Málaga
Málaga is a port city on Spain's Costa del Sol with a Moorish fortress, a Picasso museum and a city beach close to the old town.
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Málaga is a port city on Spain's Mediterranean coast in Andalucía, and the largest city on the Costa del Sol. The old town grew up around a Roman theater, and the Alcazaba, a Moorish palace and fortress, climbs the hill above the harbor. Pablo Picasso was born here in 1881, and the Picasso Museum holds a large collection of his work.
A trip here works well for history and sea in the same day. Walk the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro castle in the morning, spend the afternoon at the city beach, and eat tapas in the old town in the evening. Madrid is about 2.5 hours away by high-speed train. Ronda, Granada and Nerja are all reachable as day trips. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for sightseeing, while summer is hot. Plan at least two days, or three if you want a day trip.
Málaga in five
- Take the C1 train from the airportCercanías line C1 runs from Málaga airport to the city center in roughly 10 to 15 minutes and on to Fuengirola. Most old-town hotels are a short walk or taxi from Centro-Alameda station.
- Do the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro earlyThe Alcazaba and the castle above it share one hillside and little shade. Go at opening: the city lists €7, or €10 combined, and free entry on Sunday from 14:00.Málaga in 2 days
- Choose your base before your hotelThe old town puts sights on foot, Soho suits art and late nights, La Malagueta has the city beach, and Pedregalejo has fish at the sand. Each changes your evenings more than your days.Where to stay in Málaga
- Skip the car in town, use buses for the coastThe center is compact and parking is tight. Buses and trains cover Marbella, Nerja and Granada; rent a car only for the Caminito del Rey and the white villages.Day trips from Málaga
- Plan afternoons around the terralIn July and August highs sit around 30°C, and a hot wind off the interior, the terral, can add more. Sightsee before noon, swim at midday and eat late on a terrace.
Things to do in Málaga
See all attractions in Málaga
Need to know
- Airport
- Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP), about 10–15 min by C1 train
- Getting there
- AVE from Madrid in about 2.5 hours to María Zambrano station
- Getting around
- On foot in the center; city buses to the east beaches
- Best base
- Old town for a first visit, Soho for art and nightlife
- Time needed
- 2 days; 3 with the Caminito del Rey or Ronda
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Mild, quietJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Carnival, mildFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Carnival, mild
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Spring, mildMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Easter, warmAprilClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easter, warm
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm, beach daysMayClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, beach days
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Beach seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low23°Feria, hottestAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Feria, hottest
- SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Mild, sea warmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, sea warm
- NovemberClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, quieterNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- DecemberClear6 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild, lightsDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, lights
Average daily high and low in Málaga, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Málaga
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 59%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Málaga
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°14°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue22°13°15%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Wed18°16°60%Wednesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Thu20°16°42%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Fri22°14°7%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sat21°16°10%Saturday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sun22°18°43%Sunday: Rain. High 22°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 43%.
Updated 06:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Rondaabout 2 hours by busA gorge-top town with the Puente Nuevo; leave early to see it before the tour buses.Read the guide
- Nerjaabout 1 hour by busCliff-edge viewpoints and coves, a calmer coast than Marbella.Read the guide
- Granadaabout 1.5 to 2 hours by bus or trainThe Alhambra needs a timed ticket, so book it before you book the bus.Read the guide
Before you go to Málaga
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Rules for Málaga, checked
Málaga FAQ
How many days do you need in Málaga?
Two days cover the Alcazaba, the cathedral, a Picasso or Pompidou visit and an evening on the beach. Add a third day for the Caminito del Rey, Ronda or Nerja, which each need most of a day.
Is Málaga worth visiting?
Yes. It has real museums, a Moorish fortress and a working-city feel that resort towns lack, plus a beach you can reach on foot. It is hot in midsummer and busy when cruise ships dock, so aim for spring or autumn.
What is the best month to visit Málaga?
May, June, September and October for warm days and swimming sea without peak crowds. July and August are hot and full, and the Feria in mid-August fills hotels. Winter is mild for walking but cool for the sea.
Is Málaga a good base for Granada and Ronda?
Yes for Granada: buses and trains take about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, so it works as a long day if the Alhambra slot is booked. Ronda is easier with a night there, because the bus takes about 2 hours.
Is Málaga safe for tourists?
Generally yes. The usual city precautions apply in the old town and on buses, where pickpockets work crowds. Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets and use licensed taxis from the airport.