Malaga is a Spanish city in southern Andalusia on the Mediterranean coast. Dynamic, cultural and blessed with a mild climate, it also boasts pleasant beaches, a rich gastronomy and a lively nightlife.
If you have 4 days to visit Malaga, here are some ideas for itineraries and activities to discover this fascinating city.
Day 1: Malaga’s historic center
For your first of the 4 days in Malaga, we recommend exploring the city’s historic center:
- Start at the Plaza de la Constitución, the beating heart of the city, where you’ll find the old town hall and the Génova fountain.
- From here, it’s on to the Cathedral of the Incarnation, nicknamed “la Manquita” because only one of its towers is complete. You can visit its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque interior, and admire its organ, chapels and museum.
- Then it’s on to the Roman theater, dating from the 1st century BC, which has been restored and enhanced. You can visit its museum, which exhibits objects found during archaeological excavations;
- From here, you’ll reach the Alcazaba, an 11th-century Arab fortress that dominates the city from its hilltop position. You can stroll through its walls, patios and gardens, and enjoy panoramic views of the city and port.
- To round off your day, why not take a trip to the Picasso Museum, housed in the 16th-century Buenavista Palace. This museum pays tribute to the famous Malaga-born painter, and exhibits over 200 works from different periods of his life. To complete your visit, head for Picasso’s birthplace in Plaza de la Merced, where you’ll find a statue of him.
Day 2: Malaga’s museums and gardens
For your second day of your4 days in Malaga, we suggest you continue to soak up the city’s cultural richness but punctuate it with a little greenery:
- to do so, explore its many museums. You can start with the Centre Pompidou Malaga, a branch of the famous Parisian museum, housed in a cubic building covered in colored glass on the harbor. The museum features a collection of works by Picasso, Miró, Dalí and Kandinsky, among others.
- Next, visit the Carmen Thyssen Museum, housed in the 16th-century Villalón Palace. This museum exhibits a collection of Spanish art from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including works by Sorolla, Zuloaga and Goya.
- After these visits, a relaxing break in the “La Concepción” botanical-historical gardens, located just a few kilometers from the town center, should completely recharge your batteries. These gardens date back to the 19th century and are home to over 2,000 plant species from all five continents. You can stroll along its shady paths, waterfalls, ponds and bridges.
- Do you still have the energy? Then go and see a flamenco show at Tablao Los Amayas, an authentic, friendly venue for enjoying this typically Andalusian dance.
Day 3: Malaga’s beaches and villages
On your third day of your 4 days in Malaga, why not relax and enjoy the sun and sea? To visit the surroundings, you can rent a car.
There are several beaches in and around the town;
- La Malagueta, closest to the city center,
- La Caleta beach, quieter and more family-friendly
- the livelier and more popular Pedregalejo beach.
Málaga’s surroundings are full of nuggets to explore. Among them are the famous white villages like Mijas, a picturesque village located on the slopes of the Sierra de Mijas, offering breathtaking views of the coast. You can stroll through its cobbled streets, admire its whitewashed houses and flower-filled balconies, and visit its church, chocolate museum or sanctuary.
Another option worth considering is Ronda, a village perched on a rocky plateau, famous for its stone bridge over the precipice of the Tajo;
Its historic center preserves traces of its Arab, Roman and Christian past, and its bullfighting museum traces the history of bullfighting.
Day 4: The Malaga region
For your fourth and last of your 4 days in Malaga, we recommend excursions to discover the natural or cultural sites around the city.
- You can start with the Caminito del Rey, a suspended trail that runs along the Guadalhorce Gorge, around 60 km from Malaga. This trail offers spectacular scenery and thrills for adventure seekers. Advance reservations are required to access the trail, which is limited to a certain number of visitors per day.
- Afterwards, you can head for Antequera, a town around 50 km from Malaga. Here, you’ll find a monumental center with churches, palaces and convents, as well as a medieval castle and alcazaba. You can also admire the Antequera dolmens, prehistoric funerary monuments listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- To round off your stay, take a detour to Torcal de Antequera, a natural park featuring astonishing rock formations sculpted by erosion. Here you can observe a variety of flora and fauna, and enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Here are a few ideas for spending 4 days in Malaga that will remain etched in your memory.