Málaga is one of Europe’s oldest cities, founded by the Phoenicians nearly 3,000 years ago and later shaped by Romans and Moors. Today it’s a lively Andalusian capital where a hilltop fortress looks over beaches, and tapas bars carry on traditions older than the Renaissance.

Beyond its Mediterranean glow, Málaga packs cultural heft: the Picasso Museum honors the city’s most famous son, the Carmen Thyssen showcases 19th‑century Spanish art, and the colorful Centre Pompidou outpost anchors a revitalized waterfront. Food lovers come for espetos (sardines fire‑grilled on the beach), sweet moscatel wines, and markets brimming with local olives, jamón, and seafood.

Expect warm sun most of the year, long evening strolls (paseo), and a late dining culture—kitchens often open at 1:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Book headline sights in advance in high season, carry water for uphill walks to Gibralfaro, and bring comfortable shoes for cobblestones and boardwalks alike.

Málaga

Málaga fuses Moorish heritage with modern creativity: the Alcazaba’s honey‑colored walls cascade toward a Roman theater, while Soho’s murals by international street artists electrify the urban core. The harbor at Muelle Uno offers breezy sunsets and sailboats; just east, fishermen still skewer sardines over coals in Pedregalejo.

Top sights include the Alcazaba, Castillo de Gibralfaro, the Picasso Museum and Birthplace, the Carmen Thyssen Museum, Centre Pompidou Málaga, and the sands of La Malagueta and Pedregalejo. Pair culture with eats at bistros like Uvedoble, La Cosmopolita, and traditional bodegas such as Antigua Casa de Guardia and El Pimpi.

Where to stay (Centro Histórico, Soho, La Malagueta, or Pedregalejo):

• Browse Málaga apartments and beach flats on VRBO — ideal for families or longer stays.
• Search Málaga hotels on Hotels.com — from boutique gems in Soho to seafront stays by La Malagueta.

Getting to Málaga (AGP): For Europe‑wide flights and rail, compare on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). Flying in from outside Europe? Check Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights).

Day 1: Arrival, Roman Roots, and a Tapas Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the travel day with a slow wander past the Roman Theatre to the base of the Alcazaba. Grab an espresso and an almond sweet at La Recova (rustic, local crafts) or a specialty flat white at Mia Coffee Co. in Soho.

Evening: Kick off with a tapas crawl. Try Uvedoble (modern Andalusian bites—oxtail brioche, ajoblanco), then stroll to El Pimpi for antique barrels and Montilla‑Moriles wines; share berenjenas con miel (fried eggplant with cane honey). Finish with a sweet moscatel at Antigua Casa de Guardia (1860s standing bar) and, if you’ve got energy, a rooftop nightcap at the Only YOU Hotel Málaga terrace overlooking the cathedral.

Day 2: Picasso, the Alcazaba, and Sunset on Gibralfaro

Morning: Breakfast the Malagueño way at Casa Aranda (since 1932) with churros and thick chocolate, or tostada with tomato and olive oil. Visit the Picasso Museum (book early mornings), then step into the Picasso Birthplace Museum on Plaza de la Merced to round out the story.

Afternoon: Climb through jasmine‑scented gardens of the Alcazaba—courtyards, fountains, and Moorish arches—before continuing up to Castillo de Gibralfaro along the shaded path. Lunch at Mesón Mariano (famous for artichokes when in season) or seafood at Los Mellizos Málaga (clams a la marinera, fried fish).

Evening: Explore the Cathedral of Málaga (La Manquita), then dinner at La Cosmopolita (chef Dani Carnero’s prawn tortilla and piparra peppers are standouts). Gelato at Casa Mira (try turrón) on Calle Larios.

Day 3: Adventure Day — Caminito del Rey

Day tour: Tackle Spain’s most photogenic cliff‑walk on a guided excursion with transport from Málaga. Elevated boardwalks cling to the Gaitanes Gorge above turquoise waters; today it’s fully secured and suitable for confident walkers with a head for heights.

