Malaga

The lively gateway to Andalucia

Malaga, a historic city that dates all the way back to the Phoenician times of 770 BC, is one of the oldest cities in Europe. With its amazing weather, beautiful beaches, and rich history, you will quickly discover why this city is considered the capital of the “Costa del Sol” (Sun Coast). Malaga’s International Airport is conveniently located in Southern Spain which makes this city an ideal place to set as your base to explore the beautiful Andalucia region.

Averaging about 300 days of sunshine each year, Malaga is a popular destination nearly year-round, and although most holidaymakers head for seaside resorts, the city itself has much to explore. The historic port has a vast array of traditional and contemporary cuisines and is a short walk from the city center. Malaga has a lively tapas scene too. Known as the birth town of Pablo Picasso, his home was historically preserved as a museum and is easily accessible in the city center of Malaga.

Popular Tour Itineraries Featuring Malaga

Name: JayWay Travel Malaga Spain Tour Packages
Brand: JayWay Travel
Rating: 4.90 (2 reviews)

Spend some time in Malaga on a tour that takes in other cities in Spain and neighboring countries. Our vacation packages including Malaga and other destinations throughout Spain and Europe hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.

Masterpieces Revealed: Artistic Gems of Spain

Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Malaga

12 Days

from$4,175^*

Tapas Trails & Flamenco Nights

Barcelona, San Sebastian, Madrid, Granada, Malaga

14 Days

from$5,200^*

* Starting price is based on double occupancy in 3 star accommodation, in the most affordable month an itinerary is offered. Airfare to Europe is not included.

Click on your choice of itinerary, select number of travelers in your party, month of travel, and desired star level of accommodation to get an approximate price. Submit the enquiry form with any additional details and we can start planning your customized trip.

Where to stay in Malaga

After a few decades of crisis in the area, the city is now booming with tourism, activities, and great accommodations to offer. Malaga has a variety of great accommodation options throughout the city, but we particularly prefer the boutique hotels found within the city center, as they are close to the main areas you will want to visit and have a unique ambiance indicative of the city. One example is the Gran Hotel Miramar Hotel, which was originally built in 1926. After an impressive remodeling endeavor, the Miramar offers wonderful views of the mediteraniean and is worth considering for the hot summer months in Andalucia. Once we start preparing your customized itinerary we will present our recommended options for you to select from.

Luxury design hotel

Luxury hotel with a section of the city's early medieval walls, plus amenties from a jazz club and library to a rooftop plunge pool.

Seaside luxury hotel

Iconic beachfront hotel fully stocked with ameities from show-cooking to a rooftop chill-out terrace.

Small luxury hotel

Contemporary boutique in an 18th century palace near Malaga's historic center.

Things to do in Malaga

When visiting Malaga there are a few things that are not to be missed. For seafood lovers, you must not leave Malaga without having a taste of “espeto” at Malagueta Beach. Espeto is the traditional way of cooking freshly caught seafood, usually sardines, on a skewer over a bonfire. The Alcazaba of Malaga is a must for anyone visiting this historic city. It could be considered as a prototype of the Alhambra. Consisting of two walled structures on the hillside of the Malaga, these historic buildings offer the best views of the city. Also, if shopping is your thing, do not miss Larios street as here you will find many traditional and modern shops that are popular in Spain. When we send you your customized itinerary you will be able to choose excursions to include in your vacation package or consider adding later.

La Axarquia White Villages, Buddhist Stupa & Torre Atalay Small Group Tour

Ronda Private Day Trip

Wine and Tapas Evening Small Group Tour

Glowing Reviews from Our Guests

4.9 / 5

Average of our Guest's Ratings of our trip packages including Malaga, based on 2 reviews

Harry & Jane

New Hampshire

This was our second perfect trip planned by JayWay Travel. We like the personalized travel experience and build in free time to enjoy the area we are traveling in; no cookie cutter travel for us.

Year : 2022
Visited : Spain
Itinerary : Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Madrid
Rating :

5 / 5

Kathy & Charles

Michigan

The staff at Jay Way Travel are very professional and listen to what you want to visit and tour, along with the best way to travel to get there. For us, not being part of a tour group, but just the two of us, helped to really understand what we were viewing.

Year : 2022
Visited : Spain
Itinerary : Madrid, Toledo, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Malaga, Madrid
Rating :

4.8 / 5

Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Malaga

How many days should I spend in Malaga?

Malaga calls for a three-day stay. After the numerous cultural sites, like the Picasso Museum, the cathedral, the Gibralfaro Castle, you should not miss the beaches, the culinary delights, and some cool neighborhoods, aka barrios in Spanish. Soho is a hipster area in Malaga with art galleries, cool eateries, and small local businesses where you can buy some interesting items.

How much should I expect to spend person per day?

You can expect to spend 35-40 EUR/person/day (40-45 USD) for food, beverages, transportation, and random leisure needs (spontaneous visit to a museum). If you plan to take excursions, the average cost may rise to 100-120 EUR/person/day (110-130 USD). Day trips usually include transportation, some food, and drink.

What are some must-sees in Malaga?

Malaga keeps art lovers and culture seekers spoiled. The Malaga Interactive Music Museum is a place to get familiar with Spanish music and instruments from around the world in an interactive way. Its museums bring art close to the laic. In the Museum of Popular Arts, visitors will gain knowledge about tradition in clothing in a spectacular way. The Automobile and Fashion Museum combines two high-importance subjects in its focus. The Pompidou Malaga and the Carmen Thyssen Museum await visitors with classic art collections.

How do I get around Malaga?

The bus service provided by the Municipal Bus Company will take you anywhere in the city every day. Frequency varies depending on the route and the day of the week. The city center of Malaga is very compact and walkable. Malaga has 29 km of well-designed bike lanes, so do not refrain if you prefer to explore on two wheels!

Any souvenir shopping tips for Malaga?

One of the best things in Spain that you can find super ancient shops! Old antiquities, family-run traditional jamón, or olive oil stores lure at you around the corner. The century-old spirit gets freshened with a twist, and, next to the old shops, you will find eateries, cafés, confectioneries, bars, especially in Malaga, where design is omnipresent, on the streets and indoors.

What are the option in Malaga for people with dietary restrictions and intolerances?

The Mediterranean diet is on the menu all around the country! Spanish cuisine uses a lot of rice and chickpeas that make the life of a gluten-intolerant easy-peasy. Milk is not a popular ingredient either, which is good news for lactose intolerants. Should you have any specific restrictions, feel free to turn to the waiter, who will helpfully assist you with the right choice of meal.

Where's best, easiest and safest to get some local currency in Malaga?

ATMs are safe to withdraw cash in Spain, just be sure to refuse the offered conversion, your bank's rate will always be better. You can use your credit card in most restaurants, cafés, and bars. For some hidden or street-based souvenir shops, you might need cash, but it is very seldom. In case using your credit card, please always require payment in the local currency, which is EUR in Spain.

Is Malaga safe?

Malaga is a very safe city, but petty crime exists here just as everywhere in the world. Please exercise general awareness of your valuables and enjoy your stay in Malaga!