Málaga is often seen primarily as a starting point for a road trip through Andalusia. You pick up your rental car, drive towards the beaches or white mountain villages, and leave the city itself behind. However, Málaga is definitely worth exploring for at least one or two days.
This time, I only had 48 hours in Málaga. That turned out to be enough to discover a large part of the historic center, visit the Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, stroll along the modern harbor, and plan a photoshoot by the coast. At the same time, my stay felt way too short. Just for the museums, beaches, and day trips around Málaga, I could easily fill a few extra days.
In this article, I will take you along my personal route through Málaga, including the places where I ate, photographed, and stayed.
Arriving in Málaga and picking up a rental car
I flew in early September with a morning flight from Brussels Airport to Málaga. My flight departed around seven o'clock, and by ten o'clock, I was already in Spain.
Upon arrival, I immediately picked up my rental car from Goldcar at Málaga airport. Since I would be traveling further through Andalusia and towards Alicante after my stay, a rental car was the most convenient choice for me.
For just a city trip in Málaga, you actually don’t need a car. The historic center is compact, and many attractions are within walking distance of each other. A car is especially handy if you also want to visit beaches outside the city or places like Ronda, El Torcal de Antequera, and the white mountain villages.
Staying at Sallés Hotel Málaga Centro
During my stay, I slept at Sallés Hotel Málaga Centro, close to the historic center.
For a short city trip, I found the location very practical. From the hotel, I could easily walk towards the Mercado Central de Atarazanas, the shopping streets, and the old center. The hotel also has a rooftop with a pool and a view over the city.
Since I arrived early, I couldn’t check in right away. I temporarily parked my rental car at a nearby shopping center and left my luggage in the car. In hindsight, that may not have been my most relaxing decision, but it did give me the opportunity to head straight into the city.
After lunch, I picked up my car again, checked in, and took a little rest. That was a luxury I needed, as I had a photoshoot planned by the coast that same evening.
Start your visit at Mercado Central de Atarazanas
My first stop was the Mercado Central de Atarazanas, the most famous covered market in Málaga.
Local markets are always a nice introduction to a new city for me. You not only see what people are eating, but you also get a glimpse of daily life.
In the market hall, you will find stalls with fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, meat, Iberian ham, olives, and local ingredients. The market is now also popular with tourists, but it still feels like a place where locals come to do their daily shopping.
You don’t need to set aside half a day for this. Stroll leisurely through the various aisles, maybe taste something small, and be sure to check out the colorful stained glass wall at the back of the building.
My tip: visit the market in the morning or around lunchtime. Many stalls close later in the day.
Walk via Calle Marqués de Larios to the historic center
From the market, I walked further towards Calle Marqués de Larios, the most famous shopping street in Málaga.
The street itself is wide, stately, and completely car-free. However, I found the side streets particularly interesting. When you walk all the way down Calle Larios, you end up at Plaza de la Constitución, a lively square in the middle of the historic center.
From here, you can actually continue walking without a fixed plan. In almost every direction, you will find narrow streets, cozy squares, colorful facades, and terraces.
That is one of the things I enjoyed most about Málaga: the main attractions are close to each other, making it very easy to explore the city on foot.
Plaza de la Constitución and the Museo Carmen Thyssen
At Plaza de la Constitución, you will find among other things the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga. The collection mainly consists of Spanish and Andalusian art from the nineteenth century.
I personally did not go inside because I only had two days in Málaga and wanted to see as much of the city as possible. However, the museum is high on my list for a future visit.
Málaga has surprisingly many museums. Besides the Carmen Thyssen Museum, you will also find the Picasso Museum, the Centre Pompidou Málaga, and the Museo de Málaga.
Those who come primarily for art and culture can easily fill an entire day just with museums.
Lunch at Taberna El Globo
After my first walk through the center, I stopped for lunch at Taberna El Globo.
The restaurant is located in a slightly quieter area and felt less touristy during my visit than many places around the most famous squares. I ordered several tapas, including Iberian ham and patatas bravas.
The lunch was simple but very tasty. Exactly what I was looking for at that moment: an informal place where you can sit quietly without immediately ending up in a large tourist dining street.
Tip: when visiting Málaga, also look beyond the busiest squares. In the smaller streets, you often find quieter tapas bars that are just as good.
