malaga sights, attractions and itinerary

Welcome to the Drink in the Sights Malaga itinerary. Here you'll find information on all the best Malaga sights and attractions, I'll also throw in a bit of history and lots of pictures for good measure. Please also check out my guide to Malaga bars.

Beaches, Beauty and Blobs

Malaga is just the ideal coastal city. Beautiful buildings, exceptional views, and plenty to do, without the crowds that gather in places like Barcelona. It's a place to relax, to enjoy, and to experience. When it comes to getting winter sun in Europe there's no where better than Costa Del Sol, and Malaga is the ideal location. It's the perfect mix of city life, with excellent bars, shops and attractions, coupled with a gorgeous beach you can relax on for hours after seeing all the top Malaga attractions.

Like most of Andalusia there's a strong Moorish influence in the architecture, and a feeling that this is a city built to cope with heat. I came here expecting just another typical Spanish coastal resort, and found a city I could fall in love with. There's just enough to do to keep you happy, and fill your days, but not so much you feel overwhelmed and rushed. 

Like with most major Spanish cities getting there from the UK is really straight forward, and because Malaga is also near the likes of Marbella virtually every UK airport offers seriously cheap flights. It couldn't be easier to get to the center. Just take a train from the airport for 1.80 euros and in 12 minutes you're ready to enjoy this amazing city. Alternatively Shuttledirect offer a reasonably priced airport to hotel transfer. Now we've got you to Malaga lets go drink in the Malaga sights.

Malaga Sights

Alcazaba

I don't think I could have started my Malaga itinerary anywhere other than the Alcazaba, it's just magnificent. This Moorish fortress built in the mid 11th century doubles as a palace, and is absolutely gorgeous. The word Alcazaba translates to citadel, but this is much more than that. It's a work of art, and at only 3.5 euros to get in it's one of the best value attractions you'll ever find. The architecture is unmistakably Moorish, and only fell into Spanish hands in 1487 during the siege of Malaga. The rulers of Spain at the time were Ferdinand and Isabella, who if you cast your mind back to European history classes you'll remember set up the Spanish Inquisition. And no-one expects the Spanish Inquisition.

Sorry I was digressing into a Monty Python sketch for a moment there. The courtyards and gardens of the Alcazaba are an absolute joy to walk through, or to just relax in. Everything here is incredibly well preserved, which makes it a truly wonderful experience. There's just a seemingly never ending sea of greenery and plant life. You can wander up and down the different layers of this ancient fortress, interspersed with Moorish architecture and stunning views across the city, for hours enjoying every minute. For me this should be top of any Malaga itinerary.

A tour of the Alcazaba and Roman theatre is available for only £14 here.

The Pompidou Centre

OK lets start with the obvious, this is probably the best looking modern art gallery I've ever visited. I mean just look at it. It's like a multi-coloured Borg vessel has landed in Spain. The otherworldly feel was only increased when I went in and found there was a Blobterre exhibition on, which I'll get to in a minute. This building just looks amazing, sat on the port glistening in the Costa Del Sol sun, and you can't resist heading in.

I need to be honest now and say when we went the permanent exhibition was under renovation, so we got in at a reduced cost. It's also possible we got lucky that the two temporary exhibitions were both excellent. The standard price for entry is 9 euros, which for a modern art gallery does feel a little steep. That said if you're interested in modern art you'll end up paying it anyway.

Maybe before going in just check what exhibitions are on, and then decide if it's for you. The first bit we visited was a Daniel Buren exhibition, which if you'll excuse my art ignorance, involved projecting large colourful shapes onto walls. They make pretty good photo opportunities, so if you get chance have a look, but don't go out your way.

Blobterre by Matali Classet on the other hand I loved, and my friend hated. Welcome to the subjective world of art. It's basically an idea of what a different world evolved from a blob could look like, and yes i know it could be mistaken for a children's fun centre. Something about this place just amused me though. It's weird, it's wonderful, and it makes very little sense. It's like walking through a forest in a child's brain.

