Things To Do In Malaga and Costa Del Sol

Malaga, the main city in Costa del Sol, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain, receiving hordes of tourists, especially during the summer months. I’ve recently been to the region and had the chance to experience the best things to do in Malaga and was pleasantly surprised to see how charming the city is – way better than what I ever expected.

I also went on many day trips from Malaga and saw some other cool things to do in Costa del Sol, including hiking in a UNESCO Heritage Site, doing beach yoga and learning about the Arab influence at small historical towns.

I flew from Manchester to Malaga and we landed on time and about 2 hours later, ready to see what the region is all about. So sit back, grab a coffee and check out what to do in Malaga and Costa del Sol.

Best Things To Do In Malaga

Stroll Around Malaga Old Town

I always say that the best way to get familiar in a new place is to just walk around. Malaga’s Old Town is very pleasant and easy to navigate, with many pedestrian streets filled with restaurants and cute cafes. There are a number of monumental churches, mansions and palaces to help you get your bearings, many of which are centuries old and do deserve a visit.

Visit The Cathedral

Malaga Cathedral is one of the most important buildings in the city. Construction started in the first half of the 15th century and it was only completed 200 years later, even though it’s still considered unfinished – one of the towers is missing.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Incarnation, or simply “La Catedral”, is a majestic building erected on top of a primitive mosque and inside you can there is a museum where you can learn all about its history. Sadly, with dwindling numbers of church-goers, even in Spain it is becoming normal for churches to be turned into cultural spaces.

Go On A Tapas & Wine Tour

Traditionally, tapas are served in bars when you order a drink no extra cost. Go to a less touristy place anywhere in Spain, order a caña (draft beer) and you’ll be given a small plate with tapas, which can be a plate of olives, some bread with tomato or small plate with a sample of local cuisine.

That tradition has evolved in a way that tapas are, today, a dish on its own and with many gourmet variations, but I dare to say the traditional options are still my favourite. One of the best things to do in Malaga is to go on some tapas tours, visiting bars, restaurants and rooftops where you can try different tapas with a glass of local wine, and with the bonus of some cultural and historical insights as you go from one place to the other.

Check out some of the many options of Malaga tapas & wine tours here.

Visit The Museum of Malaga

The Museum of Malaga, one of the largest museums in Spain, was reopened in 2016 in a massive building where the port customs house used to be. It has a fine art and an archaeology section with more than 2000 pieces on display, enough to satisfy any culture vulture.

The fine art section has paintings by Pablo Picasso and Francisco de Goya and many other prominent Spanish artists. The archaeology part of the museum has pieces excavated all around Malaga province, with rooms dedicated pre-historic and the Phoenician times as well as Roman and Arab (Al-Andalus) eras.

The Museum of Malaga also has a nice and large courtyard and a restaurant and on the top floor that offers amazing views of the castle.

See Also: Horseback Riding in Menorca

Go To A Flamenco Restaurant

Flamenco is to Spain what Samba is to Brasil. And Andalusia is the birthplace of this powerful musical style with a sensual dance.

On my first evening in Malaga, I had a very exciting experience going to El Pimpi, a large restaurant that resembles an old Andalusian house with different rooms and even a courtyard.

There, we went to the Antonio Banderas Room – named after one of Malaga’s most famous sons who used to have functions at the restaurant. Once my travel companions and I sat, a group of musicians, singers and dancers came into the room and the party started.

We were served several dishes, including a selection of fiambres (cold meat), vegetables and octopus, while we listened to the powerful sound of flamenco.

At some point, we were invited to take turns learning some basic steps of the dance. Even if, unlike me, you’re too shy to try on some of those steps, the experience is very unique and I wouldn’t think twice before going there again.

Address: Calle Granada, 62, 29015 Málaga

Visit The Picasso Museum

Pablo Picasso, one of the most prominent names in the arts, is probably the most famous malagueño.

Picasso Museum reopened its doors in 2017 and is one of two museums dedicated to the artist in town, and here you will learn about his early life, his innovative style and his own interpretation of the works of other great masters.

The Picasso Museum Malaga also has some of his latest pieces, dating from the 1970’s. Buy your Picasso Museum tickets here.

Explore The City On A Segway Or Bike Tour

Ever thought of riding a Segway? If you’re tired of walking around, going on a Segway tour is one of the best ways to see Malaga.

