The old town of Malaga, Spain, is one of the most captivating in Andalucia, with a maze of cobbled streets taking you past tapas bars, boutique shops, and quirky museums to quaint squares.
Malaga Old Town breathes history and culture, a delightful blend of traditional and modern, something rare in Spain’s southern region.
Historical sites like the Roman Theater and the Moorish Alcazaba are witnesses to the many rulers who have shaped Malaga’s old town over the centuries.
There are so many things to do in Malaga’s historic center to keep you entertained for days, and in this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know, from how to get there to what to do, and where to shop and eat.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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Where is Malaga Old Town?
Malaga Old Town stretches from the Alcazaba to the Guadalmedina River and continues inland through a maze of cobbled streets and quaint squares.
The historic center borders the Soho district and almost reaches the marina, so it is centrally located to all the highlights in Malaga.
Where to stay in Malaga Old Town
There’s a wealth of hotels in Malaga Old Town to choose from for every budget. You can read my complete guide to where to stay in Malaga or check out the hotels below.
BEST LUXURY
Palacio Solecio
Set in a restored 18th-century palace, this is a dreamy hotel to stay in the city center. It has a high-end restaurant and cocktail bar.
BOOK HERE
BEST MID-RANGE
Palacete de Alamos
Lovely boutique hotel in the heart of Malaga Old Town within walking distance of all the top attractions, restaurants, and bars.
BOOK HERE
BEST BUDGET
H-A Hotel Trebol
A great budget hotel in the heart of Malaga Old Town. It’s basic but clean and the location is great compared to the price.
BOOK HERE
Malaga Old Town parking
Parking in Malaga Old Town can be complicated. There is a large pedestrian area, and the streets surrounding it are narrow and less than ideal for driving around. However, there are some parking garages around the old town.
I have usually left the car at Parking Tejon, which is within easy walking distance from all the top attractions in the old town.
There is also one not far from Calle Larios at the marina, Parking Plaza de La Marina, where I’ve left my car a few times. Further up the street, you find Parking Muelle Uno, which is close to the Centre Pompidou.
If you’re looking for free parking in Malaga, you might be lucky and find a spot along the Parque de Malaga across the street from Muelle Uno.
This is only a few minutes walk to the old town. I always park there with the van to avoid the hassle of driving it into narrow parking garages.
Where to eat in Malaga Old Town
This is a big question with an incredibly large number of subjective answers. Now, you’re talking to a plant-based foodie here, so I can definitely guide you to the best places to eat vegan in Malaga.
However, I realize that not all of you are, so I’ll list some of the best restaurants in Malaga Old Town that are great for everyone.
Beyond these restaurants, it’s really hard to go wrong in Malaga Old Town, particularly if you move away from the main tourist magnets.
Mercado Central De Atarazanas – The local market in Old Town Malaga and a tourist attraction in itself. Spain is famous for its food markets, and this is a great example with plenty of tapas bars inside.
Astrid – A welcoming organic tapas restaurant with a few fully vegan dishes (not tapas) on the menu.
El Vegetariano de la Alcazabilla – A vegetarian restaurant tucked in a back street close to the Roman Theater that has amazing plates with multiple vegetarian and vegan tapas.
Uvedoble – Upscale tapas and mains. They’ve mainly got meat and seafood-based dishes, but a handful of things on the menu are or can be made vegetarian or vegan. See the menu here.
El Tapeo de Cervantes – One of the most popular tapas restaurants in Malaga. There are 2-3 things on the menu that are veg (mainly salads.) See their website here.
La Vegana – The best vegan tapas you’ll ever have. Basically, every traditional meat and seafood tapa is veganized and I still haven’t tried anything I didn’t like.
Bun & Coffee – A hidden gem that specializes in vegan doughnuts that everyone will love. They also serve coffee with both plant-based and cow milk.
Shopping in Malaga Old Town
If you’re planning on going shopping in Malaga Old Town, you won’t be disappointed. There are so many stores to choose from. You find anything from quirky handicrafts and antiques to upscale boutique shops as well as all the famous brands like H&M and Zara.
The best places to look for Malaga Old Town’s shops are Calle Larios, Calle Nueva, and the connecting streets. There you’ll find all the big names.
When looking for more quirky and unique stores, I recommend taking a look down Calle Compañia which is located off Plaza de La Constitucion. There are quite a few unique finds that way.
With some patience, you’ll find quite a few hidden treasures in the narrow streets of Malaga Old City.
Things to do in Malaga Old Town
Take a guided tour of the Alcazaba and Roman Theater
Visiting the Alcazaba and Roman Theater are among the most popular things to do in Malaga Old Town and not without a reason.
The Roman Theater dates back to the 1st century AD and is free to visit, but it’s worth visiting with a local guide together with the Alcazaba. This way, you learn everything there is to know about its history.
Overlooking the Roman Theater, you find the Alcazaba, which I think is one of the most beautiful castles in Malaga.
Wandering through the Alcazaba’s robust walls and towers takes you back in time when the Moors held the city. It was constructed in the 11th century on the hill right above the Roman Theater.
You can get Alcazaba Malaga tickets at the door, but I highly recommend booking a guided tour as you’ll get so much more out of the visit. The castle walls hide a wealth of history you just won’t know about if you visit individually.
👉BOOK A GUIDED TOUR OF ALCAZABA AND THE ROMAN THEATER
Climb the hill to Gibralfaro
Another highlight of the old town of Malaga is the Gibralfaro Castle overlooking the Alcazaba.
