Art & culture
Malaga hasn’t earned itself the title of ‘city of museums’ for nothing!
The city has dozens of world-class art galleries and museums with plenty for all tastes, mixed with a vibrant local culture scene
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Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga
The Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga is one of Malaga’s main attractions in terms of visitor numbers. Opened in 2011, it brings together one of the most important collections of Spanish and Andalusian painting from the early 19th century to the early modern period in the 20th century, encompassing some of the main movements in Spanish art during this period, such as landscape and folkloristic painting. There are also a number of other interesting temporary exhibitions to be seen in this […]
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 the birthplace of none other than Pablo Picasso. Malaga’s most famous son was born in the house on the most […]
Malaga Film Festival
Every March, Malaga city centre gets yet another glamorous makeover when the Festival de Málaga, Malaga’s much-loved film festival and 11-day celebration of Spanish-language cinema, commences its annual run. Over 200 films are shown at spectacular venues across the city – including Teatro Cervantes, Cine Albéniz and even the Picasso museum – with Calle Larios and Calle Alcazabilla serving as both a red carpet and an exhibition space. The star-studded opening night, historically attended by the biggest names in Spain’s film […]
La Polivalente
La Polivalente is a popular venue in the arty-yet-edgy Lagunillas area of the city. The bar is a diamond in this somewhat rough neighbourhood located between Plaza de la Merced and Plaza de la Victoria. It’s a real melting pot for artistic types, with the venue offering a full schedule of shows and live music. This almost impossibly small bar, with an embracing bohemian vibe, also puts on exhibitions by local artists. Its mission, they say, is to “create a meeting […]
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 marble slabs. A chance discovery The theatre was only rediscovered in 1951 during work to create a new garden area. […]
Museo Picasso Málaga
The Picasso Museum is, without doubt, one of the most popular attractions in Malaga. This museum, dedicated to the work and life of Pablo Picasso, Malaga’s most famous citizen, is located in the narrow streets of the former Jewish quarter (judería) in the Buenavista Palace (El Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista). The Museo Picasso Málaga and its collection are a response to Pablo Picasso’s wish for his work to be displayed in the city where he was born on 25 […]
Mercado de Salamanca
It’s been a long time coming but the Mercado de Salamanca is back – and is looking great. This 1920s food market in the El Molinillo neighbourhood, just north of the Historic Centre, has undergone a complete renovation, maintaining its unique neo-Arab architecture. This is, unlike Atarazanas market, very much where locals go. While it is small, there is a lot of excellent local produce, especially fresh fish. If you’re peckish, be sure to stop at any of the excellent tapas […]
Museo de la Imaginación (Imagination Museum)
The Museo de la Imaginación is a place where everyone gets the chance to feel like a child again. Tucked away in the Soho neighbourhood is this unconventional museum that combines science and education with entertainment and in which you can plunge headfirst into the world of illusions. Don’t forget to bring a camera with you because there are plenty of photo opportunities as visitors can interact with objects and become direct participants in the displays. There are numerous optical […]
La Térmica
La Térmica describes itself as “a centre for contemporary cultural creation and production”. This means that it accommodates all forms of artistic expression, from the performing arts to fashion, cinema, plastic arts, music, design, architecture, urban planning, landscaping and thought. As it is managed by the Diputación provincial government, La Térmica also offers a programme of residencies, workshops, training and support for creators and entrepreneurs, providing the economic, technical and human resources necessary to guarantee the professional growth of the […]
Museo Automovilístico de Málaga (Car Museum)
It’s difficult to find anything like the Malaga Automobile and Fashion Museum. This extraordinary private collection, across 6,000 square metres of exhibition space, boasts almost a hundred beautifully restored and exclusive vehicles (some of which date back to the 19th century), upholstered in ostrich and mink fur, or precious woods, with accessories such as ivory and silver handles. The wide range of motors come from a broad selection of iconic manufacturers such as Mercedes, Hispano Suiza, Bugatti, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and […]
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 de Atarazanas. It was the seventh to be built in the city and was declared a Historic Artistic Monument in […]
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 las Sorpresas walkway in Malaga Port. If you include the rose garden surrounded by orange and cypress trees next to […]