Cathedral of Malaga Tickets and Tours

A visit to 'La Manquita' is a highlight among the best things to do in Malaga. This Renaissance temple, with Gothic and Baroque influences, is one of the most important architectural jewels of Andalusia.

In this complete guide, you will find all the up-to-date information you need to organise your visit: from ticket prices, discounts and opening times, to the most interesting corners of the cathedral and the best tips to make the most of your experience. Discover Malaga Cathedral, a symbol of the history, art and culture of the capital of the Costa del Sol.

The most complete option

Malaga Cathedral Guided Tour

A guided tour of Malaga Cathedral

This tour offers you the opportunity to explore one of the city's most emblematic monuments for approximately 90 minutes, without wasting time queuing. A local guide will take you to the most interesting parts of the cathedral, such as the choir, the main chapel and the chapel of Santa Barbara.

From £14 at Hellotickets

Visits to Malaga Cathedral offer you the opportunity to explore one of the most representative monuments of the city in small groups. With an average duration of 90 minutes, you will have enough time to explore both the interior of the former Aljama Mosque and its famous bell tower.

The tour usually begins with an exploration of the majestic central nave, where impressive stained glass windows flood the space with natural light. Other highlights of this titanic cathedral include its domes, the Church of the Sagrario, the chapel of San Francisco, the chapel of Santa Bárbara, the famous painting of the Beheading of St. Paul by Enrique Simonet, and the Puerta del Perdón, the main attractions of the complex.

Your expert guide will invite you to get to know Malaga Cathedral in detail during the tour, during which you can also access the terraces of the cathedral, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the main landmarks of the Capital of the Sun at a height of 80 metres.

Recommended if... you want to soak up the ancient history, art and architecture that define the city of Malaga.

The price of tickets to Malaga Cathedral varies according to the areas you wish to visit. For access to the interior of the cathedral and the museum, the standard price is around 10 euros per person. If you wish to add a visit to the terraces, the cost may increase.

There are different types of tickets for Malaga Cathedral.

• General ticket with access to the cathedral from 10 euros per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + VR experience from 15 euros per person.

The most common is the general ticket which includes access to the interior of the cathedral and the terrace. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or online, the latter being the only option that allows you to skip the queues.

No, tickets to Malaga Cathedral are not included in any tourist pass. Alternatively, you can sign up for guided tours of the historic centre of Malaga to visit various attractions and monuments of the city for the same price.

Yes, some of the best Malaga tours include the entrance to the Manquita, you can:

• Book a guided tour of Malaga Cathedral, ideal for those who want to focus on just one point of the city, available from 16 euros per person.
• Book a guided tour of Malaga's historic centre and cathedral, which offers a walking tour of the heart of the city from 22 euros per person.
• Book a guided tour of the Cathedral, the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba of Malaga, for a tour of the three Marias of Malaga from 35 euros per person.
• Book a private half day tour of Malaga with entrance to the cathedral for groups, ideal for large groups wishing to combine an internal tour of the cathedral with live commentary, plus a detailed tour of other sites of interest such as Plaza de la Merced, Plaza Constitución, the Alcazaba and the remains of the Roman Theatre. This tour is available from 146 euros per person, but prices decrease according to the number of participants; for example, you and five other friends would pay just 55 euros per person.

Importantly, all of these guided tours are led by experts in the history of the monument and allow you to learn about architectural, historical and artistic details that you might miss on your own. What's more, with any of the options you enter the cathedral without queuing, which significantly enhances the experience.

Yes, Malaga Cathedral offers discounted tickets for certain groups, namely:

• General ticket with access to the cathedral for senior citizens, from 9 euros per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral for students, from 7 euros per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral for groups, from 7 euros per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) for senior citizens, from 13 euros per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) for students, from 10 euros per person.
• General ticket with accreditation for access to the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) + the Diocese, from 5 euros per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral for Malaga residents, free.

Conditions apply:

• For pensioners: over 65 years old.
• For students: between 18 and 25 years old.
• For groups: more than 15 people.
• Residents: must be accredited.

Carla's Tip

From Monday to Saturday, from 08:30 to 09:00 hours, and on Sundays, from 08:30 to 09:30 hours, admission is free.

Yes, the cathedral also makes its contribution among the reasons that earn the pompous title of the Capital of the Sun as the best city in the world to live, according to National Geographic, by encouraging visits to the temple with reduced costs.

• General admission ticket with access to the cathedral for children under the age of 0-12 is free of charge.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral for young people between 13 and 17 years old, available from 6 euros per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) for children under 0 to 12 years old, free of charge.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) for young people between 13 and 17 years old, available from 9 euros per person.

Important: entrance for children is allowed only with the company of an adult, so you can plan your visit among the things to do in Malaga with children.

