For those taking a trip to the famous costa del sol, a stay in Malaga should be considered near-obligatory. It’s packed with culture and character, and, when it comes to tourist attractions, it provides stiff competition for neighboring Seville. It can also be an economical trip if you’re savvy enough to book your Malaga airport transfers in advance.

How do I get around?

Malaga is distinctive, in that, despite its size, most of its main attractions are just a short distance from one another. Thus, you’ll be able to cover most of your ground on foot. If you want to travel a little further, then you can always rent a bike: the city has a long-established bike culture, and there are rental companies and cycling tour operators. To drive confidently, you can check International Driver’s Association for driving permits. Most of the city center is pedestrianized, which means the air quality is stellar, too!

Tourist Attractions

The most notable building on the Malaga skyline is probably its famously-unfinished cathedral, the ‘one-armed woman’. You’ll be able to take a look at the gothic rooftops up close if you’re willing to clamber up the two-hundred stairs that lead to the very top of the finished tower. Once you’re there, you’ll get an unrivaled perspective on the surrounding city.

The city’s other main landmark is a relic of its Moorish history, an 11th-century citadel called Alcazaba. There’s another walk to get there – but the experience is worth it, especially when you factor in the Roman theatre near the entrance.

What Museums and Galleries are Available?

One of the newest additions to Malaga’s cultural roster is the Museum of Malaga, which is the fifth-largest in the country. As well as offering a selection of priceless artifacts to marvel at, there’s a stellar restaurant on the top floor, from which you’ll be able to enjoy views of the surrounding town.

If your tastes are a little more modern, then you’ll want to take a trip to Soho, where the Contemporary Art Centre is built into a 1940s marketplace. The building sits alongside two enormous murals, which typify the street art of the area. Finally, there’s the Pompidou Centre, a gigantic cuboid structure built into the port. This is an extension of a Parisian gallery and includes works by Kahlo, Picasso, and Francis Bacon.

Where can I eat?

There’s no shortage of authentic Spanish restaurants in the city center, including the touristy central strip, the Calle Larios. Mercado Central is the city’s central market, and there are few better places for a bite to eat in the city, with tapas and grilled seafood on offer. You’ll also find plenty of high-quality Italians, in the form of Mura Mura Osteria, Trattoria Mamma Franca, and Rosato. If you’re looking for Michelin-quality dining, then there’s the Restaurante JCG (that’s Jose Carlos García), where you’ll be able to sample twenty-course tasting menus.