Malaga Holidays & City Breaks

Malaga Holidays & City Breaks

Deals from £259 per person

Malaga holidays are having a bit of a renaissance right now. Once the jumping-off point for its neighbouring resort towns, this bustling seaside city is garnering some star appeal of its own. Its swanky port and spruced up old town boast Michelin stars, boutique shops and towering fortresses. Visit the Soho district, an icon of underground culture with murals from internationally renowned graffiti artists like Obey and Manuel León. Malaga, with its charming architecture and vibrant art scene, is one of the oldest cities in Europe and the birthplace of Picasso. 

Things to do

If you want to soak up the culture of an ancient metropolis, shop till you drop in trendy boutiques and sample authentic Andalusian cuisine, holidays to Malaga are for you. The best way to explore this beautiful city is on foot. Wander through cobbled alleyways and leafy parks to see some of its most fascinating landmarks and awe-inspiring street art. Along the way, you can refuel in the best tapas joints in Spain.

The Beaches

Malaga has seven sandy beaches ideal for soaking up its 300 days of sunshine. The closest to the city is La Malagueta, a lively Blue Flag beach with a bustling promenade, around 2km from the Alcazar. It has excellent fish shacks, restaurants and bars, a children’s play area and plenty of palm trees and parasols for shade. If you’re looking for a quieter spot, head to Playa Peñón del Cuervo. It's perfect for those searching for a break from the beach bars.

History & Culture 

With 3,000 years of history, the skyline is a mix of ancient fortresses, elegant archways and modern art galleries. From the Moorish Alcazaba to the Catholic Santuario de la Victoria, the Roman amphitheatre, and the colourful glass cube of the Pompidou Centre, Malaga city breaks are loaded with history and culture. 

Food

Malaga’s culinary scene is one of the most inventive in southern Spain. The city is a food lover's paradise, from hole-in-the-wall tapas bars and open-fire beach BBQs to fine dining on the waterfront. Breakfast like the Malagueños (Malagans) with still-hot churros (Spanish donuts) dipped in chocolate, lunch on freshly caught sardines, or even join a food walking tour to uncover the city’s hidden gems. The weather in Malaga also lends itself to rooftop bars with exceptional mountain views. For the most breathtaking vistas over the port, head to AC Hotel by Marriott Malaga Palacio

Shopping

If you love shopping, then holidays to Malaga need to be on your radar. From the elegant promenade along the port to the boutiques that line Plaza de la Constitución, you’ll find shoes, handbags and accessories from some of Spain’s top designers. The Made in Soho market is also a must-see if you want to soak up the atmosphere of the art district. Here, you can pick up locally made artisan ceramics, jewellery and artworks. Make the most of the city’s bustling shopping quarters by ordering your travel money before you set off.

More travel guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Balearic IslandsBarcelona | Canary IslandsCosta Almeria | Costa Blanca | Costa Dorada | Costa del Sol | Fuerteventura | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Majorca | Menorca

 

Map of Malaga

world_map
30 ℃

Best time to visit: If you’re seeking warm sunshine, July and August are the hottest months, with average daytime highs above 30°C.

View live forecast

3 hours

Fly to: Malaga airport, around 12km southwest of central Malaga.

Alternative transport: You can also travel by Eurostar to Paris with onward through France and down into Spain.

Malaga is best for...

Art lovers: Learn about the life and times of Malaga’s most famous son at Picasso’s Birthplace Museum.

History enthusiasts: Journey through Malaga’s colourful past, taking in the 10th century Gibralfaro Castle, the Alcazaba (on the hill beneath the castle) and the Catholic Shrine of Victory.

Beach babes: Pick your spot and park your beach towel on Malaga’s stretch of golden sands.

Fast facts for Malaga

Language: The language spoken in Malaga is Spanish.

Currency: The currency used in Malaga is the Euro (€).

Local time: Malaga is one hour ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Malaga airport is around 10km southwest of central Malaga.

Flight time from UK: 3.25 hours

Tourist information: Further Malaga tourist information can be found at Malaga Turismo website. 

Visa / health: Before you travel, it’s worth visiting The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for recommendations and advice on visas and health.

Getting around Malaga

By bus: The bus service in Malaga provides an easy and cheap way of getting around. Although, note that buses cannot enter the pedestrian only Old Town.

By segway: Get a unique perspective of the city as you manoeuvre a Segway around the sights.

By car: Whether you bring your own or hire one when you get there, having a car gives you freedom to explore the surrounding area.

Events in Malaga

Malaga Carnival: The annual carnival takes Malaga by storm each February. Expect a multicultural celebration featuring bright colours and bold characters. Join in as the streets fill with music, dance and laughter.

Fair fun: Visit Malaga around the end of August to see the elaborate spectacle of Malaga Fair. Expect fireworks, music, tapas and wine, processions and a fairground in the city centre.

A musical Christmas: The Verdial Festival is held each 28th December, in honour of the feast of the Holy Innocents. Performers dance a particular type of fandango accompanied by a small orchestra. Everyone celebrates with local wines.

Malaga safety and security

Do I need a passport?

Yes, UK travellers will need a passport to enter Malaga. Your passport will also need to be less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check ‘date of issue’) and valid for at least three months after the day you leave (check ‘expiry date’). You will also have your passport stamped upon arrival. For more Malaga passport information and details of entry requirements to Spain, visit The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Do I need a visa?

No, there’s no need for a visa to enter Malaga. UK travellers can enter the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. Check that your passport is stamped when you enter or exit Malaga, as this will inform border guards that you have stayed within the 90-day visa-free limit.

Should I get travel insurance?

We always recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your holiday. That way, you’ll be covered for any medical expenses or emergencies while you’re away. Make sure to thoroughly check what is included in your policy, especially if you plan to take part in excursions and activities that require you to be insured.

Malaga weather

Temperature: With daytime highs averaging between 17°C and 31°C, Malaga owes its pleasant climate to its position between the regulating Mediterranean Sea and the protective Malaga mountains.

Best time to visit: If you’re seeking warm sunshine, July and August are the hottest months. Malaga is at its coldest between December and February, and most of Malaga’s rain falls in autumn and winter.

Best hotels in Malaga

Places similar to Malaga to visit