Málaga

The capital of the Costa del Sol is reinventing itself

Málaga

Max 36ºC / Min 23ºC

/ Andalusia

Beyond its 16 sunny beaches, this Andalusian city on the shores of the Mediterranean has a fascinating cultural side. And the birthplace of Pablo Picasso has reinvented itself in recent years, opening museums to suit all tastes.

If you combine the sea and culture with a lively atmosphere, the abundant tapas served in its bars, trendy neighbourhoods like Soho, areas like the port that have been transformed to offer a more modern face, and monuments with centuries of history, the result is an exciting city that anyone would want to discover. After all, if everyone says Málaga is more beautiful than ever, there must be a reason for it.

A journey through time

Málaga is a city filled with historic spots such as the Alcazaba, one of the largest Arab fortresses in Andalusia, and the Gibralfaro Castle, which offers what are surely the best views of the whole city. At the foot of the castle lies the Roman theatre and a historic quarter that’s perfect for a stroll. As you walk its streets, you come across places like the Las Atarazanas Market, where you can enjoy a vermouth, and landmarks such as its Cathedral, known as ‘La Manquita’ because of its unfinished right-hand tower. A visit to its rooftop is a must, as the experience is truly unique. We are in the city of Picasso – so in the centre there’s also a highly recommended museum dedicated to the painter, and it is possible to visit his Birthplace.But Málaga doesn't just live off its past, as in recent years the Carmen Thyssen Museum was opened; the only Pompidou Centre outside France, and its colourful cube has already become something of an icon – or the Collection of the Russian Museum, St Petersburg.That said, anyone looking for a more underground cultural scene shouldn't miss the Contemporary Art Centre, the urban art on the façades or the shop fronts in the alternative Soho neighbourhood.

Essence of Málaga

Many things make Málaga a unique place. To start, beyond its monuments, a sunny day spent on the legendary La Malagueta city beach is a must. And anyone who wants to immerse themselves fully in traditional flavours should head to the seaside neighbourhood of Pedregalejo and try the local specialities: charcoal-grilled sardine skewers.Returning to La Malagueta, right next to it is the Pier 1, a harbour promenade lined with shops and restaurants, which is lovely to stroll along at sunset until you reach La Farola, a lighthouse that is a true symbol of the city.Another emblem of Málaga? Without a doubt, its pedestrian street Marqués de Larios, a busy thoroughfare decorated with flowers and which you must visit at least once on a trip to Málaga. At night, this area and its surrounding streets become the perfect place to go for tapas at establishments that have become true institutions, such as the El Pimpi Winery where you should try some ajoblanco to see what it tastes like.Málaga is also its Film Festival, its Easter Week, its innovative restaurants... But above all, Málaga is joy. And it's catching.

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Practical information

How to get there - transport information

Select the means of transport to see how to get there or how to get around at your destination.

How to get to aeroplane

The Málaga – Costa del Sol Airport is situated 8 kilometres from the city.
TheExpress Aeropuerto city bus line connects to the centre of Málaga in a journey time of approximately 15 minutes. Operating approximately from 06:30 (first departure from the city) or 07:00 (first departure from the airport) until a little over 01:00.
A commuter train service takes you to Torremolinos or Málaga city centre in under 15 minutes, and to the Málaga–María Zambrano station. It also operates services to other places on the Costa del Sol, such as Fuengirola and Benalmádena.
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How to get to train

The María Zambrano station connects to Madrid via the AVE high-speed train network and the journey takes less than three hours. Other AVE lines run to Córdoba, Zaragoza and Barcelona.
It is located in the city centre, just 2 kilometres from the port and 7 from the airport.
You can easily get around from the station by public transport: it’s a stop on several city bus routes (1, 3, 10, 16, 19, 24, 27 and C2) and the N1 night bus route.
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How to get to boat

The port is very close to the city centre.
It is one of the main cruise ports on the Peninsula. The cruise terminal is about 3 kilometres from the port entrance, and when cruise ships are in harbour there are regular bus services.
You can get around easily from the port using public transport: there are nearby stops for several bus routes and for commuter train lines C-1 and C-2.
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How to get to bus

The bus and coach station is next to María Zambrano railway station, in central Málaga.
It connects to the airport via the “Express Aeropuerto” city bus service which takes approximately 15 minutes.
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How to get there by road

Access from the north is via the A-45 motorway or the AP-46 motorway.
The A-7 Mediterranean motorway runs along the province’s coastline.

Practical information

Most tourist points of interest are concentrated within the city centre, which makes it easy to explore them on foot.
The Málaga Pass is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours, or for a week. It provides free admission to many museums and monuments, and offers discounts at other establishments.

How to get around in metro/tram

There are two Metro lines linking the centre to the university area and the western part of the city.
It operates between 6:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., except for Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays, when it runs until 1:30 a.m. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, services start at 7 a.m.
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How to get around in bus

The regular service covers every neighbourhood in the city and usually runs from 06:20 to midnight.
There are four night metro lines which operate regular services between around midnight and 06:00. More information
The tourist bus allows you to visit all the monuments in Málaga. You can hop on and off as many times as you like. More information

How to get around in other means of transport

Taxi: easily identifiable white vehicles with a blue stripe. A green light on the roof shows they are available.
As well as the traditional horse-drawn carriages, there are other original and eco-friendly ways to get around Málaga, such as by electric vehicle or cycling.
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