Malaga in 4 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Malaga is a city with a great variety of historical sites, art and archaeology museums, marinas and beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters that invite you to dive into them. In addition, there are the towns of the Costa del Sol and many other tourist destinations.

There are many things to see and do in Malaga, such as a walking tour of the historic centre, tours and excursions in and out of the city. In fact, four days might not be enough, so here is an itinerary with the must-see destinations.

The aim of your first day will be to explore the historic centre of the city and discover architectural, religious and cultural monuments such as the Cathedral of the Incarnation of Malaga, the Pablo Picasso Museum, the Museum of Malaga and the Alcazaba.

The Cathedral of the Incarnation of Malaga

The day will start with a visit to the Cathedral of Malaga and the Alcazaba, which you can buy from £30. Considered a true architectural jewel for the people of Malaga, it combines baroque, gothic and renaissance style.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best things to do in Malaga that you can't fail to incorporate in your itinerary, as during the tour you will discover a series of perspectives, architectural details and works of art, such as:

• The main façade with its baroque style and a pair of towers, highlighting in them a large number of bells and the octagonal floor plan with a dome.
• The baroque choir, structured on a total of three levels and provided with 44 seats. This whole area was designed in cedar wood and mahogany, both materials carved with the image of the apostles, some priests and a series of saints.
• The Main Chapel, which stands out as the central area of the cathedral. There, you will see the tabernacle belonging to the Virgin of the Incarnation, accompanied by an iconographic work showing some famous scenes such as "The Passion" and some prophets.

Useful information

• Price: from 6€ per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (10am-6pm) and Sundays (10am-2pm).
• Place: Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga. C. Molina Lario.

Pablo Picasso Museum

Once you've finished your tour of Malaga's Cathedral of the Incarnation, your first day's itinerary in Malaga continues at the Picasso Museum, whose tickets can be booked for £4. Located inside the Buenavista Palace, you will not only enjoy a chronological journey through the artist's life, but also contemplate the 16th century Renaissance architecture present in the emblematic monument.

Upon entering the Picasso Museum, you will have the opportunity to see sculptures, paintings, a tapestry, drawings, a linoleum plate, graphic works, among other samples, representing Picasso's artistic stages in the pink and blue period, cubism, etc.

There are many of the artist's works that you will be able to appreciate and among the most renowned you will find:

• Bañista tendida (1931), a plaster sculpture measuring 26 x 82 x 43 centimetres.
• Woman with Raised Arms (1936), inspired by his sentimental partner, the photographer Dora Maar.
• Jacqueline Seated (1954), oil on canvas.

It is important to know that the opening hours of the Picasso Museum Malaga are usually from 10 am to 7 pm. In addition, ticket prices to the museum usually vary according to age range, so you may be able to get a reduced rate.

Useful information

• Price: from 5€ per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 10am to 7pm.
• Place: Pablo Picasso Museum in the Buenavista Palace.

Malaga Museum

The itinerary of this first day continues at the Museum of Malaga, where you will enjoy a permanent collection of archaeological pieces and art spanning from the 15th century to the contemporary period.

Throughout the tour, you will see pieces from the prehistoric, Phoenician, Roman and Muslim periods. In total there are more than 15,000 archaeological samples, evidencing the different stages experienced by the city of Malaga.

With regard to the 200 works that make up the museum's art collection, you will be able to see the work of local artists and other geniuses of painting and sculpture who left their mark in the 19th century: "La última gran ola" by Emilio Ocón, "Alegoría de la Historia, Industria y Comercio de Málaga" by Bernardo Ferrándiz and Muñoz Degrain, among others. Undoubtedly, this is an option that cannot be missed among your selection of the best museums in Malaga.

Useful information

• Price: from 1,50€ per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday (9am to 9pm) and Sundays (9am to 3pm).
• Place: Museum of Malaga in the Palacio de la Aduana.

The Alcazaba

The Alcazaba could be your last destination for this first day. It is a medieval fortress built during the 11th century in a predominantly Moorish architectural style.

