What to See in Málaga in 2 Days: Itinerary and Prices

Málaga is easy to explore on foot and you can see the essentials in two days. This guide only includes details checked against the official websites of the monuments and museums; prices and opening times can change, so confirm them before you go.

Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle

According to the official website of the site (Málaga City Council), they open from 9:00 to 20:00 from 1 April to 31 October and from 9:00 to 18:00 from 1 November to 31 March. The last admission is one hour before closing.

Ticket	Price
Single (Alcazaba or Gibralfaro)	€7
Joint (Alcazaba + Gibralfaro)	€10
Reduced / reduced joint	€3 / €5

Children under 6 enter free, and the website says that from 14:00 on Sundays admission is free “currently”. The reduced rate applies to holders of the European youth card, EU residents over 65, retirees, unemployed people, EU students, people with a disability of 33% or more, and large families.

The Alcazaba is at calle Alcazabilla 2, next to the Roman Theatre, and Gibralfaro Castle at Camino de Gibralfaro 11. To reach Gibralfaro you can walk up the Paseo de Don Juan Temboury (about 20 minutes uphill, according to the official website) or take EMT bus line 35, which links the castle with the historic centre roughly every 30 minutes.

Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Incarnation, known as “La Manquita” (the one-armed lady) because its south tower was never finished, offers, according to its official website, a self-guided visit with an audio guide and guided tours of the roof. Tickets are sold at malagacatedral.com, which also lists current times and prices, as they vary by date.

Museums

• Museo Picasso Málaga: housed in the Buenavista Palace. Check its official website for opening times, prices and ticket purchase.
• Carmen Thyssen Museum: in the Villalón Palace (calle Compañía 10). According to its official website it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00 and closed on Mondays. General admission is €12 (€15 with the archaeological site) and reduced €8 (€10). See carmenthyssenmalaga.org.
• Centre Pompidou Málaga: in the glass building known as El Cubo, at Muelle Uno in the port. Check opening times and closing days on its website before you go.

Eating and drinking

• Espeto de sardinas: sardines skewered on a cane and grilled over embers by the beach. It is typical of the beach bars along the seafront, such as those in Pedregalejo, east of the centre. You can walk there along the promenade or take a city bus (check the lines at emtmalaga.es).
• Gazpachuelo: a hot fish soup with potato and mayonnaise, a Málaga dish rarely found on the most touristy menus.
• Málaga sweet wine: the Antigua Casa de Guardia (Alameda Principal 18) opened in 1840 and serves wine from the barrel; the bill is chalked on the bar.

Getting around

Car access to the historic centre is restricted. The easiest option is to leave your vehicle in a public car park near the centre or the port and walk.

Day trips from Málaga

The Caminito del Rey is inland, between Ardales and Álora, and you must book your ticket in advance; our guide explains how. Within the city, in the north, is the La Concepción Botanical-Historical Garden, run by the City Council: check its opening times and prices on its official website, and how to get there by public transport with the EMT.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Alcazaba of Málaga and when is it open?

According to the City Council’s official website, the single ticket costs €7 and the joint ticket with Gibralfaro €10. It opens from 9:00 to 20:00 from 1 April to 31 October and from 9:00 to 18:00 from 1 November to 31 March, with the last admission one hour before closing.

How do you get up to Gibralfaro Castle?

On foot along the Paseo de Don Juan Temboury (about 20 minutes) or on EMT bus line 35, which links the castle with the historic centre roughly every 30 minutes, according to the official website of the site.

What are the opening hours and prices of the Carmen Thyssen Museum Málaga?

According to its official website it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00 and closed on Mondays. General admission is €12 (€15 including the archaeological site) and reduced €8 (€10).

Official sources

• Alcazaba and Gibralfaro (Málaga City Council) — times and prices
• Alcazaba and Gibralfaro — how to get there
• Málaga Cathedral — official website
• Carmen Thyssen Museum Málaga — visit

With an extra day, the Caminito del Rey is about 50 minutes away by car; the rest of the province is in the Málaga guide.