There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As ever, all opinions are my own.
If you’re looking for the best way to spend 2 days in Malaga, look no further, my friend! This fun city is not only the biggest city on the Costa del Sol, but it’s also part of Andalusia, the most enthralling and captivating region of Spain!
Forget the idea of just lazing on the beach (although this Malaga itinerary does include beach time) – there’s so much more to explore in Malaga.
From castles to Malaga flamenco, world-renowned art to tantalising tapas, this Malaga itinerary has got it all.
It’s the perfect year-round city break. Yes, even in winter! I visited this sunny and charming city in January and still fell head-over-heels in love.
While I spent three days soaking up the sights and sounds, I understand that not everyone has that luxury. So, if you’re looking to spend two days or an epic weekend in Malaga, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Perfect 2 Days in Malaga Itinerary
Okay, let’s get started with the itinerary. Here’s what to do in Malaga in 2 days!
Day 1: Picasso, Sunbathing and Tapas!
Stop 1: Coffee at Delicotte
Kick off your two days in Malaga with a cup of some of the city’s best coffee at Delicotte. This speciality coffee shop serves up all sorts of different coffees and teas, with a few pastries and other sweet treats to choose from.
There’s not much more to say about it, really, but since so many of us appreciate a good cup of coffee I wanted to share my recommendation!
Stop 2: Malaga Cathedral
The next stop on this Malaga itinerary is the Malaga Cathedral, one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It costs a whopping €8 to enter, so if you’ve already seen a few cathedrals in your life I recommend just checking it out from the outside. If not, go ahead and take a look inside.
This cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782, meaning it took over two hundred years to construct! Spend a few minutes snapping photos of this lovely building bathed in sunlight before carrying on to the next stop.
Stop 3: Malaga Picasso Museum
Did you know that the world-famous artist Pablo Picasso comes from Malaga? Well, it’s true – and you can check out some of his most impressive artworks at the Malaga Picasso Museum.
There are over 200 pieces of Picasso’s work at this museum. With the help of the audio guide included in your ticket, you’ll learn all about Picasso himself, as well as some of his most beloved artworks.
This museum is one of the most popular things to do in Malaga, so that’s why I recommend getting here as early as possible. No matter how early you get here, though, the queues will still be huge!
For this reason, you really should buy your ticket online in advance to save yourself 30+ minutes. Tickets cost €9.50, and you can get them here.
Stop 4: Malaga Alcazaba
It’s time to visit the Alcazaba, a kick-ass Moorish Castle towering over the city. It’s worth the climb to the top for the drop-dead gorgeous views alone, but there is an elevator if you’d prefer that.
Stop off at the Roman Theatre at the base of the castle before you head up. It’s one of the seven preserved Roman Theatres in Andalucia, built way back in the first century AD. It was used as an entertainment space for almost 200 years before falling into disuse. It’s a miracle that these ruins are still standing!
Okay, back to the castle – it was built ages ago, in the 11th century, and is filled with extravagant arches and bubbling fountains that will teleport you to the Arab world. Entry costs €3.50, and you can buy your tickets on arrival.
Stop 5: Plaza de la Merced
It’s lunchtime, so head to one of the most vibey plazas in Malaga – the Plaza de la Merced. You’ll find a tonne of different restaurant options here, but I recommend La Plaza Restaurant.
The Caesar salad here was so good that I came back to eat it every single day of my time in Malaga! It’s also perfectly located for people-watching, and the staff are happy for you to linger for as long as you like.
Pack a book and take a long lunch, lounging in the sun. You deserve it!
Stop 6: Stroll in Malaga Park
Walk off your lunch, and escape the hottest part of the day, by strolling through the shaded Malaga Park.
If you enjoyed reading your book or relaxing in Plaza de la Merced, carry on that relaxation here. If not, after a short stroll head over to Malaga Port.
