Malaga is a paradise for all travellers, from culture lovers to revellers on a Benidorm booze cruise. The city is scattered with vestiges of the rich Moorish heritage, opulent Baroque buildings, and minimalist modern architecture. The plethora of art galleries and museums makes Malaga one of the best cultural destinations in Europe.
City Centre
Museo Picasso Malaga
The Picasso museum is located in the Palacio de Buenavista, very close to the house where Picasso was born. This house on Plaza de la Merced is also a museum. They are both worth a visit, as they will enable you to have a glimpse into the life of this great artist. Besides, there’s a good shop and a cafe just on the spot, so you’ll be able to relax and enjoy a few moments of silence. There’s also a statue of Picasso on the bench in front of the house, waiting for you to take a photo with it.
Expert’s tip: this museum is one of the most sought-after attractions in Malaga, so it is usually quite busy. Buy your ticket online to avoid the queue.
Climb the Domed Rooftops of the Cathedral
This cathedral took so long to build that it boats a mix of architectural styles, ranging from Gothic to Baroque and Renaissance. In fact, the construction of one of the towers has never been completed. This doesn’t make the cathedral less beautiful or less impressive, this building being by far the largest in the city centre. Although the entrance isn’t free of charge, the cathedral is worth a visit, as it features beautifully carved choir stalls, two 18th-century organs, and paintings and sculptures by famous artists.
Expert’s tip: take a guided tour of the domed rooftops to enjoy some amazing photo opportunities. You can buy your tickets from the Palacio Episcopal. Check out the opening hours, as they may vary with the seasons.
Visit the Biggest Museum in Andalucia
The former 18th-century customs building is home to this impressive art museum. Here you’ll have the pleasure of admiring Roman marble figures, Moorish ceramics, as well as many other archaeology pieces. Furthermore, the Malaga art museum hosts a collection of fine art works by famous local artists.
Expert’s tip: there’s more to this museum than the exhibitions and the fine art collections – just take a look at the roof to admire the 6,000 ceramic tiles decorated with engravings of Malaga, and don’t overlook the elegant courtyard with its impressively tall palm trees.
Visit Alcazaba de Malaga
If you want to see some Moorish history, you should climb to the top of Mount Gibralfaro to visit the Alcazaba. This very well-preserved site is one of the best things to see in Malaga, as it is perhaps the most eloquent example of this region’s Moorish history. The construction is actually of Roman origin, but it was built in the 11th century by Moorish rulers who wanted to use it as palace and fortress at the same time. The Alcazaba hosts a museum where you can see Moorish ceramics and Roman mosaics.
Expert’s tip: as the hill is rather steep, you may want to take the lift rather than walking your way to the top. You’ll find the lift entrance behind the Ayuntamiento, on Calle Guillen Sotelo.
Get a Taste of Malaga’s Food Scene
The Mercado Central is the best place to go to experience a sample of Malaga’s food scene. This wrought iron building dating back from the 19th century is a paradise of vegetables, fruit, fish, and legs of jamon (ham). This is the best place to have some tapas or some fresh fish grilled to order.
Expert’s tip: while here, ensure that you don’t miss the southern facade with its 14th century Moorish arch that was once the gateway between the port and the city.