AIL MÁLAGA (Malaga) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2023)

FAQs

What do I need to know before going to Malaga? ›

Malaga beaches attract a significant number of tourists each year, especially in the summer months. The golden sand and sparkling sea are among the Spanish city's greatest assets. Playa de la Malagueta is the city's main beach, with restaurants and bars dotted along the sandy shore.

Malaga is best known internationally for its nice weather, attractive beaches and many international golf courses. With more than 300 days of sun per year, the Costa del Sol is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain.

So, if you want to visit Málaga as a quick city break, then two to three days in the city could be the ideal amount of time. Two days will allow you to see all the main tourist sites and hit a couple of museums and a third day is ideal for a day trip or beach day.

The Arab Fortress, the Roman Theatre, the Gibralfaro Castle and the Cathedral of Malaga are monuments you should not miss. A nice way to start your day visit in Malaga is to walk up to the Gibralfaro Castle, which dates to the Phoenician period and whose outer walls are linked to the Arab fortress.

One day in Malaga gives you enough time to see the most important attractions, but if you want to explore the city more in-depth, you should spend a few days more.

The commercial heart of the city. Calle Larios is the most emblematic, elegant and famous pedestrian street in Málaga.

Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the 8th century BCE. It is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. Malaga is home to the Alcazaba, a Moorish castle and palace that dates back to the 11th century.

A person from Málaga is called malagueño, but also boquerón which means anchovy. The reason behind this is that anchovies are the typical fish in the city that you also find in many popular dishes such as pescaito frito (fried fish).

Is Malaga an expensive city? ›

Numbeo states that a single person would need a total of €663.50 per month to live in Málaga, excluding rental costs, while a family of four would need a total of €2,297.10 per month, excluding rent. One of the biggest costs is of course accommodation, whether you're renting or you decide to buy.

If you love the heat and sun, the best time to visit Malaga is between June and September. The hottest time of the year is July and August, which has an average temperature of 31°C and 11 hours of warm sunshine per day.

If you want a beach holiday with cultural highlights, Malaga is a perfect choice. However, if you want to immerse yourself in Andalusia's vibrant culture and history, Seville should be at the top of your list.

Málaga is a very walkable city. Its main attractions are spread over a concentrated area and the best way of getting around is on foot. But, if you prefer, there is the inevitable hop-on-hop-off (HOHO) bus service.

Caminito del Rey Trail. This almost 8-kilometre path near Malaga (Andalusia) was once considered one of the most dangerous in the world.

Visiting the stunning city of Malaga is safe, with a safety score of 76 based on the Travel Safe Abroad Index. It is one of the safest cities in the region of Andalusia, welcoming millions who enjoy its landmarks and activities and return home safely without incident.

Culture and people

The people from Malaga and the Andalusians in general are well-known for their great friendliness. The residents tend to love partying and enjoying themselves.

Not only does Malaga offer stunning landscapes, delicious cuisine, gorgeous beaches, and plenty of history, culture, and art, but is a location that can be visited all year round. That's the beauty of Malaga; its position makes it the perfect destination during the shoulder seasons and even the winter season.

When going from Malaga airport to Malaga city using a car or a bus, you may know that the city center is only 10.6 km from Malaga airport, with an approximate length of the journey of 16 minutes depending of the traffic.

Malaga old town is the historical center of the city, spreading around the Cathedral as one of its main landmarks, stretching all the way to Castillo Gibralfaro on one side, and the river Guadalmedina on the other side.

Should I wear jeans in Spain? ›

You can't go wrong with a pair of well-fitted denim, whatever time of year you're visiting Spain. In fact, it's common for both men and women to wear trousers or jeans on a daily basis, despite the heat. Shirts and classic button-downs are also year-round favourites and can be easily layered with a winter jacket.

Leaving a tip in Malaga restaurants is general practice, but how much you leave depends on two factors – the quality of the food and the service. If you think they merit a tip, then as a general rule leave between 5 and 10 per cent of your bill as a tip.

In the coldest month, January, the temperature ranges from 12 to 20 °C during the day. Málaga experiences one of the warmest winters in Europe. The average temperature during the day in the period December through February is 17–18 °C.

Forget your cereal, boiled eggs, sausages and yoghurts. Breakfast in Malaga centres around coffee and toasted bread, usually in the form of a bread roll known as a pitufo (also the word for Smurf!). Pitufos come in a variety of bread types including gluten-free and even more fillings.

Malaga is a sweet fortified wine originating in the Spanish city of Málaga made from Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel grapes. The center of Malaga production is Sierra de Almijara, along with Antequera, Archidona, San Pedro Alcantara, Velez Malaga and Competa, in the Spanish wine region of Málaga DOP.

The Spanish mealtimes typically include a light bite and coffee first thing in the morning, a more substantial "second breakfast," a hearty lunch, a mid-afternoon snack or merienda, tapas or an aperitif, and a light dinner.

Where is the best area in Malaga? The best area for the average traveler in Malaga is La Malagueta. It's close to the city's top attractions and restaurants, but not right in the middle of it all. If you're trying to decide where to stay in Malaga to experience the local nightlife, La Merced is the best choice.

