Planning a visit to Malaga, Spain? Here are some things you should know!

Post by E. Bizauskaite, published on 18 May 2018

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Malaga Provence Vs Malaga City

Malaga city is not to be confused with Malaga province, Malaga city is located on the Mediterranean coast of southern Spain in the province of Malaga and while both the city and the province are called Malaga, in the province of Malaga there are many other beautiful towns and cities such as Nerja, Ronda and Marbella to name a few.

Malaga is the second most populous city in Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. The history of Malaga is very old and spans about 2,800 years, meaning that Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world.

The city was originally founded as Malaka by the Phoenicians around 770BC. Malaga was ruled by the Roman Republic, The Roman Empire and for a time under Visigothic rule. Later it was under Islamic rule and again Christian rule by the Crown of Castille.

With its history of almost 3000 years, Malaga is full of many and wonderful archaeological wonders and full of history from each different time period and rule.

Malaga Weather

Malaga is very lucky with the weather and has a micro climate which means that during the cold winter months there is plenty of sunshine and heat as long as you stay in the sun. The moment you move to the shade you will need to put on a jacket and some extra layers. In the winter months there are days with rain but as it rains very little in Malaga, you can be sure that no matter what month you come here for a visit, you will be guaranteed at least some sunshine. The average winter temperature is usually between 12-19 degrees Celsius.

In the summer the weather gets much warmer and some days when the North wind is blowing (called the Terral) people tend to seek shelter either in their homes or by the beach. The Terral is a very hot and humid wind which turns the city into a sauna (it passes through the hottest parts of Spain until it hits the Malaga coastline so by the time it arrives, it is scorching. But it only passes 5-10 days per year) most families get to the beach early in the morning before it gets too hot and spend the whole day at the beach, periodically refreshing themselves in the cool ocean. This way not only is the Terral survivable, it’s also very enjoyable. Other summer days the cool city streets are a refuge from the heat and many people look for cafes and bars down a shaded street with a breeze in order to stay cool and chilled.

Malaga City – Things to do and see

Malaga city is full of wonderful and interesting things to do, but the most obvious option is to simply walk around the old historic centre of Malaga and take in the sights and atmosphere of this beautiful old town. The historic city centre is a pedestrian zone and does not allow the flow of cars unless they are authorised beforehand. The streets are paved with marble and boast a very large selection of cafes, restaurants and bars of which most have an outside terrace or some outside seating. You can get lost winding your way around the many hidden little streets discovering small shops and little hidden boutiques.

The Historic City centre has a wonderful selection of restaurants where you will find traditional menus as well as more modern ones. There are also a few Vegan and Vegetarian restaurants as well as others that are Indian, Chinese, Argentinian, and Japanese among others. There are also many cafes and juice bars which have options for people who want to indulge in sweet things or stay healthy and look after their waistline. There are many different options for every and any type of person and the most difficult thing when here is choosing what you want from the array of all that is on offer.

The Main shopping street is called Calle Larios and here you will find many designer shops and boutiques scattered in between beautiful bars and cafeterias. There are many different banks and cashpoints as well as some English ones such as Barclays (always check your exchange rates before withdrawing money).

In July and August you will find the Bullring (located next to Muelle 1) open with a list of shows and Bullfights where you will be able to buy tickets. It is always recommended to book these in advance in order to avoid disappointment.

Museums and CAC in Malaga

CAC is the Centre of contemporary art in the city centre for those who are interested in seeing some art. It is on the edge of an area called Soho at the bottom of the historic city centre and the area is full of different street art and graffiti for those interested in walking around and trying to spot the different masterpieces hidden away on walls between shops and buildings.

There are also many museums that have interesting exhibits, such as the Picasso Museum and the Carmen Thyssen museum. A visit to the cathedral is highly recommended too- called 'La Manquita' which means the one armed woman (as the cathedral only has one finished bell tower and the second remains unfinished, from a distance it appears as though the cathedral has a missing arm, thus the name).

One little thing that most tourists visiting Malaga aren’t aware of is that every Sunday all public places of interest admit visitors for free during the last 2-3 hours of the day. This may seem like a small favour but if going in a large group, or to see a few places, all the entrance fees add up and before you know it, you have spent over 50 euros per head which could be much better spent enjoying different restaurants or activities in the city.

Malaga's Muelle 1

Muelle 1 is the pier where there are many restaurants and shops. There is nothing better than taking an evening stroll around the pier and having a nice glass of something while admiring the beautiful boats and views that are on offer here.

During the summer months (June to September) you will find beautiful bars popping up which are made from pallets and plenty of seating available for families and visitors.

