3 days in Malaga

Alcazaba

A Moorish palace-fortress on the hill above the old town, with three lines of walls, gates, courtyards and gardens. It takes a steady uphill walk, with views of the port at every turn.

3 h visitOpen 9:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:00 pmAdult ticket €7

Go at opening. The paths are steep and shaded only in patches, and the light on the port is best in the morning.

Tickets can be bought online and at the gate. A guided visit with entry included lets you skip the ticket queue, which can be long in busy periods and on Sunday afternoons, when entry is free.

From 1 November to 31 March it is open 09:00 to 18:00, with the last entry at 17:00. From 1 April to 31 October the hours are 09:00 to 20:00, with the last entry at 19:00. Entry is free every Sunday from 14:00.

Source: Ayuntamiento de Málaga, Alcazaba y Castillo de Gibralfaro, checked November 2, 2026

Museo Picasso Málaga

The main museum of the painter born in the city, set in a restored palace in the old town. It shows his work across his whole career, along with temporary exhibitions.

2 h 30 visitOpen 10:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:30 pmAdult ticket €13

Go as soon as it opens, before the tour groups arrive. The last two hours of opening on Sunday are free, but the queue is longest then.

All tickets are sold online. If the day is sold out, tickets may still be available at the box office in quiet periods, so buy ahead for weekends and holidays. A guided visit with entry included is also available.

It is open every day. From November to February the hours are 10:00 to 18:00. March to June and September to October the museum opens 10:00 to 19:00, and July and August 10:00 to 20:00. On 24 and 31 December and 5 January it closes at 15:00. Closed on 25 December, 1 January and 6 January. Entry stops 30 minutes before closing.

Source: Museo Picasso Málaga, checked November 2, 2026

Málaga Cathedral

A Renaissance cathedral with a tall nave and one tower left unfinished, which gave it the nickname La Manquita, the one-armed lady. The ticket includes an audioguide.

1 h 30 visitOpen 2:00 pm–6:00 pm · last entry 5:15 pmAdult ticket €10

Visit on a weekday morning. If you want the rooftop visit, check the official page first: it has about 200 steps up a narrow spiral staircase and can be cancelled in bad weather.

You can buy at the door or online, at the same price. Buying online avoids the ticket queue, which matters at busy times and on Sunday afternoons, the only time it opens that day.

From October to March it is open Monday to Friday 10:30 to 18:30, Saturday 10:30 to 18:00 and Sunday 14:00 to 18:00, with the last entry 45 minutes before closing. Summer hours are longer on weekdays. It is closed on 25 December and 1 January. Tourist visits are not allowed during services on Saturdays and Sundays.

Source: Catedral de Málaga, checked November 2, 2026

Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución

The main pedestrian street of the old town, lined with shops and uniform façades, leading to the central square. A good place to orient yourself and pass between sights.

1 h 15 visitAlways open

Walk it in the evening, when the stone is cool and the street is lit. In the early morning it is almost empty and good for photographs.

Source: Visita Málaga (Ayuntamiento de Málaga), checked November 2, 2026

English Cemetery

A walled garden cemetery used by Protestant foreigners since the 19th century, with tombs among cypress and palm trees. It is quiet and short.

1 h visitOpen 9:00 am–2:00 pm

Go in the morning and keep the afternoon for something else, since the gates close at 14:00.

It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 14:00 and closed on Mondays, except on public holidays. Check the official page for the admission price.

Source: Fundación Cementerio Inglés de Málaga, checked November 2, 2026

Atarazanas Market

The central food market, housed in a 19th century iron hall with a stone gate from an older building. Stalls sell fish, meat, fruit, cheese and olives, with tapas bars along the sides.

45 min visitOpen 8:00 am–3:00 pm

Come between 10:00 and 13:00 for the busiest stalls and the freshest fish. After 14:00 many stalls start to close.

It is open Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 15:00 and does not open on Sundays.

Source: Ayuntamiento de Málaga, checked November 2, 2026

Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga

A museum of Spanish painting from the 19th century, mostly Andalusian scenes, in a restored palace in the old town. It is small enough for a short visit.

1 h 30 visitOpen 10:00 am–8:00 pm · last entry 7:30 pmAdult ticket €12

Visit late morning, when the first rooms are quiet. Pair it with the Atarazanas market or Calle Larios, both a few minutes away.

It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00 and closed on Mondays, except on 18 May, 12 October and 7 December. Closed on 25 December, 1 January and 6 January. Entry stops 30 minutes before closing.

