Are you thinking about visiting Malaga, Spain? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Malaga worth visiting?
Malaga is worth visiting for three to seven days so that you can explore everything that the port city has to offer. We first visited in the summer of 2023 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its beautiful coastline and countless beach activities. Malaga is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including VOGUE's Best Places to Travel in 2023. Málaga is a beautiful city in Andalusia. It sits on the Costa del Sol which is part of the Mediterranean. The city has a beautiful old town and a historic center with many sights. It's filled with beautiful architecture and a sunny setting.
Malaga, Andalusia, Spain
Reasons to Visit Malaga
Nightlife
The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.
Food
Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.
Music
The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.
Historical Sights
The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.
Beaches
There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.
Shopping
There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.
The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Malaga might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Malaga here or see if Malaga is expensive here.
Is Malaga worth visiting in the Summer?
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 25°C (77°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 30°C (86°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Malaga, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too. Summer stretches late into the year and begins early in Malaga with mild temperatures year round.
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable port city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to relax at the beach, admire the historic sights, and take advantage of the local nightlife.
Summer Weather in Malaga
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| August | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| September | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
Is Malaga worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Malaga. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 19°C (67°F).
Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, browse around the old town, and enjoy the live music scene.
Autumn Weather in Malaga
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| November | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| December | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Is Malaga worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Malaga. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices. You might need a jacket, but winters are relatively mild in Malaga.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the cuisine, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene. Also, you'll be able to listen to some live music.
Winter Weather in Malaga
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| March | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Is Malaga worth visiting in the Spring?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 16°C (60°F).
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Malaga, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, admire the wonderful scenery, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can experience the live music and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Malaga
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| June | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Malaga
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
Not As Romantic
For couples, this destination does not have a great vibe for romance compared to other places.
Related
What is Malaga most famous for?
Malaga is most famous for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. The port city is very popular for its nightlife. It's also known for food, music, and historical sights. And many travelers come for the scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, as well. It is often described as friendly, welcoming, historic, and beautiful.
What is the most famous sight in Malaga?
The most popular sight in Malaga is The Alcazaba. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Malaga on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Alcazaba and other attractions here.
How touristy is Malaga? Is it a popular port city to visit?
Malaga is a popular port city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Mudejar Route and White Villages Small-Group Tour with Lunch: $82
- Malaga Monuments Private Walking Tour: $120
- Offroad buggy tour Sierra de Mijas 3h tour: $98
- 3-hour Buggy Tour in Almuñecar with Picnic: $207
- Night Tour in Malaga by Electric Car.Enjoy the sunset: $87
- 1h buggy tour: $115
- Guided Tour of Ronda: $218
- Caminito del Rey - Via Ferrata & Zip Line Adventure: $75
How long should I spend in Malaga?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Malaga is at least three or as many as seven days. Since Malaga has a variety of activities such as nightlife, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Malaga?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Malaga?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Malaga?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.