With kids · Málaga · Spain
Málaga with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: NatalieMaynor, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Málaga suits families: city beaches with calm, shallow water at Pedregalejo, castle walls to climb at the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, a hands-on music museum and shaded gardens. Sea Life and theme parks along the Costa del Sol are a short train ride away. Top picks: Alcazaba of Málaga, Gibralfaro Castle and La Malagueta beach. Families usually base themselves in La Malagueta.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 6
- Best area for families
- La Malagueta
- Rainy-day options
- 1
- Busiest months
- July–August
Best things to do with kids
Palace · Centro Histórico
1.Alcazaba of Málaga
Built in the 11th century on the hill above the port, this Moorish palace-fortress climbs through horseshoe arches, double walls and courtyards with fountains and orange trees to Nasrid-era palace rooms at the top. 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.
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
Castle · Centro Histórico
2.Gibralfaro Castle
The 14th-century castle crowning the hill above the Alcazaba was built by the Nasrid rulers of Granada to protect it. 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.
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
Beach · La Malagueta
3.La Malagueta beach
The city beach closest to the centre is a long strip of dark sand with lifeguards and facilities in summer and chiringuitos grilling sardines on skewers in old boats filled with sand. It is about 15 minutes' walk from the cathedral.
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
Waterfront · Pedregalejo
4.Pedregalejo and El Palo seafront
The promenade through the former fishing villages of Pedregalejo and El Palo is lined with family restaurants grilling espetos of sardines over wood fires in boats on the sand. Small beaches protected by breakwaters have calm water, and locals come for long weekend lunches.
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
Museum · Centro Histórico
5.Interactive Music Museum
The Museo Interactivo de la Música displays hundreds of instruments from around the world, and many rooms invite visitors to play drums, guitars, pianos and percussion. It is one of the best rainy-day options for children in the centre.
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
Garden · Northern Málaga
6.La Concepción Historical-Botanical Garden
A 19th-century estate garden on the northern edge of the city, with a romantic tropical woodland of palms, ficus and bamboo, a wisteria arbour, ponds and a viewpoint over the city. It was created by a wealthy Málaga family and is now a municipal 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
Rainy-day ideas
- Interactive Music Museum — Allow time in the hands-on rooms, where children can try the instruments themselves.
Where families should stay
$$$ · Best for beach, families and first-timers
La Malagueta
La Malagueta is the closest beach district to the centre: a strip of hotels and apartment blocks along the sand, with chiringuito beach restaurants grilling espetos. The bullring, the Paseo del Parque and Muelle Uno are on its doorstep, and the cathedral is about a 15-minute walk.
- Good
- Beach and old town both walkable; Sea-view hotels; Easy for families
- Watch out
- Pricier in summer; Beach gets crowded on weekends
- Nearby
- La Malagueta beach, Muelle Uno, Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta, English Cemetery
Family travel tips
- Use the lift near the town hall to reach the Alcazaba without the steep climb.
- Pedregalejo's beaches are sheltered by breakwaters and good for young swimmers.
- Spanish meal times are late; feed younger children earlier in cafés or have a big lunch.
- Midday summer heat is intense; plan sightseeing for mornings and beaches for late afternoon.
- The C1 train to Benalmádena reaches family attractions on the Costa del Sol in about 20 minutes.
Day trips for families
- Caminito del Rey (About 1 hour by car or train) — A cliff-hugging walkway pinned to the walls of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge, rebuilt and reopened in 2015.
- Nerja and Frigiliana (About 1 hour 15 minutes by bus) — Nerja's Balcón de Europa viewpoint juts over coves and beaches, and the nearby Cueva de Nerja has huge cavern halls with prehistoric paintings.
- Mijas Pueblo (About 45 minutes by train and bus) — A whitewashed hill village above Fuengirola with views to the sea, a small bullring, a chapel carved into the rock and lanes of craft shops.
When to go with children
The best months overall are April–June and September–October. July–August are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Málaga good for kids?
Málaga suits families: city beaches with calm, shallow water at Pedregalejo, castle walls to climb at the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, a hands-on music museum and shaded gardens. Sea Life and theme parks along the Costa del Sol are a short train ride away.
+What can kids do in Málaga?
Alcazaba of Málaga, Gibralfaro Castle, La Malagueta beach, Pedregalejo and El Palo seafront and Interactive Music Museum.
+Where should families stay in Málaga?
La Malagueta: City beach, seafront hotels and the bullring next to the port.