Whether you fancy a stop on your tour of avant-garde Malaga to get to know the heart of the city, or you've set aside a couple of hours to deepen your knowledge of the temple of La Manquita, buying tickets online saves you time, as you avoid the queues that often form at the ticket office, especially at weekends or during high season.

In addition, online sales platforms often offer promotions or discounts that are not available at the box office. Booking in advance also ensures that you can choose the most convenient time for your visit and gives you the option to include other services, such as a guided tour or virtual reality experience.

Malaga Cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday, generally from 10:00 to 18:30, although opening hours may vary during religious holidays or special events.

On Sundays and public holidays, opening hours are shorter, from 14:00 to 18:00. It is advisable to check the official calendar before planning your visit to make sure of the current opening hours.

Important: during the celebration of mass on weekends, no tourist visits are allowed.

The visit to Malaga Cathedral usually takes between 70 and 90 minutes, depending on how much time you spend admiring the details of the interior and going up to the terrace.

If you plan to visit with a guide, it is likely to take a little longer, as the guided tours are usually more detailed. Besides, Malaga is amazing and a visit to this temple opens the door to countless questions.

The best time to visit Malaga Cathedral is between April and June or September and October, when the weather is milder and there are fewer crowds of tourists. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, I recommend that you plan your visit early in the morning, right at opening, or in the last hours before closing.

The Cathedral of Malaga is located in the historic centre of the city, specifically at Calle Molina Lario, 9. To get there you can choose between:

• Bus: several city bus lines have stops near the cathedral, such as lines 1, 3, 4 and 11. The closest stop is Alameda Principal.
• Metro: although the Malaga metro does not go directly to the historic centre, you can take lines 1 or 2 to El Perchel or La Marina station and walk about 10-15 minutes to the cathedral.
• Car: the road is the N40, but bear in mind that the historic centre of Malaga has traffic restrictions, so it is advisable to park in a nearby car park, such as Calle Larios or Muelle Uno, and walk to the cathedral.

• The central nave: surprising for its height of almost 42 metres, the luminosity provided by the stained glass windows and the beauty of the Corinthian columns that surround it.
• The choir stalls: considered a masterpiece of wood carving, Pedro Mena, with his sculptures as a sign of faith, designed this 17th century stalls, one of the cathedral's great treasures.
• The monumental organ: with more than 4,000 pipes, the Baroque organ is one of the cathedral's musical jewels, and concerts are sometimes organised to enjoy its impressive sound.
• The Chapel of Santa Bárbara: this Renaissance altarpiece, a masterpiece of the 16th century, shows biblical scenes and figures of saints by the image-maker Nicolás Tiller and the painter Francisco de Ledesma. The carving of Santa Bárbara by Fernando Ortiz also stands out. It is the only vestige of the old mosque-cathedral and an example of Malaga's rich artistic heritage.

The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Malaga, mostly known as La Catedral de Málaga, is the central axis of the 'city of the Spanish paradise' and is flanked by five places of interest that you can walk around in 25 minutes from La Manquita following this map. You can:

• Visit the Museum - Casa natal de Picasso: only about 300 metres from the cathedral, this museum is dedicated to Malaga's most famous son, Pablo Picasso. After buying your ticket to the Pablo Picasso Museum you will be able to admire the most complete collection of works by the Malaga laureate.
• Visit the Roman Theatre: built in the 1st century B.C. under Augustus, it is one of the oldest remains of Malaga and a living testimony of the Roman presence in the city.
• Enter the Alcazaba: this palace-fortress of Muslim origin is one of the most important monuments in the city.
• Enter the Museum of Malaga: located in the Palacio de la Aduana, this is one of the best museums in Malaga. It houses a valuable collection of art and archaeology, with more than 15,000 pieces ranging from Phoenician times to the 20th century.
• Rest in Malaga Park. To finish this little 1 day tour in Malaga, relax; this large park is just a few steps away from the cathedral. With its lush vegetation and wide walkways, it's a perfect place to lose yourself in the sunrise.

• Buy your tickets online: Avoid the long queues by buying your tickets online. In addition, you can opt for better opening times and add extras, such as guided tours or access to the terraces.
• Wear comfortable shoes: a visit to the cathedral may include a climb to the terrace, which involves walking up steep stairs with about 200 steps.
• Visit early or late in the day: to avoid the crowds, it is best to arrive at the cathedral as soon as it opens or shortly before it closes. You will have a quieter visit and will be able to enjoy every corner of the cathedral at your leisure.
• Always consider the paid versions of the tickets: at least if you are signing up for the visit as a cultural activity, as only in this way you will have access to the audio guide for both adults and children, or if you chose to book your guided tour of Malaga Cathedral, the live commentary; otherwise you lose these benefits.
• Respect the religious space: although it is a major tourist destination, the cathedral is still a place of worship. Remember to be respectful during the visit, taking care of the volume of your voice and wearing clothes according to the temple, especially if there are religious celebrations going on.