Malaga holidays

When to go to Málaga

As the capital of Spain’s Costa del Sol, you can expect plenty of sun on a Málaga holiday. From June to September, average high temperatures are in the late 20s, climbing to 31C in July and August.

Málaga’s peak period is during the summer holidays and UK half-term holidays in May and October. The beaches and sights are likely to be busy, but families can still find cheap package deals.

If you want a cheap holiday to Málaga, it's wise to look for offseason deals, when the temperature dips. Winters are warm (average highs of 17C in January), but fog and the odd rainy day mean sunbathing is unlikely.

Shoulder months are a good bet for bagging a deal without compromising on weather. In April and October (average highs of 21C and 24C respectively), the main sights are open, but there are fewer crowds.

What to do in Málaga

Outdoorsy types and history buffs alike are well catered to on holidays to in Málaga. Learn about Málaga’s 3,000 years of history in its imposing fortresses and world-class museums or hike along a spectacular walkway suspended over a gorge. And if you’re just looking to relax, Málaga covers that, too.

Ruta de la Pasa

The Raisin Route is a 62km (38 mile) road journey that links Málaga to the picturesque whitewashed villages of the Axarquía region. Renowned as a muscatel grape-growing area, here you can try the grapes both as delicious sun-dried raisins and as local dessert wines.

Visit during December’s Verdiales Music Festival to see colourfully dressed pandas (groups of dancers and singers) from local towns competing for the top prize.

Hilltop fortresses and museums

Pay a visit to Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress palace dating and its neighbouring Roman amphitheatre. And at the iconic Gibralfaro Castle, you can walk along the restored ramparts for views across Málaga and its port.

If you like things a bit more modern, try the Picasso Museum, home to more than 200 art works, and the “pop-up” Centre Pompidou, with pieces by Frida Kahlo and Francis Bacon.

Malagueta Beach

Málaga has several beaches, but if you only visit one, make it Malagueta Beach. Its soft sands and sun-loungers are only a five-minute walk from the centre. Take a few hours to sun yourself, interrupting your lounging only for a trip or two to the chiringuitos (beach bars) by the sand.

Snap a selfie with the famous Malagueta sculpture before exploring the Bullring, the Pergola and the Centre Pompidou, all very close by.

El Caminito del Rey

For more than a decade, the death-defying El Caminito del Rey was too dangerous to walk, but in 2015, it reopened with a new boardwalk and handrail.

Now safe, the path takes you along sheer cliff faces and above a 100m (328ft) gorge below, so you still need a head for heights, but you can enjoy the scenery rather than concentrating on where you’re putting your feet. A shuttle bus back to the car park is available.

Relax with a hammam

There’s no better place to experience Málaga’s Moorish past than at Hammam Al Ándalus. Lovingly restored, the beautiful Arab baths’ décor and mosaic tiles are worth the entry price alone.

Book a water treatment using essential oils or a massage on a hot stone bed before plunging into soothing thermal baths in the grand central chamber. You can rehydrate by sipping on unlimited glasses of mint tea throughout your relaxation session.

Where to stay in Málaga

For families

Staying near the sea is a winner if kids are with you on holiday. The beachside suburb of La Caleta gives you easy access to the sand, and several child-friendly attractions are within walking distance. A day away from the beach could take you to Alborania Museum’s Classroom of the Sea, an interactive area where kids learn about local ecology through simulators and giant skeletons. Accommodation in La Caleta ranges from B&Bs to boutique hotels.

El Palo, a 15-minute drive from Málaga centre, is a peaceful family-friendly barrio (neighbourhood). There’s a popular beach with a pleasant promenade here.

For travellers on a budget

Stay in a cheap hostel in the historic centre if you want to be close to all the action. There are cheaper rooms outside the city centre, too. El Palo has budget hotels, and a regular bus service will have you in town in half an hour.

El Perchel, southwest of the old town, is another good spot for frugal travellers. There’s an authentic feel to this area, with tapas bars serving daily changing menus, and you can walk across the river to town in 20 minutes.

For food and drink

The funky neighbourhood of Soho has restaurants as creative as its galleries and street murals. You’ll find trendy restaurants serving fusion international cuisine, as well as traditional tapas bars by the water serving local favourites, such as boquerones fritos (fried anchovies). There are also a few craft beer bars.

Alternatively, stay in Pedregalejo, a 15-minute drive east of the centre, and soak up the traditional charm of the former fishing village. Find a sunny spot on a restaurant terrace overlooking the sea and order seafood paella or grilled fish caught that morning.

For nightlife

Much of Málaga’s nightlife is around the old town and La Merced, to the northeast. Spend an evening dining on tasty tapas in a cosy bar or enjoy a rooftop cocktail in a swish bar. Prefer to party? You can sing along to Spanish pop in chilled venues or dance the night away to DJ beats in chic clubs.

For a more laidback scene after dark, Pedregalejo has beachside bars for a cocktail or two as the sun sets. Or, feel the sand between your toes at one of the bars right on the sand.

For culture

If art is your thing, Soho’s apartments and mid-range and boutique hotels are good places to stay. In the neighbourhood is the Contemporary Art Museum, which has about 400 permanent pieces, and there’s street art all over the place. The Centre Pompidou is a 15-minute walk along the Muelle Uno waterfront shopping promenade.

To step into Málaga’s past, stay in the old town. From here, you can walk to historic Gibralfaro Castle, La Alcazaba and the Roman theatre. Huelin, meanwhile, is a beachside suburb with museums dedicated to cars and Russian art, just a 15-minute drive from the centre.