Budget Traveller's Guide to Malaga, Spain
- Lyn (aka Jazz)
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
Málaga is a port city in the southern Costa del Sol region of Spain and is often overlooked by travellers heading to the flashier towns of Andalusia. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has played a vital role in the region's success throughout its history. As a city undergoing regeneration, it's a fabulous city for budget travellers to explore.
This post was originally written in 2023, but has been updated with new
information based upon a recent visit in 2025.
Málaga is a perfect blend of old and modern, with trendy bars and markets neighbouring Gothic Cathedrals, stunning Arabic architecture, an 11th-century castle, Roman ruins and modern beach promenades. There is plenty for all to enjoy: art, culture, history, beauty, and an amazing food scene.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of Málaga
The city was initially named Melaka by the Phoenicians, who established a prosperous commercial hub. When the Muslims invaded in the 8th century, they put their imprint on the city as it became part of Granada's Nasrid Kingdom and an even more important centre of commerce and culture.
During the 19th Century, iron, steel, and wine production became the most important industries, but they suffered economic challenges in the first half of the 20th century. However, locals began to rapidly develop the tourism industry, which ultimately led to a resurgence in these industries. Today, tourism is a vital part of the local economy.
Budget Accommodation: Hostal Vidamia
As a budget traveller, staying in the historic centre of a city is often a good choice. Old cities tend to be walkable and are usually well-served by public transportation. I'm quite fond of private rooms in hostels. Mady and I did our usual dive into checking amenities, location, and reviews and chose Hostal Vidamia as our base for our time in the city.
The hostel offered several options for private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The rooms were comfortable and pleasantly decorated. Vidamia has a common TV lounge and dining area. Breakfast was included.
The location in the historic center worked well for us. It was less than 10 10-minute walk from our digs to the must-see items on our list: the Cathedral, Picasso Museum, and the Alcazaba.
Exploring Malaga
Malaga is a city of charming sidewalk cafes, grand historic plazas and fascinating architecture. The creative community has been drawn to this area for centuries. Reminders of Picasso are common here in his birthplace. Huge murals, mosaic floors, and street art are common sights.
Catédral de Málaga
The Cathedral of Málaga is located right in the centre of the historic area and can be seen from all directions. Construction began in 1528 on top of the former Mosque of Málaga and took more than 200 years. Due to the time it took to build, the structure was constructed in two distinctly different styles. It remains unfinished today. Locally known as La Manquita (the one-armed lady), it is the second-largest cathedral in southern Spain.
The Cathedral is open to visitors weekdays and Saturdays at 10:00, closing at 18:30 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturdays. To accommodate religious services, the cathedral requests that visitors arrive after 14:00. An adult ticket, which includes a visit to the roof, costs €12. Attending services on Sunday mornings is free of charge.
Picasso Museum
As we travel, we are discovering more about art and its artists. Málaga was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and is the perfect location to learn about Picasso's life and work. Prior to this trip, I must admit that I didn't really know how to appreciate Picasso's works, but after visiting the Museo Picasso Málaga, I gained a deeper appreciation and understanding.
The Museo Picasso Málaga showcases over 250 works of art donated by the Picasso family. It is housed in a former 16th-century palace, on the same street where young Pablo attended school. The audio guide is excellent and full of interesting information.
The Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00 and admission is a bargain at only €13.00. If you're visiting during the high season, consider booking your tickets in advance.
Málaga Museum
The Museo de Málaga is another outstanding Spanish museum and a true bargain -- it is free for EU citizens and only €1.50 for non-citizens. This museum is the result of the amalgamation of two former museums and continues to divide its exhibition into two separate sections: The Museum of Fine Arts and the provincial Archaeological Museum
The museum is closed on Mondays but is open from 09:00 to 21:00 Tuesday to Saturday, and from 09:00 to 15:00 on Sundays. Winter hours (mid-September to mid-June) are slightly shorter.
Alcazaba
The Málaga Alcazaba is a stunning 11th-century Moorish fortress built by the Hammudid dynasty using materials from the nearby Roman Theatre. Situated in the heart of the city, it is both a residence for local leaders and a defensive structure.
The fortress was later expanded and renovated by the Nasrid dynasty, who added many of the beautiful architectural features that can still be seen today.
The Málaga Alcazaba is on the Gibralfaro mountain, and was built on top of Phoenician ruins. Experts believe that it was initially at least twice as large as it is today.
The Alcazaba opens daily at 09:00, with the last entry at 19:30. Entry tickets can be purchased for visiting the Alcazaba (€3.50) or combined tickets (€5.50), which include entry to Gibralfaro Castle, are also available.
Alcazaba Gardens
Don't miss the lush gardens of the Alcazaba. We enjoyed strolling through the gardens, which felt fresh and cool in the summer sun's heat. There are many benches scattered about, providing places to sit and relax while admiring the flowers and fountains.
Castillo de Gilbralfaro
Adjacent to the Alcazaba is another must-see historical site, the 14th-century Gibralfaro Castle, which offers breathtaking views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a bit of a tough hike, but the views from the ramparts make it all worthwhile.
The Castle is most well-known for protecting the citizens during a 3-month siege that took place here when the Christian Spanish forces attacked the city, determined to flush the Moors. After the fall of Málaga, the Emirate of Granada surrendered, marking the end of the Moorish occupation of Spain.
