1 day in Malaga: Complete Itinerary
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Are you planning a visit to Southern Spain? Maybe even a big Andalusian road trip? Then Málaga is the place for you! Unless you’re not looking for incredible views, a refreshing Mediterranean breeze, and delicious food? Yeah…that’s what I thought!
With so many amazing cities in Southern Spain, you’ll want to hit as many as possible, so you might not have more than one day to spend in Málaga. There’s so much to do in this charming city, but it’s totally possible to fit A LOT in because it’s super walkable.
Here is my jam-packed itinerary for 1 day in Málaga.
Why visit Malaga?
What, the fact that Antonio Banderas was born here isn’t enough for you? Well to top it off Málaga is part of Spain’s Costa del Sol aka the Coast of the Sun, how awesome does that sound?! Here you’ll find endless sunshine, museums, history, and so much more!
Málaga has passed through the hands of the Phoenicians, Romans, Muslims, and most recently, the Catholic Monarchs. Influence from each of these times can be found throughout the city’s architecture.
Plus, it’s super easy to get there. It was only about a two-hour train ride from Seville, which wasn’t a bad start for my 1 day in Málaga. Not only is it easy to get to Málaga by bus or train from other cities in Spain, but there’s also an airport if you’re flying in from a little farther away.
Things to do in Malaga
Visit the Alcazaba
The Alcazaba de Málaga is an old fortress built by the muslim people in the 11th century against the hillside of the mount of Gibralfaro. It’s one of the most visited and iconic monuments in Málaga.
As you enter, it will be unlike anything you’ve seen before with steep cobbled paths leading to different chambers and rooms. There are also several water features and fountains with a stream running right through the center of each path from the higher ground to the lower areas.
Go Back in Time at the Roman Theater
The Roman Theater is the oldest monument in Málaga, and it’s located at the foot of the Alcazaba. It was buried for centuries and wasn’t discovered until 1951.
Check Out the Impressive Málaga Cathedral
Dominating the city’s skyline is the stunning Málaga Cathedral, or as it’s locally known, La Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga.
This Roman Catholic church was built between 1528 and 1782. Upon first glance, you’ll probably notice that one of the towers is unfinished. This earned the cathedral the nickname La Manquita, meaning one-armed lady. Even though the south tower has never been completed, this is still a must see in Málaga.
Stunning architecture in both the Renaissance and Baroque styles is all around the cathedral. If you want, you can pop inside for a glimpse at the elegant interior and beautiful artwork. You can also explore the rooftop to view Málaga’s historic center from above, but check the times beforehand.
Visit the Picasso Museum
Get this: many people think the great artist Pablo Picasso was born in France. While it’s true he spent the majority of his life there, he was actually born in Málaga.
The Picasso Museum opened in 2003 after Picasso’s family donated over 250 of his works from their private collection. Now it’s one of Málaga’s most famous attractions.
The museum is in a 16th-century house just a few steps away from the Málaga Cathedral. Inside, Picasso’s artworks are displayed in chronological order, which shows how his style evolved over the years. Give yourself some time to travel through Picasso’s creative stages to better understand how he became such a prominent figure in the history of art and the master of Cubism.
There’s actually a second museum dedicated to Picasso in Málaga, Picasso’s Birthplace Museum. This small museum is perfect for art and history lovers wanting to see firsthand where Picasso was born and spent the first three years of his life. Nowadays, it displays a small collection of the Picasso family belongings including paintings, ceramics, prints, illustrated books, graphic art, and even some of Picasso’s old baby clothes.
There are over 25 museums in Málaga, so there’s something for everyone depending on your interests. Here are some of Málaga’s most popular museums:
- Málaga Museum: Since 2016 this museum has held more than 15,000 archaeological pieces and more than 2,000 paintings.
- Carmen Thyssen Museum: Enjoy Carmen Thyssen-Bornemiszas’s collection of Andalusian art of the 19th century, located in a 16th century building. “Palacio de Villalon” contains 230 individual pieces.
