Make sure these are on your Malaga bucket list

Avoid big-time FOMO by ensuring these top 10 things to do in Malaga are on your bucket list when you visit. Not only will you experience the best of the city, you’ll also have the best holiday!

We recently read a post about the 10 things that should be on your bucket list for Spain. Malaga wasn’t in there – unsurprisingly perhaps because it’s difficult to compete with the biggest attractions in Spain. But also disappointing because Malaga is all too often an unsung hero.

So, to rectify this omission and do our bit to get Malaga nearer to a bucket list for Spain, we’ve put together our own for the city. As a destination, Malaga might be small, but it packs in the attractions and things to do, so there’s certainly a lot of choose from.

The good news is that we’ve been through the list with a fine toothcomb and come up with our top 10 things to do in Malaga.

Read on to discover, those sights, events and foodie experiences that you simply shouldn’t miss when you visit the city. And yes, they’re all in our Guide to Malaga.

Malaga Bucket List 1 – Walk in the steps of Malaga’s past

Combine a visit to two of the best historic monuments in Malaga and walk in the footsteps of the Romans and the Moors.

Take in the Roman Theatre and then move on to the Alcazaba Fortress, one of the few Moorish fortresses at sea level in the world.

Top tip: get a combo ticket for the Alcazaba Fortress and Gibralfaro Castle further up the hill.

💰 Cost: The Roman Theatre is free. Entry to the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro costs €7 for one, €10 for them both. Free entry on Sundays after 2pm.

⏱️ Opening times: Roman Theatre: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm. Alcazaba and Gibralfaro: daily, 1 April to 31 October, 9am to 8pm; 1 November to 31 March, 9am to 6pm.

🎫 Do I need to book? We’d say yes, book ahead to avoid long queues to get into the Alcazaba, the most popular monument.

👩‍🦽 Accessibility: Roman Theatre – some sections including the Visitor Centre are wheelchair-friendly. The Alcazaba also has some parts that are accessible – enter the monument via the lift on Calle Guillén Soto, just behind City Hall. The Gibralfaro is not accessible.

Discover more things to do in Malaga

Malaga Bucket List 2 – Take in some amazing art

Few cities in Europe can boast as many (or as good) art museums as Malaga. Whatever your taste there’s world-class art waiting for you to admire it. Over the last year we’ve seen works by Man Ray, Louise Bourgeois, Imon Boy, Paula Rego, Sheila Hicks, Julio González … not to mention Picasso.

Top tip: most the art museums in Malaga offer guided tours in English. Check the timetables on the museum websites.

💰 Cost: €4-15 (discounts often available for children and those over 65). The main art museums have free entry from 4pm on Sunday (the Picasso Museum is free one hour before it closes on Sundays).

⏱️ Time needed: 1-2 hours.

🎫 Best to book ahead? The busiest art museum is the Picasso Museum – you can book ahead here.

👩‍🦽 Accessibility: all the art museums are fully accessible.

See a guide to all the art museums in Malaga

Malaga Bucket List 3 – Marvel at the murals

Street art in Malaga is exceptional and like the art in the museums, world class. The murals are concentrated in two main areas – the Soho district and Lagunillas. Both are great to wander round and check out the amazing street art.

Some in Soho is by big names (Obey and D*Face for example) and other by local artists, but it’s all good and all interesting.

Top tip: see the best street art in Soho and learn about its origins and meaning on a guided tour (from €39 per person).

Need a hotel in Malaga?

If you’re working through your bucket list, you’ll probably want a hotel to make the occasion. The trio we’ve cherrypicked below are among the very best places to stay in Malaga, but there are more. See our splurge hotels for some inspo.

And if you’re wondering which city location is the best, read our comprehensive guide to where to stay in Malaga.

Malaga Bucket List 4 – Watch an event

Like the rest of Spain, Malaga does big events really well and there’s a year-round calendar so the chances are that whenever you’re on holiday in Malaga you’ll be able to watch one of them.

Annual highlights include Holy Week processions during Easter, Malaga Fair (mid-August) and Christmas celebrations.

Top tip: sign up to our free fortnightly Newsletter for all the latest information about events in the city. In your inbox every other Friday!

💰 Cost: free, except for some ticketed events.

Need to know about Malaga events

💡 Book your accommodation in Malaga well in advance if you’re planning to take in one of the events during your holiday.

💡 Be prepared for big crowds, especially during Carnival and Holy Week processions. Avoid peak times and the most popular parade-watching spots for (slightly) fewer people.

💡 Pace yourself and plan an itinerary or list of activities to do.

💡 Watch your belongings closely when you’re in the crowds. While Malaga is a safe city and there’s a strong police presence during events, pickpockets are about.