Roman Amphitheatre
We are huge fans of Roman amphitheatres, and goodness knows, those Romans got around and built plenty. Not surprisingly, Málaga is home to a Roman Theatre, located just below the Alcazaba. The Theatre was lost for many centuries, only being rediscovered in 1951 underneath the House of Culture (since demolished). Since then, the site has been excavated, and a museum has been added. In addition to the Roman theatre, pools used for food preservation were uncovered.
The theatre was built in the 1st Century under the rule of Augustus and was used for two centuries. When the Moors moved in, the materials in the Theatre were used to build the Alcazaba, and eventually the theatre was buried under centuries of construction.
Today, the theatre is occasionally used for theatrical performances, especially during the summer months. It costs nothing to tour the site, making it a perfect excursion for the budget traveller.
Meander the Streets and Parks
My favourite way to explore a city is to wander. Málaga has much to explore along the streets. I especially enjoyed the sculptures and murals that were visible throughout the city.
During our April visit, we walked through El Parque de Málaga near the port and Centre Pompidou; I was delighted by the sight of industrious parrots building their nests high in the crowns of the palm trees.
Markets
I love visiting city markets, whether they specialize in food, crafts, or general goods. Málaga has several. Our favourites were the Central Market and the Merced. They are open from morning to early afternoon and are closed on Sunday.
Mercado Central de Atarazanas
This busy market is in a beautiful historic building. Mercado Central de Atarazanas is fronted by a huge archway that was once part of a shipyard. The building combines Moorish architecture with 19th-century design and a huge stained-glass window. Merchants inside include local cheese, meats, fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and countless varieties of olives as well as small bars and restaurants.
Mercado de la Merced
This market is found in the city center. The Merced is a more sophisticated gourmet market with tasty tapas and alcoholic drinks. This market is a happening place in the evenings.
Beaches
If you're a beach lover, you'll definitely want to spend some time at one of Malaga's many beaches. The city has over 20 kilometres of coastline, so you're sure to find a spot that suits your preferences. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include La Malagueta, El Palo, and Huelin.
Playa de la Malagueta is lined with shops and restaurants specializing in fresh seafood. Playa de la Caleta is another popular beach among locals.
The beachfront is a great place to meander, take a swim, or eat freshly grilled sardines cooked right on the beach. In typical beach town fashion, there are plenty of souvenir kiosks, street performers, and activities to enjoy.
Food and Drinks
Málaga is renowned for its cuisine and is home to numerous restaurants offering a diverse range of Andalusian specialties, as well as more modern fusion options. Specialties of the area include gazpacho (a cold tomato soup), tortilla de patatas (a potato pancake), jamón ibérico (cured ham), and local tapas.
Dinner service is often late, with locals waiting until after sunset before heading out for dinner. La Salita is a well-reviewed spot for budget yet delicious local meals. We enjoyed the tasty tapas at Casa Lola Unicbay, but tapas can be found on every corner.
Wine
This area is known for producing red and white wines, as well as sherry. There are several local wineries that offer tours and tastings (surprisingly, we didn't visit any of them). We found success asking your servers for suggestions.
Final Thoughts
Málaga is a city with something for everyone. Whether you're interested in history, nature, food and drink, or lounging on the beach, I'm sure that you'll find plenty to keep you entertained during your visit.
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Thanks for the budget travel guide. Malaga has been on a short list for me to visit for a little while. This guide confirms there is so much to do and provides options for downtime. I will need to investigate this accommodation as well. Who doesn't love history, architecture, art and beaches?
Great tips for exploring Malaga on a budget! I especially loved your recommendation about the free museum hours - had no idea that the Picasso Museum offers free entry on Sundays during the last two hours before closing. That's such a money-saver for art lovers! Soho sounds like a great area to stay in - affordable but trendy - meaning a great place to get lost wandering the streets!
Loved following you along Malaga, and I appreciate your note at the beginning of the post that you have visited the city twice and updated your content accordingly. A gold star for you! Plus I feel it creates more trust with your readers when they know your guide is not only based on a one time visit, plus it speaks for the destination that it was able to pull you back and engage you for a second time.
I would totally go and see the Picasso museum, too. I am glad to read that it was informative and interesting, unfortunately art museums of well-known artists tend to be more tourist traps than actually well curated to teach someone something new.…
Thanks Lyn for leaving us another insider's guide to Malaga. I love the city and I always gravitate to its buzz. Malaga may have been just a jumping point in the last decade to other parts of Andalusia but the city is a destination in itself. It has changed since and became more crowded much to the local's chagrin. Nevertheless, it's a city I keep on coming back to and one of my favorites ;-) #flyingbaguette
I had no idea Picasso was from Malaga. What a great way to learn more about him and his works. Although his art is not my favorite I still find it intriguing and that's actually a really good price for the museum. The Roman amphitheater would be top of my list, it makes you wonder how it could be so lost for so long. Speaking of unbelievable, what is with Spain and unfinished cathedrals? I'd like to explore Malaga cathedral though, and the gardens in the city also look worth seeing. By the way your hostel looks one of the nicest I've seen in a long time