Malaga in half term itinerary help

[rainydogday]

We are off to Malaga for a week in Oct half term. Two DC 15&17. Things are frantically busy with work and life, more so than normal. I usually plan our holidays with loads of things to do but I am so shattered I haven't even thought about it. Can anyone give me some 'must do's' whilst in Malaga. We are staying in an airbnb in the centre. Places to visit and also maybe if anyone has been further along the cost or either bike/scooter/ public transport to nicer beaches? I would be so grateful for any ideas to help me do some last minute planning.

Hello / I’ve been several times- so much to do and weather should be lovely . Usually go with friends not children and so shopping eating etc but following may interest you and them -

-picssso museum
-car and fashion msueum - lots of classic and unusual cars
-Pompidou centre in the port area
the fortress

loads of boat trips around the port / marina area for dolphin watching etc

great rail connections to smaller towns - Benalmadena , Fuenguerola, Aroiyo De Miel- which are about 40 minutes away .

its really quite a small place and so walkable . If you google things to do in Malaga there are so many ideas much better than mine but you’ll have a great time - I love it there !

Take the train up to el chorro for an absolutely stunning hike on the Caminito del rey. It's a (very safe) walkway along a cliff over a turquoise river.

In town, go to the glass and crystal museum, which is a private collection of beautiful glass pieces arranged in a traditional old house. We were guided around by one of the owners (an English chap) who talked about all his cherished pieces as well as some history of the house and the families of owners.

Second El Caminito del Rey, its one of my favourite things ever. We did it when it was newly opened and you could reserve online and do it independently but I think its been taken over by tour groups now, but it might be the easiest way to go from Malaga anyway.

I like the sound of the glass museum I might look that up. We're going to the area the week after, just me and DP who's doing his extreme down hill mountain biking which I'm too wimpy for, so I'm going to go on some nice walks and spend a couple of days in Malaga city too.

There's a botanical gardens on the northern edge of the city that's near a big lake so I'm going there one day.

As for recs for your family, it depends a lot what the teens like as a lot of what I like would probably be boring to them, eg I'm planning to go to the airport museum as despite flying in and out of Malaga many times, I've never had chance to go (it has displays about the history of tourism in the area so not just about planes).

There's also a big outdoor outlet mall near the airport.

Fuengirola has a skate park that they might like to see, it's next to a shopping centre. There's also a castle and you can walk by the river.

The city guide on the jet2 holidays website has a load of attractions on a map, I'm going to have another look at that before I go.

I also make a point of going to the tourist information centre early on in any trips where I need to see what's going on in a place, to pick up a map and browse the leaflets for inspiration.

But the city is nice to just wander around, seeing the sights like walking up to the Gibralfaro even if you don't go in. Plus there might be some fancy mega yachts or cruise ships to look at in the marina.

Malaga is great
Open top bus
Food Casa Lola's
El Pimpi ( sit downstairs) best to book.
Maybe a day trip to Ronda ?

Following!

As a day trip I really liked Cordoba - it's around an hour's journey from Maria Zambrano station. We went on the hop-on-off mini bus rather than the double decker which was able to go through the narrow streets.

Torremolinos has a very long stretch of beach - I'm not sure how far it goes toward the east (Malaga way) but heading west there is a sort of rocky point then more beach past La Carihuela toward the marina at Benalmadena.

There are also some family attractions (water parks, wildlife parks) near to Benalmadena away from the coast.

Segway tour. Brilliant way of seeing the city. Easy for everyone & cool for the teens.

Some great ideas everyone! I think the trip to El Caminito del Rey, would be great. Can anyone recommend a good tour/trip that they used? The ones on trip advisor with excellent reviews already all booked up

@rainydogday I used "ALORATUR" via get your guide, a tapas lunch in a cute village was included along with the coach from the city centre and entry to the caminito.

Thank you so much for mentioning Cordoba. I didn't realise it was only an hour on the train from Malaga.

We went there as part of a tour of Granada, Seville and Cordoba but stupidly didn't go in the Mesquita which I've always regretted.

I've now looked and a day trip is definitely doable while we're there so that's on the list.

Does anyone have any rainy day suggestions for young children as forecast looks a bit mixed. Sorry for hijack OP!

I am obsessed about looking at the weather! Fingers crossed we get some warm sunny days! I have seen there is a gaming museum too.....not my thing but the reviews look good. Also planning on doing the Picasso museum etc.

For those of us going late October or early November I wouldn't take too much notice of the weather forecast just yet as it's too early to tell until a few days ahead.

We've been to the area a few times at this time of year and it's been mostly fine, even hot and sunny by UK standards with just a day or two of rain that can be quite stormy, which is fun when you're up in the mountains.

A note of caution about el caminito del rey, it can be closed if it gets too windy so something to keep an eye on, especially as the gorge location enhances wind and the exposed bridge across can be quite a problem- I can't remember if you can avoid the bridge, ie do most of the walk but avoid the windiest part.

The fabulous indoor food market. Wonderful food in a beautiful building!

Caminito del Rei is amazing, El torcal de antequera on the way is fantastic too if you can find a way to get there. There are some gorgeous turquoise lakes at El Chorro that are lovely too - part of Ardales Nat Park I think. And definitely worth considering staying at La Garganta in El Chorro - they'll organise your tickets to the Caminito as well.
Malaga itself is lovely with the Alcazaba and Castillo to explore. Pinchos at Casa Lola is fun - crazy busy, order lots.
The beach though is horrid, more like dirt than sand IMO. A lot of people get the bus down to Nerja I believe which isn't too far and is supposed to be much nicer - although I haven't been myself. There is a gorge walk there as well that I'd like to do sometime.

Not somewhere I've been myself but have been researching rainy day activities too. There is a place called 'Divernostrum' in Malaga which according to its website has bowling, a soft play area and indoor mini golf. Looks like it's appropriate for all ages. There is also a small sea life centre in Benalmadena - although I don't know if it's worth travelling from Malaga for. Plus museums in Malaga already recommended on the thread.

The beach though is horrid, more like dirt than sand IMO. A lot of people get the bus down to Nerja I believe which isn't too far and is supposed to be much nicer - although I haven't been myself. There is a gorge walk there as well that I'd like to do sometime.

Nerja is lovely - around 45 mins east of Malaga. It is several beaches, some little coves and Burriana which is a larger flat stretch. It's quite a hilly walk from one side of Nerja to the other. Balcón de Europa is a nice square.

Certainly worth a visit - but if it's just a sandy beach you are looking for - from Malaga I would head towards the western resorts where there is a flat sandy beach with a promenade and chiringuitos stretching for miles. Various train stops before and after Torremolinos (about a 20 min ride from the 'central' train station) and then a downhill walk of around 15 mins to get to the beach front.

An option is to hire a car and drive to Caminito del Rey.
After which drive back via Ronda, particularly late afternoon with the sun setting across the valley.

Second a train to Cordoba to visit the old town and the Mezquita.

Catch the train to Benalmadena to go on the cable car up to mountain. It’s the Arroyo de La Miel station you want. You can also catch a bus up to Mijas Pueblo.