What to see in Malaga: 10 must-see places to visit

Malaga is one of Andalusia's must-see tourist attractions.The combination of sea and culture with a lively atmosphere makes it the perfect destination to visit. From the Alcazaba of Malaga, its Roman Theatre until Picasso Museum, are some of the must-see places to visit.

What to see in Malaga in one day?

Beyond its sunny beaches on the shores of the Mediterranean, Malaga has a very interesting cultural life. Its great cultural and architectural heritage is concentrated in its historic centre, without a doubt a city worth visiting in its surroundings.

So if you're planning to explore this beautiful city, here's what we have to say top 10 must-sees. You're going to love it!

1. Visit the Alcazaba of Malaga

The Alcazaba of Malaga is one of the monuments to see in Malaga. This fortification is from the Muslim period, built in the 11th century, and is located at the foot of the Gibralfaro mountain. Inside you will find a beautiful complex of palaces, gardens and courtyards, including the Puerta de los Arcos, the Plaza de Armas and the Torre del Homenaje. From the Alcazaba you can enjoy incredible views of the city.

Inside it houses the Archaeological Museum, the museum houses a fantastic collection of statues, mosaics, tiles and pottery from the Roman period.

2. Roman Theatre of Malaga

Situated on the lower part of the Alcazaba hill, we find the Roman Theatre. It is the main monument that remains from Roman times and another of the must-see places in Malaga. 

Built in the 1st century by order of the Emperor Augustus, it remained hidden for centuries until 1951, thanks to the construction of a new building, it came to light and became another of the city's tourist attractions.

3. Climb to Gibralfaro Castle

The Gibralfaro Castle is a fortress in which the Catholic Monarchs spent several years during the reconquest of the Kingdom of Granada. We highly recommend a stroll through its gardens full of fruit trees and palm trees.

As a curiosity, was the place where Christopher Columbus requested to set out on the voyage to discover America.

4. Cathedral of Malaga

The Cathedral of the Incarnation of Malaga is another of the places to see in Malaga.

It is one of the most significant monuments of the city, it stands out for its history and its architecture, for having several architectural styles. As well as being known for lacking its second tower, which was left unfinished, for this reason the people of Malaga know it as the "La Manquita".

5. Museums to visit in Malaga

If you are still not sure what to see in Malaga, we strongly recommend you to visit its wonderful museums. We highlight the Picasso Museum Malaga as the most important thing to see in Malagalocated in the Palacio de Buenavista and which houses one of the most complete collections of Pablo Picasso in the whole of Spain, with around 290 paintings. On the other hand, we recommend a visit to the Automobile and Fashion Museum, for fans of classic cars and the Carmen Thyssen Museum.

6. Historical Botanical Garden of La Concepción

It is located between the famous Tendillas and Corredera squares. Dating back to the 1st century AD, it was designed on the model of the Temple of Apollo Palatine in Rome and is nowadays one of the most important remains of the Roman presence preserved in the city of Cordoba.

7. Walk around the Port of Malaga

The "Muelle Uno" is located in the port of Malaga. It is an open-air shopping area ideal for a stroll, with its numerous restaurants, shops and cultural spaces. Here you can find the fantastic Malaga Pompidou Centre

8. Larios Street, one of the places to see in Malaga

The Larios Street is another of the things to see in Malaga. One of the most elegant shopping streets and the most famous place to visit in Malaga. It fills up every day with tourists and locals who love to shop or have a drink in one of the many bars.

It is worth noting that on special dates such as the Christmas, with its eye-catching lighting, and the Malaga Fair, where the Portada is located, attracts people from all over the world and creates a good atmosphere.

9. Go to the Malaga fair

In the month of August there is a good reason to visit this beautiful city, the Malaga fair, which lasts for a week. It is the best time to taste the typical sweet wine and the cartojal, so characteristic of the province.

The Day Fair is celebrated in the city centre, with a lot of atmosphere in the main streets of the city, for example in Larios Street, and a lot of music and open-air performances.

The Night Fair takes place at the fairgrounds of the Cortijo de Torres, known as The Royal. Here you will find free access stands and a stage with music of all kinds and for all tastes. You can come here in the morning and enjoy paella dishes. It is also perfect for the whole family, as there are attractions for the little ones. Next to the fairgrounds is the Municipal Auditorium, where several free performances are held.

10. Excursions from Malaga and the Costa del Sol

Once you are in Malaga and you have time to get to know the city, you can take a guided tour, we recommend you to book an excursion to visit the surroundings of the capital, for example, to visit the famous Caminito del Rey, located in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, is one of the most spectacular landscapes of Malaga, on the other hand, you can not miss the charms of Ronda and Setenil or get to know the distinguished atmosphere of Marbella and Mijas.