Are you thinking about visiting Malaga?
Do you wonder if it’s worth a visit, whether for a day trip or a holiday?
The short answer is YES.
Malaga is a well-known holiday destination on Costa del Sol and for a good reason – it offers the perfect mix of sandy beaches, culture, history, and a lively night scene with exciting culinary experiences.
It’s a city with rich history, but also a modern metropolis by the sea which is developing and changing quickly.
If you’re considering visiting Malaga, this article will answer all your questions!
Is it Worth Going to Malaga, Spain?
I live right next to Malaga and have travelled to all of the big cities in Andalusia. If your time is limited and you want to see the highlights of Southern Spain, I would personally choose Granada or Seville over Malaga.
If you’re staying somewhere on Costa del Sol and have more time, then a day trip to Malaga makes perfect sense!
It also depends on your preferences – if you’re a fan of art, you would enjoy visiting the Picasso Museum in Malaga, along with the Centre Pompidou (sister museum of the more famous one in Paris).
Malaga is also very pretty and a lovely destination for the winter – especially at Christmas time when they go all-in with the Christmas lights.
The city is still very warm even in the winter months, making it the perfect destination for winter holidays.
How Hot is Malaga?
One of the most frequent questions is of course weather-related.
‘How hot is Malaga in November or January?’
Below I listed average temperatures for each month of the year, which are pretty realistic.
I live in Fuengirola, not far from Malaga, and the temperatures don’t swing to any extremes from the ones listed below.
Month | Temperature |
---|---|
January | Between 17C – 8C, some rainy days and more clouds |
February | Between 18C and 8C, rainy with clouds |
March | 15C – 19C, nights very cold, less rain, more sunny days |
April | Low twenties, unpredictable, random cold spells |
May | 15C to 25C, lots of sunny days, rare rain |
June | 18C to 28C, temperatures hitting 30s |
July | 20C to 33C, one of the hottest months |
August | 25C to 35C, hottest month |
September | 25C to 30C, cooling off |
October | 20C to 25C, pleasant temperatures |
November | 18C to 25C, still relatively warm |
December | 15C to 20C, cooling off |
How Many Days Do I Need in Malaga?
I personally think that one day is plenty of time to explore the main sights in Malaga.
In one day, you get to see the Alcazaba, climb the stairs to the Gibralfaro Castle, and even squeeze time to see the Picasso Museum.
Anything beyond that is a bonus, but one day would cover the main historic sights.
If you would love to spend time on the beach, do a boat trip and explore a bit of the culinary scene, 2-3 days will be plenty of time to do all of that, on top of visiting the main sights.
Is Malaga Touristy?
I’ve seen Malaga at its best and worst.
The best was right after the pandemic when the travel restrictions were lifted and Malaga was absolutely peaceful. The only people you would meet were locals living here, and all of the historic sights were empty with nobody waiting up to buy the tickets and waiting to get in.
The worst is probably in the middle of the summer.
If you get unlucky with the timing, you might arrive at the same time as a bus full of tourists is unloaded in the old town. Worse even, if a cruise ship arrives in the port and everyone on board takes off to the old town.
In that case, it’s almost impossible to walk through the old town as it’s clogged up with thousands of people, and visiting any of the monuments becomes a challenge too.
That also means it’s almost impossible to find a place for lunch as everything is packed.
I would advise having realistic expectations if you’re visiting Malaga in the summer and being prepared for the crowds.
So short answer – YES, it can be very touristy if you visit in the summer months.
What to Do in Malaga?
There is plenty to do in Malaga, for full list check my article here.
Which is Better: Seville or Malaga?
It depends on personal preferences, but I believe that there is much more to see in the capital of Andalusia – Seville.
Which is Better: Malaga or Marbella?
Again, it depends on your personal preferences, but I find Marbella much more enjoyable than Malaga. There are no historic sights though, and it can feel pretty crowded in the summer as its much smaller than Malaga.
Explore More in Malaga
Best Day Trips from Malaga by Bus: Travel Tips from a Local Expat
Best Day Trips from Malaga by Train
Malaga Cathedral: The Unfinished Masterpiece
13+ Brilliant Things to do in Malaga, Spain
Immerse Yourself in Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou, Malaga
La Conception Botanical Gardens in Malaga
Car Museum in Malaga: Fashion & Vintage Cars Under One Roof
How to Get from Malaga to Granada: Your Detailed Transport Guide
The Alcazaba of Malaga: All You Need to Know for Your Visit