There are some nights where a jazz musician will be performing for the passers-by or a beautiful little artisan market that pops up in the evenings selling beautiful hand-made jewellery and crafts.

There are also plenty of businesses that rent bicycles for all the tourists that are visiting Malaga by boat or cruise ship and want to take advantage and explore the Malaga coastline by bike during their day of docking.

El Palo and Pedregalejo in Malaga

El Palo and Pedregalejo are located in the east of Malaga City and both neighbourhoods are separated by a small dry river (Arroyo Jaboneros) but to most both neighbourhoods appear to be the same area. It is here that the traditional fishing traditions and boat building styles still remain protected and in use.

There is a beautiful boat building museum called Astilleros Nereo at the beginning of Pedregalejo next to Banos del Carmen. Here you can have a look to see how the traditional boats called Jabegas are built and decorated. There are also some clubs that still practice rowing these boats and some days you can find them passing the beaches.

Most restaurants along the beaches serve fresh fish and seafood, although the speciality of the area are 'Espetos'. Espetos are sardines have been marinated in salt, then skewered on wooden sticks and then cooked on an open flame. They are absolutely finger licking good and delicious.

The beaches of El Palo and Pedregalejo are very beautiful and child friendly, some are even blue flag beaches. The beaches are laid out in small semi circles/ bays and are protected from strong waves. This makes it ideal for families that want a beach day as the bays are shallow and without strong currents. Most beaches have a lifeguard on duty during the summer months as well as public showers and bathrooms.

Just walking along the coast on the Paseo Maritimo in Pedregalejo you can float away in fantasies of owning one of the small traditional beach front houses which originally were built illegally by the fishing men that used to fish the local waters.

As the smells of burning wood fires and grilled fish fill your nose and a gust of salty sea air hits your face, you cannot be blamed for thinking that you have just found a small paradise in Spain.

For those who love a good beach day of swimming and soaking up the sun rays, there are plenty of restaurants that rent sun beds 'Hamacas' for anywhere from 4 euros for a half day, to 8 euros for a full day.

For those who prefer a more active beach day, there are activities that you can occupy yourself and the family with, such as Paddle boarding and Kayaking along the El Palo and Pedregalejo coast. At Kayak & Bike (El Palo) you can try a beginners Paddle Surf class or rent a kayak or Paddle board per hour and see the Malaga skyline from the water.

Hotels Vs Apartments Vs Camping

Depending whether you like going down the hippie trail or love your 5* luxury, there are options for everyone in Malaga. Malaga is full of luxury and boutique hotels as well as hostels. During the low season, rooms can be booked for as little as 40 euros per night in 3* hotels.

If it is luxury you are after, there are quite a few city centre hotels with views across the whole city and coastline that may be right up your street.

Hostels are also a popular way to go in Malaga as you will be able to book a single or double room with a shared bathroom for around 20 euros per night. There are also some options of renting a room at some university halls of residence where you will have a floor dedicated to tourists and can snag a double room with a shared bathroom for 30 euros per night (in the historic city centre).

Camping on beaches or in national parks is against the law so you must make arrangements with camp sites before embarking on your camping adventure. There are also some places that offer caravan parking and will give you an electricity and water connection for 10 euros per night (advance booking is always recommended to avoid disappointment).

Cercanias Train – Benalmadena – Torremolinos – Fuengirola

If you want to explore and see the surrounding towns and villages around Malaga city but don't have a car, the easiest way to do that is to jump on the C1 train (Cercanias) which takes you along the coast from Malaga centre all the way to Fuengirola. The airport, Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola can all be visited in the same day and are a quick train ride away. This is also the easiest and cheapest mode of transport from Malaga airport to the city centre. The train station is right next to the airport and costs only a few euros (in comparison to a taxi where the minimum fee is 15 euros). Here is more information about the Malaga airport, including information on trains.

The Province of Malaga and surrounding areas

Malaga city and airport are perfectly situated for those wanting to explore more of Andalusia. From Malaga city, most popular towns and villages are never more than a two-hour drive away making Malaga the centre point for such travels. Places such as Ronda, Mijas, Nerja and Frigliana are no more than 1.5-2 hours away and make a perfect day trip for those who want to see more than just Malaga city itself.

There are many wonderful places to explore such as Granada (book tickets in advance online to see the Alhambra), where you can even go up to the Sierra Nevada and go skiing or snowboarding for the day (Wednesdays usually have a discount to enter the snow park).

