Free walking tours in Málaga and what to see

Must-sees

Málaga’s old town is small and easy to walk. Calle Larios leads to the Plaza de la Constitución and from there to the cathedral, which locals call La Manquita, “the one-armed lady”, because its second tower was never finished. Very close are the Picasso Museum, in a 16th-century palace, and the painter’s birthplace, on the Plaza de la Merced.

Above the city rises the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress with patios and gardens, next to the Roman theatre. Higher up is Gibralfaro Castle, whose walls look out over the whole bay. Then walk down to the port along Muelle Uno, home to the Centre Pompidou and its coloured cube, and carry on along the Paseo del Parque. To finish, Malagueta beach and the Soho district, full of street art.

Free tours and guided visits

The free tour of the centre usually lasts about two hours. It passes Calle Larios, the cathedral, the Roman theatre and the Plaza de la Merced, and tells the city’s story from the Phoenicians to Picasso. There are also routes through Soho and its street art, and some evening tours about legends. As with all of them, you tip what you like at the end.

A guided visit to the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro is worth it, because without context they look like just walls. Málaga is also a good base for day trips. The most common go to Ronda, with its bridge over the gorge, to Nerja and Frigiliana, and to the Caminito del Rey, which must be booked in advance. Granada is less than two hours away and you can see the Alhambra in a day.

How long to spend

Two days are enough for the city. Day one, a free tour of the centre, the cathedral and the Picasso Museum. Day two, the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro in the morning, and the afternoon at the port and the beach. If you stay three or four days, spend the rest on day trips. Ronda, Nerja and the Caminito del Rey are the easiest to organise.

Where to stay

The old town is the best choice for getting around on foot: you’re a few minutes from the cathedral, the museums and the port. Soho, between the centre and the river, is a little quieter and well located. If you want the beach, Malagueta is right next to the centre. Pedregalejo, further east, has a seafront promenade and beach bars, although you’ll need the bus to get to and from the old town.