I’ll confess I didn’t to it myself, but my travel buddies were braver than me and were very keen to go for a ride. It takes a while to get your balance right and get used to it, but they had lots of fun riding their Segways around the city. Book your Segway tour here.

If Segways are not for you, a bike tour is another good option. While the others were showing off on their novelty toy, I showed off my Tour de France wannabe skills.

For the most part, the streets of Malaga are flat – except for the area around the castle – so it’s easy to ride your bike around town. Both tours will take you around the old town, the marina and some of the beaches, including stops at some of the best viewpoints.

Book your Malaga bike tour here.

Have A Hammam Experience

If you’re still wondering what to do in Malaga, get ready for this! Many people may not know, but this part of Spain was ruled by the Arabs for over 800 years.

Even though the Catholic Monarchs reconquered the region in the 15th century, parts of Andalusia still keep some cultural aspects from those times. Among those, is the hammam, a traditional bathhouse better known as a “Turkish bath”.

A visit to a hammam is a great way to relax after a busy day exploring Malaga’s tourist sites. The ritual includes alternating between rooms with different temperatures, sauna and a relaxing massage in rooms covered in marble that still resemble the traditional baths.

Book your hammam experience here.

Enjoy Some Of The Best Beaches In Malaga

Here is one of the more obvious things to do in Malaga: it’s impossible to talk about Malaga or Costa del Sol without thinking about the many beaches. After all, Costa del Sol means “the sunny coast”, due to the region’s guaranteed 300 sunny days every year.

There are a number of beaches in Malaga itself and all around the region where you can just sunbathe with a glass of sangria, a cold beer or a bottomless champagne flute. To make things easier, here are three of the best beaches in Malaga:

1- La Malagueta: This is one of the largest beaches in the city of Malaga, located between the port and Caleta Beach. It is very popular among malagueños and offers a number of food and drink kiosks.

2- Peñón del Cuervo: Even though it is located in the outskirts of Malaga, Peñón del Cuervo beach is still very popular. This 350m long beach is divided into two areas by a giant rock, which gives the beach its name.

3- Pedregalejo Beach: Pedregalejo beach is situated in one of the city’s oldest fishing neighbourhoods. The beach is almost one mile long and from here you will enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the region.

Malaga Hotel Tip: I stayed at the Barceló Málaga Hotel. This modern hotel has a cool lobby with a slide, rooftop pool, a lobby bar and restaurant with a generous breakfast buffet.

Have A Paella Cooking Class in Malaga

I also went to a paella cooking class in Malaga, which I found to be a fantastic way to wrap up my trip to the region. Even if you’re not good in the kitchen, you’ll leave wanting to enter the next season of Masterchef – that’s how exciting I found it!

You will start the experience by going to Atarazanas Market, where you will select with the chef the best paella ingredients. From the market, you will go to their professional kitchen where you will learn how to make your own paella.

Our chef Amparo was very helpful and super passionate about her cooking. She explained step by step how to make paella (including dos and don’ts) and while we left it cooking, we also had some local olive oil tasting.

Once our paella was ready, we were served some gazpacho, a cold tomato soup also made by ourselves, accompanied by a glass of wine. This is something any small group can do together and could be a good icebreaker or a team-building activity if you choose to do it at the beginning of your trip.

Book your Malaga paella cooking class here.

Best Day Trips From Malaga: Other Things To Do In Costa Del Sol

Malaga itself has a lot to offer and will keep you busy for a few days. But if you have some more time, I’d recommend you went on a few day trips from Malaga, allowing you to see other parts of Costa del Sol. You can go on these trips on your own if you rent a car (click here to hire a car at the lowest price) or you can join some organised day tours.

Marbella

Many people prefer to spend their holiday in Marbella, instead of Malaga. The cities are less and one hour away from each other and the road is good, making Marbella an obvious day trip from Malaga. What to do in Marbella? Well, start enjoying the many beaches around town that become a hotspot for sun seekers and cool people who want to see and be seen. There are also some nude beaches if that’s something you have in mind – just saying

Also, Marbella is home to the famous Puerto Banús, a very exclusive area packed with good restaurants, cool beach clubs playing the best electronic music and its beautiful marina.

Marbella Hotel Tip: I stayed at the Iberostar Marbella Coral Beach. The hotel has a cool beach vibe, swimming pool, 2 bars, 2 restaurants and recently renovated rooms with cool decor.

