24 Hours in Málaga: Museums, Tapas & Hidden Highlights

✨

Málaga was my first solo stop after spending a few relaxing days in Marbella.

I only stayed for one night, but I was surprised by how much I managed to see in such a short time. Between museums, historic landmarks and excellent food, the city turned out to be a great place to spend a day before continuing my journey through Andalusia.

One day was enough for me to visit everything on my list without feeling rushed, making Málaga a perfect stop if you’re travelling around Southern Spain.

✨ At a glance

📍 Time spent: 1 night

🗓️ When I visited: January

🚶 Getting around: On foot

👤 Travel style: Solo

🎨 Best for: Museums, history, tapas and a walkable city centre

✨Málaga (1 night)

After three relaxing days in Marbella, I headed to Málaga for my first solo stop of the trip.

I only spent one night here, but honestly, it was enough to see everything I had planned. The city is very walkable, so I managed to fit quite a lot into a single day without feeling rushed.

🌟Where I stayed

Coeo Pod Hostel Beatas

A great option if you’re travelling solo and want to stay in the heart of the historic centre. Everything I wanted to visit was within walking distance.

🌟What I did

Picasso’s Birthplace Museum

I visited Picasso’s birthplace, mainly because I was curious about learning more about his early life.

The museum was interesting, although it wasn’t one of the highlights of my trip.

There was also a temporary exhibition included with my ticket featuring portraits Picasso created of Françoise Gilot. I actually enjoyed this exhibition more than I expected. Seeing how different each portrait was made it especially interesting.

Alcazaba

One of the highlights of the day.

I was lucky enough to visit when admission was free, walking through the fortress and its gardens was a lovely experience.

Roman Theatre

Located right below the Alcazaba, it’s an easy stop while exploring the area.

Plaza de Toros (Bullring)

This ended up being one of the biggest surprises of Málaga.

I’d never visited a bullring before, so it was a completely new experience and one of the places I enjoyed the most.

Centre Pompidou Málaga

I also visited Centre Pompidou, which was free.

I really enjoyed the modern art collection, but what stood out most was the colourful cube outside. It’s one of Málaga’s most recognisable landmarks and definitely worth seeing.

Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga

Another museum I managed to visit thanks to the free admission that evening.

I arrived close to closing time, so I didn’t have as much time as I would’ve liked, but I still thought it was one of the best museums I visited in Málaga. I’d happily go back to explore it properly.

🌟Where I ate

Cortijo de Pepe

Without a reservation, I was able to get a table for lunch with no problem.

The restaurant has a very authentic atmosphere and immediately felt like one of those traditional places locals actually visit.

I ordered:

Octopus
Shrimps
Ensalada rusa

The shrimps were easily my favourite and something I’d definitely order again.

I also tried Manzanilla, a type of Andalusian sherry. It wasn’t really for me, but I’m still glad I gave it a try.

Casa Lola Uncibay Terraza

For dinner, I stopped at Casa Lola.

I ordered the fried calamari, and the portion was much bigger than I expected. Crispy, fresh and really delicious.

🌟Would I recommend Málaga?

Yes, especially if you’re already travelling around Andalusia.

While I probably wouldn’t choose Málaga as my main destination for a long trip, I think it’s a great city for one or two days. Between the museums, historic sights and excellent food, there’s more than enough to fill a short stay.