What is the famous square in Málaga? ›

The plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square) has been the hub of Málaga's life from the time of the reconquest, when it was known as Four Street Square (Plaza de las Cuatro Calles). It was also known as Plaza Mayor (Main Square) until it was renamed in 1812 as Plaza de la Constitución.

Ronda. The 9th-century white town of Ronda is located in the north-west area of the province of Malaga, 113 km from the capital. Its 35,000 inhabitants can brag about living in one of the most spectacular white towns of Malaga, provided with countless possibilities to enjoy your holidays at best.

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Malaga, although there is also a substantial Protestant population living in the city. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is becoming increasingly popular in Malaga, and Islam is also on the rise with more mosques opening in the city.

People in Malaga speak Spanish with an Andalusian accent, which is softer than, say, the Spanish spoken by northern Spanish people.

It has a very vibrant English speaking community and due to its proximity to the capital of Andalusia, there are often events for expats in both towns. Malaga is easy to reach by train or car.

One of the most popular questions asked by foreign visitors to Spain and Portugal- is water from the tap OK to drink? The short answer is 'yes'.

Known along the Costa del Sol as having the 'richest town hall', it's no surprise that Benahavis is the richest town in Malaga province, with an average gross annual income of €28,428.

July is the hottest month in Malaga with an average temperature of 25°C (77°F) and the coldest is January at 12.5°C (55°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 11 in July. The wettest month is November with an average of 101mm of rain.

Once it's after midnight, it's officially time to head to the nightclubs. As a rule of thumb, nightlife in Málaga starts late at night and ends early in the morning. But going home after a wild night out isn't a problem here. Most bars in the center are within walking distance.

What is the hottest temperature in Malaga? ›

The highest temperature ever recorded during the day in the city centre is 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) on 13 August 1881. In the month of August 1881, the average reported daytime maximum temperature was a record 34.8 °C (94.6 °F).

Málaga has become a thoroughly chic city, boasting exquisite architecture, sunny beaches, stunning botanical gardens, fabulous cuisine and a culturally dynamic art district.

Granada and Malaga are two highly recommended cities in Andalusia, Spain. So you might consider setting a base in one of them and visiting the other as a day trip. Malaga is definitely the bigger city with almost 580,000 inhabitants compared to Granada with about 230,000 inhabitants.

It takes an average of 2h 6m to travel from Málaga to Seville by train, over a distance of around 98 miles (157 km).

Reserve a ride with Uber in advance in Malaga

Complete your plans today by reserving a ride with Uber in Malaga.

Metro is a cheap and convenient way to travel

Using the metro in Málaga is an easy travel option since there are only 2 lines. Line 1 runs from Andalusia Tech to El Perchel and has 11 stops. Some important stops include the university and the hospital.

-Negative COVID test: A negative Nucleic Acid Amplification test (PCR, TMA, LAMP, NEAR, etc.) taken within 72 hours of departure for Spain, or a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) taken within 24 of departure for Spain, will be accepted.

COVID19 tests available at Malaga airport.

Visiting the stunning city of Malaga is safe, with a safety score of 76 based on the Travel Safe Abroad Index. It is one of the safest cities in the region of Andalusia, welcoming millions who enjoy its landmarks and activities and return home safely without incident.

What does a US citizen need to travel to Spain? ›

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

This means that U.S. citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. You must have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.

Use of face masks

The use of face coverings is mandatory for anyone over the age of 6 years if you are in the following situations: visiting a hospital or medical centre (including other healthcare settings such as dentists, opticians, pharmacies etc.) visiting a care or nursing home.

Travellers from the UAE need to undergo an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 only if required by the destination country.

Wearing a face mask is not mandatory in airports and transport (aeroplanes, trains, buses etc.) but a responsible use of the face mask is recommended inside closed public spaces where there are people in transit or staying for a prolonged amount of time.

Most travellers must now have a negative pre-departure test result and supporting documentation to travel overseas. The following information is for people receiving their test at their GP or other medical practice.

From 26 June 2021, the use of face masks will be obligatory for anyone over 6 years of age in busy public spaces, enclosed spaces and anywhere where it is not possible to maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres (in accordance with the Health regulations: Royal Decree Law 13/2021 of 24 June).

Most night scenes are located in the Center of Málaga, particularly in Plaza de la Merced and Plaza de Uncibay. Clubs and bars are located in almost every charming street and open until 3-4 am. Most of the bars here are reasonably priced.

In the coldest month, January, the temperature ranges from 12 to 20 °C during the day. Málaga experiences one of the warmest winters in Europe. The average temperature during the day in the period December through February is 17–18 °C.

Where is the best area in Malaga? The best area for the average traveler in Malaga is La Malagueta. It's close to the city's top attractions and restaurants, but not right in the middle of it all. If you're trying to decide where to stay in Malaga to experience the local nightlife, La Merced is the best choice.

WINTER: December, January, February

January is the coldest month of the year, and during the night, temperatures can really drop and the sea winds and humidity add a chill factor.