- CAC Museum: In this world-famous exhibition in the Soho area, you’ll find about 400 contemporary pieces from the 1950s to now with an emphasis on North American artists of the 1960s.
- The Pompidou Museum: Keep reading! I’ll get to this one in a minute.
See the Whole City from the Top of the Gibralfaro
The Gibralfaro Castle was built in the 14th century, and this is a prime spot for breathtaking views of the city. This is no accident! It’s located up on a hill built to protect the Alcazaba and to keep an eye on the city.
When paying for your entrance to the Alcazaba, you can buy a dual ticket that allows you access to the fort at the top of the Gibralfaro. Although it’s a pretty steep climb to the top, the views are completely worth it. There are also buses that can take you up for a small fee.
Take a water bottle and sunscreen if it’s a sunny day. Unless you’re in tip-top shape, you’ll probably have to stop for a break or two.
Eat Lunch at Atarazanas Market
This yummy lunch spot is known as Mercado Central by the Malagueños, and there’s nothing you can’t find here. This is a great spot for some affordable and authentic Spanish grub, and I think it’s a must for your 1 day in Málaga.
Stroll through Málaga Park and the Marina
I suggest taking your lunch to go so you can munch as you stroll through Parque de Málaga, which is lined with palm trees and benches. This is the perfect place to sit down and enjoy your food as you listen to the trees rustle in the cool breeze and spot exotic plants nearby.
This area reminded me of Central Park in New York City because it’s another green oasis in the middle of an urban city. This park is perfect for all ages because everyone can just sit back and enjoy nature. This was my favorite part of the day because I felt so peaceful being surrounded by so much beauty.
If you have a love for sailboats, yachts, and cruise liners, then let your fascination take you to the marina where they’re all docked in the port.
Get Artsy at Centro Pompidou Málaga
I didn’t know what to expect when I came to Málaga, so when I stumbled upon the big rainbow cube I thought maybe whoever invented the Rubik’s Cube must’ve been from Málaga, too. (Fun fact: it was actually invented by a Hungarian named Ernő Rubik).
I later found out that this futuristic rainbow cube has become an emblem of M´laga. You can venture inside to find a large contemporary art collection of photography, design, architecture, videos, and more. The Pompidou Museum is another testament to Málaga’s revival as an arts destination (along with all the other museums I mentioned earlier).
Visit Malagueta Beach
Ok, who doesn’t love a super touristy huge sign? I know I’m a sucker for one! Malagueta Beach is the nearest beach to the downtown area. It’s pretty crowded almost all the time, but it’s still a great beach to check out since it’s nearby, and you only have 1 day in Málaga (tear!).
If you want to skip the rest of the itinerary and just stay at the beach, I’m not stopping you! You can lounge at the beach all day if you want because there’s everything you would need: food, convenience stores, and affordable umbrella and chair rentals.
Just don’t forget to take a picture with the Malagueta sign! It’s popular though, so come here first if you want it to yourself. I actually made a beeline for the beach first thing in the morning because the weather was looking a bit dodgy, but it turned out to be a beautiful day.
Eat dinner and See a Flamenco Show at El Pimpi
El Pimpi is famous for having some of the best food and entertainment in town. Many celebrities have dined here, and the proof is in their autographs alongside their matching photographs that adorn the gigantic barrels. The menu is almost as big as the atmosphere, which is constantly buzzing with life. Go to El Pimpi if you want to stuff your face with delicious tapas while a lovely señora sings at the top of her lungs, accompanied by an equally impressive live band.
Well, there you have it – my itinerary for 1 day in Málaga. If you only have a short timeframe, another great option is to tour Málaga via the hop on hop off bus because that way you’ll definitely see the whole city. You can also take a walking tour if you’d like to learn more about the city’s history.
But if you have even just one extra day in Málaga, then I highly recommend the famous Caminito del Rey – described as “the world’s most dangerous walkway,” but in reality is a STUNNING walk along a cliffside overlooking a gorge down below. Here is a guided tour of Caminito del Rey with pickup and drop-off in Málaga.
Staying in Spain for awhile? Good choice. Check out my guides for the other cities in Spain.