Consider a honeymoon or romantic getaway in Malaga, a bustling commercial and residential port city, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and home to the best historic sites on Spain’s most famous coastline – the Costa del Sol.
Explore the cultural heart of the city in the Casco Antiguo (Old Town), where you can visit the 11th century Moorish Alcazba, the best-preserved alcazaba (citadel) in Spain, offering stunning views from its hilltop location.
Admire the ruins of a 2nd century Roman Theatre and the soaring Málaga Cathedral – a 16th century Renaissance masterpiece built on the site of a former mosque.
Then pop into the compelling Museo Picasso Málaga, displaying more than 200 paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics that Picasso kept for himself or gave to his family.
Nearby sits the birthplace of Picasso, now a small museum and library of his works, with occasional exhibitions. Art lovers will also appreciate the collection of fine Spanish art held in the Museo Carmen Thyssen Bornemisza.
Stroll the palm-fringed Paseo del Parque, a pedestrian promenade lined with fountains, manicured gardens and ponds filled with ducks.
At sunset, wander along the Paseo Marítimo that flanks La Malagueta Beach, well known for its chiringuitos (beachside bars) serving cold beer and delicious fresh seafood.
Or head over to the Plaza de la Marina, which boasts a choice of cafés and an illuminated fountain overlooking the port.
Browse the fashion boutiques on the elegant pedestrian-only Calle Marqués de Larios and explore the narrow streets around the Plaza de la Constitucion and Calle de Granada, lined with shops, tapas bars and wine bodegas.
Malaga’s beaches are more popular for their numerous chiringuitos – beachside bars serving cold beer and delicious fresh seafood – than for anything else.
Here, grey sand lies between the palm-fringed Paseo Marítimo (boardwalk) and the clean, blue Mediterranean Sea. The best beaches include…
Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on the best beach in Malaga, a 2km-long man-made beach, with golden sand imported from the Sahara Desert.
Conveniently located in La Malagueta district of Malaga, close to the city centre, this long beach is popular with locals and offers a range of sports activities just a short stroll away from bars, restaurants and cafes.
The beach is flanked by the palm-fringed Paseo Marítimo and offers facilities including sun beds, parasols, showers, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards and regular police patrols.
This wide, 1.2km-long crescent of grey sand sits conveniently close to the city centre and is divided into small sheltered coves by long rocky breakwaters.
A short stroll away lays a selection of restaurants, cafes and bars that line the lively promenade.
Facilities include a choice of water sports, sun beds, parasols, showers, a children's playground, ramps for people with disabilities, lifeguards and regular police patrols.
Stay for a night or longer at the magnificent former castle, the Parador de Málaga-Gibralfaro, one of Spain’s oldest and most traditional paradors (high class hotels that are often restored castles, fortresses, monasteries and palaces etc).
Or try the AC Málaga Palacio, located in the centre of town and offering views of the tree-lined promenade and port, one of several outstanding accommodation options for honeymoon couples.
Here's a selection of the best hotels in Malaga to get you started…
Vincci Selección Posada del Patio
Location: Pasillo de Santa Isabel, Malaga Centro
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD279 per room
Description: The Posada del Patio is 5-star hotel, situated in the centre of Málaga, with a rooftop swimming pool and free Wi-Fi. It features a fascinating exhibition of historic objects. All rooms come with welcome products, a safe and a flat-screen TV. They feature a contemporary design and include a modern bathroom. Vincci Selección Posada del Patio also offers the exclusive Essence experience, with rooms located separately on an independent floor. Some of the services offered for these rooms include a daily bottled water, national and international daily press, and a private terrace. Snacks and beverages are also available. Important archaeological remains have been found beneath the Vincci Selección Posada del Patio. These include part of the city's Arabic walls, which guests can visit from the hotel. Le diner restaurant & champagnerie serves nouvelle mediterranean cuisine. The hotel's breakfast includes products for celiacs. The hotel also has a stylish bar. The Posada del Patio is just 10 minutes’ walk from the AVE high-speed Train Station. The Cathedral and Picasso Museum are 500 metres away and the hotel is a 15-minute walk from the beach.
Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro
Location: Castillo de Gibralfaro, Malaga Centro
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD267 per room
Description: This Parador Hotel has an unbeatable central location in Málaga next to the castle. On top of Mount Gibralfaro, guests overlook the city and the Mediterranean Sea from a unique perspective. Head to the roof terrace for a fabulous swimming pool and terrace with incredible views. Stay active this holiday thanks to the Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro's location next to Parador del Golf which features facilities for practicing tennis and golf. Interiors of the Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro are welcoming and charming. Sit and chat with friends in the lounge areas where you can admire the elegant antique furniture, rich fabric and warm Mediterranean tones. Sample Andalusian specialties in the Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro's restaurant which, among other dishes, serves delicious fresh fish and seafood. Alcazaba is just 500 m away. Built in the 11th century to protect Malaga from pirates, this is the best preserved Moorish Citadel you'll find in Spain.
