The 10 Best Things To Do In Malaga
The Spanish city of Malaga is known for its rich culture, stunning architecture, stunning food and friendly residents. We’ve rounded up 10 unmissable things to do in Malaga for anyone travelling there in 2019!
Visit a Flamenco Center
No trip to Spain would be complete without at least seeing some flamenco dancing in action, and at Kelipe flamenco bar you can either enjoy five authentic flamenco artists from Thursday to Saturday. Show ticket prices (25 Euro) includes two drinks and the location is near the Thyssen museum and Constitution square in the centre of Malaga (exact address is Calle Muro de Puerta Nueva 10, Málaga).
Indulge in a Chocolate Factory
Mayan Monkey Mijas is a chocolate museum, cacao museum and self-proclaimed ‘happiness lab’ that makes for a delicious day out for solo travellers, couples or families. Seven days a week visitors can see chocolate being made, or book a chocolate-making workshop for a sweet hands-on experience! There are also two sunny terraces where you can soak up the Spanish rays as well as some home-made ice cream and chocolate. Mayan Monkey Mijas is just a 30 minute drive from Malaga and an express workshop, where you make three bars of chocolate yourself, costs just €11.70- an absolute bargain!
Discover Picasso’s Home
Walk in the footsteps of the abstract master, firstly visiting the place of his birth in Case Natal on Plaza de la Merced just a stone’s throw from Malaga’s famous landmarks. See where he and his parents lived in a small apartment and view some of his works as well as some of the artefacts from his life. The Picasso Museum is helpfully just a few minute’s walk away and over 200 of his artworks, donated and loaned to the museum by his family, can be seen here.
Experience Malaga Nightlife
Malaga is known for its beaches and music, two things that go perfectly together to create great nightlife. Things to do in Malaga at night include heading to the sand for drinks on the beach or dining in traditional tapas bars (dinner times are considerably later in Spain than in most parts of the world), Mitjana square is popular for its collection of reasonably priced bars, whereas La Malagueta is more of a hip destination with more exclusive restaurants. Theatro Club is famous for its seven-nights-a-week shows, including burlesque, jazz, flamenco and more! For a proper club experience with resident DJs check out Toulouse and get the best of Malaga nightlife.
Hit the beach
Malaga, like Barcelona, has the benefit of being a bustling city fringed with a beach. La Malagueta beach is perfectly pleasant and has a children’s playground, but it is along a busy road and it can get busy. A quick 20-minute drive will get you to Torremolinos and there is also the sandy, blue flag La Misericordia and Los Alamos within driving distance- see here for rent a car Málaga services.. Boat trips are popular from the nearby beaches, including dolphin spotting trips!
Explore Ataranzas Market
Food is central part of Spanish culture, and there are few places better to try new dishes than the Ataranzas market. A huge building with stunning cathedral-like stained glass window houses rows and rows of enticing stalls. Fresh local produce is on offer as well as very affordable tapas and raciones (larger main dishes) at the bar opposite the main entrance, “El Bar De Los Pueblos”.
Visit Malaga Cathedral
Malaga’s cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 and is colloquially referred to as ‘La Manquita’ or ‘the one armed woman’ because of its single tower. The interior boasts both Renaissance and Baroque styles and there are stunning wood carvings throughout the sanctuary. There are also cathedral gardens to explore, and visitors can take a rooftop tour of the cathedral for a panoramic view of the city.
See the Castillo de Gibralfaro
This 10th century castle is located high on a hill overlooking the city, and even offers a peek into the La Malagueta bullring. The ramparts of the castle are the most well preserved parts, and inside the fortress you can transport yourself back a thousand years as you wander through courtyards and other buildings. The hotel Parador Hotel Gibralfaro is conveniently placed near the entrance to the castle for those who like a room with a view!
Take a Wine Tour
With Malaga as one of the oldest wine making regions in Spain, it is no wonder that some of the country’s best wine tours are found in this area. Why not try a ‘wine and tapas’ guided bike tour and enjoy some of the finest food and drink that Malaga has to offer as well as iconic sights such as the fortress, bullring and cathedral.
Hit the Waterpark
Aqualand in Torremolinos is a huge hit with visitors on warmer days. There is a large kids’ area with miniature slides and fountains, a large outdoor swimming pool with wave machine, and adrenaline-fuelled waterslides. There are several eateries throughout the park and a gift shop selling swimwear and souvenirs. You’ll likely be tired after a day of fun so give public transport a miss and use a rent a car Gibraltar service.
Let us know what your favourite things to do in Malaga are, in the comments below!
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