Departure Saturday morning, return Tuesday noon, so I had nearly 3 days available. Saturday and Sunday were spent in Malaga, Monday in Granada, about which I wrote separately.

Saturday

The plane landed around 11, and the easiest way to get to the city center from the airport is by train (line C-1). It takes 11 minutes to reach the Central-Alameda terminal, which is practically downtown. The easiest payment method is contactless card payment. You need to tap your bank card at the sensor on the entry gate, then do the same at the exit gate at the terminal. The railway company deducts the amount later.

First, I dropped off my backpack and coat at a luggage storage. It only costs €2.5 per day, which is nothing. You can book it online.

I walked around downtown, it was a pleasant 19 degrees, perfect for enjoying the sunshine. The center of the old town is the cathedral, which is truly magnificent from the outside. I also checked out the Mercado Central de Atarazanas market, where you can buy all kinds of food: befitting a coastal city, there’s lots of seafood available. It’s worth wandering aimlessly through the small streets, there are many cafes and restaurants here.

At 14:00, I checked into my accommodation, then went back downtown. First, I walked up to the Gibralfaro castle that dominates Malaga’s skyline. It’s not an easy walk, the well-maintained road keeps climbing. However, the view gets more beautiful as you go up, so it’s worth walking (you can also take a bus up). The entrance fee is €3.5, which can be purchased on-site or online. (There’s a €5.5 combined ticket that includes entry to the Alcazaba.) You can walk all around the castle walls. The views are spectacular in every direction, definitely walk the full circuit!

I went down the same walking path and walked to the La Malagueta beach area. The beach seemed a bit characterless to me, though a beach doesn’t really show its true face in January. However, I managed to photograph a group of parrots up close. 🙂

The city’s main museum, the Museo de Málaga, is in a large building. There are two main themes: an art section and an archaeological section. You can see many wonderful paintings, it’s definitely worth visiting. Especially since entry is free for EU citizens!

I waited for darkness, as you could take very beautiful pictures at night and enjoy the bustle.

Sunday

Since this day promised brilliant sunshine and 22 degrees, I visited the famous beaches south of Malaga: Benalmádena and Torremolinos.

But first, I went to Colomares Castle on the hillside. Although it’s not a large building, it’s beautifully executed. It’s worth traveling up here, and the view of the coastal area is also very beautiful.

From there, I took a bus to the beach, where I walked along the seafront promenade and enjoyed the sunny weather. I started from the central part of Benalmádena, at the bay called Puerta Marina. You can see many yachts, and there are numerous bars and restaurants along the promenade.

I walked towards Torremolinos, with several free toilets along the promenade. Many people were sunbathing on the beach, and some were even swimming. From a few movements, you could tell the sea wasn’t warm. 🙂

I sunbathed for half an hour while having coffee, then walked to the train station and traveled back to Malaga. Since some attractions are free on Sundays, I took advantage of this opportunity.

First, I went to the Alcazaba, which stands above downtown. This is the fortress below Gibralfaro, which also offers beautiful views of downtown. You don’t have to walk up as much here, you can reach the highest level with an easy 7-8 minute walk. This also includes the Roman amphitheater below, though you can see it perfectly from outside.

I picked out two museums that are free on Sundays. The Centre Pompidou on the seafront promenade is a modern art museum. The museum area is underground, with a large colored cube marking it on the surface. Well, what can I say, it’s quite an abstract exhibition, or maybe I just can’t appreciate this kind of art enough. I’ll stick to older paintings. 🙂

The other is Carmen Thyssen in one of the old town streets. Here we can mainly see paintings by Spanish artists. There was a Sorolla exhibition at the time, I spent a while admiring the works. If you love art, it’s definitely worth visiting.

It was starting to get dark, and on the way home, I ate an empanada. This is minced meat in pastry, with various fillings and seasonings. Worth trying, I really liked it.