Juzcar, The Smurfs’ Town

Andalucia is famous for its towns with whitewashed houses. That’s an old tradition that helps locals, especially during the hot summer months. The white walls reflect the heat, keeping the houses cooler during that period.

But one exception is the town of Juzcar, the Smurfs’ town. When the movie The Smurfs came out, Sony Pictures made a tempting offer for locals to paint their houses blue. What was meant to be a temporary thing, was kept until now.

Located 116 kilometres from Malaga, Juzcar is a great place to visit on a day trip.

Antequera

Visiting Antequera is one of the best day trips from Malaga. With a population of just over 40 thousand inhabitants, the town still maintains a lot of the charm of its glorious days.

The historical part of Antequera is a delightful place to wander around, with a number of beautiful churches, majestic mansions, cobbled streets and the Alcazaba, an 11th-century Arab fortress that dominates the town’s backdrop. As you walk uphill to the quieter streets during summertime, you will find many houses with their front door open with only a curtain to keep privacy.

Just outside town, there is a mountain that resembles a man’s face called La Peña de los Enamorados (the Lover’s Rock). The name comes from a local tale about a Christian soldier who fell in love with a Muslim princess. While chased by Muslim soldiers, the couple hid on the mountain but, after being found, chose to jump off rather than letting themselves be captured.

Restaurant Tip: If you’re looking for a place to eat in Antequera, try Arte de Tapas, a small restaurant serving local food with a creative contemporary twist.

El Torcal de Antequera

Since most visitors to Costa del Sol prefer to stay around the coast, El Torcal de Antequera Nature Reserve is one of those less visited areas in the region.

El Torcal Park is located around 20 miles from Malaga and it’s possible to drive there without any difficulty.

The road is good and you’ll drive uphill enjoying some great views of the surrounding landscape and some small villages and towns, the famous pueblos blancos (meaning literally “white villages”, because of their whitewashed houses). Once you reach the town of Villanueva de la Concepción, just follow the signs to the park.

El Torcal de Antequera used to be under the sea over one hundred million years ago, and its limestone rocks have eroded over time creating very unique formations.

You can explore the park with the help of a guide who will give you a lot of useful and interesting information about the park, its history, flora and fauna. Alternatively, you can get the hiking routes map at El Torcal Visitor Centre and go on a self-guided hike venturing into one of the three different routes.

If you’re not convinced to visit El Torcal de Antequera, would a 2016 UNESCO World Heritage designation help you make up your mind?

Click here to book a hiking tour to El Torcal de Antequera.

Granada

Even though Granada is 125km from Malaga, the city is an absolute must if you’re in southern Andalucia and the journey from Malaga takes only 1.5 hours.

There are many things to do in Granada and city still keeps much of its Moorish heritage and is a delightful place to wander around. Places like the Alhambra, the most beautiful and best preserved Moorish palace in Spain.

Granada is also home to a historic Gypsy quarter where you can watch Flamenco shows in a semi-private place with authentic and passionate singers.

Caminito del Rey

El Caminito del Rey, which in English means “the kings little path”, is a walkway that connects two hydroelectric power plants. What makes it peculiar and one of the top day trips from Malaga, is the fact it’s been built along the steep walls of a narrow gorge.

 

 

 

 

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Just arrived back home from a fantastic trip to Costa del Sol in Spain, where I hiked the famous Caminito del Rey walkway. Built up high in a narrow gorge, it provides a path between 2 hydroelectric plants and is now a popular tourist attraction in Malaga province.

A post shared by Travel With Pedro (@travelwithpedro) on Sep 23, 2018 at 12:44pm PDT

The walk along El Caminito was one of the highlights of my trip to Costa del Sol and my fellow travel companions agreed it is a real must.

The views from up there are also quite spectacular: down the narrow gorge, you’ll see several unique rock formations and small cascades along the green river waters.

The final part of the walk is across a new suspended bridge that can make some people shiver – but there’s nothing to worry, it’s all very safe!

You can drive to the start of the Caminito, but that means you’ll have to take a bus to return to your car parking (the start and finish points are a few miles away). Otherwise, you can book a tour of Caminito del Rey here.

There are many other cool day trips from Malaga and a lot more things to do in Costa del Sol – I could go on and on! So the idea is to keep this post frequently updated, especially because I will be soon returning to the region. If you have any questions or even tips, please leave them below!