Stop 7: Check out the Superyachts in Malaga Port
Malaga’s port is a popular stop for luxury superyachts, and chances are there’ll be at least one moored there during your visit. If you’re visiting Malaga in summer, there will probably be a superyacht in every berth.
I loved nothing more than strolling along Malaga Port and taking a glimpse at how the other half live, and then Googling the names of the yachts to find out how much they’re worth. Maybe I’m just nosey, but it’s a lot of fun!
Stop 8: Beach Time!
Alright, the beach is finally in sight! It’s time to lay down your towel and enjoy some well-earned beach time.
If you’re visiting Malaga in January like I did, it’ll be far too cold for sunbathing, but it’ll be okay to paddle and stroll along the sand.
Stop 9: Tapas Crawl
After catching some rays, and maybe even heading back to your hotel for a rest and a shower, delve head-first into Malaga’s foodie scene on this guided tapas crawl!
For those not familiar with Andalusia’s tapas scene, a tapas crawl is the perfect way to learn more about the most authentic foods in Malaga. You’ll also visit some off-the-beaten-path tapas bars known only to locals.
We have some great tapas restaurants at home in the UK, but, obviously, in Spain, they’re in a whole different league.
On this three-hour foodie adventure, you’ll get to sample 10-12 different tapas dishes as well as a dessert and 4-5 drinks. It’s amazing value for your money!
Click here to check the current prices and book your place!
Day 2: Cruising, Viewpoints and Art
Stop 1: Mia Coffee House
Good morning! It’s the second day of this two days in Malaga itinerary, so let’s get started with some coffee. I can personally vouch for Mia Coffee House, which serves up wonderful coffee. If you’re hungry, I also recommend their chocolate-chip banana bread. It’s mind-blowing!
There’s the option to sit inside the cafe to drink your coffee, but I decided to take my coffee to a nearby plaza and eat in the sun. Divine!
Stop 2: Carmen Thyssen Museum
Another day, another art museum – have you guessed that Malaga is an arty city yet?
Today, head over to the Carmen Thyssen Museum, which focuses on Andalucian and Spanish art – so it has something to differentiate itself from the hordes of other art museums you’ll come across on your travels.
The museum is inside a stunning 16th-century palace and is located in the heart of the city’s Moorish quarter. If you’re wondering how long you’ll need to spend here, I recommend anywhere from 1 hour to 90 minutes. The length of your visit depends on how interested in the history and details of the pieces you are.
Entry costs €10, and you can skip the line by buying your tickets here.
Stop 3: Catamaran Cruise with Swimming
I bet the water has been looking tantalising for your entire trip, so why not hit the waves and explore Malaga’s coastline on a short catamaran cruise? These short cruises are pretty popular in Malaga, and, for that reason, they’re also very affordable!
This one-hour catamaran cruise around the shores of Malaga is perfect no matter what season you’re visiting in. In summer, there’s the option to add a swimming stop to your trip (which adds an additional 30 minutes), so that you have time to jump off the boat and cool off in the water! In winter, the tours still run, just without the swimming stop.
At just €12, there’s no reason to skip this experience! You can check departure times and availability below:
Not sure if this is the right boat trip for you? No worries, I’ve written a roundup of the very best Malaga boat trips over here.
Once you’re back on dry land, head somewhere nearby for lunch. I can’t really make any recommendations here because, as I said, I went to La Plaza Restaurant every single day!
Stop 5: Mirador de Gibralfaro
For the best views of Malaga, the walk up to the Mirador de Gibralfaro is well worth it. You’ll get sweeping views of the city and the sea, and you’ll be able to spot many of Malaga’s most famous landmarks from here!
It might be worth moving this visit to the very start or very end of your day if you’re visiting Malaga in summer, as it’ll be super hot walking up here. In all other seasons, though, the temperature is still manageable enough to walk up in the afternoon without becoming dehydrated.
There’s a small fortress at the top, which you can pay to enter if you like, but since you’ll have already visited the Alcazaba on your 2 days in Malaga it’s not necessary. Just look at those views!