Room Mate Valeria
Location: Plaza de la Marina Esquina, Malaga Centro
Rating: 4.5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD219 per room
Description: Featuring a seasonal rooftop swimming pool with views and a courtyard, Room Mate Valeria is 200 m away from Calle Larios. Free WiFi is available throughout. All air-conditioned, soundproofed rooms in this design hotel include a flat-screen TV with USB and HDMI connection, full-length mirror, minibar, and a safe. The private bathroom comes with a hairdryer, rain-effect shower and free toiletries. Room Mate Valeria offers a fitness centre and meeting facilities. Breakfast is served until 12:00. Malaga Centro is a great choice for travelers interested in museums, tapas and shopping. Calle Larios – just 250 m away. Known as Malaga's Fifth Avenue, here you'll find a perfect mix of traditional businesses and the most modern fashion brands. Malaga Cathedral is 300 metres away while La Malagueta Beach is 20 minutes’ walk. Malaga Airport is 8 km from Room Mate Valeria.
Petit Palace Plaza Málaga
Location: Nicasio, Malaga Centro
Rating: 4.5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD190 per room
Description: Located just off the popular Larios Street, next to Carmen Thyssen Museum and opposite Málaga Cathedral, this design hotel features free WiFi and free iPads. The property offers MiFi (subject to availability for an extra cost). Petit Palace Plaza Málaga is set in a 20th-century palatial residence, and its rooms are decorated with warm colours and flower designs. Some rooms have views of the cathedral. Guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet in the hotel’s traditional Andalusian courtyard, where there is also free WiFi. The hotel offers a bicycle hire service, and baby prams and children's car seats are available (subject to availability). The Plaza Málaga is situated 300 metres from the Picasso Museum and 500 metres from Málaga Port. La Malagueta Beach is a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride away. Revello de Toro Museum is 2 km from the hotel.
AC Hotel Malaga Palacio
Location: Cortina del Muelle, Malaga Centro
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD178 per room
Description: Located between Málaga Cathedral and Paseo del Parque, AC Málaga Palacio features a rooftop swimming pool and views of Málaga’s port. It has a gym and rooms with flat-screen TVs. The AC Hotel Málaga Palacio has simple, contemporary décor throughout. Each of its rooms has a minibar and satellite TV channels. WiFi access is available at an extra cost. The AC’s restaurant offers a buffet breakfast and a selection of Spanish cuisine. The stylish dining room offers panoramic sea and park views. Gluten-free menus are available on prior request. Guests can enjoy a drink or snack in the AC Lounge, or in the Bar Ático, located on the 15th-floor’s terrace. The famous Picasso Museum is just 700 metres from the AC Hotel Málaga Palacio, La Alcazaba Castle is a 5-minute walk away. Málaga Railway Station is 2 km from the hotel and the property is a 10-minute walk from the beach.
Barceló Malaga
Location: Héroe de Sostoa, Malaga Centro
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD177 per room
Description: Barceló Málaga has direct access to Malaga's AVE high-speed train station and is a 10 minute walk from the historic center of the city. This stylish hotel offers free Wi-Fi and a free gym and sauna. The hotel's unique design includes an enormous stainless steel slide, leading from the second floor to its B-Lounge cocktail bar. It also offers an award-winning gourmet restaurant, El Andén. The air-conditioned rooms at the Barceló Málaga feature modern and colorful décor. They include a pillow menu, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a stylish bathroom with a hydro-massage shower. Málaga’s Contemporary Art Center is less than half a kilometer from the hotel, while Málaga Cathedral and the Picasso Museum are a 20 minute walk away. This property is a 9-minute walk from the beach. The train station offers direct services to Málaga Airport.
The best time to visit Malaga for a beach holiday is during summer, from June to mid-September.
For walking and hiking, the best time is spring, during April and May, so avoiding the summer heat; and the beginning of autumn, from mid-September to mid-October, although you may experience some rainfall.
Malaga has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny summers and mild, rainy winters.
Read more about Málaga weather…
Malaga lies on the Costa del Sol about 100km (62mi) east of the Straits of Gibralter and about 130km (81mi) east of Tarifa (the southernmost point of continental Europe).
The most convenient route to Malaga is by air to Málaga Airport (AGP), officially Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport, located 8km (5mi) southwest of Málaga city centre.
From the airport, a frequent bus service links all the towns along the Costa del Sol. Taxis and hire cars are also available. A train service also operates from Málaga town centre to Fuengirola with stops at Torremolinos and Benalmádena.
Malaga also has a frequent daily train service from Madrid (via Córdoba) as well as to and from Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. A bus service links the Costa del Sol with Granada.
More information on how to get to Málaga…
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Latest update: Malaga honeymoon: 19 July, 2022
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