One Day in Malaga

The Perfect One Day Itinerary for Malaga

To most people, Malaga is an airport they fly into on their way to the Costa Del Sol or Granada. This is a real shame, as Malaga stands on its own merits as a place to visit. Next time you are visiting this superb area of Spain, take time to see one of the country’s most underrated cities. This guide will give you all you need to know, even if you can only spend One Day in Malaga. Read on for the perfect one day itinerary for Malaga.

Hotel

Palacio Solecio, a little more expensive than I normally recommend, but its location and its beauty mean that it’s worth the money. It’s also situated right in the middle of the old town and within walking distance of all the major sites. In the 18th century, this boutique hotel was a palace, and it maintains that quality today.

Breakfast

Perfectly located in the square overlooking the Roman theatre, La Plaza Restaurant is a great place to start the day off with breakfast and a coffee.

One Day in Malaga – The Alcazaba

One Day in Malaga – The Alcazaba

Although Granada’s Alhambra is the poster child for Moorish architecture, Malaga’s Alcazaba is spectacular too. It opens at 9am and I’d do this first, before the sun gets too hot. The walk up to it is quite steep, although the views over Malaga make it worthwhile.

The name Alcazaba comes from the Arabic word, Al-Qasbah, meaning fortress in a walled town. It stands on the Gibralfaro hill above the Roman theatre and Malaga’s old town. Dating from the 11th century, it’s considered one of the most beautiful Moorish buildings in Spain. If you have more time in this wonderful city, buy a dual ticket and visit Malaga’s Gibralfaro castle, too.

One Day in Malaga – Roman Theatre

When you’ve finished exploring the Alcazaba, walk back down the hill to the Calle Alcazabilla. You can take advantage of the free entry to Malaga’s Roman theatre. (closed on Mondays).

Built in the first century during the reign of emperor Augustus, people used the theatre until the third century. When they invaded Malaga, the Moors looted the theatre and used some of its stone and marble to build the Alcazaba. This caused it to be lost and forgotten until excavations uncovered it again in the 1950s.

Now refurbished, tourists can enter through the educational visitor’s centre and walk on its historic stones. If you are lucky, you may catch a live performance. Various contemporary shows have been put on here since 2011.

Lunch

El Pimpi

For lunch, we’ll be having that Spanish staple tapas at a Malaga institution. Bodega El Pimpi is part owned by world famous Malagueno, actor Antonio Banderas, star of, among others, Evita, The Mask of Zorro and the Shrek films.

El Pimpi is a perfect spot for lunch in Malaga. The sprawling property features traditional Andalusian decor. While ordering from the seasonal menu designed to showcase local ingredients, look out for the massive sherry casks and the portraits which line the walls, signed by famous visitors to El Pimpi.

One Day in Malaga-Museu Picasso Malaga

After lunching with Malaga’s second most famous son, it’s time to pay our respects to her most famous son. World famous artist, Pablo Picasso was born and raised in Malaga and the Museu Picasso, around the corner from El Pimpi, celebrates this.

Open from 10am to 7pm, book a timed entry slot ticket online (12 Euros). The price includes an audio guide which describes some of the key artworks on display. The Museu Picasso has a standing collection and seasonal exhibitions.

If you have time, you can also visit Casa Natal on Plaza de la Merced, the house Picasso was born in. The Picasso Foundation-Birthplace Museum houses artifacts of his life, and more of his artworks.

One Day in Malaga–Malaga Cathedral

A few minutes’ walk from the Picasso Museum, you’ll find Malaga’s 16th Century Cathedral. It’s a fine example of Renaissance architecture. Construction continued until the mid-18th century when funds dried up. The south tower remains unfinished, giving it its nickname, Le Manquita (the one-armed lady). A plaque near the cathedral says that this was because the money was sent to support the US War of Independence, but this may be apocryphal.

Inside, the spectacular space is filled with artwork. Highlights include the exquisitely carved wooden choir, the beautiful stained-glass windows and the Simonet painting, “The Beheading of St Paul” which depicts Paul’s decapitation with the head bathed in supernatural light.

One Day in Malaga–Sherry Bar

Exploring new places is thirsty work. You may want to refresh yourself with a tipple in one of Malaga’s most authentic bars, Antigua Casa de Guardia. Here, you can taste Malaga’s famous sherries in a traditional tavern. Don’t expect any frills, just white coated bar men serving the sherry from massive barrels against the wall. When you get your drink, they scrawl your tab in chalk on the bar top. A good tip gets rewarded with a ring on the hand bell.

Night – One Day in Malaga

Flamenco Show and Dinner

You can’t visit Andalusia without seeing some Flamenco. True, the hotbeds of the tradition are Seville, Jerez or Granada, but Malaga has some good shows too.

Try Alegria Flamenco Gastronomica near the refurbished port area. They run three shows nightly (6pm, 8pm and 10pm). You can also book dinner, or given your location, in Malaga’s chic port area, dine at one bar and restaurants overlooking the harbour.

Conclusion

A night cap at the hotel bar will bring your one day Malaga adventure to a close. There’s more to see, but this 24 hour itinerary has been specifically curated to maximise your time in Malaga. It will allow you to see as much as possible and to immerse you in the history and culture of this wonderful Andalusian city.

Other Things to do in Malaga

If you have more time in Malaga, or want to explore the rest of Andalucia, here are a few suggestions.

Gibalfaro Castle

Situated high above Malaga on the Gibalfaro hill, Gibalfaro Castle was an important defensive stronghold. Its commanding position dominated the city, the surrounding countryside and the Mediterranean sea.

The Phoenicians first built a fortress on this strategic position around 770 BC. The walk up to the castle will show you just how hard it would be to attack.

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella took it in 1487 after a 3 month siege during the Reconquista.

Dual tickets are available to visit the castle and the Alcazaba, but unless you’re very fit, I wouldn’t recommend doing both the same day.

Centre Pompidou Malaga

Opened in 2015, the Malaga location is the only installation of the famous modern art gallery outside of Paris.

Built in the beautifully redeveloped port area, it houses an outstanding permanent collection of 20th and 21st century art, including Malagueno Picasso.

Originally, the famous cube building was due to close in 2020, but subsequent extensions have kept it open. The latest, in 2024 means it will grace Malaga until 2034.

Day trip to the Alhambra, Granada

The Alhambra is the jewel in the crown of Spain’s Moorish architecture. Located 90 minutes northeast of Malaga in the city of Granada, it is an easy day trip.

A mixture of palace and fortress, the Alhambra, was built by the Moors in 1236. In the 15th century, it became the Royal court of Ferdinand and Isabella. Christopher Columbus received his instructions to search for the New World from them here.

Other luminaries associated with the Alhambra include Washington Irving, who wrote Tales of the Alhambra, here.

Hike El Caminito del Rey

The origins of El Caminito del Rey lie in the early 20th century construction of a hydroelectric dam and associated infrastructure.

Today, the area is a reserve protected by various nature statutes. Walkers can look out for Bonelli’s Eagle, Griffin Vultures and Iberian Ibex.

The hiking route is a one way 8km walk. Half the hike follows boards attached to the gorge walls. At one time, El Caminito was called the ‘most dangerous hike in the world.” It’s no longer that, but a head for heights is recommended.

Day Trip to Gibraltar

Spain ceded ‘The Rock’ to Britain as part of the terms of the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht and its ownership has been contentious ever since.

Less than two hours from Malaga, visitors get plenty of time to explore Gibraltar. Highlights include climbing the rock to see the colony of Barbery apes, Europe’s only wild monkeys, the skywalk with its views of two continents and, of course, the chance to do some duty-free shopping.

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