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Things to do in Málaga

12 places · 17 h of sightseeing · 3 days

Málaga Cathedral, Málaga

How many days do you need in Málaga?

12 places add up to 17 h of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 3 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 5 h 55 min

2 days — 12 h

3 days — 17 h

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

  1. Málaga Cathedral — 1 h 30 min visit. Called "La Manquita" due to its unfinished tower, it is a magnificent Renaissance temple from whose tower one can admire panoramic views of the city.
  2. Alcazaba of Málaga — 1 h 40 min visit. This 11th-century Moorish palace-fortress, with beautiful courtyards and gardens, forms the historical heart of the city. Hours: Apr–Oct: 09:00–20:00 · Nov–Mar: 09:00–18:00.
  3. Museo Picasso Málaga — 2 h visit. It gathers a significant collection of Picasso's paintings, sculptures, and ceramics, allowing one to trace his artistic evolution, unlike his birthplace. Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–18:00.
  4. Plaza de Toros La Malagueta — 45 min visit. In addition to spectacles, it offers the opportunity to visit the interior and the bullfighting museum, allowing visitors to learn about the history of bullfighting.
  5. Museo Jorge Rando — 1 h 15 min visit. It focuses on the work of one contemporary expressionist painter, Jorge Rando, and is one of the few to offer free admission. Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00–20:00.
  6. Gibralfaro Castle — 2 h visit. Located on a hill, it offers the most extensive, panoramic views of Malaga and the sea, from the perspective of a former defensive fortification.
  7. Museo de Málaga — 2 h 15 min visit. Located in the Palacio de la Aduana, it is the only museum in Malaga that combines rich collections of fine arts and archaeological exhibits. Hours: Sun 09:00–15:00 · Tue–Sat 09:00–21:00.
  8. Mezquita de al-Ándalus — 35 min visit. It showcases contemporary Islamic architecture and serves the Muslim community, which clearly distinguishes it from Malaga's Christian churches.
  9. Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga — 1 h 30 min visit. Located in the Palacio de Villalón, it focuses on 19th-century Spanish art, with a particular emphasis on Andalusian painting. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00.
  10. Playa de la Malagueta — 1 h 30 min visit. Unlike urban spaces like Muelle Uno, it offers a sandy beach and the possibility of swimming in the sea, right next to the city center.
  11. Roman Theatre — 30 min visit. At the foot of the Alcazaba are the open ruins of a Roman theater from the 1st century BC, accidentally discovered only in the 20th century.
  12. Centre Pompidou Málaga — 1 h 30 min visit. Recognizable by its colorful glass cube, it presents contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries, unlike museums dedicated to specific artists.
  13. English Cemetery in Málaga — 1 h visit. Established in the 19th century, this cemetery, a tranquil green oasis, is a unique cultural heritage site with extraordinary tombs. Hours: Tue–Sun 09:00–14:00.
  14. Plaza de la Merced — 30 min visit. In addition to the obelisk and Picasso's monument, it serves as a center of cultural life, often hosting various events and gatherings.
  15. Centro de Arte Contemporáneo — 1 h 15 min visit. It presents contemporary art from the 1980s onwards, and most importantly, offers free admission to all visitors. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00.
  16. Centro Pompidou Málaga — 1 h 45 min visit. Recognizable by its colorful glass cube at the port entrance, it showcases 20th and 21st-century art, bringing modernity to the city. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:30–20:00 · Tue closed.
  17. Calle Marqués de Larios — 45 min visit. It stands out with elegant architecture and seasonal decorations, being the city's main shopping street, where social life thrives in the evenings.
  18. Fundación Picasso Museo Casa Natal — 1 h 15 min visit. It presents family memorabilia and early sketches, offering insight into Picasso's childhood in his family home, rather than artistic evolution like the Picasso Museum.
  19. Teatro Cervantes — 2 h 30 min visit. It is one of the oldest and most important theaters in Malaga, offering a wide repertoire of concerts, operas, theatrical performances, and film festivals.
  20. Plaza de la Constitución — 30 min visit. This is Malaga's main square, surrounded by historic buildings, serving as a central meeting place for gatherings and celebrations, especially in the evenings.
  21. Jardín Botánico La Concepción — 2 h visit. This is a historic botanical garden on the outskirts of the city, boasting one of Europe's richest collections of tropical and subtropical plants. Hours: Apr 01–Sep 30: Tue–Sun 09:30–20:30 · Oct 01–Mar 31: Tue–Sun 09:30–17:30.
  22. Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista — 1 h 30 min visit. This Renaissance palace, in addition to its architecture, houses the Picasso Museum, presenting a key collection of the artist's works.
  23. Palacio Episcopal de Málaga — 45 min visit. It stands out with its characteristic pink facade and Baroque architecture as an 18th-century bishop's palace, not a church or a museum.
  24. San Rafael Cemetery — 1 h visit. This is a former cemetery transformed into a memorial park, particularly commemorating the victims of the Spanish Civil War.

Where to eat

What to see in Málaga in one day?

Málaga Cathedral, Alcazaba of Málaga, Museo Picasso Málaga, Plaza de Toros La Malagueta.

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