Spain is always a good idea! So when I found affordable tickets to Malaga, I immediately booked a five-day trip in June. If you were to ask me what I would recommend doing there, I'd say the following:
Our Airbnb in Fuengirola
Beautiful tableware at the local market
Tapas!
1. Visit the Alcazaba in Malaga city center
The Alcazaba is a Moorish fortress built in the 11th century. It's located in the heart of Malaga city center and is truly beautiful. You'll find gardens and fountains (and plenty of spots where you can relax in the shade), but the view of the city is especially amazing.
Note: this place is not suitable for people with walking difficulties, and it's also not suitable for strollers or prams.
2. Stroll around at a local market
You can visit local markets in the various villages around Malaga. We visited the market in Benalmadena on Friday. Always wanted to buy that beautiful Spanish tableware? You can! It gets quite busy in the morning, but if you go around 1 p.m., you can stroll around peacefully.
Tip: park your car in the parking garage next to the market.
3. Last-minute shopping at the outlets before you fly home
Do you have a late flight and you need to check out of your accommodation? Visit the Malaga Designer Outlet. It's conveniently located right next to the airport, and you can easily spend a few hours wandering around. There are two sections, each with a differentiating between more expensive brands and everyday brands. You'll find Zara and H&M here, for example. For the kids, there's a huge playground with sunshades! And if you get hungry, there are several restaurants. Highly recommended!
Trying out a new restaurant every night
The harbour in the centre of Malaga
Good to know before you go
- Rent a car and visit the villages outside Malaga city center, such as Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, and Estepona. A day trip to Ronda (impressive bridge), Caminito del Rey (for a great walk), and Nerja (caves and beautiful beaches) are also fun!
- If you rent a car, preferably choose one that's located at the airport. We had to take a shuttle bus from the airport, which was a hassle and time-consuming.
- At 30 degrees Celsius, the sand on the beach was super hot! Buy some cheap water shoes to keep your feet from burning.
- If you can't find a nice hotel, check out Airbnb. We rented a super luxurious apartment in Fuengirola and it was fantastic!
- If you have the time, visit this hammam!
- Best time to travel: April to June or September to October. July and August can be very hot, with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius!
Alcazaba
Pizzeria Romeo e Giulietta in Fuengirola
Parque de Malaga
Malaga, a beautiful city in Spain with so much to see and do. Rent a car, because the villages around the city center are definitely worth it.