2-DAY MALAGA ITINERARY: HOW TO SPEND THE BEST 2 DAYS IN THIS ANDALUSIAN GEM

If you’re coming to Malaga and searching for the best 2-day Malaga itinerary, you’re in the right place!

We’ve visited Malaga multiple times, and I absolutely love this city. We’ve done our fair share of exploring the city and its surroundings, so I’m sure this itinerary will help you plan the best two days in this gorgeous place. Keep reading to find out which things you must do and visit in Malaga in 2 days!

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WHERE IS MALAGA

Malaga is a lively city in southern Spain on the Mediterranean coast. It’s part of the stunning Costa del Sol and has some incredible towns nearby. It’s very well connected to the rest of Europe and has a rich history, including the fact that it’s the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.

HOW TO REACH MALAGA

You can reach Malaga in several ways, and it’s pretty easy to get there from most places in Europe. Here are some of your options:

By Air

If you’re flying in, Malaga has its own airport called Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), and it’s just 8 km from the city centre. It has direct flights from many European cities and is especially well connected through Ryanair. It also has connections from major international airports, so you can easily get there from almost anywhere. From the airport, you can take a taxi, bus, or train to the city center, and it’s quite stress-free and affordable.

By Train

If you’re already in Spain and don’t feel like renting a car, Malaga has a modern train station called María Zambrano with high-speed AVE trains, so you can reach it easily from Madrid, Seville, and other major cities in Spain. We usually buy our train tickets through Trainline since it’s really easy to use and covers trains almost anywhere in Europe. Tickets can get quite pricey, but if you buy even a few days in advance, you can often find them starting from around €25.

By Bus

If you want to come to Malaga from another Spanish town by bus, there are several long-distance bus routes that connect Malaga with cities such as Madrid, Granada, and Seville. The journey is definitely longer than by train, and prices can sometimes be similar, so I would advise you to check train options first. If trains are too expensive, then choose a bus. You can check both buses and trains on Omio and compare!

By Car

If you’re road-tripping through Spain and already have a car, Malaga is well connected by highways to Cordoba and Madrid, so you won’t have any problems reaching the city. With a car, you can also explore stunning nearby towns like Marbella and Nerja, so I’d definitely recommend renting a car if it’s an option for you!

By Sea

And finally, you can reach Malaga by sea. Malaga has a port that welcomes ferries and cruise ships, so you can book a cruise and have Malaga as one of your ports. This is exactly how we’ve visited Malaga twice now, and we love it. The cruise port is only about a 15-minute walk from the city center, so you can do everything on foot and not worry about anything else. If you’re considering this option, I’d highly recommend it.

IS MALAGA WORTH VISITING

Malaga is definitely worth visiting, and it’s actually one of my all-time favorite places in Spain. You’ll get the perfect mix of history, culture, and natural beauty in this city, and you won’t want to leave, trust me. The city has several incredible landmarks, such as the Alcazaba fortress, Gibralfaro Castle, and Malaga Cathedral, which is the prettiest cathedral I’ve ever seen. You can also enjoy great art and even better food, so what’s not to like? Add the sunny weather and gorgeous beaches to that, and trust me, Malaga is a complete gem!

WHERE TO STAY IN MALAGA

I’d say you should decide what you want to focus on and then choose your neighbourhood accordingly. I’d suggest staying in the Historic Centre, especially if you’re visiting for the first time. You’ll be within walking distance of landmarks, restaurants, and nightlife. However, if you’re visiting in the summer for the sea and beaches, La Malagueta is the best option since you can get beachfront accommodation while still being close to the city centre.

MALAGA ITINERARY

DAY 1: Historic & Cultural Málaga

Morning

You can start your morning at the Alcazaba, a well-preserved Moorish fortress with beautiful gardens and city views. It’s located on a hill in the city center, so you’ll notice it immediately. It was built in the 11th century and served as a defensive palace. Today, you can enjoy impressive views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea, along with beautiful gardens and historic architecture. There’s also a Roman theatre right outside the Alcazaba that you can explore as well. It’s a truly stunning place to walk through, so definitely take the chance to explore Malaga’s most iconic landmark.

Once you get there, you can easily buy tickets at the ticket machines. There’s an option to buy a ticket only for the Alcazaba or a combined ticket for both the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro. The entrance to the Alcazaba alone is €7, while the combined ticket is €10, so it’s definitely worth buying the combined option to save money. The ticket is valid for 48 hours.

Late Morning / Lunch

Walk through the historic town and leave enough time to explore Malaga Cathedral and admire its Renaissance architecture. Malaga Cathedral is a stunning Renaissance-style church located in the heart of the historic town. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen, and it will surely leave you speechless.

Construction began in the 16th century and continued for over 200 years, so you’ll notice a mix of architectural styles. The most important things to see are the façade, the beautiful interior, and the unfinished south tower. Because of this, it has earned the nickname “La Manquita” (the One-Armed Lady). There are currently some works going on at the cathedral, but the south tower is not planned to be finished at all. The entrance to the church is €10, and at times you can even climb to the roof. However, this might not be possible at the moment due to the ongoing works.

After exploring the church and walking through the old town, stop for lunch at Bodega El Pimpi, which is one of the most popular and most recommended places to try local Andalusian food and wines.

Afternoon

After a delicious lunch, visit the Picasso Museum and Casa Natal de Picasso to learn more about the famous artist. Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, so many people come here to explore the museum and his birth house. The Picasso Museum houses a large collection of his paintings, sculptures, and sketches, while Casa Natal is a smaller museum that displays early works, family memorabilia, and documents about his life.

Both of these attractions are extremely popular, so I’d suggest booking tickets online for the exact time you want. Otherwise, you may end up waiting in long queues. The entrance to the Picasso Museum is €12, and it’s also free on Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m., which are the last two opening hours. Casa Natal costs €4 and is also free for the last two hours on Sundays.

Evening

One of the more interesting places in Malaga outside the old town is the famous Muelle Uno, a beautiful waterfront area full of restaurants offering incredible views and great seafood. This is a perfect way to end your evening in Malaga!

Day 2: Beach & More Málaga

Morning

Start your day similarly to yesterday, with a visit to another historic castle. This time, head to Gibralfaro Castle, a historic fortress located on a hill overlooking the Alcazaba, Malaga, and its port. Gibralfaro was built in the 14th century to protect the nearby Alcazaba, and today it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the Mediterranean Sea, and the surrounding mountains. You can walk along its ancient walls, explore the towers, and visit a small museum with displays about its history.

In my opinion, the Alcazaba is much more interesting. However, Gibralfaro is still worth visiting. Getting there can be a bit challenging since there is a 20-minute uphill walk, but you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous city views, so I’d say it’s worth it. Just keep in mind that you won’t need to spend too much time there, as the castle is not as impressive as the Alcazaba. If you bought the combined ticket, you can use it here. If not, you can buy a ticket at the entrance for €7.

After Gibralfaro, walk back through the city centre and visit Atarazanas Market, Malaga’s most popular traditional market where you can see and try almost anything you’d like. You’ll find great drinks, meat, fruit, seafood, and much more. It’s the perfect stop if you want some really good edible souvenirs!

Noon

If you’ve visited during sunny weather, this is the perfect time to head to the beach. La Malagueta is a gorgeous beach, and after climbing Gibralfaro, a dip in the sea is exactly what you need. La Malagueta is only a few minutes away from Muelle Uno, so you can reach it quickly and easily. It has plenty of amenities, so you can rent a sunbed, grab some drinks, or even get food. If you’re looking for a nicer restaurant, you can always walk back to Muelle Uno, where the choices are plenty.

Afternoon

For your afternoon, you can explore the Soho district and visit the Centre Pompidou. The Soho district is famous for its street art, galleries, and boutique cafés. If you love colourful murals, art galleries, trendy cafés, and small shops, this will be the neighbourhood for you. It’s only a few minutes from the historic centre.

After exploring Soho, check out Centre Pompidou Málaga at Muelle Uno for modern art. It’s one of the most popular museums in Malaga, with works by Picasso, Miró, Kandinsky, and many others. The entrance ticket costs between €7 and €9, and you’ll need about 1.5 hours to see it properly.

Evening

Finally, use your last evening for an experience you’ll remember. That can either be a great flamenco show at Teatro Flamenco or a sunset catamaran ride where you can enjoy views of the sunset and Málaga from the sea. Both options are great, so it really just depends on what you’d prefer.

IF YOU HAVE EXTRA TIME…

If you have more than 2 days, there are two day trips I’d strongly recommend. The first one is Marbella, which is absolutely magical with its white and blue streets and buildings. The second one is Nerja, known for its incredible beaches and the mind-blowing caves nearby. We visited both and would happily return to both towns!

CONCLUSION: 2-DAY MALAGA ITINERARY

While you can see most of the city in 2 days, I’d say that 2 days in Malaga will not be enough for you. Trust me, you will not want to leave Malaga. We love coming back and exploring both the city and its surroundings, since the Costa del Sol is absolutely breathtaking. If you find yourself here, you won’t regret it, so I’d definitely encourage you to visit Malaga, even if it’s just for 2 days!