Nestled at the tip of the Andalusian region of Spain lies the city of Malaga. A picturesque town that lies between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, its breathtaking cityscape will surely captivate and leave you out of breath. They say that when you come here, you get to experience Spain’s culture at its fullest; Malaga is an explosion of flavors, endless flamenco dancing, and a rich and immersive culture just at your doorstep.

Indeed, a trip to Malaga will surely be quite an experience. Seeing that there are a lot of things to do in the city, you have to carefully plan what you absolutely cannot miss.

How to Get There

At the heart of Andalusia, it is understandable why getting to the Malaga Airport is fairly easy if you are flying in from different parts of the continent. Just a short distance from the city centre, the nine-kilometre distance feels shorter than it does.

From the airport, you can easily hail a cab, take the train, or take the bus to get to the centre. If you decide to take a cab, remember that rides to and from would range from €20 to €25.

In the case of opting for the bus, it has a flat rate of €3 with an interval of 20 minutes. The service runs from as early as 7 AM up to 12MN. As for the trains, this also runs at an interval of 20 minutes. It starts earlier at 6:50 AM but ends earlier at 11:54 PM.

Getting Around

Public transportation is also convenient and easy to take in Malaga. Most people opt to take a bicycle around the city. With efficient bike routes, you can go around Malaga by cycling around. A bus is also an option because of the affordable €1.35 fare for all trips around the city.

Top Things to Do

Malaga being a big city, would need a carefully planned itinerary from the very start. On your first day, you can go around the city centre and enjoy the historical landmarks of Alcazaba, Malaga’s most iconic landmark and best kept Moorish fortress in Spain. This dates back to the 11th century, playing a major role during the siege of Malaga in the 15th century.

Meanwhile, a short walk through the scenic Paseo Don Juan de Temboury brings you to the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a Moorish palace dating back to the 10th century. This is located in Gibralfaro Hill that overlooks the cityscape. Go around this area to find the Roman Theater Alcazaba, that is believed to have been constructed during the first century A.D. by Emperor Augustus. This is the oldest site in Malaga where they currently hold outdoor performances.

For a more contemporary cultural immersion, get to know Malaga’s most famous artist, Pablo Picasso. In the Museo Picasso Màlaga located in the old city centre, work your way to the Plaza de la Merced to get to the museum. This hosts an impressive 200 artworks by the artist where you can see how his style evolved throughout the years. The Carmen Thyssen museum is also a must-see if you’re interested in Andalusian and Spanish artists.

After exploring the museums, it is also essential that you get to explore the surrounding mountains and sea. If you want some adventure, take a hike at the Chillar River that leads you to Nerja Cave. The whole trek takes up to four to six hours, but it’s well worth it once you get to enjoy the huge water basin in the cave where you can freshen up.

The Montes de Malaga Natural Park otherwise known as Malaga’s Green Lung is located 25 kilometres up north from the city. 5,000 hectares wide, you can go hiking here and rent mountain bikes to explore the greenery. Picnics can also be held here so it would be a nice way to bond with your family.

If you’re after a nice and relaxing day, lounge by the Puerto de Màlaga in Costa del Sol. Just a stone’s throw away from the centre, this area boasts fantastic coastal views that are lined with restaurants and yachts in the harbor. The beach of El Pedregalejo is also a must-see location that is found in one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods. This area comes alive with restaurants and bars at night, but it’s an ideal spot to lounge and cool off during the day.

What to Eat

A visit to Malaga is also incomplete without trying the mouthwatering dishes that would bombard you during your trip. Known to be a hotspot for foodies, the cuisine ranges from tapas to seafood — each bite making you want to have more.

To make it easier for you, you can opt to join a food tour that most often focuses on tapas. You will be going around trying different varieties while learning more about Spanish cuisine. If you want to try the restaurants, make sure you go to El Pimpi for traditional tapas and Uvedoble for tapas with a twist.

For some fresh seafood, make your way to Pez Tomillo in Pedregalejo. Restaurante Hermanos Muñoz is a good place to get some traditional chiringuito which you can enjoy while admiring the seascape.

Nightlife

Drinks are also not hard to find here since most tapas restaurants offer a good range of traditional and local wines as well as sweet wines and sherry. If you happen to be at the central market, go to Antigua Casa de Guardia, the oldest bar in the city. Before dinner, head on over to La Tranca in Old Town where you can enjoy vermouth and empanadas.

Traditionally in Spain, they enjoy vermouth with a glass of wine before dinner. If you’re a beer connoisseur, you will surely enjoy the growing craft beer community in Malaga. Good options for this would be La Madriguera Craft Beer Malaga and Cervecería Arte y Sana Malaga. Both bars carry local and international craft beer with 6 to 8 beers on tap.

Where to Stay

The city of Malaga will have a lot in store for every kind of travellers. It’s why it has varying options for accommodations as well depending on what you are interested in. If you’re a budget traveller, a place like The Lights Hostel would be ideal since it’s only €20.50 a night and it already comes with breakfast. You will find this hostel just 400 meters away from the cathedral in the city centre. The historic centre is also a short walk away from this place so staying here would also be ideal for history buffs.

If you want to be around the latest in the art scene, stay in the Soho District where you’ll be exposed to some graffiti arts by Obey and D*Face. Staying by the beach is ideal if you want a getaway. Costa del Sol is lined with resorts for you to stay in. For a quieter option, book a spot in El Palo that best suits families.

Travel Tips

• Malaga, in general, is very safe for tourists, but still, be on guard especially during the peak holidays of Semana Santa.

• Go to the Atarazanas Market and go shopping for local fruits that you can bring home.

• Wear comfortable weather and bring a light jacket with you.