Aerial view of Malaga, Spain
MÁLAGA’S GOT SOL

Cruise from Málaga, Spain

Busy Costa del Sol airport sits about 20 minutes from Málaga, and it's accessible via taxi or public transport. The brand-new Málaga Cruise Terminal is just a 10-to-15-minute walk from most city center attractions. Cruise from Málaga to stroll to Ataranzas Market and peruse the vendors for local cheese, honey and fresh bread. Then, make your way to more ancient sights, like the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre or the hilltop fortress Castillo del Gibralfaro.
National Language Spanish
Currency Accepted Euro (EUR)

Things To Do in Málaga

View of the Alcazaba fortress in Malaga, Spain

Moor History

View of the Alcazaba fortress in Malaga, Spain

View of the Alcazaba fortress in Malaga, Spain

Moor History

Ascend to the top of La Alcazaba, the medieval Moorish fortress that towers over the city. This palatial fortification was built by the Hammudid dynasty in the early 11th century and is the best-preserved Moorish castle in Spain. From here, you can wander down to the Roman Amphitheatre that sits beneath it, before you gaze up at the 16th-century cathedral that sits right in the city center.

The Malagueta beach sign in Malaga, Spain

Work on Your Tan

The Malagueta beach sign in Malaga, Spain

The Malagueta beach sign in Malaga, Spain

Work on Your Tan

It just wouldn't be a trip to the Costa del Sol without a little coast and sun. Most tourists stick to the convenient La Malagueta Beach, but if you've got more than a couple hours in Málaga, you can take a taxi to less crowded but equally beautiful beaches to the east, like Playamar or Playa de Burriana.

Plaza de la Merced in Malaga, Spain
Plaza de la Merced in Malaga, Spain

Paint With Picasso

The most obvious way to follow Málaga's Picasso trail is to visit the Picasso Museum, which has many pieces you won't find anywhere else. You can also visit the artist's birthplace, or take a "Ride With Picasso" bike tour that features Picasso-focused city sightseeing, including Plaza de Merced, where the formidable painter took his first steps as a child.

Gambas Pil Pil shrimp dish in a bowl
Gambas Pil Pil shrimp dish in a bowl

Local Cuisine

Seafood is the focus of gastronomy in Málaga. Don't miss the city's signature dish of gambas al pil-pil, flash-fried fresh prawns with garlic, paprika and chilies. During your Málaga cruise, order a basket of pescado frito, an array of local white fish, clams and other seafood breaded and fried. Finish up with tarta malaguena, a cake made with almonds and raisins, and a glass of Málaga dessert wine.

Ceramic pottery for sale in Spain
Ceramic pottery for sale in Spain

Shopping

Pop into a local wine shop to take a bottle of Málaga dessert wine back home with you. Málaga cruises provide access to an eclectic range of other souvenirs, like hand-painted Andalusian ceramics or handmade fans to help you beat the heat. You can also find some of Spain's best olive oil here — pick up some of this cloudy, spicy liquid gold from the Ataranzas Market.

Insider's Tips
Insider's Tips
1 The center of Málaga is relatively small and walkable, but don't take this for granted — three to five hours will pass quickly.
2 If you don't speak Spanish, make sure to cache a Spanish dictionary in your smartphone's Translate app.

My Personas

code: