Back in the 90s, Malaga was a very ugly, dirty and noisy city with trash in the streets, dilapidated buildings and pollution everywhere
It has undergone a huge upheaval and is today a completely different city with beautiful pedestrian streets, newly renovated buildings, fancy restaurants and a wonderful atmosphere.
It has become a beautiful and modern city. Instead, it is now the tourist masses that are ruining the atmosphere…
Michael Madsen shares how to avoid the tourists in Malaga
One of the main attractions in Malaga is the Picasso Museum.
There are always an insane amount of tourists here – and a long queue to get in.
The museum is definitely worth a visit (buy tickets beforehand) – if you are interested in art!
But it is an art museum, so if you are not particularly interested in art, then skip the Picasso museum and avoid all the tourists there.
Instead, visit Picasso’s birthplace, which is located on Plaza de la Merced
It is much more interesting for those who are not particularly interested in art.
And there are far fewer tourists, although of course there are some here too. Tickets here.
The main shopping street in Malaga is called Calle Larios and it is a lovely place to walk.
There are many people here – both tourists and locals – but it is a wide street with plenty of space.
Here you can easily experience the beautiful Malaga and enjoy the atmosphere – without being particularly bothered by either tourists or traffic.
Also try to move into the many side streets and find a small tapas restaurant there.
Head towards Plaza Uncibay for a more local experience without the tourists.
Gibralfaro and Alzazaba de Malaga
The Gibralfaro castle is definitely worth a visit – both for the experience itself and for the fantastic view of the city, the port and the bullring.
Take the trip up through the Alcazaba – the old Arab ruins, which are also exciting to see.
Here you cannot avoid the tourists, but they spread out and it is therefore not so bad. Tickets here.
Avoid the port area Muelle Uno – it’s a tourist trap!
There is nothing local or traditional about the new-build port area – it is made purely for tourists.
Instead, take a walk through the Paseo del Parque park, which is right next to the port.
The local market in Malaga
A really good – and local – experience is to visit the city’s market building Mercado Central de Atarazanas.
Some tourists come here, but mainly it is the locals who come every morning to shop in the many stalls with meat, fish, vegetables and cheese.
There are also tapas bars and a good atmosphere here.
Finally, there is Malaga’s large and impressive cathedral
There are of course many tourists here, but it is a huge cathedral, so they are evenly distributed.
It is an experience despite the many tourists. Skip-the-line tickets here.
Just outside the city you will find the botanical garden La Concepción, which is quite amazing
Partly because it is beautiful and there are not so many tourists – partly because it has an exciting history as the place where lots of plants from Latin America were acclimatized for cultivation in Europe after the Spanish discovery and colonization of America.
See all the popular tickets and possibilities in and from Malaga city:
All the possibilities in Malaga
See also our article about how to get La Alhambra tickets when sold out here
Get an amazing Flamenco experience in Malaga:
Flamenco show without food and drinks:
Flamenco show with dinner included:
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Other very nice experiences in Malaga:
 The best catamaran tour in Malaga  Sunset over Malaga city |
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Frequently asked questions about Malaga city
How to avoid tourists in Malaga?
Malaga has become quite touristy over the last few years.
However, tourists gather at the sights, at the port and around the main street Calle Larios.
If you move into the small streets, you will quickly escape the tourists.
And in the small streets there are lots of bars and restaurants with fantastic experiences – untouristy!
Is Malaga a beautiful city?
Yes, it has become so within the last 10-15 years.
Now you can find beautiful, well-decorated shops and restaurants everywhere.
Some areas – for example the SOHO district – have become downright ‘hip’ with smart cafes, patio heaters and specially imported coffee.
Other areas have definitely become tourist traps. This applies for example to ´Muello Uno´ at the port, which is specially designed for cruise tourists.
Is Malaga a city break?
Yes. Malaga is a big city for better or worse.
There is also a beach right next to the city, but it is not a traditional beach holiday.
Traditional beach holidays can be found all over the Costa del Sol – on both sides of Malaga city.
Is Malaga a dirty city?
No, not anymore.
Malaga has been cleaned up, polished up, renovated and made pretty almost everywhere.
