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Málaga
Sunshine, Picasso and the Costa del Sol
- Best time to visit
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Country
- Spain
The gateway to the Costa del Sol, a sunny port city with a Moorish fortress, a clutch of museums and city beaches.
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Valencia
- Seville
- Málaga
Quick facts
- Country
- Spain
- Capital
- Madrid
- City population
- 590,000
- Population of Spain
- 48.6M
- Country area
- 505,990 km²
- Official language
- Spanish
- Currency
- Euro (EUR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8929 EUR
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Calling code
- +34
- Drives on the
- Right
- Elevation
- 10 m
- Plugs
- C / F · 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 112
- Best time to visit
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 17° | 18° | 20° | 22° | 25° | 29° | 31° | 31° | 28° | 24° | 20° | 18° |
| Low | 8° | 8° | 10° | 12° | 15° | 18° | 21° | 22° | 19° | 16° | 12° | 9° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$71
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$145
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$380
Top things to do
- ≈ $8
Alcazaba and Gibralfaro
An 11th-century Moorish fortress-palace above a Roman theatre, and the castle on the hill for the best view.
- Half day
- Historic centre
- Good for kids
- ≈ $14
Picasso Museum Málaga
Works from every period of the painter, born in this city, in a Renaissance palace.
- Half day
- Historic centre
- Indoors
- Free
Muelle Uno and Malagueta beach
The palm-lined port promenade, then the city beach with espetos, sardines grilled on skewers over a fire.
- Half day
- Port and Malagueta beach
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Atarazanas Market and the cathedral
A covered market in a former Moorish shipyard, and the 'one-armed' cathedral with an unfinished tower.
- Half day
- Historic centre
- Indoors
- ≈ $25
Day trip: Caminito del Rey
A boardwalk pinned to the walls of a deep gorge, about an hour inland; book timed tickets and wear the helmet provided.
- Full day
- Costa del Sol
- ≈ $30
Day trip: Ronda or Nerja
Ronda's bridge over a 100-metre gorge, or the caves and balcony viewpoint of seaside Nerja.
- Full day
- Costa del Sol
Before you go
Entry and visas
Spain is in the Schengen area: up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Many nationalities, including Indian and Saudi citizens, need a Schengen visa; visa-exempt visitors are registered at the border in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
Official websiteFrom the airport
Málaga Airport has flights from all over Europe and the Gulf; the Cercanías train reaches the centre in about 12 minutes. High-speed trains from Madrid take about 2.5 hours.
Getting around
The centre is walkable; buses and the Cercanías train run along the coast to Torremolinos and Fuengirola.
Local tips
- It is mild in winter, one of the warmest cities in mainland Europe.
- Book Caminito del Rey tickets well ahead; there is a minimum age.
- Beaches get busy in August; go early.
- Easter processions (Semana Santa) are spectacular and crowded.
Areas worth knowing
- Port and Malagueta beach
- Costa del Sol
- Historic centre
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on August 12, 2026.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Spain
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Sources: European Commission: Schengen visas · Spain.info (Turespaña) · Visita Málaga (official)