Stop 6: More Beach Time!
Back down at sea level, there’s more free time to spend tanning, swimming, or just reading a book as you return to Malaga Beach. It’s been a fairly jam-packed itinerary, so you’ll appreciate this opportunity for a rest!
After some beach time, head back to your hotel to freshen up and rest.
Stop 7: Flamenco Show
You can’t visit Andalusia without going to see a flamenco show! Despite Malaga being very touristy, you’re still able to find excellent flamenco shows here for an affordable price.
This top-rated flamenco show is the best in town, offering up traditional flamenco dancing, singing and guitar playing in one of the most popular tablaos (flamenco venues) in Malaga.
If you’ve never been to a flamenco show before, I highly recommend it – even if you’re not normally into dancing. It’s so immersive that you’ll feel transported to another place and time.
Click here to check availability and book your tickets!
Extra Information for your 2 Days in Malaga
Where is Malaga?
You’ll find Malaga in the charming region of Andalucia, on Spain’s world-famous Costa del Sol. This is the main city in the Costa del Sol. It’s also the a perfect base for exploring the region’s many awesome beach towns and natural wonders.
Malga is around 210 kilometres from Seville, another one of Andalucia’s most popular cities. It’s also 535 kilometres from Madrid, Spain’s capital city.
How to Get to Malaga
Getting to Malaga is super easy, thanks to its high standard of public transport and its international airport.
If you’re arriving in the city via bus, you can catch numerous buses from the bus station to the city centre – just use Google Maps to check which bus to take to get to your destination. One-way bus tickets cost €1.40, and you buy them from the bus driver in cash.
The airport for Malaga is Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, and it’s just 8 km from central Malaga.
Of course, it’s possible to take a taxi into the city centre, but the cheapest option is the airport express bus, which costs €4 and takes around 20 to 25 minutes. You buy tickets from the driver and pay in cash.
In terms of getting around Malaga, you’ll have no problem. Strolling around the city is one of the most charming things to do here, and there are plenty of city centre buses if you need them.
How Many Days in Malaga is Enough?
This is such a hard question to answer, because it totally depends on the type of trip you want and what you want to do whilst you’re here.
If you want to check out the city’s highlights and top attractions, two days in Malaga is the right amount of time to spend here. However, if you have longer to spare, I highly recommend it! Especially in summer, when you’re going to want to spend a good chunk of time lounging on the beach and drinking beers in the sun.
Two days in Malaga is enough if you’re sticking to sightseeing. You could easily spend one week in Malaga, though, if you want to spend a lot of time on the beach and take a few day trips.
Where to Stay in Malaga
Hostel
When it comes to fabulous hostels, you’re spoiled for choice in Malaga! Honestly – there are so many top-rated hostels in the city that I recommend taking some time to read the reviews and find the right match for you.
I opted to stay in this wonderful “poshtel” – and it was amazing! As a budget backpacker, it was definitely worth spending a few extra Euros per night to have a “hotel”-style hostel. One thing to note, though, is that this hostel is NOT the place to go if you want to be social and make friends. For a great social hostel in Malaga, I’ve heard great things about this centrally-located hostel.
Click here to check out the best hostels in Malaga!
Budget Hotel
First, some bad news – you’ll struggle to find a good-quality hotel for cheap in Malaga in spring or summer. That said, there are a few solid options that are as “budget-friendly” as you can get in Malaga that are well-reviewed. Of course, you’re able to get slightly cheaper accommodation outside of the city centre, but nobody needs that hassle!
My top pick is this city-centre hotel that has everything you’ll need for a short city break in Malaga. You’re looking at around €80 per night for a double room here, with prices obviously higher in summer and lower in winter.
You’ll get to stay right in the heart of the city, and you’ll even get to use the shared kitchen here – perfect for reducing the cost of your trip even further!
