Malaga Attractions - Top 10 of the Most Popular Sights

The Spanish city of Malaga combines the best of two worlds. Located directly on the Costa del Sol, it is almost perfect for a beach holiday. On the other hand, its long and eventful history offers numerous historical attractions. After all, Malaga was founded around 770 BC, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Below, we present to you the 10 most beautiful sights of Malaga.

Construction of this Moorish palace began in the 10th century. The estate has been home to numerous rulers of the city ever since. Additionally, it served as a defensive structure with its double ring wall and powerful bastions. Today, the Alcazaba is regarded as the best-preserved Moorish fortress in all of Spain.

In the heart of the palace lies a small mosque. During a tour of the estate, you will find many reconstructed structures in the Moorish style. Various courtyards and gardens invite you to stroll in between.

Next to the main gate of the Alcazaba stands an ancient Roman theater from the 2nd century. It was rediscovered during excavations in the mid-20th century and attests to Malaga's varied history.

Address: Calle Alcazabilla 2 29012 Malaga

The Gibralfaro castle complex sits high above the city on the summit of the same name, directly above the Alcazaba. Although it was built in the 14th century, significantly later than the Alcazaba, it is unfortunately not as well preserved. However, there is still much to see here.

Before the castle was built, there was a Phoenician fortification on the same site, on whose foundations the Moorish Sultan Yusuf I constructed the Castillo. In 1487, after a three-month siege, it was conquered, and Malaga fell to Castile. Subsequently, the castle was further expanded.

The ring walls of the castle are almost entirely walkable and offer a fantastic view of the city, the sea, and the Andalusian hinterland. Furthermore, the powder tower now houses an exhibition with armors, swords, and other historical items.

Address: Camino Gibralfaro 11 29016 Malaga

Of course, in Malaga, there is an exhibition dedicated to perhaps the city's most famous son. Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso, as he is fully named, was born here in Malaga in 1881.

Since 2003, over 200 works by Picasso have been exhibited in the Palacio de Buenavista. These include paintings, sculptures, and ceramics that he created over the decades of his career.

The Palacio de Buenavista dates back to the 16th century. It was built by a noble family. In addition to the Picasso exhibition, its cellar is also interesting. Here, archaeological remains from several thousand years of city history have been discovered, such as:

Through a transparent floor in the ground floor, you can view these relics.

Address: Palacio de Buenavista Calle San Agustín 8 29015 Malaga

If you find the name of Malaga's most important religious building too long, you can simply call it 'the Cathedral.' Generally, everyone knows which church this refers to. Alternatively, you could adopt the nickname given to the Cathedral by locals: 'La Manquita,' which means 'the little one-armed lady.'

The nickname is based on the fact that of the originally planned two towers of the cathedral, only one was completed. To this day, the south tower remains just a stump. A plaque informs that the citizens of Malaga had decided to donate the money for the second tower to the North American colonies for their War of Independence.

Aside from the unfinished tower, the cathedral has some other architectural peculiarities. Originally, the Christian conquerors began construction of the cathedral in 1528 above a mosque. Since the construction period lasted over 250 years, elements from both the Spanish Renaissance and the Spanish Baroque can be found in the facade.

Address: Calle Molina Lario 9 29015 Malaga

The historic central market of Malaga is not only visited by tourists. It is one of the main shopping areas for locals, especially for fresh food. Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle among the numerous stalls. It gets particularly busy early in the morning when fish and seafood are delivered.

The covered market hall, made of cast iron and glass trusses, dates back to the 19th century. Previously, a shipyard from the 14th century occupied the same space. Its horseshoe-shaped stone entrance gate is now the main entrance to the market. The stained glass windows, depicting various historical landmarks of the city, are also impressive.

Address: Calle Atarazanas 10 29005 Malaga

This small but noteworthy museum is thanks to the prominent Spaniard Carmen Thyssen. She began her career as Miss Spain in 1961 and was later married to Old Shatterhand actor Lex Barker, among others. She owes her last name to her third marriage with Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza. Now widowed, she is notably recognized as a philanthropist and art collector.

In the magnificent Palacio Villalon in Malaga's old town, around 230 works from Carmen Thyssen's remarkable personal collection have been exhibited since 2011. Most of them are paintings by Andalusian artists, with a focus on 19th-century works. A must for every art lover!

Address: Calle Compañía 10 29008 Malaga

This baroque church at Plaza Santuario is one of the most important religious buildings in the city, as it houses the shrine for Malaga's patroness, the Virgen de la Victoria.

According to legend, King Ferdinand had a statue of the Virgen de la Victoria with him during his siege of Malaga, which he received as a gift from Emperor Maximilian I. From the site where the church now stands, he ordered the successful takeover of the city. Thus, the Virgin of Victory received her name.

The basilica was built in the 17th century. The statue of the virgin adorns the shrine erected in her honor. Other art objects displayed in the church include numerous valuable paintings and sculptures.

Address: Calle Fernando el Católico 40 29013 Malaga

The Folk Art and Costume Museum of Malaga is located in Pasillo de Santa Isabel in the old town. The pretty building from the 17th century in Moorish-Andalusian architectural style contains a large collection of Andalusian handicrafts.

The exhibits in the Folk Art and Costume Museum are diverse. They range from artworks like ceramics and decorative tiles to practical tools such as kitchen utensils and fishing gear. Additionally, there are colorful Andalusian folk costumes from all eras.

Address: Plaza Enrique García-Herrera 1 29005 Malaga

To the north of Malaga, about five kilometers from the city center, lies this beautifully landscaped green space. Stroll between the palatial buildings, fountains, and waterfalls and admire the nearly 2,000 different tropical, subtropical, and native plants.

The park dates back to the 1850s. Businessman Jorge Loring y Oyarzábal, along with his wife Amalia Heredia Livermore, acquired the land and created a massive botanical garden filled with numerous structures. The most impressive of these is the neoclassical Casa Palacio from 1857.

Address: Camino del Jardín Botánico 3 29014 Malaga

With 17,000 exhibits, the Provincial Museum of Malaga is the fifth largest museum in the whole country. In a magnificent city palace, exhibits on the history and culture of the region are displayed.

The exhibits are divided into two areas. One section is for fine arts, featuring works by some well-known Spanish artists. Picasso is represented here, along with, for example, Goya or Velázquez. The second, significantly larger section contains numerous archaeological finds from the region.

Address: Plaza de la Aduana 29015 Malaga

Not many cities can look back on such a long and varied history as Malaga. In addition, it boasts a stunning location on the picturesque Costa del Sol with its paradise beaches. Thus, in Malaga, the boundaries between a cultural city trip and a beach holiday blur in the best possible way.