Nerja is only a one-and-half-hour drive away and is a beautiful white washed village on the coast. There are many hidden natural beaches around Nerja (La Caleta de Maro) where you can spend the day enjoying a virgin coastline and taking in the nature. The coastline of Nerja has an abundance of sea life from dolphins to sardines to squid which can all be perfectly seen in the crystal clear waters with a pair of snorkel goggles.

From Nerja you can go up to Frigliana and enjoy a spot of lunch admiring this beautiful little town (where the law states that all houses must be painted white every year to preserve the image of the town).

From Frigliana you can take an interesting descent down Rio Chillar where you will be immersed in nature and walk down a beautiful river all the way to Nerja. The route takes roughly two to four hours and as you will be walking in water (ankle deep) you must wear a good pair of trainers that are capable of draining water. There are also many agencies and companies that offer such experiences with a guide.

Nerja also has great activities to offer due to the abundance of natural marvels such as underwater caves, Kayaking, snorkelling, mountain climbing and cannoning.

Surf Culture – Cadizfornia

For anyone interested in trying their hand at surfing, the best place to go is definitely El Palmar in Cadiz. Due to their positioning on the Atlantic coast, there is always wind and waves guaranteed. There are plenty of surf and kite-surf schools available and willing to teach. So as long as you are interested and motivated, you will learn either sport quickly.

The beaches of Cadiz are preserved from over development and have retained a virgin feel to them. They are long with beautiful yellow sand and spit out perfect waves every day with the atmosphere averaging a temperature of 20 degrees.

Unlike the coast of Malaga which is in the Mediterranean Sea and gets very infrequent waves, in Cadiz the waves are guaranteed and anyone wanting to learn Kite Surf or Surf are recommended to go there.

In Cadiz the Surf culture is so pronounced that even the name Cadizfornia has caught on.

Top Hostels in Málaga

are you looking for somewhere to stay on your trip to Malaga city? Here are the top 5 best rated hostels in Málaga city:

Chillinn' Hostel Malaga

Chillinn' Hostel Malaga is in the heart of Málaga within 200 yards of Atarazanas Market. The property is around 750 yards from Carmen Thyssen Museum, 0.9 miles from Picasso Museum and 1 miles from Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation. The property is situated in the Malaga Centro district, 1.1 miles from Alcazaba.

Featuring a private bathroom with a shower and a hair dryer, rooms at the hostel also provide guests with free WiFi.

The Lights Hostel

The Lights Hostel offers a roof terrace and balconies with views of La Alameda Principal y Torregorda Street, a 24-hour reception and free WiFi, Lights Out Hostel is located in Málaga City Centre, 350 yards from famous Calle Larios Street, 450 yards from both Malaga Cathedral and from Carmen Thyssen Museum.

The Urban Jungle Hostel

The Urban Jungle Hostel is conveniently located to Picasso Museum reachable within 80 metres. The hostel is close to other noted attractions, around 0.7 miles from Gibralfaro Viewpoint, 0.9 miles from Malaga Cathedral and 0.9 miles from Malagueta Beach. Other popular points of interest near the hostel include Alcazaba, Museum of Glass and Crystal and Jorge Rando Museum.

The hostel provides a 24-hour front desk, non-smoking rooms, a bar, a shared kitchen for guests, a shared lounge, free WiFi and features a terrace. The hostel also provides a paid airport shuttle service.

Malaga Stop Hostel AB

Malaga Stop Hostel AB is rated for the best value in Málaga. The hostel is 0.8 miles from Jorge Rando Museum, 1.1 miles from Alcazaba, 1.4 miles from Malaga Park and 1.4 miles from Malaga Museum.

The hostel provides air-conditioned accommodation, a shared lounge, a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, a shared kitchen and free WiFi.

Dulces Dreams Boutique Hostel

Dulces Dreams Boutique Hostel is located in the centre of Málaga, surrounded by many bars and restaurants. Playa de la Malagueta Beach is a 15-minute walk away. From the hostel it’s a 5-minute walk to Malaga Cathedral and Picasso Museum. Carmen Thyssen Museum is just 150 yards away, and you can reach Malaga Train Station within a 15-minute walk.

The hostel overlooks the Church of the Holy Martyrs, and guests can choose between rooms with shared or private bathrooms. Rooms with private bathrooms include air conditioning and free toiletries. Some rooms have a balcony. All rooms at the hostel feature unique décor including handcrafted materials and a vintage style.

See also our post on 10 Sightseeing Destinations Not To Miss In Spain. Have a great Spanish holiday!

Accommodation in Malaga

Here are all types of accommodation in Malaga, including apartments and hotels.

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