How to Spend an Epic 3 Days in Málaga, Andalusia’s Quintessential Coastal City
If you’ve visited Spain before and enjoyed the food and culture as much as I do, you must be yearning to go back! Having been to Spain on three separate occasions, I can honestly say that I would continue to visit again and again and again. Keep reading to learn more about how to spend an epic 3 days in Málaga.
Málaga is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a new Spanish city to explore. It has a typical European old town, delicious Spanish food, and a Mediterranean beach – what more could you want in a European vacation?!
Below I’ve shared the ideal 3-day Málaga itinerary based on all the things Corey and I enjoyed the most when visiting the city. If you know us, you know that culture and food are the two most important things we focus on when planning a trip, with a bit of the typical tourist stops sprinkled in along the way. If you love staying in boutique hotels, tasting local food and wine, and one-of-a-kind experiences, this itinerary is for you.
How to get to Málaga
The easiest and fastest way to get to Málaga is to fly into the Málaga airport, which usually has a large variety of flight options due to the city’s status as a top vacation destination for Europeans. From California we flew to London for a quick layover before flying directly to Málaga from there. Needless to say we were delightfully surprised to only have one layover for such a long trip!
If you’re already in Spain or are having trouble flying directly into the Málaga airport the train is a great alternative. The ride is about 2 hours from Seville or 3 hours from Madrid and will take you directly to the city center, not far from the historic old town.
Where to stay
I would recommend staying in or near the historic old town when visiting Malaga. Most of the restaurants, shops, and tours will take place here, plus it’s a fun area to walk around and explore.
We absolutely adored our stay at Palacio Solecio – it’s a must for your Málaga visit. Not only is it right in the heart of the old town, but it’s also convenient for Taxi/Uber pick-ups and drop-offs as it’s only one block deep into the pedestrian-only zone. This Small Luxury Hotel of the World is an 18th century Andalusian palace that has been converted into a high-end boutique hotel. The hotel’s restaurant, Balausta, is run by a Michelin-star chef, which speaks to the character and quality the hotel upholds.
Day 1: Málaga Classics
The best way to kick off your time in a new city is to begin with a walking tour, and Sandeman’s Free Walking Tour (~1.5 hours) is one of the best options around. We’ve taken the free walking tours with Sandeman’s around the world and they never ever disappoint! Guides are motivated to provide a fun and informative tour since their compensation is 100% tip-based, and IMO this leads to a better experience for us as visitors. The Málaga tour focused on the historic old town and our guide was very eager to provide additional recommendations for restaurants and other things to do around the city.
One of her recommendations was to have lunch at El Pimpi, the most famous restaurant in town, which is exactly what you should do after your walking tour! In our guide’s words, “You haven’t been to Málaga if you haven’t been to El Pimpi.” This place can get extremely crowded for dinner, so going at lunchtime is a great way to avoid a long wait. Be sure to try the Russian salad and the Moscatel, a sweet wine local to the region.
After lunch, take some time to explore the Old Town on your own and work up an appetite. Start the evening like a Spaniard with some pre-dinner drinks and appetizers at La Dolores. Here you can have more of the sweet local wine such as Moscatel or Pedro Ximinez paired with jamón (the best we had in Málaga) or the local favorite, shrimp pil pil.
Bring your appetite for a spectacular tapas-filled dinner at Casa Lola, our favorite restaurant in Málaga (we ate here twice!). Be prepared to put your name in and wait about 30 minutes to sit down. Once you have a table, fill it with the best tapas in town.
Pro Tip: the Gildas are a must-try!
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Day 2: Get to know Málaga like a pro
As food lovers, we try to schedule at least one food tour or experience in every major city we visit, and Málaga was no exception. Begin your second day in the city with the Taste of Málaga Tapas Tour. You’ll start the tour off at the Mercado Central de Atarazanas and finish it off with a very full belly in the center of Old Town. We were surprised to learn that Málaga (and Andalusia) has its own food style distinct from the rest of Spain and we were glad we took the time to learn about it on this tour.
Next, walk off your meal by exploring the Parque de Málaga and Port Promenade.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can continue your walk uphill to the Castillo de Gibralfaro for epic golden hour views. I won’t lie to you, we took the easy way out by driving up with an Uber and walking back down, but in our defense the summer heat was strong! Either way, your reward will be these stunning views of the city below.
After all that walking, appease your appetite with dinner at La Farola de Orellana, a wonderful local haunt where you’ll likely be the only tourists. Every other patron here spoke Spanish when we were there so we knew it was going to be delicious. Order tapas and drinks and take in the lively spirit of the locals.
Ready for something sweet? Head to Casa Mira for their famous ‘Málaga’ flavored ice cream with rum and raisins (it might sound strange but I promise it was delicious!). A visit to the ice cream shop is worth it for the experience itself – grab a number at the counter and watch the employees go as you wait for your turn to order.
Day 3: Day Trip to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas
Today is your day to get out and see more of beautiful Andalusia! We booked a day trip through Viator and it was fantastic. Our driver picked us up right at the hotel and first took us to Ronda which was just over an hour’s drive away. We met a local guide arranged by the company who showed us around the city, including the famous bridge, Puente Nuevo. Be sure to allocate some time after the guided tour to walk around town and maybe even grab a quick bite – there were a ton of cute shops and restaurants around both the old and newer parts of the city.
Next stop: Setenil de las Bodegas! If you know us, you know that we live for the crazy, one-of-a-kind experiences we find around the world, and Setenil de las Bodegas definitely fit the bill. You may have seen this town all over instagram recently – it’s built under a mountain. That’s right, under it! There’s not much to do here besides walk around and gawk at how the town was built, but it’s well worth it. I recommend stopping at one of the restaurants under the cliff for lunch or even just a drink to sit outside and take it all in.
Pro Tip: When you return to Málaga after a long day of exploring, treat yourself to one of the best cheesecakes you’ll ever have in your life at the quaint Claus Bakery.
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Day 4: Adios, Málaga!
Leave Málaga knowing that you’ve seen and experienced the very best this city has to offer, and promise yourself you’ll come back!
Not ready to say goodbye?
If you plan to spend more time in Málaga there are a couple additional activities I would recommend. First, visit the museum dedicated to the most famous artist born in Málaga, Picasso. Second, leave time for a beach day and rent a chair from one of the chiringuitos along Playa de Malagueta.
Pro Tip: these are known for their grilled sardines, so be sure to try them out when you get hungry!
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Corey
This is a great itinerary of the main and unique experiences in Malaga!!!
Follow the Axels
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Happy travels ✈️