Monday

On this day, I traveled to Granada, which is famous for the Alhambra rising above the city. I’ll write about this in a separate report.

Malaga in TikTok video

Articles about Andalusia

Best museums in Malaga

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Top 7 museums in Malaga

Museo de Málaga

Malaga’s most significant museum showcases the rich historical and artistic past of the region.

Located next to the cathedral, the museum is housed in the Palacio de la Aduana, a magnificent neoclassical building with ornate columns and sculptures.

It consists of two main sections: the archaeological and the fine arts collections:

• The archaeological section has a rich collection of artifacts from the Phoenician, Roman, Arab, and Christian eras, depicting the history of Andalusia and especially the Malaga region.
• The fine arts section houses masterpieces of Spanish painting from the 19th and 20th centuries, with a special focus on local and regional artists.

All information here!

Picasso Museum

The famous artist, Pablo Picasso, was born in Malaga, so it was only natural that a museum would be opened in his honor.

Since 2003, it has been welcoming visitors in the Buenavista Palace, which was established through the initiative of Picasso’s granddaughter, Christine Ruiz-Picasso, and her husband, Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, who donated a significant number of artworks to the collection.

Its collection includes over 200 Picasso works, covering the artist’s entire career. These include paintings, drawings, sculptures, and ceramics, showcasing the evolution of Picasso’s style and techniques. The collection includes both early and late works of the artist.

All information here!

Museo del Automóvil y la Moda de Málaga

This museum presents the world of cars and fashion, highlighting the key trends and technological developments of the 20th century.

The idea for the museum came from the Portuguese businessman Joao Magalhaes, who spent many years collecting rare and special cars and fashion pieces. The museum aims to show the parallels between the automotive and fashion worlds and how they have influenced each other over the past decades.

It features over 90 historic vehicles, including classic and racing cars, rare luxury models, and masterpieces from famous manufacturers like Bugatti, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, and others. The fashion collection is equally impressive, comprising more than 200 pieces, including haute couture dresses and accessories from significant 20th-century fashion designers.

All information here!

Museo del Vidrio y Cristal de Malaga

This museum showcases the history and traditions of glass and crystal art.

The museum was established by Gonzalo Fernández-Prieto, a passionate collector and expert committed to glass and crystal art.

Its collection includes more than 3,000 pieces, ranging from antiquity to the 21st century. The exhibited items include blown glass, engraved and painted crystal, and rare glass creations, representing various eras and styles. The collection is particularly rich in 18th and 19th-century pieces, including elegant Murano glasses and intricately crafted crystals.

All information here!

Museo Carmen Thyssen Malaga

This art museum primarily focuses on Spanish painting, with special attention to Andalusian art.

The museum was founded based on the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, initiated by Baroness Carmen Cervera, the widow of Count Thyssen-Bornemisza. Opened in 2011, its aim was to showcase the baroness’s private collection, which spans 19th-century and early 20th-century Spanish paintings.

The works include creations from the Romantic, Realist, and Modernist periods, featuring landscapes, cityscapes, and social scenes. The museum displays works by famous Spanish painters such as Sorolla, Zuloaga, and Romero de Torres.

All information here!

Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares de Málaga

This museum exhibits local traditions, folk art, and customs, including the rich cultural past and present of the region.

The museum was established with the goal of documenting and presenting the region’s folk culture, as traditional ways of life were increasingly disappearing due to modernization and urbanization.

The collection includes traditional clothing, household items, agricultural tools, and products of local crafts such as ceramics, leatherwork, and textile art. It places particular emphasis on depicting the historical social and economic life of the region.

All information here!

Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga (CAC Málaga)

This museum, dedicated to promoting and supporting contemporary art, is actually a community venue.

It does not have a permanent collection; instead, it focuses on varied and dynamic temporary exhibitions that showcase the latest trends and directions in contemporary art. The exhibitions include paintings, sculptures, photography, video art, and digital art, featuring works by both international and local artists.

