Where to stay in Malaga?

Malaga, the southernmost large city in Europe, is one of the oldest cities in the world (2.800 years) that has evolved into a modern and cosmopolitan town that has much more to offer to the visitor than the beach. It is also becoming a reference cultural destination that currently boasts more than 30 museums, many historical monuments to visit and a rich and varied gastronomical offer. 

If you are planning to rent a luxury apartment in Malaga to discover this amazing town, you cannot miss our recommendations on where to stay in Malaga:

City Center

The obvious choice. This is where most of the monumental offer gather, as well as the best place for shopping, food tasting and nighttime parting.

Shop till you drop in Larios street, visit the ‘Manquita’ Cathedral, the historic Roman Theatre, the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro Castle, get cultural in one (or two) of its international Museums, and try the delicious local cuisine, all within walking distance. Also, don’t forget to visit one of its many rooftops bars. Nothing better than sipping a cocktail with the city at your feet!

The center is the best option for the active tourists who don’t want to miss a thing. It’s always lively any time of the year, even in the night!

Malagueta

The best choice for those who’d rather be close to the action instead of in the middle of it. Just a few minutes walk to the city center, this residential neighborhood is one of the most upscale in the city, and also home to the iconic Plaza de Toros (bullfighting ring) of the same name.

The Malagueta beach, which runs along the southern length of the neighbourhood to Malaga’s great port, is the most popular urban beach in the city and is the other key attraction of the quarter.

On its western side, leading up to the historic city center you will find the Muelle Uno, a lovely promenade lined with shops, bars and restaurants from which you can watch the huge cruise liners coming and going. 

Pedregalejo

This charming old fisherman’s quarter is now one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city. If you love the beach, but don’t want to renounce to be in town, this is the perfect option. You can make use of the free bikes that all are spread around the city to reach the center in a convenient and ecological way. There are also buses that connect you with Calle Larios or Alameda Principal in around twenty minutes. Finally, walking through the promenade is also a possibility (and a very pleasant one!).

Padregalejo is the perfect place to try two of the local delicacies: espetos and fritura malagueña. Espetos are basically sardines skewered and cooked over a pit of coals by the sea. Season them with sea salt and a bit of lemon! Fritura malagueña includes a wide variety of seafood from the area, such as squid or cuttlefish, but mainly little fish like anchovies, coated in flour and fried in very hot oil. Delicious!

But Pedregalejo offers much more than that. There are many chilled bars with a surf vibe and a clear Tarifa inspiration, in which you could enjoy pokés, tuna tatakis, colourful salads, avocado toasts, baos or samosas.

Also unmissable is the terrace of El Balneario, in Los Baños del Carmen, where you can enjoy a cocktail while watching one of the most spectacular sunsets in Malaga. And if you are lucky, listening to some live flamenco too!

Guadalmar

Finally, this is the perfect option for those who are looking to disconnect from it all. Guadalmar belongs to Malaga city but it’s just a few minutes walk from El Paseo de Los Álamos promenade in Torremolinos, with its clean beaches and wide offer of chiringuitos, most of them with Indonesian or Balearic influences. It is also a favourite among the kite and surf lovers.

We recommend renting a car if this is your option, but also the tren de cercanías (short-distance train) leaves you right in Málaga’s city center in around 10 minutes.

Also in the area, you will find one of the biggest leisure and shopping centers in the Costa del Sol, Plaza Mayor. The best part is that is totally open air, American style, but designed in the style of a traditional Andalusian village. Enjoy!