The gateway to Spain’s most desired resort towns is via Malaga, the quiet coastal seaport city of Andalucia. While Malaga has seen rise to bigger buildings and fancier hotels over the years, it still retains its legacy as one of Spain’s greatest destination spots. Past the congested streets and high-rise buildings lies the quaint old center, which is brimming with Spanish culture and historic landmarks. Millions of vacationers book flights to Malaga every year for entryway to the Costa del Sol's top beach and resort destinations including Torremolinos and Marbella. For those travelers staying in Malaga, the city is full of opportunity.
Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and his works are well-represented in the numerous art galleries throughout the city. Travelers spending time in Malaga will find its history is deep rooted in Moorish and Spanish culture, which is evident by the popular hotels and museums that have been converted from castles to accommodations. Because of its location to the Costa del Sol, Malaga’s economy thrives off tourism. Thanks to the more than six million tourists booking flights to Malaga annually, the city retains its position as southern Spain’s economic and financial epicenter.
Find flights to Malaga
Back to top
Malaga is characterized by balmy winters and hot, dry summers tempered by sea breezes. The average temperature in August is 83 degrees (F). The coolest months are January and February with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Most of the rain falls between November and March, and the rest of the year is very dry.
Back to top
Peak Season:
June to October is peak season in Malaga, and all Malaga flights and accommodations must be reserved in advance.
The first week in August, Malaga celebrates its re-conquest by Ferdinand and Isabella with a big festival, complete with parades and bullfights.
National Day is October 12 when the Spanish are also on holiday.
Off Season
Malaga was once a popular winter resort for the rich and famous, and is still a pleasure to visit in winter when the crowds have died down and the city is a bit calmer. While cheap flights to Malaga and discounted hotel rooms can be found during this time, keep in mind that many Malaga business owners go on vacation during this time so restaurants and retail boutiques may be closed.
Find cheap flights to Malaga
Back to top
Explore the historic center on foot and take a walk along the Paseo del Parque, a palm-lined pedestrian promenade with banana trees, fountains, and ponds in the center of town. The most popular walk is along the beach. Taxis are easy to hail, and the city buses also provide service around town.
Heading out to explore the Costa del Sol presents several transport options. Trains and buses are plentiful. Yet the most popular form of transport is the motor scooter, and helmets are required. There are taxis, but they are harder to find during certain times of day, such as when everyone is heading back to the hotel from the beach. During the peak season you may also have to wait for a taxi. Bicycles are available for rent, but are not allowed on the main highways.
Driving is usually straightforward, except during the peak of the tourist season when traffic can be quite heavy, especially on Sunday evenings and national holidays. However, be especially careful when driving the Costa del Sol’s main highway: it averages over 100 fatalities a year.
Back to top
- Malaga has more than 20 museums. Most of them are in the city’s Historical Quarter including the Picasso Museum, dolls house museum, bullring and bullfighting museum, contemporary art center and religious art museum.
- Parts of the 11th-century Alcazaba (Moorish fortification) has been restored – walkways, ramparts, gardens and water gardens. Below the entrance, lie the ruins of a Roman amphitheater. The ruins date from the second century AD.
- Barcelona holds the lion’s share of Picasso’s work, but Malaga, the artist’s birthplace, also has a museum. It was founded thanks to the dedication and collection of Picasso’s heirs, Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso. In addition to the permanent collection of such works as the Dora Maar paintings, the museum also has works on long-term loan including Portrait of a Woman with a Green-Collar Dress and several fine pieces of ceramics.
- Malaga Cathedral: the cathedral was started in 1528 after Malaga was taken from the Moors. It was built on top of a former mosque and was not finished until 1782. It therefore has a mix of architectural styles including a Gothic fundament, Renaissance facades and Baroque towers. There is a museum too.
- Malaga has plenty of green attractions including Malaga Park, Pedro Luis Alonso Gardens, Puerta Oscura Gardens and the, English Cemetery Spain's first Protestant cemetery.
- The bullfighting ring in Malaga (in Paseo de Reding, La Malagueta) dates from 1874 and can hold almost 15,000 people.
Back to top
