Much more than a holiday resort, the city of Málaga has plenty of surprises in store. It’s a charming place to be with something for all tastes, whether you are travelling as a family, on a romantic break, solo or with friends. Beautiful gardens, cool roof terrace bars and some of the best shopping in southern Spain offer just some of the alternatives to beach life, and it’s a city with a full calendar of events, from the big Málaga Fair each summer to the Málaga Jazz Festival in the autumn.
If you’re returning to Málaga after several years, you’ll find that the city has really upped its game as a dining destination in the last decade or so. While the tourist traps still exist, you should also be able to find some high-quality options without too much trouble. There are lovely bakeries, chocolate shops for your coffee and churros and fish restaurants serving Málaga’s signature pescaíto, for example. Countless tapas bars ranging from OK to gourmet are all over the city too.
Something new visitors may not expect is the city’s vast range of museums – there are more than 30 to choose from. Many focus on the art of various styles, but there are also museums dedicated to musical instruments, cars, flamenco and local history, as well as the locally produced wine.
A huge range of traditional markets add colour to Málaga’s shopping scene, and there are plenty of independent shops to discover along with all the usual chains. Elegant Calle Larios is a good place to start for well-known international fashion brands.
Both in Málaga itself and around the Costa del Sol, you have a huge range of water-parks, amusement parks, wildlife parks and the like, affirming the region’s credentials as a family favourite. If that’s really not your thing, you’ll be reassured that Málaga has some chilled-out, child-free spots worth checking out too – as the region’s home of jazz, there are plenty of clubs to discover, while dozens of rooftop bars offer similarly cool vibes with views to match.