Itineraries for Your Trip to Malaga
3 Days in Malaga for First Timers
When it comes to Andalusia, Malaga is often underappreciated—and I used to be guilty of this underappreciation myself. I tended to touch down at the airport and rush off to more famous neighbors such as Granada, Seville, or the Costa del Sol. But when I decided to stick around the region’s second-largest city, I was richly rewarded—Malaga offers the same coastal views, tapas joints, and historic architecture as other Spanish hot spots, without the huge crowds.
So, if you’ve made the wise decision to spend 72 hours in Picasso’s birthplace, then you’ve got a lot to look forward to. Here’s how best to spend three days in Malaga. Salud!
If you only have time for one thing, make it a tapas tour of the Old Town.
Malaga enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine per year, so pack sun protection.
Malaga might be small, but the alleys of its Old Town are easy to get lost in. Get your bearings on a Segway tour that helps you cover top sights such as the 10th-century Gibralfaro Castle and La Malagueta Bullring, a beacon of traditional Spanish architecture.
No visit to Spain would be complete without feasting on its world-famous tapas, so spend this afternoon tasting local specialties such as fried fish, juicy marinated olives, and wines bottled in the region on a food-focused walking tour.
Hugging the side of sheer cliffs, El Caminito del Rey is a hiking path like no other—before recent renovations, it was considered one of the most dangerous walking routes in the world. Spend your second day enjoying the exceptional scenery on a day trip with hassle-free round-trip transfers.
After a long day on the road, you’ll want nothing more than to soak your muscles in thermal water, so head straight to Hammam Al Ándalus Malaga to experience the Arabian baths, a nod to Malaga’s Moorish past.
The almost 1,000-year-old Malaga Alcazaba is one of the city's top attractions, especially if you’re interested in the region’s ancient history. Explore the Moorish palace and its lovely gardens on a tour that helps you delve deeper into its storied heritage.
Round out your time in Malaga with one of Spain’s most famous (and fabulous) cultural traditions—a flamenco show. Watch dancers and musicians deliver vibrant choreography as you dine on traditional Andalusian food.
