Malaga City break recommendations

[RetainersinSpainnotontheplane]

Looking at doing a 3 night break end of August and DC (late teens) have picked Malaga as a potential destination. Flights are looking a bit pricy but I’m willing to go along with it.

Has anyone been and would recommend it? If so could you also recommend me a hotel. Looking at staying in the historic centre.

We did València last year and adored it so looking for similarish vibes.

Thanks.

I brought DD and a friend (both 17 at the time) and they didn’t really enjoy it. Not a huge amount to do if art/history isn’t your thing and we found the beach to be quite dirty. Barcelona is much better for teens in my opinion - it’s one of those cities with something to suit everyone! The Gaudi architecture is fascinating and the regenerated seafront has a very cool vibe. It’s an easy day trip to Salou for PortAventura as well, or you could even venture over the French border to Perpignan or Montpellier.

I second this, Seville is far more beautiful and much more to do, Malaga is still ok, just not a patch on Seville I'm afraid.

Oh dear I feared it may not be a positive recommendation.

We’re not very museum/activity/theme park oriented (well I am but they’re not). Mostly we like to wander and sightsee stopping for drinks and snacks at nice cafes and some shopping. As I said València was just perfect for us.

Barcelona scares me a little as I’ve heard horror stories of pickpocketing and I’m no stranger to big cities such as Paris Rome etc with a pickpocket issue.

Seville was my pick but it was poo pooed by the kids. I may have another gentle prod at them.

We and our kids loved Malaga. We went in the winter, but it's a really nice city and the thing I love about Spanish cities is that they've retained their Spanishness and somehow don't seem as overrun with tourists (well maybe Barcelona does) as some cities in other countries, particularly Italy. We stayed in the Salles Hotel Malaga Centro. It has a pool and a bar on the roof, as does the AC Hotel Malaga Palacio (which is in a better location, but is more expensive). The Molina Lario is nice too (we nearly stayed there).

I really liked Malaga. But I’m not sure it’s big enough, with enough of what you like to do. You could get the train along the coast for a day trip I guess?

What about Nice? Lots to wander and see, with the train to Monte Carlo or Cannes/Antibes for outings too

DH and I had a lovely break in Malaga, it's a really lovely small city, perfect for some mooching. You could always jump on a bus to Granada for the day as well.

We stayed in Hotel Palacio Solecio, which was quite pricey (we went in off season, so much more reasonable). If going in December is on the table, their Xmas lights and shows are fab.

I always stay in Hotel Bro as the location is perfect for this historic area, just off my favourite square - Plaza de la Mercred.

The subway is also a cheap and easy way to access other beaches, or taxis are really cheap.

There are also good value boat trips from the marina.

I like Malaga and there’s enough for three nights. The Room Mate Valeria has a cool rooftop pool and bar, as does the Marriott. There’s an old fishing village, now low key seaside resort, a nice stroll away eastwards. Forgotten its name… lovely for swimming and nice beach bars, seafood restaurants etc. you ca n also hire bikes and cycle along. The shopping area in the old centre is good and teens love it. It’s a really pleasant place to stroll around. If they don’t want art museums, they might still like exploring the area with all the graffiti /street art. Take them to El Pimpi for tapas.

As you’re only going for three nights I think you’ll be fine. That’s only two full days, you could spend one wandering around and another doing a trip - Ronda, the Camanito (do you walk?), Nerja?

Love Malaga, been lots of time. Loved both the two star Ibis and the five star Vincci hotel. Culture, history, beach, great restaurants, it has everything. And cheap too. Fab place.

It’s great for a long weekend, especially if you combine it with the Caminito Del Rey which I would absolutely recommend. We stayed at the hotel at the top of the hill overlooking the bay which was great although I have no idea what it was called!

We went to Malaga recently and I absolutely loved it. Stayed in the Barcelo hotel which is attached to a shopping mall and train station (very easy and cheap to get the train from the airport).
The hotel was about a 15/20 minute walk from the old town and personally I preferred being away from the more touristy part.
The hotel has a small rooftop pool and sun loungers but there were no parasols which isn’t necessarily an issue if you’re not intending to spend hours up there.
We spent our days just strolling around and eating lots. There is a lovely promenade walk which goes on for miles and I would definitely recommend going to the food market which is open until around 2pm I think - loads of stalls where you can get free samples and lovely places where you can stand up with locals and get wonderfully fresh cooked seafood and paella.

There is free entry to the museums, galleries, castle etc on Sunday afternoons although we didn’t get round to doing any of these but will in future.

I’m looking to return asap!

I have taken teen DC (15) and they loved it for the shopping, catamaran trip, insta worthy cafes, rooftop pool etc. We stayed in Palacio Solacio and highly recommend, we booked bed and breakfast.

It fine for three nights, although I personally preferred Valencia and absolutely loved Seville.

Another vote for the Palacio Solacio - it's lovely, especially having breakfast next to the rooftop pool. Plenty to see in Malaga in three nights - you can go to the beach, take a walk to the castle, Picasso museum, Roman ruins, great shopping etc.

Really enjoyed our break in Malaga and very pleasantly surprised by all it had to offer. We stayed at the H10 hotel near the food market. As another op said lovely seaside walk or cycle down to the fishing village, or a short bus ride - 10 bus trips for 5 euros. As for the cheesecake shop in the old town…..bliss. Stunning views from Gibraltar castle.

Yes Sevilla does have more, but that time of year will be blisteringly hot.

Another recc for Malaga H10 hotel next to the central market. Has a lovely rooftop bar and pool too.

I’ve been to Seville twice too and most recently it was horribly touristy. Malaga is great.

DH and I love Malaga and have been 3 times. We also had a friend living/working there. Note though that the Feria de Malaga is on in Aug. Hotel prices go through the roof, its absolutely packed/hot and many locals pack up and stay well away! I'd avoid going when its on!

There is lots to see and do, good food, easy to walk around the town, go to the beach or just relax. I found it a mix of locals, Spanish and European tourists. Much less Brits-abroad that the coastal resorts. The bus from the airport used to only be 3euro each with several stops in Malaga itself. As someone else mentioned, a day trip via train to see the bridge in Rhonda was memorable for us, but might be boring for teens.

We stayed in this hotel on our first visit which was fine and has a small pool. https://www.nh-hotels.com/en/hotel/nh-malaga

We then stayed in these apartments. No pool, but slightly closer to the beach. We also liked that we could re-heat food or make our own breakfast. It was very close to the ataranazas market. www.santacruz-apartments.com/index.php?lng=en

We stayed at the Barcelo too. Was great. 15 mins into town. Rooftop pool (not many Malaga hotels have pools). Great for relaxing after day touristing.

I love Malaga but agree the beach is not great. I prefer it to Seville, Valencia or Barcelona though tbh, it's compact and perfect for a short break. I prefer somewhere that feels more like a town than a big city though.

Gibralfaro castle that should have read

I love Malaga. Great shopping , cafes etc.
You could get the bus down Marbella if they’d like that ?

We’ve had a couple of city breaks in Malaga and it is a great, compact city for mooching. I second Room Mate Valeria with its cool roof top bar. Last time we stay Graffiti Suites El Museo which are fabulous services apartments with a roof terrace.

I really liked Malaga. It's very easy to get a train to Granada to see the Alhambra Palace from there - could possibly be a day trip...We stayed at Hotel Well and Come which had a fantastic breakfast.

Love Malage, plenty to do and loads of shops and places to eat. We stayed at the Vincci hotel on the Main Street which was wonderful. It’s a convenient place to visit.