just a few days within the lap of luxurious with a keep on the Gran Lodge Miramar. The historic palace has been changed into a five-star resort that appears out onto the Mediterranean. Every of its rooms is decked out with plush furnishings in a soothing pure palette, making the panoramic views the star of the present. The resort’s spa is equally alluring and makes use of native elements for a singular Andalusian contact. 

Finca Cortesín

In 2023, Finca Cortesín was named the highest resort in Spain and Portugal by Journey + Leisure readers within the World’s Finest Awards. Readers fell arduous for its white-washed partitions, colourful rooms, and lovely sea views — to not point out its incredible Cabell B. Robinson–designed golf course. Right here, visitors can play a full 18 after which unwind within the spa, which comes with science-forward therapies like oxygenated facials. 

Palacio Solecio

Have yet another regal keep on the Palacio Solecio, an 18th-century palace-turned-hotel. The resort is as glamorous as you’d think about, with four-poster beds, floor-to-ceiling home windows and doorways that open to spacious patios, and deep soaking tubs within the bogs. The resort’s central location makes for straightforward entry to a number of the metropolis’s most sought-after websites, together with Santiago Church, just some toes away. 

Finest Issues to Do

Picasso Museum

Discover Pablo Picasso’s previous and his inventive genius, and uncover just a few different incredible artists, on the Picasso Museum contained in the Buenavista Palace. Right here, visitors can discover Picasso’s life by his 144 works on rotation and take a look at the museum’s exhibitions, together with works by María Blanchard and Joel Meyerowitz. 

Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Citadel

Encompass your self with Málaga’s historical past throughout a go to to the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Citadel. The historic fort is a Moorish fortress that takes up an astonishing 21,310 sq. meters.  “Should-see sights actually come right down to the preferences of the guests, however the Alcazaba — and close by Gibralfaro Citadel and Roman Theatre — are a number of the most extremely visited sights for good purpose,” Jess Rodley, the bookings director at Andorra Escapes who additionally travels to Málaga for her summer time holidays, shared. “Stuffed with historical past, these websites are exceptionally well-preserved.”

Mercado Central de Atarazanas

Pattern a few of Málaga’s finest flavors with a go to to the Mercado Central de Atarazanas. The market, now situated inside a Nineteenth-century constructing, dates again to the 14th century. Right here, vacationers and locals alike can combine and mingle over the native meats, cheeses, and loads of vegetables and fruit. The market is open each Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to three p.m.

Carmen Thyssen Museum

Málaga is completely spoiled with tradition, so be certain to go to at the least two museums. When you hit the Picasso Museum, make your option to the Carmen Thyssen Museum, housed in a restored Sixteenth-century palace. Right here, visitors can gaze upon Nineteenth-century Spanish work, with a particular give attention to Andalusian artwork.

La Malagueta Seaside

After all of the attractive human-made artwork, it is time to take a look at some created by Mom Nature with a go to to La Malagueta Seaside. The seaside is simply 10 minutes from town middle, making it simple to cease by or spend a complete day. There are additionally loads of beachside bars and eating places to take pleasure in whilst you’re there.

Neighborhoods to Go to

Centro Histórico

Centro Histórico is the guts of town. Right here, vacationers can weave their means by the bustling, slim streets, take a look at the historic plazas, and store in native shops. It is also the place you will discover the Málaga Cathedral, the Picasso Museum, and the Carmen Thyssen Museum — all inside just a few blocks. 

La Malagueta

Make your option to La Malagueta, town’s beachside neighborhood, for a bit surf and sand with a splash of tradition. Whereas right here, go to the Pompidou Centre for a colourful afternoon full of fashionable artwork.

La Victoria

Get a neighborhood perspective with a go to to La Victoria, one of many oldest neighborhoods within the metropolis. Situated simply north of town middle on the foot of Mount Gibralfaro, this space is well-known for its magnificence, conventional houses, native tapas bars, and avenue artwork. 

Finest Time to Go to

The very best time to go to Málaga is over the summer time season. Nonetheless, right here, the summer time extends from late spring into autumn (from Could by October). That is when the climate is at its prime and when everyone seems to be out and about having fun with all that incredible solar. Vacationers can even anticipate loads of enjoyable summer time festivals too, together with the Málaga Truthful in August, a week-long social gathering that honors all the perfect elements of Andalusian tradition. That stated, even if you cannot come through the summer time, there are many different instances price a go to. 

“The shoulder seasons are a good time to go to Málaga. I like to recommend touring within the spring (March to Could) or fall (September to November),” Espinar stated. “The temperatures might be gentle, you’ll discover smaller crowds, and also you’ll have extra vitality for exploring town and sights.”

Rodley additionally advocates for the shoulder seasons in April and Could and late September: “Visiting through the springtime, you possibly can catch the attractive blossoms and flowering jacarandas of the parks and gardens whereas having fun with the average temperatures and fewer crowds when exploring town and surrounding areas,” Rodley defined. “Align your journey with Easter and you’ll expertise the colour, tradition, and festivities of Holy Week parades. A go to in September is ideal for wine excursions and sightseeing with fewer vacationers. Presently of yr, it might nonetheless be heat sufficient to benefit from the seaside with out having to contend for an area on the sand.”

And, as Espinar added, “In case you select to go within the winter (December to February), you’ll discover the advantages of getting milder and hotter climate than the remainder of Spain. There might be fewer vacationers and also you’ll benefit from the metropolis. Málaga additionally has beautiful Christmas lights shows, which makes it an amazing December vacation spot.” 

How you can Get There

To go to this sunny vacation spot, you possibly can fly into Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, one of many largest airports in Spain. The airport affords loads of direct flights to cities round Europe and connections to cities around the globe through airways like LATAM, Air France, Straightforward Jet, and Emirates. The airport can be just some miles outdoors of town middle, making it a handy jumping-off level. 

Guests coming from spots like Madrid and Barcelona might resolve to drive — and that is a incredible thought, as you possibly can drive alongside the Mediterranean on the AP-7 for a scenic journey. 

Vacationers can even get to Málaga by taking the practice to the María Zambrano station. Trains run commonly from Madrid; the journey takes about three hours and prices round $75. 

Getting Round 

Renting a automotive is a good possibility for individuals who need to get out and discover past town’s bounds and see extra of the Costa del Sol area. Automotive leases can be found on the airport and quite a few areas within the metropolis with main operators like Avis, Price range, and Greenback Automotive Rental. 

Málaga additionally has a sturdy public transit system that visitors can make the most of throughout their keep, together with each buses and a metro line, which covers many of the metropolis. Vacationers can get a single ticket or journey passes, that are simple to recharge on-line. There are plentiful taxis and Ubers accessible all through Málaga, too.