Malaga in One Day: 5 Must-See Places to Visit

Ann-Marie

July 8, 2024

The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Malaga in One Day

Do you only have one day in Malaga to see as much of this beautiful city as possible? Visiting Malaga in one day will require some stamina to visit all the must-see spots, but it is certainly doable!

This lovely little port city in the south of Spain teems with crystal blue beaches, adorable little shops and cafes, and is chock full of Spanish history with museums and historical sites to show for it. The best part about this city? Its incredibly walkable which makes seeing Malaga in one day much more digestible.

After having spent some there, I have crafted the itinerary I would put together if I only had one day in Malaga. This itinerary incorporates the beach, history, food, and shopping all into your Malaga day trip to create the ultimate guide on what to see in Malaga.

Contents hide

1 The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Malaga in One Day

2 Malagueta Beach (Playa Malagueta)

3 Picasso Museum

4 Alcazaba

5 Malaga Cathedral

6 Shopping and Dinner

7 Don’t Stop Exploring Here!

8 Gluten Free like Me?

Malagueta Beach (Playa Malagueta)

Start off your day in Malaga at Playa Malagueta

To start off your day in Malaga, head to Playa Malagueta (Malagueta Beach) to soak up some rays and enjoy the clean, sparkling beaches of the city. On average, it is sunny and blue skies 300 days of the year in Malaga. This beautiful climate encourages a beach-centered atmosphere to the city- with locals and tourists alike gathering daily to enjoy the ocean.

I recommend Malagueta Beach in particular because it is only a 15 minute walk from city center, close to the cruise port if you are visiting on a cruise, and there are a number of cafes, beach gear shops (in case you need to stock up on sunscreen), and restaurants along Malagueta.

If you are interested in renting a chair, getting there early in the morning will ensure that you are able to grab a lounge seat with umbrella for a relaxing morning to start your day in Malaga.

From the beach, grab your stuff and head towards city center for the rest of our day’s activities. The walk is only about 15 minutes and is quite enjoyable as the majority of it takes you through Malaga Park.

Picasso Museum

Did you know that Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga? You will understand where he got his artistic roots after having spent a day in Malaga because the city boasts with art at every turn. The world renowned artist has a museum dedicated to his work in honor of the impact he has had on the city.

Don’t forget to pick up an audio guide at the front to learn more about Picasso’s life and the inspiration behind his work. I would budget spending an hour in the museum to walk through the different rooms and see the most popular art pieces. However, if you are an art junkie, you can easily spend a couple hours in this museum.

For more information about the Picasso Museum, visit their site here.

Alcazaba

You cannot miss Alcazaba when visiting Malaga. This 900 year old fortress is built into the the sides of the steep hills of Malaga when the city was Muslim-ruled in the 11th century. Similar to a palace, the Alcazaba served as a defense mechanism until the 18th century. Soon after, it was evacuated of any residents and has since been the site of archaeological restoration and later became the beautiful Islamic historical visitor site that it is today.

For 10€, you can take a guided tour of the Alcazaba and learn more about its origins, the Spanish siege in the 14th century, and how it has served the city since. The tour lasts just over an hour and is the best way to fully experience this unique monument.

Malaga Cathedral

For your final historical stop, head over to one of Malaga’s most treasured centerpieces, the Malaga Cathedral. The Cathedral stands tall in the heart of the city and is nothing short of breathtaking.

Its origins date back to the pre-Castilian period, before the city was sieged by Spain in 1487 from its previous Muslim rulers where it was originally a temple. In the centuries since, it has evolved into a Gothic Cathedral with several renovations and additions over the years. Today, it stands as a beautiful conglomerate of many different styles, eras, and influences from over hundreds of years.

For 10€, you can visit the inside of the Malaga Cathedral. Admission includes a complementary audio guide that will walk you through a deeper understanding of its history and design.

Shopping and Dinner

After a long day of sightseeing, its time to slow things down and take a stroll around city central to enjoy the different shops and eateries Malaga has to offer. From clothing boutiques, to souvenirs, to jewelry, there are so many different stores you can pop into.

Malaga is diverse in its cuisine too! We had Mediterranean, Italian, Mexican, in addition to traditional Spanish dishes during our time in the city. There is something for everyone. And if you are looking to enjoy dinner among the hustle and bustle of the city, there are plenty of places with outdoor seating.

If you are lucky, you might even be entertained with one of the many live performances on the streets that take place. Several times throughout my trip I stumbled into beautiful performances happening along the street. One night I found myself watching a violin quartet outside the Cathedral, and then a few blocks over I found an operatic concert. Perhaps you will find yourself enjoying your dinner to a live performance like I did!