{"id":75391,"date":"2023-05-24T08:33:46","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T06:33:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=75391"},"modified":"2026-10-01T00:02:24","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T22:02:24","slug":"8-monuments-of-malaga-impressible-monuments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/8-monuments-of-malaga-impressible-monuments\/","title":{"rendered":"8 must-see monuments in Malaga"},"content":{"rendered":"
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M\u00e1laga brings together over two thousand years of history<\/strong> in a walkable old town: a Roman theatre, an Andalusi fortress, a Renaissance cathedral and Picasso\u2019s birthplace, all within ten minutes of each other.<\/p>\n

These are the eight must-see sights<\/strong>, with practical details and a sensible order for visiting them.<\/p>\n\n

1. The Alcazaba<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The Alcazaba, one of Spain\u2019s best-preserved Andalusi fortresses.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is M\u00e1laga\u2019s landmark monument.<\/strong> A palace-fortress built between the 11th and 14th centuries<\/strong> on Gibralfaro\u2019s slopes, and one of the country\u2019s best preserved.<\/p>\n

It combines military features\u2014walls, towers and bent entrances<\/strong> to slow attackers\u2014with palace courtyards, fountains and horseshoe arches. It also reuses material from the Roman theatre<\/strong> directly below, clearly visible in the columns and capitals.<\/p>\n

An important correction to outdated information:<\/strong> the Alcazaba no longer houses the Archaeological Museum<\/strong>. That location closed in 1997<\/strong>, and since 2016<\/strong> the collections have been in M\u00e1laga Museum<\/strong>, in the Palacio de la Aduana right next door.<\/p>\n

Paid admission<\/strong>, with a combined ticket for Gibralfaro. More details at M\u00e1laga\u2019s Alcazaba<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

2. The Roman Theatre<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Seating<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The city\u2019s oldest monument.<\/strong> It was built in the 1st century BC<\/strong>, under Augustus, when the city was Malaca<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It remained lost for centuries.<\/strong> It lay buried under later buildings until it was discovered by chance in 1951<\/strong>, during work at the former Casa de la Cultura.<\/p>\n

It retains the cavea<\/strong> with its seating, the orchestra and part of the stage, and hosts performances again in summer. There is an interpretation centre<\/strong>, and admission is free<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

One detail:<\/strong> it stands at the foot<\/strong> of the Alcazaba on Calle Alcazabilla. It does not have panoramic views; those are from above.<\/p>\n\n

3. Gibralfaro Castle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Gibralfaro<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It crowns the hill above the Alcazaba. It was built by the Nasrids in the 14th century<\/strong> to strengthen the defences, and the two fortresses were connected by La Coracha<\/strong>, the walled passage still visible on the climb.<\/p>\n

What to do here<\/strong> is the wall walk<\/strong> along the ramparts: it goes all the way around, with panoramic views of the harbour and bullring.<\/p>\n

Paid admission<\/strong>, but the external viewpoint is free<\/strong>. Find the three walking routes up in the best viewpoints in M\u00e1laga<\/a> and more details in the Gibralfaro viewpoint<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

4. The Cathedral, \u201cLa Manquita\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"M\u00e1laga\u2019s<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Construction began in 1528<\/strong> on the former main mosque and continued until the 18th century<\/strong>, hence its mixture of Renaissance and Baroque styles.<\/p>\n

The nickname comes from the missing tower:<\/strong> the south tower remained unfinished, hence \u00abLa Manquita\u00bb<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Inside, do not miss<\/strong> the choir stalls<\/strong>, with carvings by Pedro de Mena<\/strong>. Admission includes the rooftops<\/strong>, visited at set times and best booked in advance: you walk above the church with the old town at your feet.<\/p>\n

In Malaga Cathedral<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

5. Picasso\u2019s Birthplace<\/h2>\n

In the Plaza de la Merced<\/strong>, the building where Picasso was born in 1881<\/strong>. Today it houses the Picasso Foundation<\/strong> and preserves personal belongings, documents and graphic works, recreating the family atmosphere of the period.<\/p>\n

One clarification:<\/strong> this is not the Picasso Museum Malaga<\/strong>, a different museum housed in the Buenavista Palace<\/strong>. The Birthplace is smaller and biographical.<\/p>\n

Paid<\/strong>, with free entry slots that you should check beforehand.<\/p>\n\n

6. Plaza de la Merced<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"M\u00e1laga\u2019s<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A meeting place in the centre, surrounded by caf\u00e9 terraces, with Picasso\u2019s Birthplace on one side.<\/p>\n

The central obelisk is not merely decorative:<\/strong> it is dedicated to General Torrijos<\/strong>, and his remains lie beneath it<\/strong> alongside those of his companions, executed on San Andr\u00e9s beach in 1831<\/strong> after a failed landing against Ferdinand VII\u2019s absolutist regime.<\/p>\n

Free access.<\/strong> It is the natural starting point for the Roman Theatre and Alcazaba.<\/p>\n\n

7. La Farola<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"La<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The harbour lighthouse, dating from 1817<\/strong>, built during the reign of Ferdinand VII<\/strong>. It rises around 38 metres<\/strong> above sea level.<\/p>\n

What makes it unusual:<\/strong> it is one of Spain\u2019s very few lighthouses with a feminine name<\/strong>, which is why locals say \u201cla Farola\u201d rather than \u201cel faro\u201d.<\/p>\n

You cannot visit the interior<\/strong>, but it presides over the promenade bearing its name, between the harbour and La Malagueta. Find the walk in the Paseo de la Farola<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

8. El Cenachero<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cenachero<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The city\u2019s most beloved sculpture, by Jaime Fern\u00e1ndez Pimentel<\/strong> inaugurated in 1968<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What it represents:<\/strong> the cenachero<\/strong>, a street fish seller carrying two cenachos<\/strong>\u2014esparto-grass baskets\u2014filled with anchovies and sardines. This was an everyday occupation well into the 20th century.<\/p>\n

It stands in Plaza de la Marina<\/strong>, beside the park, not on the seafront promenade as sometimes claimed. Free access.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

How to combine them in one day<\/h2>\n

The system that works<\/strong>, entirely on foot:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Plaza de la Merced<\/strong> and Picasso\u2019s Birthplace to begin.<\/li>\n
  2. Walk down to Roman Theatre<\/strong> and Alcazaba<\/strong>, which are right beside each other.<\/li>\n
  3. Climb up to Gibralfaro<\/strong> via the Coracha if you have the energy.<\/li>\n
  4. Walk down to the Cathedral<\/strong> and the old town.<\/li>\n
  5. Finish at Marina Square<\/strong> with the Cenachero, and continue to La Farola<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Four of the eight are free:<\/strong> the Roman Theatre, Plaza de la Merced, the Cenachero and La Farola. So is Gibralfaro\u2019s external viewpoint. More free things to do in free things to do in M\u00e1laga<\/a> and in free museums<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

    And if you\u2019ve got some spare time<\/h2>\n

    The list is deliberately short. Nearby you will also find:<\/p>\n