What to do in Malaga in 3 days? Three days in Málaga is plenty of time to see and do everything this beach city offers.
Málaga is in the southern region of Spain called Andalucia. It has beautiful beaches, a lot of history, great museums, and tasty local food.
Malaga is located on the beautiful Costa del Sol in southern Spain. With its long history, lively culture, and stunning coastal scenery, it is the perfect place for travellers who want to rest and discover new things simultaneously.
In this blog post, explore the exciting three-day trip through the beautiful streets, important historical sites, and delicious foods that make Málaga a must-see place.
What to do in Malaga in 3 days
It only takes three days to scratch the surface of everything there barely is to do in Málaga. You have three days in Málaga, enough time to visit the museums, swim at some of the city’s best beaches, and eat as many tapas as possible.
Day 1 in Malaga
You should make the most of your three days in Málaga!
When you get to Málaga for the first time, you should check out the city’s most famous spots while still feeling great. This is very important when you go to Málaga in the summer when temperatures can easily hit 40 degrees Celsius (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
Gibralfaro
Start your day early by walking up to Gibralfaro, which has the city’s best view. While a fort has been on this hill since 770 BC, the one you see today was not built until the 14th century.
Walking up the steep hill is easy if you wear sturdy trainers or walking shoes because the path is clearly marked. If you don’t want to walk up the hot hill, you can take a cab or the tourist bus with two decks of seats.
You should buy a ticket that lets you into the Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba, which you will do later in the day.
Atarazanas Central Market for lunch
There is a lot of great food and meat in Málaga’s centre market if you want to cook for yourself.
A little more than 600 years ago, the market was where the Málaga port was. Boats were brought here to be fixed up. It may seem strange now that you see how far away it is from the port, but the water was almost up to the building’s edge back then.
It’s now a great spot to enjoy real Spanish snacks and cold beers on a hot summer day.
The market has several places, but Bar Mercado Atarazanas is one of the most well-known. Waiting for a table can take 10 to 15 minutes. You can have a drink at that time.
Alcazaba
After getting some food for the afternoon, Málaga has many more great historical places to see. The Alcazaba is one that you should not miss.
“Al-qasbah,” which comes from the Arabic word for fort or fortress, is where the word “Alcazaba” comes from. Construction began on it about the year 1100.
You can get a free audioguide and play it on your phone. By scanning the QR code at the entrance, you can learn much about the Alcazaba’s past and its use over the years.
Tapas at El Pimpi
The history of this tapas bar in Málaga makes it a must-see on any trip to the city.
The menu changes occasionally, but you can always count on Iberian gammon, meat and veggie croquettes, and prawns cooked with lots of garlic.
You should make a reservation if you are coming during the busy season.
El Teatro Roman
There are many ages of history behind Málaga. The Romans even lived on this land at one point.
Today, the remains of a Roman theatre can be seen at the base of the Alcazaba, making it easy to see both on the same trip.
It was built in the first century BC and is the oldest building in Málaga that is still standing. The Alcazaba, which you can see clearly, was built using beams from the theatre.
Day 2 in Málaga
After breakfast, you should see more of the city on day two. However, don’t forget to spend some time at the beach in the Costa del Sol.
Explore the Beaches
Playa de la Malagueta is a simple beach in Málaga that you can visit. It’s pretty much right in the middle of the city. It’s only a short walk from the old town to the beach pier. This beach is one of the biggest you can visit and is easy to get to.
Take the 8, 11, or 34 bus to get to Playa Pedregalejo if you want to get away from downtown.
Bring a beach blanket or towel and enjoy this lovely spot away from the city. You might as well be in a small Spanish town on the Costa del Sol, but it’s only a 10-minute bus ride away.
At a Chiringuito for lunch
People in Andalusia like to eat chiringuitos when they go to the beach. A few small places in the area focus on seafood.
The espeto is the most well-known of these meals in Málaga. Sardines caught in the area are skewered and cooked over an open fire to make espetos. On the beaches in Málaga, you can find these grills in the shape of boats. That’s how you know a chiringuito is good.
You can try more than just sardines. You can also try octopus, meat meals, and nice cold cups of gazpacho.
Picasso Museum
If the heat gets too much, you can cool off at one of Málaga’s museums.
It was in Málaga that Pablo Picasso was born in 1881. This museum honours his life and work. If you like his work, you shouldn’t miss this.
