
Alcazaba of Málaga
A spectacular 11th-century Moorish palatial fortress above the old town.

Sun-soaked beaches, Moorish fortresses, world-class museums and the best tapas in Andalusia — curated by locals who actually live here.
First time
Tell us how long you have — we’ll do the planning.
The insider’s guide to Málaga
Whatever you are travelling for, start here.
Explore
The icons you came for — and a few you didn’t know about.
Plan your trip
Six things we’d tell a friend visiting for the first time.
Lunch is the main meal (2–4pm) and dinner rarely starts before 9pm. Restaurants that serve at 6pm are usually tourist traps — wait, and eat far better.
Sardines skewered and grilled over driftwood on the beach are the single most “Málaga” thing you can eat. Best at the chiringuitos of Pedregalejo and El Palo.
Contactless cards work on buses, trains and almost all bars. You rarely need cash, and tipping is optional — just round up.
In July and August, do the Alcazaba and beaches before 11am, take a long lunch and siesta, then head out again in the cooler evening.
The centre is compact and pedestrianised. Skip the rental car unless you’re doing rural day trips — parking in the centre is a headache.
The Alcazaba is free on Sunday afternoons and the Picasso Museum opens its doors free for the last two hours. Plan your culture around it.
Itineraries
Perfectly paced days, planned by locals. Just follow along.
Map
Every spot we love, pinned in one place.
Themed maps
Curated maps for the things you really came for.
Explore
The corners the guidebooks miss.
GetYourGuideGuided walk along the vertiginous cliff-side boardwalks of the El Chorro gorge, with transfer options from Málaga.
GetYourGuideFull-day excursion to the cliff-top city of Ronda and its iconic Puente Nuevo bridge, with transport from Málaga.
GetYourGuideEvening walking tour through the old town with tastings of local tapas and Málaga wines, led by a foodie guide.
Live prices & availability on GetYourGuide. We may earn a commission in future.
Blog
Stories, seasonal tips and deep dives into the city.
FAQ
The things first-timers actually ask, answered honestly.
For a glamorous beach-and-shopping day, yes — Marbella has lovely sandy beaches, a pretty old town and the yacht-lined Puerto Banús. But for a first trip we’d base ourselves in Málaga (more to do, better value, closer to the airport) and treat Marbella as an optional day trip.