The scenic route to the majestic Castle of Gibralfaro provides sweeping views of Malaga’s marina, Muelle Uno. Gibralfaro Viewpoint is just over halfway up and is spectacular at sunset, so if you manage to time your descent around that time, you’re up for a treat!
This fortress, perched high above Malaga, offers unparalleled panoramic views – the rooftops of Malaga Old Town lead to the dramatic mountains one way and to the deep blue sea the other way.
The fortress, with its robust walls and watchtowers, is a reminder of the city’s military significance and its resilience against numerous sieges. In my humble opinion, the best views of Malaga are from Gibralfaro.
You can purchase joint tickets with the Alcazaba or get them directly at the entrance.
Visit the Picasso Museum
Malaga is Picasso’s birthplace, which makes a visit to the Picasso Museum a must for any art lover. The museum is huge and there’s not only work by Picasso himself in there, but you can see the works of many other artists, some of whom have been inspired by Pablo Picasso himself.
I highly recommend taking a private tour of the Picasso Museum, including Picasso’s Natal House. After all, it isn’t every day you visit Picasso’s hometown!
Experience the Malaga Fair
The Feria de Malaga, or Malaga Fair, is officially located outside the city center, but the Malageños celebrate in style in the old town too!
With plenty of live concerts, people crowd the streets, dancing and drinking Cartojal (sweet wine) out of pink shot glasses with polka dots.
It used to be celebrated full on in the streets of the old town, but as of 2025, alcohol isn’t allowed in the streets anymore, which means that you must drink up the good stuff inside venues before you go out and dance.
In all honesty, this is my favorite part of the Feria de Malaga when the old town comes to life with culture and tradition. This might be one of my favorite things to do in Costa del Sol.
Go shopping
One of the top things to do in Malaga Old Town is to go shopping. The bustling streets and squares house a myriad of different shops.
Whether you’re hunting for handcrafted jewelry, local artisanal goods, or the latest in Spanish fashion, you’ll find it in Malaga.
Calle Larios and Calle Nueva have all the affordable chain stores as well as high-end luxury brands. But give yourself time to get lost in the more remote and narrow streets, and you will find boutique shops, unique vintage stores, and local handicrafts.
Shopping in Malaga is heaven for any shopaholic!
Eat all the tapas
Malaga Historic Center hides a plethora of tapas restaurants, and you find both local and international food.
I suggest going a bit away from the main tourist attractions to avoid the highest prices. Besides, some gourmet tapas bars have very high prices. So just check beforehand if you’re on a budget. Because tapas is the size of the dish – and it’s small!
I also have a guide to where to eat vegan in Malaga if you’re like me and don’t do the animal products that Andalucia is so famous for. La Vegana is my favorite all-vegan tapas place you should try!
There are tapas tours you can take, and I’d highly recommend it if you want to get an introduction to some great tapas places and maybe even meet some other travelers.
Visit Malaga Cathedral
Towering in the heart of Malaga’s Old Town, the cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings.
Malaga Cathedral is also known as ‘La Manquita’, which translates to ‘The One-Armed Lady’, alluding to its iconic unfinished tower.
It’s a beautiful blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, and it gives a different feeling depending on which side of it you walk.
I highly recommend going inside. The interior is absolutely stunning. The best way to learn all about its intriguing history is by taking this guided tour.
You can also visit Malaga Cathedral’s rooftop, which I really enjoyed. The views are spectacular! It’s a guided tour organized by the cathedral, and you must book at the entrance, where you’ll get a timed entrance to the rooftop.
From there, you’ll get sweeping views of the entire city, and it’s especially cool to see the view of Alcazaba and Gibralfaro.
👉BOOK A GUIDED TOUR OF MALAGA CATHEDRAL
Admire the architecture
The architectural beauty you come across when walking around, not just in the renowned monuments but also in the details of everyday structures, is among the best things to see in Malaga Old Town.
Malaga Old Town holds a lovely mix of Moorish inspiration, Gothic grandeur, and contemporary flair.
I’ve been wandering these streets for so many years, and I still find myself in awe as I discover new details and new hidden corners. If you’re looking for free things to do in Malaga, look no further.
Search for street art
While the Soho district is most famous for street art in Malaga, the Old City of Malaga also hides beautiful artistic creations. The most notable are on Plaza de La Juderia, just a stone’s throw from the Roman Theater.
But I challenge you to get lost in the maze of narrow streets and alleys to search for other magnificent pieces that are hidden throughout the old town.
If you love street art, I highly recommend going on this street art tour of the Soho and Las Lahunillas districts.
See the Christmas Lightshow in Calle Larios
If you visit Malaga during Christmas, you shouldn’t miss out on the city’s highlight, the famous Christmas Lightshow, which takes place in Calle Larios shopping street every evening.
The musical light show attracts thousands of people from nearby towns and cities to Malaga in December and until Epiphany Day, the 6th of January, when the Christmas period ends in Spain.
The light show is accompanied by Christmas music, both international and Spanish. The street is always jam-packed with singing and dancing Spaniards and tourists alike.
Generally, Malaga’s winter months are jam-packed with fiestas, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of Andalucia during winter.
Summing up Old Town Malaga
Summing up, Old Town Malaga, Spain, is a fabulous neighborhood to explore with so much diversity and deep roots in culture and art. Yet, it’s moving with the times like no other old town in Andalucia.
This makes Malaga Old Town unique, and whether you like museums, street art, history, or religious structures, there’s a whole world to uncover in the tapered streets.
Happy travels!