Málaga, told by your hosts

Catedral de Málaga («La Manquita»)

The one-towered, unfinished cathedral that gives the city its nickname and skyline. Climb to the rooftop if you can — the views over the old town are something else.

7 min walk from the Víctor Hugo apartment

Alcazaba y Teatro Romano

A Moorish fortress overlooking the port with a Roman theatre at its feet: two thousand years of city in a single corner. The Alcazaba is free on Sundays from 2pm, and the Roman theatre always.

Castillo de Gibralfaro

Málaga’s lookout. Walk up at sunset (or take bus 35 when it’s hot) and you’ll see the port, the bullring and the sea in one sweep. Free on Sundays from 2pm.

Calle Larios y el casco antiguo

Málaga’s elegant main street and the maze of lanes around it. Get lost without a map — that’s the point.

10 min walk from Old Town 300 m and El Molinillo

Museo Picasso Málaga

Picasso was born a few steps away, on Plaza de la Merced. The museum in the Buenavista Palace is the city’s essential cultural stop. Free entry on Sundays for the last two opening hours.

Soho y el CAC

The arts district: giant murals by international artists and the Contemporary Art Centre, free to visit.

Museo de Málaga (Palacio de la Aduana)

Fine Arts and Archaeology in a neoclassical palace next to the Alcazaba — one of Andalusia’s largest museums. Always free to enter.

Pl. de la Aduana

Centre Pompidou Málaga

The colourful cube on Muelle Uno: modern and contemporary art by the port. Free on Sundays from 4pm.

Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, Muelle Uno

Museo Carmen Thyssen

19th-century Andalusian and Spanish painting in a central palace. Free on Sundays from 4pm.

C. Compañía, 10

Casa Natal de Picasso

The house where Picasso was born, on Plaza de la Merced. Free on Sundays from 4 to 8pm.

Pl. de la Merced, 15

Mercado de Atarazanas

The central market, under a spectacular stained-glass window and a Moorish gate. Fresh fish, fruit, and counters for a midday tapa.

Mercado de Salamanca

A little neo-Mudéjar gem in El Molinillo, far from the tourist trail. It’s our market: this is where the neighbourhood has always shopped — and had breakfast.

1 min from the Víctor Hugo apartment

Marisquería La Peregrina

Fresh seafood at a great price, no fuss.

C. Madre de Dios, 37

Cortijo de Pepe

Traditional Malagueño cooking since 1971, on Plaza de la Merced. Small and always full — book ahead.

Pl. de la Merced, 2

El Pimpi

Málaga's most iconic taberna, facing the Roman theatre. Half traditional cellar, half modern terrace — worth a look even just to peek inside.

C. Granada, 62

Lo Güeno

Traditional and tiny, with superb rice dishes. Booking recommended.

C. Marín García, 9

La Cepa

Traditional cooking with top-quality produce.

C. Strachan, 12

Er Pichi de Cai

Andalusian food from Cádiz: fried fish and tapas at a good price.

C. Trinidad Grund, 8

CB23 (Antigua Casa de Botes)

Modern but high quality at a fair price; famous for their rice dishes.

C. Casas de Campos, 23

Mesón Ibérico

Quality traditional cooking, big on meats and famous for its artichokes.

C. San Lorenzo, 27

Casa Lola

Classic Malagueño tapas and a great buzz. There are three: on Calle Granada (next to El Pimpi), on Plaza Uncibay, and on Strachan (near the Cathedral).

C. Granada · Pl. Uncibay · C. Strachan

Fomo Bar

A lively bar right on Calle Carretería.

C. Carretería

La Farola de Orellana

A classic, lifelong tapas bar near Calle Larios.

C. Moreno Monroy, 5

Taberna cofrade Las Merchanas

Very typical and full of character: there’s often a queue for tables at weekends, but service flies at the bar. Good and cheap.

C. Mosquera, 5

Taberna Astoria

A central taberna for relaxed tapas.

La Canasta

A Málaga classic with several branches; breakfast through dinner (7:30–22:30).

C. Armengual de la Mota, 8

Steps from El Molinillo

Tejeringo's Coffee

Specialists in the Malagueño churro, the 'tejeringo'. Great for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

C. Armengual de la Mota, 18

Steps from El Molinillo

Churrería Rosa

Traditional, always packed with locals, breakfast only. Tejeringo specialists.

C. Jaboneros, 3

Right next to El Molinillo

Churrería Casa Aranda

A Málaga institution for its churros con chocolate.

C. Herrería del Rey, 2

Kima Coffee Go

Specialty coffee to go, to kick off the day.

C. Mármoles, 22

Steps from El Molinillo

Caramello Salato Café

A less traditional option, with really good food.

C. Carretería, 20-22

Kima Coffee

Specialty coffee, ranked 80th in The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops.

La Cheesequería

The best cheesecakes in Málaga, right next to Fomo Bar.

C. Carretería

Terraza Batik

Rooftop with views of the Roman theatre and the Alcazaba; take the lift to the top floor. Right next door, TKO bar serves €1 tacos.

Junto al Teatro Romano

Terraza del hotel Meliá

Hotel rooftop with panoramic views; a lift opposite the entrance goes straight up.

La Terraza de Valeria

Hotel rooftop very close to the port entrance.

Playa de la Misericordia

The wide, calm beach to the west, the locals’ favourite for a stroll. Dark sand, chiringuitos and long sunsets.

200 m from Beach & Relax

Paseo marítimo Antonio Banderas

Kilometres of seafront promenade with a bike lane, playgrounds and outdoor exercise areas. Perfect for a sunrise run or a sunset walk.

At the end of the Beach & Relax street

Museo Ruso (Colección del Museo Ruso)

Russian art in the old Tabacalera tobacco factory, a beautiful building with gardens. The perfect cultural excuse on a Huelin beach day.

Right next to Beach & Relax

Muelle Uno

The port promenade, beautiful at dusk when the monuments light up. To eat without spending much, the two spots at the far end towards the lighthouse (100 Montaditos and La Sureña).