2 days in Málaga

Day by day

1. Day 1: Alcazaba of Málaga and Museo Picasso Málaga

   Alcazaba of Málaga, Museo Picasso Málaga, Málaga Cathedral and Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución, then Roman Theatre in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Alcazaba of Málaga

      It is smaller than the Alhambra but gives a good sense of Andalusian palace architecture, with views over the port and the Roman Theatre below.

   2. Late morning

      Museo Picasso Málaga

      The basement reveals Phoenician and Roman remains found during the building's restoration.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Espetos de sardinas

      Chiringuito beach restaurants at La Malagueta, Pedregalejo and El Palo.

   4. Afternoon

      Málaga Cathedral

      Inside are carved choir stalls and huge organs, and guided rooftop tours walk across the vaults for views over the city.

   5. Late afternoon

      Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución

      It leads to Plaza de la Constitución, the old town's main square, and is famous for its elaborate Christmas light displays and as a route for Semana Santa processions.

   6. Evening

      Roman Theatre

      Come after dark, when the theatre and the Alcazaba walls above are floodlit, and have a drink on the terraces opposite.

2. Day 2: Gibralfaro Castle and Mercado Central de Atarazanas

   Gibralfaro Castle, Mercado Central de Atarazanas, Carmen Thyssen Museum and Museo de Málaga, then Muelle Uno and the port promenade in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Gibralfaro Castle

      Its main attraction is the walk along the ramparts, with the best views in the city over the port, the bullring and the coast; a small museum covers its military history.

   2. Late morning

      Mercado Central de Atarazanas

      Stalls sell local fish, olives, almonds and fruit, and tapas bars inside fry seafood to order.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fried fish

      Beach restaurants, freidurías in the old town and the bars inside the Atarazanas market.

   4. Afternoon

      Carmen Thyssen Museum

      It is compact and rarely crowded.

   5. Late afternoon

      Museo de Málaga

      Entry has been free for EU citizens and inexpensive for others.

   6. Evening

      Muelle Uno and the port promenade

      Walk it at sunset, then continue to La Malagueta for dinner at a beach restaurant.

Before you go

• Museo Picasso Málaga: Book a timed ticket online in high season and on cruise-ship days.

If it rains

• Swap in Museo Casa Natal Picasso (La Merced and Lagunillas): Sit beside the Picasso statue in the square for the photo, then visit the house before the main museum to see where his story began.
• Swap in CAC Málaga (Soho): Check the programme online; large exhibitions change several times a year.
• Swap in Interactive Music Museum (Centro Histórico): Allow time in the hands-on rooms, where children can try the instruments themselves.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 10–12 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.7 hours in December to 14.7 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Walking. Most sights are within 15 minutes of the cathedral on foot, and the pedestrianised old town and port promenade are pleasant to walk.

More or fewer days

• One day in Málaga
• 3 days in Málaga
• 5 days in Málaga

Questions travellers ask