Sunset and a photoshoot at Playa del Peñón del Cuervo
After checking in and a short break, I drove at the end of the day to Playa del Peñón del Cuervo, east of the center of Málaga.
I had arranged to meet Lore and Jorge for a couple's shoot during sunset.
We started at an old watchtower on the cliffs. From this area, you have a beautiful view over the rocky coast and the Mediterranean Sea. Especially during the last warm light of the day, this was a stunning place to photograph.
Afterwards, we drove further to Playa del Peñón del Cuervo. The beach owes its name to the large rock that juts out of the water just off the coast. The beach runs towards the rock on both sides, creating interesting lines and compositions for photos.
It’s not a classic paradise sandy beach, but rather the rock, the coastline, and the view that make this place so photogenic.
After the photoshoot, I returned to my hotel. It had been a long day, so there was not much more to do than look at and select my photos.
Day two: Photographing Málaga in the early morning
The next morning, I got up early to walk through the center again.
As a photographer, I almost always try to explore popular cities early in the morning. The light is softer, the temperature more pleasant, and you mostly have the streets to yourself.
This makes a big difference in Málaga. Later in the day, the central shopping streets and squares quickly fill up with tourists, shoppers, and terraces.
In the morning, I could photograph how the sunlight appeared between the narrow streets and tall buildings. The warm light against the colorful facades gave the city a completely different vibe than in the afternoon.
After my morning walk, I returned to my hotel. Since it became very warm during the day in early September, I took a short siesta in the afternoon.
Visit the Alcazaba of Málaga
Later in the afternoon, I went outside again. I initially hesitated whether to visit the Picasso Museum, but since I had little time, I ultimately chose the Alcazaba of Málaga.
That turned out to be a good choice because I arrived about an hour before closing time, making it much quieter.
The Alcazaba is a Moorish palace and fortress located on a hill above the city. Inside, you walk along ancient defensive walls, gates, gardens, fountains, and courtyards.
From various spots, you have views over Málaga, the harbor, and the surrounding hills. The complex also feels larger than you would expect from the city.
The official city website treats the Alcazaba and the higher Castillo de Gibralfaro as two separate monuments. You can buy individual tickets or combine both.
Since I arrived just before closing time at the Alcazaba, it was no longer possible to visit Castillo de Gibralfaro. Fortunately, with the combined ticket, I could also visit Castillo de Gibralfaro the following day.
I would do that again. The Alcazaba deserves at least one to one and a half hours, especially if you enjoy photography and regularly stop at the viewpoints.
Good to know: in the summer, the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro are generally open from 09:00 to 20:00, with the last entry an hour before closing. Always check the current opening hours before your visit.
Stroll through Parque de Málaga
After my visit to the Alcazaba, I continued my walk through Parque de Málaga.
The park is located between the historic center and the harbor and provides a pleasant, green passage through the city. You walk under palm trees and alongside tropical plants, sculptures, and fountains.
Especially on warm days, it’s nice to take a break from the full sun here.
The park is longer and larger than I had expected. You can easily combine it with the Alcazaba, the cathedral, and the harbor.
Admire the cathedral of Málaga
From the park, I walked through the smaller streets to the Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga.
The cathedral is gigantic and often appears unexpectedly among the buildings of the historic center. Especially from the narrow surrounding streets, you get beautiful glimpses of the tower and the façade.
The cathedral is also known as La Manquita, or the one-armed lady, because one of the two planned towers was never fully completed.
I didn’t visit the interior this time, but even just the exterior is impressive. Only when you stand right next to the building do you realize how large it actually is.
Dine at Al Patio de Ángel
A friend had recommended that I eat at Taberna Cofrade Las Merchanas. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed that day.
Eventually, I ended up at Al Patio de Ángel Cocina Española.
That turned out to be absolutely no bad second choice. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere cozy. It’s a place I would recommend after my visit if you’re looking for Spanish dishes in the historic center.
After dinner, I returned to my hotel. The day had flown by again.
Day three: walking to Castillo de Gibralfaro
On my last morning in Málaga, I wanted to make the most of my time. Therefore, I got up early again to walk to the Castillo de Gibralfaro.
