Historic centre
The best choice for seeing everything on foot: the Alcazaba, the cathedral and the museums are a few minutes away.
Itinerary · Málaga
Malaga in 7 days: a day-by-day itinerary
7-day itinerary for Malaga: the Alcazaba, Gibralfaro, Picasso, the Soho, beaches, museums, El Palo, Mijas and a day trip to Antequera, unhurried and in depth.
- 7days
- 21stops
- 11Areas
This 7-day itinerary is designed for anyone who wants to get to know Malaga in depth and without hurrying. It starts with the monuments and museums of the centre, continues with the port, the Soho and the eastern beaches, and devotes the last days to gardens, lesser-known museums, Mijas and a day trip to Antequera.
From the airport, the Cercanías C1 train leaves from the T3 station and reaches María Zambrano in about 8 minutes and Málaga Centro-Alameda in about 12. There is also the EMT Airport Express Line (Línea Exprés Aeropuerto), with payment on board, and the taxis outside arrivals, which take about 15-20 minutes.
Tips
- Book the Alcazaba, the Picasso Museum and the Centre Pompidou in advance, especially in high season.
- Go up to Gibralfaro first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon: the slope is noticeable in the midday heat.
- Try the espetos de sardinas at a chiringuito; they are the city’s most typical dish.
- Save the beach days for when the weather is good and change the order of the itinerary if needed.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun protection and water; the centre is pedestrianised and is explored on foot.
- Keep an eye on your belongings in very busy areas, such as Calle Larios and the port.
Day 1
Alcazaba, Gibralfaro and the cathedral
Teatro Romano
Historic centre
Start at the foot of the Alcazaba, where the seating of a Roman theatre from the 1st century BC survives. It is a short stop to place yourself in the history of the city.
Alcazaba
Historic centre
The Moorish fortress climbs in terraces between courtyards, fountains and gardens. Book your ticket in advance in high season.
Castillo de Gibralfaro
Gibralfaro hill
A path links the Alcazaba with the castle. The climb is steep, but the views of the port and the city make up for it.
Catedral de Málaga
Historic centre
Known as La Manquita (the one-armed lady) because one of its towers was never finished, this Renaissance cathedral deserves a visit inside.
Day 2
Picasso, Thyssen and Calle Larios
Casa Natal de Picasso y plaza de la Merced
Historic centre
The Plaza de la Merced is a good spot for a coffee, and on one of its corners stands the house where the painter was born.
Museo Picasso Málaga
Historic centre
The museum occupies the Palacio de Buenavista and brings together works from different periods of the artist's career. Book in advance.
Museo Carmen Thyssen
Historic centre
A palace in the old town devoted to 19th-century Spanish painting, with plenty of Andalusian landscapes and scenes.
Calle Larios y mercado de Atarazanas
Historic centre
Calle Larios is the city's main pedestrian thoroughfare. A few minutes away, the Atarazanas market is a good place for a bite to eat.
Day 3
The port, the Soho and contemporary art
Muelle Uno y Paseo del Parque
Port
Stroll along the port, with its shops, terraces and sea views. The Paseo del Parque is an area of tropical gardens next to the town hall.
Centre Pompidou Málaga
Port
Its colourful cube beside the port can be seen from afar. It is one of the few Pompidou venues outside France.
El Soho y arte urbano
Soho
This district beside the port has filled up with murals by street artists. Stroll its streets and have dinner on one of its terraces.
CAC Málaga
Soho
The Contemporary Art Centre is in the Soho itself and usually offers temporary exhibitions by current artists. It fits in well as a complement to the stroll.
Day 4
La Malagueta beach and the seafront promenade
Playa de la Malagueta
La Malagueta
The city's urban beach is a few minutes from the centre, with chiringuitos (beach bars) where you can try espetos de sardinas (grilled sardine skewers). Spend the morning relaxing in the sun.
Pedregalejo
Pedregalejo
Following the coast eastwards you will reach this former fishing district, with fried-fish restaurants right by the sand.
El Palo
El Palo
A little further on, another seafaring district with a local feel, quiet streets and good places for a drink without the tourists. Return to the centre by city bus.
Day 5
Gardens and museums, unhurried
Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción
North of the city
A subtropical garden on the outskirts, with paths, waterfalls and viewpoints. You can get there by bus or taxi; go in the morning, when it is cooler.
Museo de Málaga
Historic centre
It occupies the Palacio de la Aduana and brings together fine art and archaeology collections from the province. It is a leisurely visit for the afternoon.
Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda
Tabacalera
An original museum housed in the former Tabacalera tobacco factory, with vintage cars and period fashion. You can get there by city bus, and it makes a different kind of outing.
Day 6
Mijas Pueblo and the Costa del Sol
Mijas Pueblo
Mijas
A white village on the mountainside, with steep streets and sea views. You can get there by Cercanías train to Fuengirola and then by bus from there, or on an organised excursion.
Torremolinos
Torremolinos
On the way back, you can stop in this Costa del Sol town, with a long seafront promenade and a beach atmosphere. It is on the same Cercanías C1 line that goes to the centre of Malaga.
Day 7 · Day trip
Antequera
Antequera
Antequera is about 45 minutes from Malaga by train from María Zambrano. Visit the Menga and Viera dolmens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and climb up to the Alcazaba to see the historic centre. It is a relaxed day trip, very different from the coast.
Málaga
Where to stay in Málaga
La Malagueta
A quiet option between the centre and the beach, with a seafront promenade and good restaurants.
Soho
A modern atmosphere beside the port, with street art and a good connection to the María Zambrano station.
Pedregalejo
For those who want to live by the sea, with chiringuitos and a fishing-village atmosphere, about 15 minutes from the centre by bus.
Itinerary · Málaga
More Málaga itineraries
3 days
Málaga in 3 days
- Day 1 Alcazaba, Gibralfaro and the old town
- Day 2 Picasso, Calle Larios and Muelle Uno
- Day 3 Beach, espetos and contemporary art
5 days
Málaga in 5 days
- Day 1 Alcazaba, Gibralfaro and the cathedral
- Day 2 Picasso, Calle Larios and Atarazanas
- Day 3 The port, the Soho and contemporary art
- Day 4 Beach, chiringuitos and gardens
- + 1 day
Frequently asked questions
Are seven days too many for Malaga?
Not if you want to take it easy: there is time to see the centre, the museums and the beaches, and to make a day trip to Antequera or inland.
What do you need to book before you travel?
It is best to book the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, the Picasso Museum and the Centre Pompidou in advance, especially in high season.
How do you get to Antequera from Malaga?
By train from María Zambrano station in about 45 minutes, or by car on the motorway.
Can you do this itinerary without a car?
Yes. Everything is done on foot, by city bus, by Cercanías commuter train and by train to Antequera.
Photo credits
- Teatro Romano: Emilio J. Rodríguez Posada, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Alcazaba: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Castillo de Gibralfaro: Nicolas Vigier, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
- Catedral de Málaga: Luis García (Zaqarbal), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Playa de la Malagueta: Alexey Komarov, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons