How to enjoy 3 days in Malaga

Malaga is a vibrant costal city in Spain’s southern Costa del Sol region. It’s home to Moorish architecture, artistic influences, amazing landscapes and countless tapas bars! So whether you’re going for the food and drinks, or history and architecture, 3 days in Malaga offers enough time to explore the city.

This comprehensive Malaga guide features everything from Malaga weather, flight tickets, car rentals, accommodation and more! If you’re pressed for time, here’s a quick summary of this 3-day Malaga itinerary.

Ultimate 3 day Malaga itinerary | How to spend 3 days in Malaga & surrounding areas

GETTING TO MALAGA

There are several ways to get to Malaga depending on where you’re arriving from. You can get to Malaga are by plane, car, bus or train.

TRAIN

If you’re exploring Costa del Sol and are already in the area, you can easily reach Malaga via Train. Purchase tickets on Omio or Trainline and expect up to 10 hours of travel time if you’re arriving from the north of Spain.

Malaga train tickets

BUS

Another good way to get to Malaga is by bus. Flixbus is Europe’s cheapest mode of road travel and it connects travellers to European cities daily. While bus travel might not be ideal when you’re traveling from Budapest to Malaga (that would be about 52h 45m of road travel), it’s a great solution for people traveling from nearby cities.

CAR

Similar to bus travel, arriving by car is another convenient way to get to Malaga if you’re already in the area. This way of getting to Malaga is ideal if you’re exploring the region and visiting multiple cities in Costa del Sol. There are several Malaga car rental dealerships to choose from if you’re arriving by plane and then renting a car to explore the city and beyond.

Explore care rentals or here

PLANE

Speaking of flying into Malaga, air travel is the quickest and cheapest way of getting into Malaga. You can get Malaga flight tickets from a budget airline like Wizzair or fly with Iberia, Air France or Austrian Airlines.

Find your flight tickets to Malaga

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If you’re flying from Budapest to Malaga (like I did), expect to be in the air for about 5 hours. I recommend wearing comfortable clothing, bringing some sort of entertainment with you and filling up your water bottle at the Budapest Airport.

You’ll arrive to Malaga at Málaga – Costa del Sol Airport where you can take the Bus A to get into the city centre. This ticket costs around 4 euros and you can buy the ticket on the bus in cash or by card. Simply exit the airport when you get to arrivals and look out for the bus stop right in front of the airport.

Malaga Accommodation | Where to stay in Malaga

Once you make it to Malaga, you’ll probably have to check into your hotel, hostel or Airbnb. Depending on the kind of traveler you are, and the size of your travel group, you might have a preference over different accommodation types.

Luckily, there so many accommodation types right in the city centre. Everything is within walking distance of the city’s attractions and hard-to-resist tapas bars.

During my 3 days in Malaga I chose to stay at TOC Hostel because it ticked a lot of boxes for me.

The hostel offered:

• Modern amenities including a bar, study and play area and cafe (ideal for working).
• Central location and close proximity to all Malaga attractions.
• Several room options including mixed rooms, single sex rooms and even single rooms.

I recommend this hostel if you have a mid-range budget and want the luxuries of a hotel while still sticking to a budget.

Some other Malaga accommodation options you could consider include:

• Hostal Vidamia
• Coeo Hostel Hernan Ruiz
• Nordik Rooms Urban

Regardless of which accommodation type you go for, I recommend staying in the centre of Malaga or closer to the beach if you are hoping to have sea views from your window.

GETTING AROUND MALAGA

Transportation around Malaga is pretty convenient so getting around the city shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re centrally located, chances are you won’t need to get on any public transportation but in the event that you need to, the buses are a great way to get around.

You don’t have to worry about purchasing a ticket beforehand as you can always do this when you hop on the bus. Keep in mind that most, if not all, buses will require in cash payment so be sure to have some change on you.

Otherwise, Malaga is a pretty walkable city and with the great weather its worth walking instead.

Day 1 in Malaga

• Check-in
• Brunch ( Contept30 or BrunchIt)
• Mercado Central de Atarazanas
• Malaga Central
• Promenade
• Pompidou
• Parque de Malaga
• Alcazaba
• Gibralfaro look out
• Tapas

Morning

1. Check into your accommodation

To make the most of your time in Malaga, I recommend flying there in the morning. If you can, try to get an early check in or use their storage facilities because your first day will require a lot of walking. For light travellers, walking around with a backpack might not be a big issue but if you’ve rather not do this, I recommend storing your bag somewhere.

Book a room here

2. Get brunch

On average, the flight to Malaga takes about 5 hours (this will vary depending on where you’re traveling from), so chances are you’re going to arrive hungry.

Spoiler: Spanish cuisine is world-renowned so you’ll be spoiled for choice when to comes to dining.

I recommend getting brunch because its usually filling and can keep you satisfied until dinner. Since you’ll only be spend 3 days in Malaga, I recommend dining at some of the city’s most popular spots. Brunch typically costs between 11-16 euros and portions are usually pretty good.

Afternoon

3. Explore the old market & Malaga central

Architecture lover or not, you have to visit Mercado Central de Atarazanas. This market hall is so incredibly beautiful, its hard to miss. It’s also one of Malaga’s most exciting attractions and is surrounded by such great energy. You can see vibrant colours all around, smell freshly ground spices and fish, and hear the chatter of passersby and salesmen and women.

It’s a great place to buy fresh produce so if you decide to stay in an Airbnb during your 3 days in Malaga, make sure to stop here and get some fresh produce.

At this point in your journey, you’ll be in the heart of the city and I recommend walking around the area. Feel free to lost in the narrow streets, admire the architecture and Spanish sun before making your way to the promenade.

4. Walk along the promenade

3 days in Malaga wouldn’t be complete without a walk or two along the promenade. It’s one of the Malaga’s most insta-worthy spots and also just a true reflection of the city’s ambience.

Here, you’ll see both locals and tourists, making their usual commute or exploring just like you.

Stop for a picture or two, people watch and make your way to the next Malaga attraction.

5. Pompidou Malaga

The temporary Centre Pompidou is a must visit Malaga attraction for all history and contemporary art lovers. Housed in the famous colourful cube building on the beach, this attraction is home to several artworks and workshops dedicated to younger audiences.

Visiting the temporary museum is inexpensive and also a great way to spend the afternoon if you’re visiting Malaga in peak summer. However, if you’re not much for art or history, it’s worth snagging a cool picture here.

Planning your visit: The Centre Pompidou is open everyday except Tuesday and admission tickets cost around 9 euros. Visiting hours are between 9:30 AM and 8 PM.

6. Parque de Malaga

I think it’s say that Parque de Malaga is one of the city’s most beautiful attractions. Think palm trees, and several other plant species all lined up with a view of the promenade. But that’s not all. This spot is also ideal for spotting beautiful architecture. Walk along the main street and wander through the small paths that lead up to fountains and other architectural gems.

This attraction is free to visit and a must-see during all seasons. If you’re visiting during warmer weather, feel free to take a small picnic basket or snack with you.

7. Alcazaba

If you love history, arts and architecture, you have to see Alcazaba, one of Malaga’s best attractions. The word Alcazaba comes from an Arabic word and the structure served as an Islamic fortress, housing silos and cisterns.

Malaga’s alcazaba isn’t the only one in the area, in fact, there are several others including those in Badajoz, Almeria, Antequera, Jaen, Guadix, Calatayud, Merida, and the one built inside of the Alhambra.

You can purchase tickets to Alcazaba for less than 10 euros and I highly recommend getting your tickets in advance to avoid the long queues.

8. Gibralfaro look out

At this point during the day you might be tired from all the traveling and walking. But hold on there, there is one more Malaga attraction to see right here. Malaga Alcazaba sits atop a hill and from here you can catch some of the best views of Malaga. The hike from alaczaba is only a few minutes long and this spot is known for its romantic nature and unparalleled views of Malaga.

I also recommend taking a drink and a picnic blanket with you if you plan on sitting for a while.

9. Tapas

You can’t spend 3 days in Malaga and not have tapas! If you’re staying in the city center, you’ll be spoiled for choice because there are so many good food places.

Generally speaking, Spanish food is known to be known one of the best so regardless of where you end up having tapas, you’ll have an amazing meal.

Day 2 in Malaga

• Day trip

Even though Malaga has so many attractions and a lot to offer, it’s worth taking a day trip during your time in Malaga.

Depending on your interests, you can choose from one of these Malaga day trips:

Stunning Nature: Caminito del Rey If you love the outdoors, you’re going to enjoy this thrilling walk along the dramatic gorge, with breathtaking views and a suspended footpath.

History & Culture: Granada & the Alhambra is a must-visit for history lovers—explore the stunning Moorish palace of the Alhambra, stroll through the Albaicín, and enjoy tapas.

For Charming Villages: Ronda This is one of the best day trips from Malaga and absolutely worth visiting. Ronda is a mountaintop town famous for its dramatic Puente Nuevo bridge, historic bullring, and incredible views.

For Beaches & Caves: Nerja & Frigiliana Visiting during summer? Then you have to explore Nerja’s beautiful beaches and the impressive Nerja Caves, then visit Frigiliana, a picturesque white village.

For Wine & Relaxation: Mijas Pueblo Wine and dine? Absolutely! Explore this charming whitewashed village with fantastic tapas, scenic views, and local wines—great for a laid-back escape.

Day 3

• Beach day
• Museum night date
• Tapas

On your last day in Malaga, I highly recommend spending some time at the beach. You can unwind and try the local fried sardines and other snacks. Depending on how you want to spend the day you can sunbathe in the morning or spend the whole day at the beach.

Malaga also has a lot museums worth visiting on the last day of your 3-day trip. Some museums you might consider visiting during your time in Malaga include:

• Picasso Museum Málaga. Why visit? Málaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and this museum showcases over 200 works by the legendary artist. Tickets
• Carmen Thyssen Museum. Why visit? A fantastic collection of 19th-century Spanish paintings, showcasing Andalusian culture, landscapes, and traditions. Tickets
• Museo de Málaga. Why visit? A mix of archaeology and fine arts, with artefacts from Roman and Moorish times. Housed in a beautiful 18th-century palace! Tickets
• Málaga Wine Museum. Why visit? Learn about Málaga’s rich wine history and taste some of the region’s best sweet wines. Tickets

Whether you’re going for the sun, food or culture, Malaga is a beautiful place to visit and 3 days in the city is a great way to get a feel for it.