Where to stay in Málaga

Where to stay in Málaga for first timers?

In the Centro Histórico, between the Alameda Principal, the Alcazaba and Plaza de la Merced. You walk to every sight, and the tour meeting points are on its edge.

The old town is the most walkable base and the best for a short trip without a car. The downsides are noise, because the bars run late, and rates that rise sharply in July and August. Rooms off the main squares, or facing an inner courtyard, sleep better.

Soho, between the old town and the port, is the next best choice: still central, often better value, and full of street art. The Ensanche on the far side of the river works too, if you don't mind the walk over the bridge.

Which area of Málaga suits you?

The old town for sightseeing, La Malagueta for the beach, El Limonar for quiet, Pedregalejo for seafood. Here is how they compare.

Characterisations follow Charlie on Travel. Carnival in February and the August Feria both happen within a few streets of Calle Larios, so a central room matters more that week.

Which is the nicest part of Málaga?

For a stay, El Limonar: a leafy, quiet hillside of old villas east of the centre. For a walk, the old town around the cathedral and Plaza de la Merced.

El Limonar suits couples who want calm and don't need nightlife on the doorstep. The catch is the hill: after dinner in town, you walk back up. La Malagueta, between El Limonar and the centre, is the practical compromise, with the beach in front and the old town a short walk away.

For seafood and a village feel, Pedregalejo wins. Its seafront is lined with beach bars grilling espetos, and staying there means waking up by the sea instead of the cathedral bells.

What is the prettiest part of Malaga?

The old town between the cathedral and Plaza de la Merced, best seen from the Gibralfaro viewpoint above it. At sea level, Muelle Uno and the Paseo del Parque at sunset come close.

Climb Gibralfaro in the late afternoon and the whole city lines up below you: the Alcazaba, the cathedral's single tower, the bullring and the port. Then walk down through the Paseo del Parque, the tree-lined promenade between the port and the old town, and out onto Muelle Uno as the light goes.

The prettiest view of all is from the water, looking back at the skyline. The sunset catamaran from Muelle Uno does exactly that.

Where to not stay in Malaga?

Don't book an outer district just because a room looks like a bargain. Palma-Palmilla has a higher crime rate, and suburbs far from the centre cost you a bus or taxi for every outing.

HousingAnywhere flags Palma-Palmilla, north of the centre, for a relatively high crime rate, mostly drug-related. It also advises a taxi rather than a walk on quiet streets in La Trinidad or El Perchel after midnight. Neither area is on a visitor's route.

In the centre itself, the problem is noise, not safety. Avoid rooms directly over the busiest bar streets if you sleep lightly. And unless you want a pure beach holiday, think twice about Huelin or the far end of El Palo for a short stay: the beaches are fine, but the sights are a ride away.

What to be careful of in Malaga?

Pickpockets and distraction thieves around the port, the cathedral and Calle Granada; strong sun and the terral wind in summer; rip currents and jellyfish on the beach.

• Distraction thieves: local press has reported "hugger-muggers", thieves posing as tourists who hug visitors and take watches, jewellery and phones. Hotspots include the port and cruise terminal, Plaza de la Marina, Calle Granada, the cathedral and the coastal trains, according to Murcia Today.
• Beach flags: green means swimming is allowed, yellow means take great care, red means no swimming.
• Jellyfish: they peak in July and August. Rinse a sting with seawater, don't rub it, and go to the lifeguard post.
• Rip currents: a bigger danger than jellyfish. Swim near the lifeguards.
• Heat: the terral wind can push the city to about 38 to 40 °C. Do the climbs in the morning.
• ID on day trips: the Alhambra needs the original passport or ID in your name, the Caminito del Rey asks for ID to prove age, and Gibraltar needs a passport or an EU/EEA/Swiss national ID card.

Should you stay in Málaga or on the Costa del Sol?

In Málaga if you want sights, food and day trips; in a beach town such as Torremolinos if you want a pool and the sea. The C1 commuter train links the airport, Torremolinos and the city centre.

Torremolinos is about 13 km west of Málaga, on the same train line as the airport. It works well for a beach week with one or two trips into the city. The catch is the day trips: the tour listings on this site start from central Málaga, so from the coast you add a train ride before every early start.

For a mix, split the stay: three nights in the old town for the sights, then a few on the coast. Or stay at La Malagueta and get both from one room.

Where should you stay for day trips and early starts?

On the west side of the old town, near the Alameda Principal and Plaza de la Marina. The main tour meeting points are there, and the airport train ends at Centro-Alameda.

Meeting points as the listings state them:

• Ronda and Setenil: the Áloratur office, Plaza de la Marina 11 (varies by option).
• Granada, Nerja and Córdoba: next to the NH Málaga hotel, Calle San Jacinto 1, across the river.
• Gibraltar: in front of the City Hall, Avenida de Cervantes 4, by the Paseo del Parque.
• Historic centre walk: Plaza de la Aduana, near the Alcazaba.
• Tapas tour: Calle Marqués de Larios 18.

From any room in the old town, all of these are a short walk. From the beach districts, allow for the bus.

Ronda's gorge and the New Bridge, then the little train into Setenil, starting from Plaza de la Marina.

★ 4.8 · 9 hours

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