All information here!

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Malaga is the 2nd largest city in Andalusia. Located at the heart of Costa del Sol, or the Sunny Coast, it is a favored tourist destination known for its excellent wines, mild climate, and abundant sunshine. One of the most popular destinations in Spain.

Read my photo report about Malaga!

Malaga attractions

Castillo de Gibralfaro

One of Malaga’s most famous attractions is the castle perched above the city, offering visitors a stunning panorama.

Originally built on a fortress constructed by the Phoenicians, it was later used by the Romans and Arabs. The current fortress, constructed by the Moorish dynasties in the 14th century, is named after the Gibralfaro hill, also known as ‘the mountain of torches’.

The fortress comprises two main parts: the upper section, which includes the royal palace and military barracks, and the lower section, which served to protect the city and port. The castle offers a beautiful view of the city.

There’s a small museum in the castle showcasing historical artifacts, weapons, and other military memorabilia, highlighting the fortress’s rich military past.

Alcazaba

Not far from the castle is another city landmark, notable for its architecture.

Built in the 11th century during the Islamic Moorish rule, Alcazaba served to protect the city. Over subsequent centuries, it underwent significant modifications under Christian kings. It has been the site of numerous sieges and wars. It served not only a military purpose but also as the residence of local rulers.

Its architecture is typically Arab, with archways, decorated walls, and garden designs. The interiors are filled with finely carved marble columns, ornate arches, and colorful ceramics, characteristic of Moorish architecture.

It also houses a small museum displaying archaeological findings and artifacts from the Moorish period.

All information can be found here!

Cathedral

Located in the old town, the cathedral is often referred to as „La Manquita” meaning „The One-Armed Lady” because of its tower.

Construction of the cathedral began in the 16th century on the site of a former Moorish mosque. The work continued for centuries, mixing different architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements. Construction interruptions throughout history mean the cathedral was never completed, for example, one of its towers was never built, hence its nickname.

The exterior is imposing, especially its massive, decorated main façade and the tall, but unfinished southern tower. The size of the cathedral and architectural details like the carved portals and statues are impressive. The interior is characterized by high vaults and colorful stained glass windows.

Centro Cultural La Malagueta

Like every major Spanish city, it has a bullfighting arena.

Built in 1876, it long served as a venue for traditional Spanish bullfights. In the early 21st century, city authorities decided to transform the building into a cultural center to promote modern art and cultural events.

The building’s design is typical of traditional Spanish arenas, with its unique oval shape and distinctive red bricks. Its exterior retains the historical arena’s features.

Mercado Central de Atarazanas

A visit to a local market is a must in Spain!

The market offers a wide range of fresh, local products, from seafood to traditional Spanish foods like ham, cheese, and olive oil. It’s a great place to explore local gastronomy and buy, taste fresh and authentic Spanish dishes.

The building itself is beautiful: built on a shipyard, one of its main gates has been preserved. The arabesque archway at the main entrance is a reminder of the site’s Arab past.

Parque de Málaga

This park, in the southern part of the old town along the coastline, was developed at the end of the 19th century.

It is home to various trees and flowers, including rare tropical and subtropical species. Notably, the Paseo de los Curas promenade is lined with numerous statues and monuments.

Jardin Botanico Historico La Concepcion

This 22-hectare botanical garden on the city’s northern outskirts features subtropical and tropical plant species.

With over 2000 plant species, including rare trees, palm trees, bamboos, and orchids, the garden’s design is reminiscent of an English-style landscape garden, complete with pathways, lakes, and waterfalls.

Its most famous part is the Mirador Histórico, offering a magnificent view of the city.

Playa la Malagueta

The city’s beachfront stretches about 2.5 km from the port, with sandy beaches.

The beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, and there are several restaurants and bars along the shore.

Best museums in Malaga

Malaga is not only known for its attractions but also hosts several excellent museums due to its rich artistic past.

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