What to See and Do in Málaga, Spain

Plenty of tourists flock to Andalucía’s Costa del Sol, but most opt for the mundane beach resorts of Marbella or Fuengirola, neglecting the province’s capital. Founded by the Phoenicians around 770 BC, Málaga is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, with plenty of monuments around from its various rulers over the centuries. The city offers a healthy dose of history alongside active nightlife, delicious food and drink, and plenty of beaches to relax at, too.

Teatro Romano

Monte Gibralfaro, the hill in the city’s center, holds centuries of Málaga’s history.

Starting at the base of the hill, you’ll see the well-preserved Roman Theater, built in the 1st century AD but only unearthed in the 1950s, when the city government was beginning plans to build a cultural center. In Roman times, the city was mainly known for the production of garum, a fermented fish sauce popular as a condiment in Roman cuisine.

Alcazaba

Just above the Roman Theater, about halfway up the hill, stands the Alcazaba, one of the best preserved Moorish fortresses in Spain. The Muslims built this complex in the 11th century, when Mālaqa was the second most important city in the Emirate of Granada. The luxurious palace, with its lush gardens and charming patios, reflects the riches of the city in the days of Al-Andalus, when it functioned as southern Spain’s main seaport.

Enjoy a stroll through the palace, stopping to sit in the lovely outdoor areas, and be sure to enjoy the beautiful views over the city’s historic center, with the lovely Renaissance tower of the Catedral rising high above the rest of the buildings.

Castillo de Gibralfaro

Continue up past the Alcazaba to the top of the hill and you will reach the castle, built in the 14th century to improve the city’s defenses. The Nasrids were under constant threat from the armies of Castille, led by the Catholic Monarchs Fernando and Isabel, who were slowly but surely reestablishing Christian control of the Iberian peninsula. It was here that the Nasrids holed up during the 1487 siege of the city, lasting three months before surrendering. The fall of Málaga would prove to be a death blow to their waning empire, with the capitulation of Granada five years later representing the end of nearly eight centuries of Muslim Spain.

Taken together, the Alcazaba and the castle offer a first-hand view of the fascinating history of Al-Andalus and the reconquista. In addition, the two make for a lovely day of walking with beautiful views in every direction. Be sure to walk out to the Mirador de Gibralfaro for a postcard view overlooking the port, with the city’s bullring in the foreground.

Muelle Uno

Once the heart of the city’s port, Málaga’s Pier One has been redeveloped as an open-air shopping and leisure center, lined with restaurants and shops right at the water’s edge.

The pier is also home to the Centre Pompidou Málaga, the first branch of the famous art museum outside of Paris. The museum’s collection is mostly modern and contemporary, with a collection including pieces by Frida Kahlo, Francis Bacon, and Max Ernst, as well as a handful of works by Pablo Picasso, Málaga’s most famous native son.

Beaches

The whole Costa del Sol is famous for its beaches, and Málaga is no exception. The long Playa de la Malagueta is an excellent urban beach; its quality is not degraded at all by its proximity to the city center.

If you’d like to get a little farther away from the center, Playa de la Caleta in the east of the city is another excellent option, less crowded but still easily accessible. This beach is more popular among the locals.

Food and Drink

Arguably Málaga’s most famous restaurant is Bodega Bar El Pimpi, which opened as a wine cellar in the 1970s before expanding into a full-on restaurant. The place has a lively atmosphere and a spectacular interior, with large wooden wine barrels, a tiled bar, and lush patios. For dessert, head to Casa Mira, an ice cream parlor open since 1890. They are also famous for their turrón, a traditional Spanish nougat candy.

For drinks, I recommend Los Gatos, a typical cervecería, always packed; try the enormous sangría, prepared with house-made vermouth for that extra kick.