💡 Book your restaurant table in advance. See our recommendations for where to eat.

💡 Take some time out by getting off the beaten track and away from the crowds. Our list of hidden gems in Malaga has some good inspo.

Malaga Bucket List 5 – Stroll along the seafront promenade

Both the eastern and western seafront promenades in Malaga are lovely (and both give you a great excuse to go to the beach). They offer pretty views of the Mediterranean and surrounding coastline, and have plenty of places to enjoy a coffee, breakfast, lunch or just an ice cream.

While Malaga might not boast the best beaches on the Costa del Sol the two main city beaches offer safe bathing and great amenities.

Read about a walking tour along the western seafront.

Top tip: the seafront promenades have something for everyone – lots of great play parks and keep-fit stations. And they’re fully accessible.

Malaga Bucket List 6 – Walk under the pergola

This is our favourite bit of Malaga – there’s something about the flowing lines of the giant pergola that stretches all the way along Muelle Dos from Plaza de la Marina to the Pompidou Cube and Muelle Uno.

Top tip: make your way to Muelle Uno in the early evening to catch the sunset over the Malaga skyline. Best views are from the lighthouse.

Malaga Bucket List 7 – Mooch round a market

Top of the foodie list of things to do in Malaga is visit one of the city markets. The biggest and brightest is Atarazanas in the city centre (open Mon-Sat 9am to 3pm) and this busy market is a feast for all the senses. You can try before you buy at lots of stalls (and be sure to buy a few things when you’re visiting markets in Malaga – this keeps the stall holders happy!).

Our tips for top purchases would be olives and dried fruit and nuts to take home, and fresh food to take on a picnic to the beach or one of the parks.

Top tip: try the seafood tapas from any of the bars in the market. We love the langoustine and tuna bites from Bar Mercado Atarazanas, on the left of the main entrance

Malaga Bucket List 8 – Escape to a green space

Despite being a built-up industrial city Malaga has lots of green spaces that are great to escape to when you’ve had enough of the crowds. Our favourite is La Concepción botanical gardens, but there are several lovely parks.

💰 Cost: €5.20 (discounts for children and the over 65s). Free entry from 2pm 1 October to 31 March and from 4.30pm 1 April to 30 September.

⏱️ Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 1 April to 30 September, 9.30am to 8.30pm, 1 October to 31 March, 9.30am to 5.30pm.

⏱️ Time to allow: at least an hour (we regularly spend a whole morning or afternoon in the gardens).

👩‍🦽 Some parts of the gardens are accessible – if you’re in a wheelchair, be prepared for the steep slope to the house.

📍 How to get there: read this

Read our round up of parks in Malaga for suggestions.

Top tip: spring is the best time to see the parks in Malaga in bloom. Don’t miss the roses in Jardines de Pedro Luis Alonso next to City Hall.

Malaga Bucket List 9 – Feast on fried fish

Probably the most famous food in Malaga is fried fish. While you’re in the city try the freshly caught (small) fish fried to perfection in batter. There’s a great choice (anchovies, whitebait, baby sole, squid…) and it’s almost always reasonably priced. And don’t forget to try an espeto of sardines grilled on an open fire preferably on the beach.

Top tip: eat fried fish like a local – no knife and fork. Watch our video to see how it’s done!

😅 Fish and seafood in Spain is almost always served whole. Be prepared for an entire fish on your plate!

Malaga Bucket List 10 – Take in a view (and a cocktail)

Lots of places in Malaga give you great views of the city. We like the vistas from the Alcazaba Fortress and Gibralfaro Castle, and those from the roof terraces at some of the hotels in Malaga.

All the roof terraces have lovely views, but we think those from AC Palacio are the best. If you fancy a view with a cocktail, then make a beeline for a roof terrace or the terrace at the Parador next to the Gibralfaro Castle.

Top tip: head for the heights at sundown for lovely views of the sunset – the romantic touch to this Malaga bucket list!

🍹 How much is a cocktail in Malaga? Expect to pay from €10 for a cocktail, more if it’s a signature mixture. Rooftop terraces also serve soft drinks and coffee (from €4), beer, wine and spirits.

Enjoy all this in Malaga and more

This Malaga bucket list is, of course, just a taster of what this wonderful city has to offer. You’ll find all the information on this website, but if you’d like a condensed version, download a copy of our best-selling Malaga on a Short Break.

All you need to make the absolute most out of Malaga, whether you’re visiting for two, three, four or five days. Its 74 pages include all the info (and the inspo), with detailed itineraries, lots of tips and a good dash of insider info. Best of all? It costs just €6.95. Download your copy now.

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