Málaga - Fun in the Sun! Spain Travel Blog

We started our adventure in Málaga, located in the Andalucia region of Spain located in the south of the country. It is a beautiful, historical city that has a lot to offer. It’s safe, friendly, and easy to navigate. We stayed in an airbnb called Caleta Homes (Calle Reding, 11) centrally located and in Malagueta Beach, which is a perfect location to all the attractions.

Day 1: Tues: 10/15

Our flight was delayed, so we arrived pretty late and only had time to pick up the rental car, find our airbnb and get some rest.

Day 2: Wed: 10/16

We woke up early to enjoy the day. October in Málaga is cool and comfortable, around 65 – 70 degrees. It’s not exactly beach weather, but wonderful to spend the entire day walking around the city. We started our day walking on Malagueta beach. Playa De Malagueta has a number of bars and restaurants scattered around the beach area. If you plan to stay at the beach for a while, there are also areas where you can rent a lounge chair instead of having to spread your towel out directly on the sand. Some restaurants near the beach are called “Chiringuitos” they are small kiosks that sell food along the beach. Unfortunately, we never made it to the beach on time to find them open, but did hear that El Chiringuito El Cachalotte was the best.

Once we enjoyed the beach a bit we walked through el Paseo del Parque to get to the city center.

On our way to the city center, we passed Muelle Uno. It’s a waterfront open-air boardwalk that offers stunning views of La Alcazaba, the Moorish fortress. Muelle Uno offers a combination of modern shops on one side of the orange tree flanked boardwalk, while yachts bob on the water on the other side. The shopping area, built in 2011, is located in Málaga Port, the oldest of its kind in operation in Spain today. It consists of a large number of shops and restaurants.

This is a view of the Alcabaza from Muelle Uno

Walking towards the city center we passed Málaga’s Cathedral. We did not go inside of it, but did admire its beauty from outside and its fun plaza located in front. The Málaga Cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 and towers 276 feet high – the second highest cathedral in Andalusia. This Roman Catholic temple of worship was constructed on top of an old mosque following orders of the King after the Christian armies conquered Arab territory in the late 1400s. Known fondly as La Manquita (One Armed Lady), the south tower and the main façade of the Málaga Cathedral remain unfinished, with no plans to complete them, as this adds to the church’s charm.

Plaza that is located in-front of Málaga’s Cathedral

Next on our list and right by the cathedral is The Picasso Museum. It is a beautiful collection of Picasso’s most famous pieces. The museum was incredible and highlyI recommend when you visit Málaga. As you travel throughout Spain, it is really cool to see work inspired by original pieces located in this museum.

Inside the Piccaso Museum, Málaga, Spain

Our city tour from the VisitACity app, took us next to The Roman Theatre/El Teatro Romano. It is considered the oldest monument in Málaga. The Roman Theater was built under the rule of Emperor Augustus in the first century BC and was in operation until the third century AD. It’s a beautiful piece that takes you back to Italy.

After a few hours of walking, we were ready for a drink. We stopped by El Museo Del Vino/The Museum of Wine, which seeks to educate visitors about the excellent types of wine that are produced throughout the Málaga province. The museum includes an interesting collection of vintage wine labels and a detailed history of wine production throughout the years while also getting into the grape varieties, soil, and general terrain of the region. The €5 entry fee (with discounts available for seniors and students) includes a tasting of two wines, with the possibility to taste more for €1 each.

In the heart of the historic center of Malaga lies the birthplace of the world famous artist Pablo Ruiz Picasso. The Casa Natal of Picasso was the rented first floor of an 1861 building located in Plaza de la Merced, now known as The Picasso Foundation. We didn’t go inside, but it’s located in front of a beautiful plaza with Picasso’s statue, great for pictures.

The Piccaso Foundation, the birthplace of Pablo Ruiz Picasso

We couldn’t end the day without going to The Alcabaza of Málaga. It is an 11th century citadel built by the Hammudid dynasty. It is built on a hill positioned at the center of Malaga and commands grand views of the port. It is considered the best-preserved citadel in Spain and is a classic example of military architecture of its time, with its double walls and huge entry fortifications. We purchased tickets for The Alcabaza and Castillo de Gibralfaro together for a discount, but we split our visit in two days to take our time in the castle.

The Alcabaza of Málaga, behind me is the Castillo de Gibralfaro

The beautiful gardens of The Alcabaza of Málaga

The Alcazaba of Málaga offers beautiful views of the city.

Day 3: Th: 10/17

We began our day at The Centre Pompidou Málaga. It is the first offshoot of the famous Parisian 20th century art museum, Centre Pompidou outside of France. The Pop-Up Pompidou is housed in a cuboid glass structure in Muelle Uno.

We visited The Centre Pompidou Málaga during the day, but I wanted to post this picture taken at night when the cuboid glass structure was beautifully lite up.

Prepare to walk up hill! The Gibralfaro Castle is located on a high hill overlooking the city, commanding spectacular views of the area. The “castillo” was originally built by Abd ar-Rahman I, the Cordoban emir of the 8th century.

Views of the city on the way up to the castle. The circle building is the bullfighting ring.

Next on our list was Calle Larios for some shopping and some food. The pedestrianized street of Calle Marques de Larios is a shopper’s dream, located in Málaga’s center. The street hosts many restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as stalls selling traditional almonds. Visit La Casa Mira ice cream parlor, the street’s oldest establishment, which has been in business since 1890. They sell wine ice cream, it’s amazing! Surrounding Calle Larios, located near the port, you will find mainstream and one-off shops, as well as one of the area’s most famous greengrocers, La Malagueña, for quality food and specialties.

We didn’t spend to much time on Calle Larios so we had sometime to explore The Soho neighborhood just across the main street. It’s a quaint neighborhood that is known for its murals, shopping, and restaurants. We walked around it and didn’t find anything to brag about, if you’re short in time, this is a good one to skip.

We also tried to go to Mercado Central de Atarazana to have lunch, but unfortunately, it closed early and didn’t make it. The Mercado is Málaga’s central market.

Since we were hungry, we went to La Tranca. It’s a local bar with authentic tapas and a great atmosphere. The walls are full of old music albums and the music playing reflected that. It is almost always packed with people and you can count yourself lucky if you’re able to find yourself a stool to sit on. We arrived early, around 4pm, and didn’t have a problem getting a seat. They serve regional specialties at very affordable prices.

We also had a chance to eat at Cafeteria R el Jardin. We had a great paella there. The restaurant is near La Plaza de La Constitución, not far from the cathedral.

Amazing paella from Cafeteria R el Jardin

Other restaurants that were recommended to us, but didn’t get a chance to go are below, this is what we read about them.

Restaurante los Hidalgos Bodegón — This is an excellent place to head for lunch, as they have a wonderful set “menú del día” where you get a beverage, entree, main dish, bread, and a dessert all for €8. They tend to have daily specialties that are not written down. It is easiest to eat here if you have at least a basic level of Spanish or are willing to take a gamble with your food. Regardless, the wonderful home cooking here is sure not to disappoint.

Las Merchanas — This restaurant is located in a quiet alley only a stone’s throw away from some of the top tourist sites. It’s an excellent choice for an authentic tapas meal in Málaga. They have a number of fresh, local specialties, friendly service, generous portions and affordable prices. Make sure you get here early if you don’t want to wait for a table.

Taberna de Cervantes — This little restaurant is probably the most “tourist friendly” on this list, however, it certainly does not sacrifice authenticity or quality in any way. They have a number of local tapas available at affordable prices and a fantastic wine list from local Spanish producers.

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