9 of the best things to do in Málaga

1. Explore Málaga’s Moorish castles and Roman ruins

It’s a stiff walk from street level to the 8th-century Gibralfaro, the Moorish castle on a hilltop that is Málaga’s most prominent landmark, especially on a hot summer’s day. So cheat, and take the bus (route 35, every 45 minutes) from Avenida de Cervantes.

Within, you’ll find a museum that tells the story of the fortress and of Málaga in its 15th-century heyday, but it’s the killer view from the ramparts that’s the big attraction here.

Below the castle stands another, equally impressive fortress: the Alcazaba, which has a maze of arched passageways and arched courtyards. Outside its walls, the multi-tiered Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre), built in the 1st century AD, is the last remnant of Málaga’s Roman heritage.

2. Celebrate Picasso at the Museo Picasso

Málaga claims Picasso as its own, but his family left the city when he was nine and, after settling in France in 1904, he never went back. Still, you can visit the artist’s birthplace, the Casa Natal de Picasso, a modest townhouse with an equally modest collection of Picasso’s drawings and sketchbooks.

There’s also the nearby Museo Picasso, located in the 16th-century Palacio de Buenavista, which has the lion’s share of his art. Expect a knock-your-eye-out collection of almost 200 of the famously prolific painter’s finest (and some would say weirdest) works.

3. Admire Málaga Cathedral’s unfinished beauty

Málaga’s Cathedral of the Incarnation is an eclectic mixture of architectural styles, with an 18th-century baroque facade and an echoing gothic-renaissance interior.

Construction began in the 16th century, but (like Barcelona’s more famous Sagrada Familia), it’s still not finished, which is why its southern tower is no more than a stump.

Its local nickname is ‘La Manquita’ (‘the one-armed’) but it’s still an impressive edifice, and its cool interior, with its 16 saintly chapels, is a pleasant refuge from the sun on a hot summer day. An immersive virtuality tour tells you all about the cathedral’s history.

4. Feast your senses at Mercado Central de Atarazanas

A visit to the Mercado Central de Atarazanas is a must for families visiting Málaga. Kids will be amazed by the creatures that wriggle and squiggle on crushed ice in dozens of fishmongers stalls in this cavernous covered market – giant crimson prawns almost as big as lobsters, weird local crabs tucked protectively into their shells, and tiny baby octopus with their tangle of tentacles.

But don’t just look – eat. Take your pick of what’s on display – it helps if you speak a bit of Spanish, but you can get the message across with makeshift sign language – then find an outside table and sip a glass of wine while your seafood grills.

5. Wander through Málaga’s street art in Soho

Málaga’s Soho Barrio de las Artes is like stepping into a (free) open-air art gallery.

Buildings along streets like Casas de Campos, Tomás Heredia, Martínez Campos, Duquesa de Parcent and Comandante Benítez are plastered with imaginative and graphic novel-inspired murals by urban art creatives from all over the world, as well as showcasing local talents such as Doger and Dreucol.

If you’re looking for something different to take home as a souvenir of your trip to Málaga, you’ll find lots of small commercial galleries selling imaginative contemporary artworks around these streets too.

6. Marvel at vintage cars at the Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda

It’s an unlikely pairing, but this oddball museum will please fans of fashion as well as followers of Jeremy Clarkson.

There’s something for every taste here, from hot rods, muscle cars and high performance sportsters to classic convertibles (look out for the pink drophead Cadillac and the totally over-the-top limousines with their mink and ostrich skin upholstery).

Mannequins are strategically draped over the bonnets of these aristocratic vintage rides, dressed in haute couture from legendary designers like Balenciaga, Schiaparelli and Galliano. You only need one word to describe it: fabulous!

7. Ride the mini tourist train through Velez-Málaga

For families with kids, this mini tourist train is a great way to see Velez-Málaga without tiring little legs.

Multilingual guides explain the history and heritage of the historic centre’s key sights, including the Moorish castles and historic medieval palaces and churches, as your dinky road train trundles gently through the city streets.

The train departs from Parque Juan Jurada Lorca every Friday at 10.30am. Even better, it’s free.

8. Glide through Málaga by horse-drawn carriage

Málaga’s coches de caballo (horse-drawn carriages) with their glossy black and yellow paintwork are a much-loved part of local life. While their days are numbered – city authorities want to phase them out by 2035 – you can still see Málaga in old-style elegance for a few years yet.

The ride takes you through the palm-lined Parque de Málaga, along the Paseo de la Farola and the seaside Paseo Marítimo, and round the Plaza de Toros to the Teatro Romano and the Alcazaba.

Tours last around 45 minutes and prices start from €40. Board at key locations including Plaza de la Marina, Catedral and Avenida de Cervantes (next to the Casa del Jardinero).

9. Tour the city on a Segway adventure

Steady your legs and hop on a Segway to see Malaga’s top attractions while gliding effortlessly through its streets.

Guided tours take in city highlights including the cathedral, the ancient Moorish strongholds of the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, the Plaza de Toros with its historic bullring – a monument to Spain’s goriest spectacles – and the palm-lined seaside Malagueta esplanade.

Suitable for riders over 8 years old, it’s a fun activity in Málaga for older kids or as a couple.