Itineraries for Your Trip to Malaga
2 Days in Malaga for First Timers
For most of my life, I’ve done what many other travelers do, and overlooked Malaga in favor of Costa del Sol beaches and other cities in Andalusia. While I’ve spent many a summer at my uncle’s apartment on the outskirts of Malaga in the lovely mountain town of Mijas, it was only a few years ago that I visited the city proper.
And how foolish I felt when I realized that a stunning Old Town filled with seafood restaurants, tapas bars, and boutiques—not to mention some historical big hitters—had been here the whole time. This 2-day Malaga itinerary for first-timers will help you see all of the must-see attractions in Malaga, one of southern Spain’s most rewarding hidden gems.
An average of 325 days of annual sunshine means Malaga is the perfect place to catch some rays, so don’t forget your SPF.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a tapas and wine tour.
Spend your first morning zipping between must-see Malaga attractions on a Segway tour that helps you get your bearings in the compact historical center. Head up to the 10th-century Gibralfaro Castle for stunning views, stop at Malagueta Beach to admire the crescent-shaped sand, and learn a little about the history of the Malaga Alcazaba, a former Moorish fortress.
No visit to Spain is complete without feasting on the small plates integral to the country’s cuisine, but knowing where to find the best bites can be challenging as a first-time visitor. This tapas and wine tour takes you to hidden gems such as ultramarinos, traditional delis where locals buy cold cuts of Iberian ham and vermouth.
Andalusia is reputed to be the birthplace of flamenco, so there are few places better to witness Spain’s most fabulous cultural expression than Malaga. Spend the evening watching dancers feel the rhythm of an acoustic Spanish guitar or take things up a notch with a flamenco horse performance that integrates equestrian elegance with dance.
If it's your first time in Malaga, take things at your own pace this morning by renting a bike and heading to the Museo Picasso Malaga, a world-class art museum right in the artist’s birthplace. Once you’ve admired some 200 pieces inside the Picasso Museum, try your hand at painting your own picture inspired by the styles you’ve seen during an artistic workshop.
After such an active morning, you’ll be ready for some relaxation, so spend the afternoon soaking in the Arabian-style baths of the lavish Hamam Al Andalus Malaga, where Moorish architecture and a subterranean location create the perfect place to unwind with traditional treatments and massages. You'll get to sip mint tea while relaxing in thermal pools.
Round out your time in Malaga by experiencing the city’s vibrant nightlife scene on a pub crawl that showcases places for an authentic Spanish fiesta. If you’d rather something a little more low-key, there are plenty of restaurants offering al fresco dining on Constitution Square, which looks particularly pretty when it’s illuminated.