Source: Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga, checked November 2, 2026

Roman Theatre

The ruins of a Roman theatre at the foot of the Alcazaba, with the tiered seating and stage area visible. Entry is free and takes less than an hour.

40 min visitOpen 10:00 am–4:00 pm · last entry 3:30 pm

Combine it with the Alcazaba, since the two entrances are a few steps apart. There is a visitor limit, so wait a few minutes if the gate is full.

It is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 18:00 and on Sundays and public holidays 10:00 to 16:00. Closed on Mondays, on 1 and 6 January, 1 May, and 24, 25 and 31 December. Entry stops 30 minutes before closing.

Source: Junta de Andalucía, Enclave Arqueológico Teatro Romano de Málaga, checked November 2, 2026

Museo del Patrimonio Municipal (MUPAM)

The city's municipal museum, with art and heritage collections shown in permanent and temporary displays. A calm indoor visit near the Paseo del Parque.

1 h 15 visitOpen 10:00 am–8:00 pm · last entry 7:30 pm

A good indoor stop on a rainy or very hot afternoon. Combine it with a walk along Paseo del Parque.

From 1 September to 30 June it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00 without a break. In July and August it opens 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:30 to 21:30. Closed on Mondays, 25 December, and 1 and 6 January. Entry stops 30 minutes before closing. Check the official page for the admission price.

Source: Ayuntamiento de Málaga, Cultura, checked November 2, 2026

Centre Pompidou Málaga

A branch of the Paris museum in a glass cube on the port, with a semi-permanent display of modern and contemporary art. It makes a good wet-weather or midday stop.

2 h visitOpen 9:30 am–8:00 pm · last entry 7:30 pmAdult ticket €9

Allow time for the temporary exhibition as well as the permanent rooms. Sunday from 16:00 is free, but expect more visitors.

It is open Monday and Wednesday to Sunday from 09:30 to 20:00, and closed on Tuesdays, 1 January and 25 December. On 24 and 31 December it closes at 15:00. Entry stops 30 minutes before closing.

Source: Centre Pompidou Málaga, checked November 2, 2026

Muelle Uno and the port promenade

A pedestrian promenade along the harbour, with shops, restaurants and terraces facing the water. It is an easy evening walk after the museums close.

1 h 30 visitAlways open

Walk it at sunset, with the lights coming on over the harbour and the Alcazaba lit up on the hill.

Source: Muelle Uno, checked November 2, 2026

La Concepción Botanical Garden

A large historic garden north of the centre, with subtropical plants, a lake, waterfalls and a viewpoint over the city. It is a half-day excursion on a clear day.

3 h 30 visitOpen 9:30 am–5:30 pmAdult ticket €5.20

Go in the morning and bring water. The garden is on a hillside, so wear flat shoes and allow time for the paths.

From 1 October to 31 March it is open 09:30 to 17:30, and from 1 April to 30 September 09:30 to 20:30. Closed on Mondays, 25 December and 1 January, and it closes at 15:00 on 24 and 31 December. You can stay up to 30 minutes after closing.

Source: Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción, checked November 2, 2026

Picasso Birthplace Museum

The house on Plaza de la Merced where Picasso was born, turned into a small museum with family furniture, documents and works. It is quicker than the main museum and far cheaper.

1 h visitOpen 9:30 am–8:00 pm · last entry 7:45 pmAdult ticket €3

Combine it with the main Picasso museum on the same morning. Sunday from 16:00 to 20:00 is free, so expect a queue then.

It is open every day from 09:30 to 20:00, including public holidays. Closed on 1 January and 25 December. On 24 and 31 December it closes at 15:00. Admission ends 15 minutes before closing.

Source: Museo Casa Natal Picasso, checked November 2, 2026

Gibralfaro Castle

A military castle on the summit above the Alcazaba, reached by a walled path or by bus. Its walkway runs round the top of the walls with the widest view of the city.

2 h visitOpen 9:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:00 pmAdult ticket €7

Come in the late afternoon for the light over the bay, and go down by the walled path to the Alcazaba instead of back the way you came.

The hours are the same as the Alcazaba: 09:00 to 18:00 from 1 November to 31 March, with the last entry at 17:00, and 09:00 to 20:00 from 1 April to 31 October, with the last entry at 19:00. Entry is free every Sunday from 14:00.

Source: Ayuntamiento de Málaga, Alcazaba y Castillo de Gibralfaro, checked November 2, 2026