Exploring the streets of Málaga’s city center in just one day is not an easy task, as there are numerous points of interest to visit.
We have created a walking route where you can get to know a bit of Málaga’s historical and cultural heritage, its Muslim era, and a taste of its gastronomy.
We hope you enjoy it.
We will start the route in an emblematic location in Málaga, Plaza de la Marina, a square that gets its name from the fact that when the city’s Muslim walls were demolished, it opened up a view to the sea.
Located in front of the main entrance of Málaga Port and next to the most famous streets in downtown Málaga, such as Alameda Principal and Calle Larios. In this square, you can find the statue of the “cenachero,” a typical character from Málaga and a symbol of the city.
Statue of the “cenachero”, Plaza de la Marina
We will depart from Plaza de la Marina towards the Catedral de la Encarnación. This cathedral is famous and unique because it is unfinished, hence its affectionate nickname “La Manquita” (The One-Armed Lady).
Exterior image of the Cathedral of Malaga
“Don’t forget to take a photo in this place; something so characteristic and peculiar should not be missed”.
This cathedral was built on the remains of an ancient Arab mosque, and it features different architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.
Next to the main entrance of Málaga Cathedral, one of the most important squares in the city, in terms of history, is Plaza del Obispo. It is a baroque-style urban square with a fountain in the center, whose water came from the San Telmo aqueduct and supplied the nearby residents. In addition, we find the Episcopal Palace of Málaga, built in the year 1762.
Currently, in Plaza del Obispo, we can also find bars with terraces where we can have a drink and enjoy the wonderful views of the cathedral.
We will continue our tour by heading into Calle Salinas, a street with a rich history, named after the existence of the Salinas Palace. Its Muslim origin is evident in its buildings despite the numerous renovations the area underwent in the 19th century.
Salinas Palace
Through Salinas Street, we will reach the well-known Marqués de Larios Street, the city’s main and most commercial thoroughfare, named after Manuel Domingo Larios y Larios, the 2nd Marquis of Larios, who promoted the development of the textile industry in Málaga in the 19th century. Here we find the city’s most exclusive shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors, and terrace bars.
A STREET RANKED AMONG THE 50 MOST EXPENSIVE STREETS IN EUROPE IN TERMS OF PROPERTY RENTALS, AND THE FIFTH IN SPAIN.
Marqués de Larios Street
An extensive pedestrian street where you can stroll leads toPlaza de la Constitución, also known as Plaza de las Cuatro Calles or Plaza Mayor since the Nasrid period. In this square, we find the Fountain of Genova.
Plaza de la Constitución
We now head towards Granada Street, a street that has undergone numerous transformations but still retains Muslim relics, such as the “barreras,” narrow dead-end alleys. From there, we will access San Agustín Street, where we find the Picasso Museum located in the Buenavista Palace, the former headquarters of the Fine Arts Museum. Halfway along Calle San Agustín, we will immerse ourselves in its 11 rooms to enjoy over 230 works by Pablo Picasso, a creative and versatile painter considered the most important artist of the 20th century.
Picasso Museum
El Museo Picasso nace gracias al pintor malagueño Pablo Picasso, considerado el artista más importante del siglo XX, alberga la mayor parte de su colección.
After the museum visit, we will take a break on our route, and what better way to do it than by enjoying a drink at one of the city’s most renowned gastronomic establishments, where we will make a stop before continuing: El Pimpi. It is a charming winery where we can savor traditional Andalusian cuisine in the heart of Málaga, located on Granada Street.
Romano Theatre
After filling our stomachs and gaining strength, we continue the route towards the Romano Theatre, located on Alcazabilla Streetnext to the Alcazaba, with the Gibralfaro Castle behind it. We will learn all about its history at the Interpretation Center.
We will continue towards the Alcazaba, an ancient Arab fortress of great importance in Málaga and in Spain. It is connected by a corridor called La coracha to the Gibralfaro Castle. Both are symbols of the city and are even included in the city’s coat of arms.
Alcazaba de Málaga
The Alcazaba is one of the monuments in Málaga that holds great value in terms of the panoramic views it offers of the city.
We will continue our journey towards Paseo del Parque, a magnificent landscaped promenade with a wide variety of plant species on either side. This promenade is considered one of the most prominent gardens in Europe. During our stroll, we will also admire the impressive City Hall of Málaga, an iconic three-story neobaroque building from the 20th century. Inside, we will find beautifully decorated rooms, such as the Plenary Hall and the Mirror Room, which deserve special attention.
Palmeral de Las Sorpresas
From here, we will cross over to Palmeral de Las Sorpresas, a beautiful boardwalk that connects Piers 1 and 2 of the Port of Málaga.
We will conclude our route at Muelle Uno, a great place to enjoy the sea breeze at one of its terraces. It is the cruise terminal of Málaga and a fundamental tourist hub in the city center. Here, you will find sailing boats and luxurious yachts on one side, and on the other side, upscale restaurants and shops.
Muelle Uno
These are some of the things what to see in Malaga center in one day
We hope that with this route you can get to know Málaga better, our Málaga!