This fortress is approximately two minutes walk from your previous destination (Malaga Museum). You should head northeast from the Plaza de la Aduana and turn in the direction of C/ Alcazabilla. There, you will see the Alcazaba on a hill, giving you a privileged view of the sea. Inside, you will also enjoy a small palace with labyrinthine walls, towers, a series of courtyards, beautiful fountains and colourful gardens.

You can visit this monument any day of the year, along with another of the must-see sights we have already mentioned, Malaga Cathedral. To do so, you can book a guided tour of the Cathedral, the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba of Malaga, for 30, but you must take into consideration that the opening hours of the Alcazaba of Malaga vary depending on the summer and winter seasons. Once you have finished this visit you can return to the hotel to rest or, if you wish, attend one of the best flamenco shows in Malaga.

Useful information

• Price: from 2,20€ per person.
• Opening hours: summer (Monday to Sunday from 9am to 8pm) and winter (Monday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm).
• Venue: Alcazaba in Alcazabilla street.

During these days you will travel through the coastal region of Malaga, discovering the main towns that make up the Costa del Sol. This is a somewhat extensive itinerary, scheduled over two days. You will be able to explore each village and stop whenever you wish to spend the night in one of them. The next morning, you will continue with the tour.

Torremolinos

The itinerary for the second day of your visit starts in Torremolinos. This is one of the most popular towns on the Costa del Sol, located approximately 30 minutes from Malaga. There, you will see important historical monuments and beautiful beaches.

During the tour of Torremolinos you will be able to visit:

• The church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, built in the 20th century.
• La Casa de los Navajas, with a history of more than 90 years and a neo-Mudejar architectural style. It is open every day and access is free.
• The Pimentel Tower, formerly known as the town's defence tower. You can climb up to its terrace and enjoy the panoramic view.

Benalmádena

Just 11 minutes from Torremolinos you will find your second destination, Benalmádena. This is a town that will offer you historical monuments, golf courses and a beautiful marina.

You will have several activities to do, for example:

• Enjoy the crystal clear waters of the beaches of Arroyo de La Miel, Las Yucas, Benalnatura, Carvajal, among others located in Benalmádena.
• Stroll around the marina and visit the Sea Life Benalmádena aquarium.
• Visit the Colomares Monument Castle, built between 1987 and 1994, in honour of Christopher Columbus.
• The Enlightenment Stupa of Benalmadena, which is a large Tibetan Buddhist temple.

Mijas

The adventure continues in Mijas. This is another of Malaga's villages, known for its streets lined with whitewashed houses with colourful flower pots on their facades. You only have to travel approximately 25 minutes from Benalmádena to enjoy this village. You can also take a trip to Mijas and Marbella from Malaga, from £39

In Mijas you will see a mountain and coastal landscape. You will also see:

• The iconic bronze statue of a donkey in the middle of the Plaza Virgen de la Peña.
• Privileged views of Mijas, from the viewpoints of the Paseo de la Muralla and La Ermita del Calvario, which is located in the highest part.

In addition, this village is a good alternative if you want to take a break to stay overnight, as there are several options to incorporate among the things to do in Malaga at night, such as:

• Go to the Plaza Virgen de la Peña and take part in group dance classes, led by a professional instructor. This, if your trip coincides with Tuesday or Thursday.
• Enjoy a night of tapas in the local bars and restaurants from 8am to midnight with special prices during the summer. Ideal if you want to go on a gastronomic tour.

Fuengirola

To get to the next destination, you will have to drive 10 minutes. This way, you will be in the town of Fuengirola, recommended if you are keen on water activities and golf.

On the coast of Fuengirola you will have the opportunity to visit some beaches such as La Campana, Los Boliches, Las Gaviotas, among others. You can practice scuba diving or snorkelling, no matter the season of the year, as Malaga in winter has no snowfall and the water stays warm.

Furthermore, you will find:

• Some thermal baths (Roman public baths with thermal waters), where you can immerse yourself and relax.
• Ancient Roman villas, which you can walk around and admire.
• The Moorish castle of Sohail from the 10th century, with imposing towers and walls.

It is important to know that Fuengirola has quite a lively nightlife, thanks to its large number of discos and pubs. Therefore, this is another place where you might consider spending the night.

