Sightseeing
It’s easy to get distracted in Malaga by the food and drink or the vibrant nightlife…
But there’s plenty of sights to take in too!
Malaga Cathedral, the ‘one-armed lady’
Malaga Cathedral, officially called the Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación, is synonymous with the city, not only because it is visible from practically anywhere, but because of its main distinguishing feature – its single tower. For this reason, the cathedral is colloquially known as La Manquita (one-armed lady). There are many stories as to why the second tower […]
Castillo de Gibralfaro (Gibralfaro castle)
The magnificent Gibralfaro castle is one of the stand-out emblems of Malaga. Not only does it appear on both the city and province’s seal and flag, but it dominates the Malaga skyline too. This excellently preserved fortress, built during Malaga’s Islamic past, sits atop the hill of the same name which, throughout the city’s history, has always been of enormous strategic […]
Muelle Uno – Malaga port
Where to start with Muelle Uno? This part of Malaga port has undergone a thorough regeneration in the past decade, opening up to the public and becoming an all-round leisure space. Take a stroll through the marina and you will come across various shops (and occasionally markets), cocktail bars, restaurants, ice cream parlours and even the world-class Centre Pompidou gallery. […]
Parque de Málaga
There aren’t many designated green spaces in Malaga city centre, but around the Paseo del Parque are several all in one spot. The Parque de Málaga, sandwiched between the 25-metre-wide central boulevard of the Paseo del Parque (an extension of the Alameda Principal) and the Paseo de los Curas, is 800 metres long and runs parallel to the Palmeral de […]
La Malagueta bullring
La Malagueta bullring may be one of the most emblematic buildings in Malaga, but it’s not actually all that old. It was officially opened to the public on 11 June 1876 with a fight involving the legendary Rafael Molina “Lagartijo”. The building itself was designed in neo-Mudéjar style by Joaquín Rucoba – the man also responsible for the Mercado Central […]
Iglesia de Sagrado Corazón (Church of the Sacred Heart)
La Iglesia de Sagrado Corazón (Church of the Sacred Heart) is *not* the Cathedral! To the untrained eye this ornate neo-Gothic church, right in the city centre, close to the Thyssen museum and Plaza de la Constitución, ticks all the boxes to be the cathedral. But, alas, it isn’t. It’s much newer than that. It was built as recently as 1920. […]
Mercado Atarazanas central food market
Whether you’re a tourist or you’re looking for an alternative to a supermarket for your weekly groceries, the perfect place to discover Andalusian gastronomy is at the Atarazanas central market. Open every morning (except Sunday), this food market boasts over a hundred stalls, primarily owned by local families passed on from generation to generation. They sell a vast array of […]
Calle Larios
Malaga’s iconic main street. Now pedestrianised, Calle Larios one of the most emblematic streets in the country and serves as the main commercial and cultural artery of Malaga’s historic centre. Calle Larios stretches for about 300 metres and connects the bustling Plaza de la Constitución with the picturesque Alameda Principal. Nowadays, it’s the busiest part of the city and home […]
Baños del Carmen
Baños del Carmen is the name given to the beach and the area located just to the west of the old fishing village Pedregalejo. Though the beach itself is quite small and can get very busy in the summer, there’s a good reason for that. From there you can see one of the best sunsets on the Costa del Sol, […]
La Concepción botanical gardens
The Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción, Malaga’s Botanical Gardens, is just a 15-minute drive from the historic centre and is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. When visiting this green oasis, spread across a magnificent three-hectare plot, you can scarcely believe you’re in a major city. You are immediately immersed into an almost tropical jungle, with […]
La Farola de Málaga lighthouse
The sea, and especially the port, have always played an important role in the city of Malaga and one of its major symbols is La Farola lighthouse, located in Muelle Uno. La Farola was designed by the naval brigadier, Naval Engineer and Port Director, Joaquín M.ª Pery y Guzmán and was first erected in 1817. At that time it was […]
The English Cemetery
When Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella swept into Malaga in 1487, they converted the city into a bastion of Roman Catholicism. However, about three and a half centuries later, the city looked rather different. It had become a major port and centre of industry and non-Catholics were playing a vital part in its life. However, before the English Cemetery was […]
Alcazaba de Málaga
The Alcabaza complex has become one of Malaga’s most distinctive landmarks and a must-visit for anyone who comes to the city. Built during the period of Muslim-ruled Al-Andalus and comprising a palace, fortifications and a maze of beautiful gardens, Malaga’s Alcazaba is one of the best-preserved Arabic citadels in the whole of Spain and attracts thousands of visitors every year. […]
Plaza de la Merced
Plaza de la Merced is one of the largest and most iconic public squares in Malaga city centre. The square has been a key part of the city since the Roman era, operating as a marketplace since at least the fifteenth century. This beautiful square is a must-see for many different reasons: Picasso’s birthplace Firstly, Plaza de la Merced is […]
Lagunillas, Malaga’s authentic art district
An obscure maze of alleyways, plazas and vacant spaces hidden in plain sight behind Plaza de la Merced, Lagunillas is a piece of authentic, bohemian and urban Spanish life perfectly preserved among the city’s most touristic neighbourhoods. But what makes this area so special is its story of a community banding together against poverty and hardship to create what is […]
Teatro Romano de Málaga (Roman Theatre)
Located at the foot of the Alcazaba on the ornate Calle Alcazabilla, are the remains of Malaga’s Roman Theatre (teatro romano). Dating from the early years of the Roman Empire, like Ancient Greek theatres its design makes use of the hillside for the tiered seating. A large part of the seating remains, as does the orchestra area, decorated with large […]