Free things to do · Málaga · Spain
9 free things to do in Málaga
Málaga without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tyk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Málaga without paying an entry fee: Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución, Roman Theatre, Mercado Central de Atarazanas and Muelle Uno and the port promenade are all free. Several monuments and museums, including the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, have offered free entry on Sunday afternoons; check current times.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 8
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Street · Centro Histórico
1.Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución
Walk it early in the morning to see the marble gleaming before the crowds; in December, the light shows run in the evenings.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Iconic
Historic site · Centro Histórico
2.Roman Theatre
Come after dark, when the theatre and the Alcazaba walls above are floodlit, and have a drink on the terraces opposite.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- After dark
Market · Centro Histórico
3.Mercado Central de Atarazanas
Go late morning for a plate of fried fish and a beer at one of the market bars; it does not open on Sundays.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Architecture
- Free
- Shopping
Waterfront · La Malagueta
4.Muelle Uno and the port promenade
Walk it at sunset, then continue to La Malagueta for dinner at a beach restaurant.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- After dark
- Outdoors
Beach · La Malagueta
5.La Malagueta beach
Take a photo at the big MALAGUETA letters, then walk east to the quieter La Caleta stretch.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Food
Street · Soho
6.Soho street art
Start at the CAC Málaga, then wander the streets around Calle Tomás Heredia and Calle Casas de Campos.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Photo spot
Gallery · Soho
7.CAC Málaga
Check the programme online; large exhibitions change several times a year.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Waterfront · Pedregalejo
8.Pedregalejo and El Palo seafront
Arrive around 2pm for lunch like locals, or at sunset for a walk along the promenade.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Couples
- Kids
Park · Centro Histórico
9.Paseo del Parque
Use it as a shaded walking route on hot days between the centre and the beach.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centro Histórico | Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución, Roman Theatre, Mercado Central de Atarazanas and Paseo del Parque | 30 minutes + 30 minutes + 45 minutes + 30 minutes |
| La Malagueta | Muelle Uno and the port promenade and La Malagueta beach | 1 hour + Half a day |
| Soho | Soho street art and CAC Málaga | 1 hour + 1 hour |
| Pedregalejo | Pedregalejo and El Palo seafront | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Palace · Centro Histórico
Alcazaba of Málaga
Buy the combined ticket with Gibralfaro, and use the lift from Calle Guillén Sotelo behind the town hall to skip the steepest climb.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
- Kids
Religious site · Centro Histórico
Málaga Cathedral
Book the rooftop tour for late afternoon light, and look at the stump of the unfinished tower from Plaza del Obispo.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Views
- History
Castle · Centro Histórico
Gibralfaro Castle
Take bus 35 up and walk down the zigzag path to the Alcazaba; the Mirador de Gibralfaro just below the castle is free.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
- Kids
Museum · Centro Histórico
Museo de Málaga
Start with the archaeology rooms on the top floor, then work down; the courtyard is a cool break on hot days.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · La Merced and Lagunillas
Museo Casa Natal Picasso
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.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Garden · Northern Málaga
La Concepción Historical-Botanical Garden
Visit in spring for the wisteria; take a bus or taxi, as it is about 7 km from the centre.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Museum · Centro Histórico
Interactive Music Museum
Allow time in the hands-on rooms, where children can try the instruments themselves.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
Historic site · La Malagueta
English Cemetery
Combine it with a walk along the Paseo de Reding to La Malagueta.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
More ways to save
- Several monuments and museums, including the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, have offered free entry on Sunday afternoons; check current times.
- The CAC Málaga, the Roman Theatre and the Mirador de Gibralfaro are free.
- Take the C1 train from the airport rather than a taxi; it is fast and inexpensive.
- Eat espetos and fried fish in Pedregalejo and El Palo rather than in the old town's touristy squares.
- Visit between November and February for low hotel prices and mild weather, avoiding Christmas week.
- Book well ahead or avoid Semana Santa and the August Feria, when prices rise sharply.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Málaga expensive to visit?
Málaga is affordable for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Málaga?
Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución: Walk it early in the morning to see the marble gleaming before the crowds; in December, the light shows run in the evenings.