For day three in Malaga you can continue exploring the Costa del Sol, as it is a region made up of several villages with different attractions. Therefore, this time you will visit Marbella, Estepona and Manilva.

Marbella

You can get to Marbella from Malaga easily, as this emblematic town is included in the Costa del Sol route, specifically 28 minutes away from the last destination (Fuengirola). And if you don't want to worry about how to get there, you can also book an excursion to Marbella, from 39

In Marbella, you'll have the chance to stroll around the old town and head to the beaches to swim and lie on the sand. You can also stroll along the promenade and stop off at the trendy shops, bars and restaurants.

Estepona

Another of the Costa del Sol's iconic spots is the town of Estepona, which is approximately 27 minutes' drive from Marbella.

It is a town with a natural scene of palm trees and the crystal clear waters of the Rada beach.

Estepona also has a fishing port and a marina. In the latter you will enjoy restaurants and areas for water sports. There is also the historic quarter of the town, with its emblematic buildings.

Manilva

To end day 3 in Malaga exploring the Costa del Sol, drive 17 minutes to Manilva. This is a town with beautiful beaches, a large marina and historical monuments.

Some of the activities to do in Manilva include:

• Visit to the Castillo de la Duquesa, this is an old fortress whose construction dates back to the 18th century.
• Wine route, so you can learn about the culture of vine cultivation and taste some of the beverages.
• Aboat trip to watch the sunset, ideal if you visit Malaga in summer, as the sunset is more intense.
• Atour of the bars and restaurants in the marina, to have a drink and a bite to eat.

As you can see, there are plenty of things to see and do in Malaga. For day 4 in Malaga the plan is to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore some of the natural regions nearby, either on your own or by joining a guided day trip from Malaga. This time I'll tell you about some of what I consider to be the best options for your last day of adventure:

Option 1: Caminito del Rey Tour from Malaga

One of my favourite options to escape the city for a day is an excursion to the Caminito del Rey from Malaga, from £47, to discover its natural spaces.

When you arrive you will find a short 1.5 kilometre trail and a 2.7 kilometre trail, which you will have to cross to get to the control area, where you will be given a safety helmet to start the adventure.

During the experience, you will walk along an aerial path installed around the walls of the Gaitanes Gorges. In addition, you will cross a suspended bridge at a height of 100 metres, from where you will have a privileged and unforgettable view.

It is an 8 kilometre linear route, which you will complete in a maximum of four hours. At the end, you will descend 2.1 kilometres along a path that will take you to the train station.

Useful information

• Price: from €10 per person.
• Timetable: every day (9am to 3pm).
• Place: Caminito del Rey.

Option 2: Gibraltar Tour

With a tour of Gibraltar, which you can book from £28, you can get in touch with nature, enjoy great views, learn about the history of this British colony in Spain and much more.

When you arrive in Gibraltar, you can stroll along Main Street, where you will find a large number of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. You will also see the Town Hall, the iconic Cathedral and the courthouse. The latter is where Yoko Ono and John Lenon got married in the late 1960s. You will also have the option of taking the cable car up to the Rock to visit The Old Jewish Cemetery, The Moorish Castle, The Cave of San Miguel, The Monkey's Lair, among others.

This is definitely a tour that could bring your stay in the Andalusian city to an end. You will return to the hotel after sunset and, if you need it, you can use a transfer service to Malaga Airport.

Malaga is very well connected to the surrounding towns and cities in terms of transport. It also has several means of public transport: bus, metro, taxi, among others, all of them with routes that cover different parts of the city.

You can easily reach any destination in and out of the historic centre. Of course, you'll need to know the bus routes and have a map of the metro lines at hand.

The tourist bus in Malaga is a very popular and economical means of transport, which will allow you to get around the city in a comfortable way and without the risk of getting lost. You can create your own itinerary.

You will have a total of 19 stops where you can get on and off as many times as you want to visit the places of your interest: Picasso Museum, the Cathedral, the botanical garden, among others. You just have to keep an eye on the bus timetable to catch the bus on time.