Maybe I have an excessive love for the odd, the surreal, and the down right weird. But I'd much rather walk through an exhibition like this than stare at another portrait of an old guy I've never met, or a landscape I can go see in real life. Lots of modern art leaves me thinking what on earth was the point in that? Or well done you drew a child's squiggle on a dead sheep. But every now and again modern art just does something different that captures the imagination, so I always think it's worth a look, just on the off chance it'll be special. This really is one of the top Malaga attractions.

Go on a Malaga Walking Tour

There's no better way to get to know a city than to do a walking tour, and Malaga is a city you really want to get to know. There's a couple of free or rather tip at the end options, but both the Malaga Down Town and Cathedral Tour at £15 which includes entrance to the magnificent cathedral, and the Evening Walking Tour  at £16 are excellent value for money. They give you a real feel for Malaga and the chance to figure out your way round ensuring you don't miss any of the top Malaga sights. I'd especially recommend the evening tour if it's too hot to do much walking in the day. 

Malaga Attractions

Malaga Cathedral

This is one of those huge cathedrals, stuck in a city center that it's near impossible to get a good photo of from the outside. So you need to get some elevation. Fortunately the Alcazaba and the castle, which we'll get to in a minute oblige. It costs 6 euros to get in, which is upsetting, but worth it. However it is free for Malaga residents, so if you retire here you can visit until your heart is content. And I can think of much worse places to retire too.

The cathedral took nearly 250 years to complete, and is primarily Renaissance in style. It also mixes Gothic and Baroque, and as these are the two best styles I'm willing to allow the mashup. There is the option of going on the Cathedral roof for an extra 4 euros, but stingy as it sounds you're better off just seeing the inside, and going up the Alcazaba and castle to drink in the Malaga sights.

Gibralfaro Castle

The thing with Malaga is that it's really, really pretty. Everywhere you look there's a photo opportunity, and the thing with Malaga Castle is you get to see it all. At 3.50 euros to get in, or 5.50 euros as a combined ticket with the Alcazaba, it's an absolute steal. This is what a castle should be. A fortress on a massive hill, that you'd have to be mad to try and invade without anything short of the RAF to help.

There's actually been fortifications on this site nearly three thousand years, and as part of the ticket price there's a small museum which will run you through the history of this impressive structure. The thing is though it all seems insignificant. I love a history lesson as much as the next person, but you're not going to this castle for the history you're going for the views, and they are simply spectacular. So relax and take a minute to drink in the Malaga sights.

Playa de La Malagueta

City and mountains behind you, beautiful blue sea in front, and to either side lots of nice fine sand. Welcome to Malaga beach. I'm really not a beach person usually, but I was more than happy to spend a couple of hours here everyday, having a beer and drinking in the sights. I'm not sure you'll find a more scenic city beach anywhere, so just enjoy it. There's no doubt winter sun is one of the major Malaga attractions.

Malaga Itinerary Extras

Theatro Romano

Sat right below the entrance to the Alcazabar is a small Roman Theatre. It's a nice freebie to visit and a place to sit for a while. At over 2000 years old, and having been buried for 500 of those years it's not in bad shape. You can take an excellent tour of the theatre and Alcazaba for only £14 booking here.

Museo De Malaga

For anyone who wants to understand the near 3000 year history of Malaga, and see some of the most famous art from the region, this is another excellent freebie. The museum takes you from the cities Phoenician beginnings, through to modern day Malaga, and is an excellent way to spend a couple of hours. The Museo De Malaga is an essential part of any Malaga itinerary.

Street Art

Just walk around the city, you'll see some amazing artwork dotted around, as well as a multitude of statues and fountains, all just adding to the beauty of this fantastic little Spanish city. I love street, it's always free, and for me it's one of the major Malaga attractions.

Now that I've introduced you to the top Malaga sights and attractions you can search Expedia for your Malaga trip using the search box below. If you want anymore help feel free to get in touch via Facebook Messenger or my Trip Planning page. I hope you enjoyed my Malaga itinerary. Please also check out my guide to Malaga pubs.