Click here to check availability and current rates!
Mid-Range Hotel
With slightly more money to play with, there are some incredible city-centre offerings in Malaga. Mid-range travellers will be able to stay somewhere centrally located, with a pool, and knockout sea views!
My top recommendation for a mid-range hotel in Malaga is this beautiful historic hotel overlooking Malaga bay! It’s so tranquil that you’ll probably want to add an extra day to your trip to make the most of the pool, views, and sprawling gardens.
Click here to check availability and current rates!
When is the Best Time to Visit Malaga?
So here’s the deal – there’s no bad time to visit Malaga!
Although the summer months (June-August) are the busiest and most popular months to visit Malaga, this sunny city is perfect for a city break all year round.
The main factor that’ll influence your decision on when to visit Malaga is what you want to do there.
Some activities, like sunbathing and snorkelling, are seasonal, and it’ll be too cold to do these from around November until April. Malaga has a fun Zombie parade for Day of the Dead in early November, so if that sounds interesting to you go for it!
I visited Malaga in January, and, in my experience, this was an AMAZING time to visit for some winter sun. It’s one of the few places in Europe that’s warm in January!
Malaga is still fairly dry in winter, with average temperatures hovering around 18°C, although it reached 22°C when I was there!
Is Malaga Safe to Visit?
I visited Malaga as a solo female traveller, and I felt totally safe here – even at night. Overall, Malaga is a very safe city to visit, and one of the safest cities in Andalusia!
Of course, you still need to keep your wits about you, like in any big city. Keep your belongings safe and secure, don’t go out and get blackout wasted by yourself, etc. You guys know this, and I’m sure I don’t need to lecture you about it.
Malaga Water Safety
Let’s talk about water. Is the water in Malaga safe to drink? The general consensus is yes, the water in Malaga is safe to drink. However, it has been known to cause upset stomachs to those who have delicate stomachs and aren’t used to this water.
The solution? You could buy water bottles, but nobody wants to be responsible for all that single-use plastic waste! Instead, I use my secret weapon for travel – this water bottle that you can fill up from any tap and will make your water safe to drink!
It’s helped me save hundreds of plastic bottles in my time and stopped me from getting sick. It’s my favourite travel accessory! Get yours here!
Is Malaga Cheap?
Whilst I wouldn’t exactly say that Malaga is cheap, it’s certainly easy to travel here on a budget, and it’s far cheaper than many other popular tourist cities in Western Europe.
If you’re coming from a country like the U.K., US or Australia, Spain is generally quite affordable to travel to. Plus, since Malaga is a very popular holiday destination for Brits there are loads of cheap bars and nightlife options aimed at tourists.
I spent around €50 per day in Malaga, which included a dorm room in a fancy hostel, two snacks and one large meal per day, a few drinks, and a museum ticket. I filled the rest of my day with free attractions like walking the promenade, climbing up to the castles and just wandering around the city gushing over how pretty it is!
I’m a budget traveller, though, and most people reading this aren’t planning to stay in a hostel and count their pennies whilst in Malaga (am I right?).
I think around €75 per day is a comfortable daily budget for a mid-range traveller in Malaga. For this, you can afford to eat at restaurants more, drink more booze (ayyy!), go to more paid attractions and activities, and stay in a private room in a mid-range hotel. Nice!
Is Malaga Worth Visiting?
Malaga is definitely worth visiting. I had little to no expectations when I arrived in the city, and by the end of my three days there, I left wishing that I had longer! Its year-round sunny weather is a huge reason to visit Malaga, but its interesting and varied museums, affordable prices and beautiful viewpoints are what’s gonna make you want to linger here.
Looking for more Andalucia travel guides? I’ve got you covered:
– 2 Days in Seville: The Ultimate Itinerary For Your First Visit!
– One Day in Cadiz Itinerary
– One Day in Cordoba Itinerary – Plan the Perfect Seville to Cordoba Day Trip!