One of the most popular things to do in Málaga, so make sure you book your skip-the-queue ticket ahead of time. You should give the museum at least an hour and a half.
Go from bar to bar (or pick one)
People from all over Spain know about Málaga’s wild nightlife. A lot of groups of people come here to have a good time in the town.
There are great places to grab a drink in the city, whether you are here for a big night out or to check out the local scene.
- Some of the best vermút in the city can be found at Bar La Tranca, which also has a great selection of tapas. The tortilla is especially tasty here.
- El Tapeo Cervantes is a lovely old-fashioned pub with delicious tapas, a good wine list, and great service.
- Casa Lola has a lot of outdoor space to eat outside. It also has a wide range of tapas and a good selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.
Day 3 in Malaga
Today is your last day in Málaga, so have a great time. Based on your needs and interests in the city, you can choose from a few options.
Look at One More Great Museum
There are many museums to visit if you are interested in art, history, or culture. Not enough time to see everything in three days in Málaga.
If you feel like it, these are some sites in Málaga that you might want to visit on your last morning in the city.
- The Customs Palace is home to the Museo de Málaga, an archaeological and fine arts museum.
- The Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga has a wonderful collection of art from the 1800s, mostly by Andalusian artists and some other Spanish artists.
- This is the city’s modern art museum, the Centre of Contemporary Art Málaga (CAC), which has work by artists worldwide.
Your three days in Málaga should include a boat ride
Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to see more of the Costa del Sol in Spain. You can take a catamaran around the coast for as little as €12 per person.
They offer trips during the day and special trips every evening to watch the sunset over the water. This is a fun way to end your trip to Málaga.
Check out the Soho neighbourhood
This new neighbourhood in Málaga is just west of the harbour and has some of the city’s coolest new bars and restaurants.
If you like unique cocktails, craft beer, international tapas, or just great food and drinks, you should spend some time in this neighbourhood.
You should add La Fabrica, Mesón Ibérico, and La Antxoeta Art Restaurant to your list.
Where to Stay in Málaga
Posada del Patio
The 5-star Posada del Patio is located in the centre of Málaga. It offers modern beds, bathrooms, and a swimming pool on the roof.
This hotel is one of a kind because of the interesting historical finds that have been made under the Vincci Selección Posada del Patio. Some of these are the city’s Arabic walls, which guests can see from the hotel.
How to Get to Málaga
If you are flying from most big cities in Europe, it’s easy to get to Málaga Airport.
If you’re coming from North America, you should take a taxi from Madrid Airport. A good airline, Vueling, offers cheap trips all over Madrid.
Instead, take a fast train from Madrid to Málaga. Less than three hours is all it will take.
Conclusion
Marbella is a great place to both explore and relax. The Picasso Museum and the old Alcazaba fortress are cultural gems, and the beaches are just waiting to be explored.
Málaga is a city that makes you feel welcome, friendly, and full of life. There is a lot of life in this destination, and it shows in its lively plazas, the laughter of locals enjoying their evening paseo, and the sense of community we felt as we walked through its streets.
This city and with us, we do have cheap Malaga holiday packages. There is something for everyone, whether they like history, art, the sun, or food.
How long a stay in Malaga would you recommend?
Thanks to its compact layout (you can walk throughout the historic centre in about 15 minutes), Malaga in the southern province of Andalusia, Spain, is a great place to spend three days because you can see and do so much.
Do you prefer Malaga or Seville?
Both cities are known for their vibrant nightlife and plenty of restaurants. Malaga is more your speed if you like to go out and party all night long, whereas Seville is better if you like to spend your nights eating and drinking.
When is the best time to visit Malaga, Spain?
During the summer, Málaga is at its absolute finest. So, keep that in mind while you’re packing for Spain: summer here lasts from the end of spring all the way into fall (May through October). Whenever the sun is shining brightest, that’s when most people like to go outside and enjoy it.
What is the cheapest month to visit Malaga?
The best time to fly to Malaga is October is typically the best month to travel into Malaga for the lowest price.
Is a trip to Malaga worthwhile?
No amount of time spent in Malaga will be adequate to see and do all that the city has to offer. Among these are locations rich in history and culture, as well as parks, botanical gardens, restaurants, cafes, and even retail centres. An adventurous traveller should be curious in and receptive to different ways of life, customs, and perspectives.
