A decade of Malaga – our journey so far

From a small idea to your go-to guide for exploring Malaga

In 2015, Guide to Malaga was merely an idea scribbled in a notebook and a lot of love for a city that deserved to be better known. Back then, Malaga was often seen as little more than a gateway to the Costa del Sol — a place to pass through rather than linger in. We knew it had so much more to offer, and there was no good information in English.

Fast forward to 2025, and Malaga has become one of Europe’s most vibrant cultural and culinary destinations — and we’re proud to have spent the last decade helping you discover its museums, restaurants, hidden corners and monthly and annual events.

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we recall how it all began, the challenges and highlights along the way, and where we’re headed next. But above all, this is a thank you – to the city we love, and to you, our readers, who’ve been with us on this journey.

The spark that set the wheels of Guide to Malaga in motion

In 2015, Malaga’s transformation was very much a work in progress. The opening of the Picasso Museum had set the ball rolling, but the city was still a daytrip destination only. Travel guides at the time barely scratched the surface, and practical, up-to-date information in English was surprisingly hard to find.

That’s where Guide to Malaga was born. The goal was simple: to create a reliable, independent resource that combined useful information with insider tips, so visitors could make the most of their time here — and fall in love with Malaga the way we had.

The very first version of the website was modest — just a handful of articles and recommendations. But the mission was clear from the start: show Malaga as more than an airport and share the best of the city in a way that felt personal, practical, and trustworthy.

The early days

Like any new project, the early days of Guide to Malaga were a mix of excitement and trial and error. And a lot of hard work. In September 2015, we launched a skeleton website and an app.

Not much happened for a while, and app sales were depressingly low as we discovered that people don’t actually buy them. (Major rookie business error, Joanna!)

But, although it felt like we were writing into a void, Joanna kept her fingers on the keyboard and created article after article about Malaga.

Those first articles were created in Joanna’s office, looking over the city and the Montes de Malaga in the distance (an inspirational view!). She trekked through Malaga’s streets, visited all the museums, reviewed tapas bars and restaurants, and tried to answer the practical questions that travellers really needed — from “Where can I catch the airport bus?” to “What’s the best way to see Semana Santa?”

Of course, there were challenges too. Keeping information updated as Malaga began to change at a rapid pace meant constant rewrites and photo updates. And competing with huge international travel sites sometimes felt daunting. But our edge was always local knowledge and genuine passion for the city — something no algorithm could replicate.

A lightbulb moment

Then, it happened – Google picked up on all those blog posts. Website traffic began to creep up and up, from a handful of visitors to a day to a few dozen and then a 100. If only all these visitors had bought a copy of the app (we’d be seriously rich!).

The Newsletter (sign up here if you’re not subscribed already) also started gaining fans and picked up traction as we moved into our second year.

Growing with the city

As those of you who have known Malaga for the last ten years will agree, the city couldn’t be more different. The Pompidou Centre, Russian Museum and Carmen Thyssen Museum turned it into a world-class art destination.

Malaga’s foodie scene went from delicious and traditional to delicious and innovative. The use of fresh local produce hasn’t changed in ten years.

The Port saw a couple of facelifts and built the Pergola, our favourite spot in the city. And a lot of old quarter got spruced up and looks much better for it.

Guide to Malaga has grown right alongside it. Our content has always talked about the newbies, while still championing the fantastic oldies. And we’ve made a name for ourselves in our coverage of events in Malaga.

Through it all, one thing never changed: our mission to make sure visitors — and locals too — could experience the real Malaga, with tips and insights that felt both authentic and practical.

Highlights from the last decade

Looking back, it’s the small victories and the unexpected moments that shine the brightest. Of course, there have been milestones we’ll never forget: the day we hit 1,000 visitors in 24 hours, the first time Joanna’s writing about Malaga appeared in a major publication or when Guide to Malaga was on BBC News. Hitting 10,000 Newsletter subscribers was also a pinch-me moment.

But beyond numbers and mentions, it’s the personal connections that mean the most. The emails from readers thanking us for recommending a new restaurant, another saying “the website is so helpful and intuitive and offers all information that any tourist could need”, etc.

Ten years on, it’s the combination of significant milestones and these reader missives that tell the story of Guide to Malaga. Each article, update, and exploration has been a piece of the larger journey — one that we’ve been privileged to share with all of you.

Our readers’ role in the Journey

The massive growth of Guide to Malaga over the past decade is because of you — our readers. From day one, your curiosity, questions, feedback and loyalty have shaped what we do. Some of our most popular guides exist because someone emailed us asking, “Which is the best area to stay in?” or “How do I get around Malaga without a car?”

We’ve also loved hearing your stories. Many of you have written to say how our tips helped you discover Malaga’s hidden corners or how our practical advice made your trip smoother. Many of you even return year after year, using Guide to Malaga not just as a tool, but as a companion for rediscovering the city.

Your loyalty has turned what began as a small project into a community. In a way, this anniversary belongs as much to you as it does to us. Thank you for reading, sharing, and travelling with us — and for reminding us, time and again, that Malaga truly is a city worth celebrating.

Looking Ahead

So, what’s next? Just as Malaga continues to grow and reinvent itself, so too will Guide to Malaga. We plan to keep doing what we’ve always done: exploring the city with curiosity, sharing practical advice, and shining a light on the places that make Malaga special.

And as tourism changes, we’re committed to promoting sustainable and meaningful travel. That means highlighting local businesses, encouraging off-season visits, and helping visitors experience Malaga in a way that benefits both them and the community.

The past ten years have been an incredible journey.

Thank you, Malaga and you

As we look back on these ten years, one thing is clear: none of this would have been possible without two constants — the city itself, and you. Malaga has given us endless inspiration with its warm welcome, culture, flavours and sunshine. And you, our readers, have given us the reason to keep writing and sharing.

So, thank you. Thank you to Malaga for being our forever home. And thank you to every single person who has read an article, subscribed to our Newsletter, bought an ebook or shared something from our website. You are the heart of this journey.

¡Gracias!