The castle is located higher on the hill than the Alcazaba. The walk from the center is quite steep, especially when it’s warm. Expect about 30 minutes from Calle Alcazabilla.
So, take enough water with you. Along the route, there were vendors offering bottles of water during my visit, but it’s more convenient to be prepared yourself.
I arrived shortly after opening, so it was still relatively quiet. In my opinion, that is the best time to visit Gibralfaro.
From the walls, you have a beautiful view over Málaga. You look out over the harbor, the city center, Parque de Málaga, and the round bullring.
Just for that view, the climb is worth it.
I had previously purchased a combined ticket for the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro. This allowed me to spread both places over two different days. During my visit, that ticket cost about ten euros.
Tip: Buy a combined ticket; this is cheaper and you can spread your visit to Alcazaba de Málaga and Castillo de Gibralfaro over 2 days.
From Gibralfaro to the harbor of Málaga
After my visit, I walked back down and again through Parque de Málaga.
Then I stopped at the harbor, better known as Muelle Uno. This is a modern harbor area with shops, restaurants, and a wide promenade along the water.
The atmosphere is completely different from that of the historic center. You’ll find large yachts, terraces, and regularly cruise ships entering or leaving the harbor.
It’s a pleasant place to walk around leisurely. From here, you can continue towards the beach and make a sort of loop through the city.
Centre Pompidou Málaga
At the harbor, you’ll also find the Centre Pompidou Málaga. The museum immediately stands out because of the large, colorful glass cube above the building.
Even if you don’t visit the museum, the cube is a nice photographic stop.
On my next visit, I would like to combine this with the Picasso Museum and Museo Carmen Thyssen.
Málaga clearly presents itself not only as a beach destination but also as a cultural city. That was something I had somewhat underestimated beforehand.
Discover the street art of Soho
Before I returned to my hotel, I walked through Soho Málaga.
Soho is a more creative and alternative neighborhood between the center and the harbor. You’ll find smaller restaurants, bars, and especially many large murals and graffiti works on the walls.
The atmosphere is a bit rougher and hipper than in the historic center. I found that contrast interesting.
Anyone who loves street art and photography should definitely take a stroll here. Allow about an hour and occasionally leave the main streets behind. The most interesting works are often found in places you wouldn’t immediately walk to.
After that, I returned to Sallés Hotel Málaga Centro, packed my things, and checked out. From Málaga, I drove on to the next stop of my road trip.
Tasting local wine at Antigua Casa de Guardia
After my visit to Soho, I walked to Antigua Casa de Guardia, one of the most characterful places I visited during my stay in Málaga.
This historic wine bar feels completely different from the modern bars and restaurants in the city. The decor is simple and traditional, with large wooden wine barrels behind the bar from which various local wines are served.
You don't come here for a trendy interior or elaborate cocktails, but for an authentic piece of Málaga. The atmosphere is lively and uncomplicated. Both locals and visitors stand at the long bar to try a glass of local sweet wine, vermouth, or other Málaga wines.
The way your order is tracked also adds to the experience. The bill is simply written in chalk on the bar. No complicated system, but a tradition that perfectly fits the place.
It was a nice last stop before I left Málaga. After the modern street art of Soho, I found myself here in a much more traditional part of the city. It’s that contrast that makes Málaga so interesting.
Afterwards, I returned to my accommodation, packed my things, and checked out. My road trip continued towards the east coast of Spain, but Málaga had already left a strong impression in just two days.
Can you visit Málaga in 48 hours?
Yes, 48 hours is enough to get a good first impression of Málaga.
However, I would personally stay at least three to four days on my next visit. Two days feels quite rushed if you also want to visit some museums or enjoy the beach at a leisurely pace.
Is Málaga worth it?
Málaga pleasantly surprised me.
The city combines Moorish history, modern art, beaches, tapas bars, and a vibrant historic center. At the same time, everything feels compact enough to discover a lot on foot.
My visit was short, and due to the heat, I had to plan my days carefully. Still, I got a nice first impression of the city in 48 hours.
Would I go back? Absolutely.
Just for the museums, the beaches, and the many day trips around Málaga, I have plenty of reasons to come back. Next time, I would stay a bit longer and pace my days more leisurely. Because Málaga is much more than just the place where your plane lands before you start a road trip through Andalusia.
