Imagine this: You’re hanging out in your apartment one minute, and the next you decide to get some sun rays. In less than a few blocks, you’re rolling out a towel and laying in the sand. The best beach city in Europe—Málaga—will give you exactly that experience.
Málaga is located on the southernmost tip of Spain (it’s closer to Morocco than it is Barcelona!), which means that it stays quite warm throughout the year.
What makes Málaga especially unique is how close the historic city center is to the beach. Depending on which neighborhood you choose to stay in, you could be on the beach in minutes.
I had the pleasure of studying abroad in Spain, and then returned for a second time to Málaga in March. Even though it wasn’t yet Spring, I enjoyed afternoon walks on the beach almost everyday. That’s a true treat for a New Englander!
TL;DR
Málaga is one of the best beach cities in Europe because it’s less touristy than the French Riviera or some of the busier coastlines of Southern Italy. Although it does get crowded in the summer, the proximity between busy city and sandy coastline can’t be beat.
The Best Beach City in Europe: What Málaga Is Like
At least it doesn’t feel like winter in Málaga. While my New England neighbors and I are still shoveling ourselves out of snow this month, people living in the city enjoy balmy days near the southern coast of Spain.
The afternoon sun warms Málaga’s stone walkways, making it feel hotter than it actually is. You might find yourself searching for shady areas even in March.
I found the water to be a little cold for my liking, so I didn’t swim. Nonetheless, you can lounge on the beach along with the locals.
I particularly like Málaga’s beach in March because you get to enjoy it without the usual summer crowds.
The Weather in Málaga
Who says you need to wait until summer for a good beach day. I admit, as a life-long New Englander, I was pretty shocked to find Málaga warm enough for shorts in the winter.
March and April in Málaga tend to be a bit milder than, say, July or August, but you’ll still find surprisingly hot days. Although it wasn’t ideal temperatures for swimming, you can definitely lounge on the sand or go for walks.
Here’s a breakdown of each month in Málaga.
January-March: Sunny days with mild temperatures. This is a great time for sightseeing and you’ll get the occasional beach day.
April-June: Progressively warmer days, but not stifling hot just yet. This is the best time for the beach, but it still could be chilly for swimmers.
July-September: Very, very hot and dry and with a ton of crowds. This is peak tourism season and the beach gets stuffy.
October-December: Relaxed time in the city. It’s usually too cold for the beach, but this is a great time for weekend trips throughout Spain, and checking out Málaga’s restaurant and art scene.
Where to stay in Málaga
La Malagueta and Pedregalejo are best for people who want to be near the coast. La Malagueta is the neighborhood right next to the city’s primary beach, and you’ll also be close to some other fun things in Málaga, like the promenade, a pedestrian peninsula with cafes and shops.
Pedregalejo is a bit further away from downtown, but has a great history as Malaga’s fishing neighborhood.
A few honorable mentions: Centro Histórico is the busiest part of the neighborhood with the highest concentration of bars and restaurants. It’s super centralized with all the major places you’d want to check out in Malaga. The trade off is that it’s quite noisy and crowded.
Soho is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Málaga because it’s got a youthful and creative feel. This is where you’ll find artist workshops and small galleries.
Málaga is a fairly small city with an easy-to-use bus system, so don’t worry about choosing to stay in a neighborhood that isn’t central.
What to Do in Málaga
Go to the beach
Málaga is a city for beach people, and you’ve got your choice between three popular options.
Playa la Malagueta: This one is closest to downtown Málaga, and gets the most traffic in the summer. It’s well equipped with rentable beach chairs and umbrellas, bathrooms, and a playground.
Playa de Huelin: This beach is sandwiched between the two other beaches. I would say this one tends to be less visited by both locals and tourists, and doesn’t have as many amenities. It’s really good for sunset or early morning walks, or if you enjoy reading on the beach and want some peace and quiet.
Playa de la Misericordia: Is a long, sandy beach a bit further south, and has more of a relaxed, local vibe. You’ll find seafood restaurants, plus a historical 19th-century chimney tower.
Explore the Castillo de Gibralfaro
Mount Gibralfaro hovers over the Centro Historico area of Málaga, and can be seen from most parts of the city.
In the 14th century, the Moorish occupants of the city built the castle and fortress up here to keep their city secure from possible ocean-led invasions.
Although this castle is now in ruins, it makes for an interesting and historical walk. The Coracha (fortified rampart) is cool to walk along during the early morning, before the sun becomes too strong.
Enjoy a sunset view
The Gibralfaro Fortress offers a spectacular sunset view. As you climb up the rocky steps, you’ll find students and locals enjoying the view from grassy side areas and with a bottle of wine.
Plan to come up here about an hour before sunset so you can secure a good viewing spot.
Go to the Picasso museum
Pablo Ruiz Picasso, the world famous artist, was born in Málaga in 1881. 122 years later, members of the Picasso family donated 285 artwork pieces and effectively opened the Picasso Museum.
It’s located in the Buenavista Palace, and is a fairly quick museum to explore. Although interesting, I found it to be a bit underwhelming.
I’d save this visit for an especially hot day so you can get out of the sun and into the air conditioning.
Try the local seafood
Being next to the ocean, you can imagine that the seafood in Málaga is especially good. The typical food that locals usually eat are Pescaíto Frito, fish and calamari battered and deep fried, or marinated sardines, which you can eat at your local tapas bar.
There’s also Espeto de Sardinas, the sardine skewers grilled on the beach. Try one of the hearty cold soups, Porra Antequerana and hot Gazpachuelo on a hot day.
Do a walking tour
As you might have seen from my article about free tours in Prague, I always, always, start my trips with a walking tour.
Why on the first day of your trip? A walking tour will take you through the major areas of a city and help you get familiar with the surroundings. Walking tours are also priceless for solo travelers, as you might make some friends during the guide.
Málaga was no different. I took this guided tour through GetYourGuide which ended up being about three hours. We made it through the downtown part of Málaga, spending most of our time in Centro Histórico.