From Malaga Caminito del Rey Guided Tour with transportation

Notes: Expect roughly 6–8 hours door to door including transfers; bring water, sunscreen, and closed shoes. After the gorge, refuel on local goat cheese and migas in nearby Ardales if time allows.

Evening (back in Málaga): Head to the seafront barrios. In Pedregalejo, order charcoal‑grilled espetos de sardinas at El Caleño or seaside El Balneario. If you prefer a lively scene, try El Tintero in El Palo, where waiters auction off plates—raise your hand for whatever looks good.

Day 4: Beach Morning, Soho Street Art, and the Port

Morning: Coffee at Santa Coffee Soho or breakfast bowls at Brunchit, then beach time on La Malagueta. Rent loungers, take a dip, or stroll the promenade to the lighthouse.

Afternoon: Browse the striking glass cube of Centre Pompidou Málaga for modern art, then graze lunch inside Mercado Central de Atarazanas—order grilled prawns and boquerones at the counter bars, pick up olives and local almonds for later. Continue into Soho Málaga to spot murals by artists like Obey and D*Face; grab a mid‑afternoon cortado at Next Level Specialty Coffee.

Evening: Catch sunset at Muelle Uno overlooking the yachts. Dinner with views at Batik (rooftop above the Roman Theatre—try the tuna tataki and Andalusian cheeses) or book the tasting menu at Michelin‑starred José Carlos García by the marina for a special night. Finish with vermouth at Casa Lola (pinchos and montaditos) if you want something more casual.

Day 5: Day Trip to Granada — The Alhambra and Albaicín

Morning travel: Depart early from Málaga to Granada (bus ~1h45–2h, typically $12–18 one way; frequent departures). Compare options on Omio (buses) or Omio (trains). Head straight to the Alhambra meeting point.

Alhambra & Generalife Skip the line Small Group including Nasrid Palaces

Midday: Wander the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife gardens, and Alcazaba towers with a guide—tile work, cedar ceilings, and courtyards whisper centuries of poetry. Afterward, lunch in the Albaicín (consider classic Andalusian dishes and views of the palaces from a “carmen” garden restaurant).

Evening: Stroll the Paseo de los Tristes under the Alhambra’s walls, then return to Málaga (evening bus or train; ~2 hours). Late bite back in town: share tapas at El Tapeo de Cervantes (tiny, reservations help) or a quick montadito near your hotel.

Day 6: Nerja Caves, Frigiliana White Village, and Farewell Málaga

Morning: Day trip east along the coast. Málaga to Nerja bus takes ~1h10–1h20 ($6–9; frequent services) via Omio (buses). Explore the spectacular Cuevas de Nerja—vast caverns with cathedral‑like chambers and prehistoric art.

Afternoon: Taxi or local bus up to Frigiliana (15 minutes). Amble its whitewashed lanes lined with mosaic stones, artisan shops, and bougainvillea. Back in Nerja, lunch on the sand at Chiringuito Ayo for famous pan‑paella, then a quick look over the Balcón de Europa before returning to Málaga (~1h15).

Evening: Last‑night choices: a refined seafood feast at Los Marinos José (if you’re up for a short taxi west) or stay central for creative Andalusian plates at La Cosmopolita or Uvedoble. Cap it with a flamenco show at Tablao Alegría by the port or a quiet moscatel at Antigua Casa de Guardia—a sweet goodbye to the Costa del Sol.

Insider tips:

• Reserve big‑ticket attractions (Picasso Museum, Alhambra, Caminito del Rey) well ahead in peak months (April–October).
• Lunch runs 1:30–3:30 pm, dinner often 8:30–10:30 pm; snag a merienda (afternoon snack) to bridge the gap.
• For onward travel across Spain, compare Omio trains and Omio buses; for international flights outside Europe use Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Beach day toolkit: cash for chiringuitos, a lightweight towel, and reef‑safe sunscreen. Espetos taste best with a cold Victoria beer.

Six days in Málaga offers a graceful rhythm: art and alcazabas in the morning, siestas and seafood in the afternoon, golden‑hour promenades, then tapas under warm night skies. With cliff walks and palaces added to your coastal base, you’ll leave Andalusia sun‑drenched, well‑fed, and plotting your return.