Now there are fancy shops, delicious restaurants and beautiful squares throughout the center of Malaga.
Are there many tourists in Malaga?
Yes, as Malaga has become nice and modern, tourists have also moved in.
Both tourists who come by plane and those who come by cruise ship.
Fortunately, they stick to the sights, the port and the main street, so it is also easy to escape the masses.
How can you see the bullring in Malaga?
There is no general access to the bullring. It has not been made into a tourist attraction yet.
You can of course experience it when there is a bullfight. But that is quite rare.
Malaga’s bullring is best seen from the Gibralfaro Castle, where there is a beautiful view over the entire center of Malaga and the port.
What are the biggest attractions in Malaga?
1. Gibralfaro Castle
2. Alcazaba
3. Malaga Cathedral
4. Picasso Museum
What is a must-see in Malaga?
First of all, visit the Gibralfaro Castle. Here is the most beautiful view of the city.
Then choose either the Alcazaba or Malaga Cathedral. Or both.
And then choose either the Picasso Museum or Picasso’s birthplace.
These are no other must-sees. Instead, walk around the small streets and try all the restaurants – it’s a great experience.
Are there many tourists at the Picasso Museum in Malaga?
Yes, many consider the Picasso Museum to be Malaga’s biggest tourist attraction, so it’s packed.
Is the Picasso Museum exciting?
Yes, if you’re interested in art and Picasso’s works.
The Picasso Museum is an art museum and is a must if you’re interested in art.
Was Picasso from Malaga?
Yes, Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga. His birthplace is located on Plaza de la Merced.
However, he moved from Malaga early on and lived most of his life in Barcelona and Paris.
Is Picasso’s birthplace a good experience?
Yes, it’s actually a really nice visit.
It’s not that big and there aren’t many things on display, but it’s a nice little tour of the house.
And there aren’t many people here. You can walk around quite undisturbed at your own pace.
Are there many tourists in Picasso’s birthplace?
No, that’s the big advantage of this somewhat forgotten attraction.
Here you avoid large numbers of tourists.
Is Plaza de la Merced an exciting place?
Malaga’s Plaza de la Merced has, like so much else, become touristy.
But there are many nice restaurants here, so you can also choose some less touristy places.
Is Malaga’s main street worth a visit?
Malaga’s main street, ´Calle Larios´, is a very beautiful and impressive street with beautiful buildings and fine decoration.
There are many locals and many tourists here. But the street is wide and long, so it is not crowded – there is plenty of room for everyone.
Calle Larios ends in Malaga’s most famous square, Plaza de la Constitución.
Where can you find tapas restaurants in Malaga?
There are bars and restaurants everywhere in Malaga – also in the small deserted side streets.
And you can get tapas at all of them, although it is rarely specified as tapas on the menu.
Take a trip from restaurant to restaurant and order 1-2 dishes for the middle of the table at each place – and then share it all.
It is cheap to eat out in Malaga – especially in the small side streets – so you can easily make many stops on the trip.
Can you escape the tourists in Malaga city?
Yes. It’s just a matter of moving into the small side streets.
Here you can find local, authentic experiences without tourists – and plenty of restaurants for great food experiences.
Is Malaga’s Plaza de Uncibay interesting?
Yes and no. That requires an explanation:
There’s nothing special about Plaza de Uncibay – it’s just a square.
But it’s a good example of where things start to become local – not many tourists come here.
Is the Roman theater in Malaga interesting?
Yes, Roman theaters are generally exciting.
Malaga’s Roman theater is neither the largest nor the best-preserved Roman theater, but it still reveals a few interesting details about the Roman architectural style.
Is the Gibralfaro Castle in Malaga worth a visit?
Yes, definitely. It is probably Malaga’s best experience.
Not least because of the view over Malaga’s city center, the harbor and the entire Bay of Malaga.
The climb through the Alcazaba ruins to Gibralfaro is also a good experience.
And the castle itself and the surrounding park are quite impressive in themselves.
Is Malaga’s Alcazaba a good experience?
Yes, the Alcazaba in Malaga is an exciting example of the Moorish architecture and special building art with, among other things, water channels in the streets.
And it is a great way to stroll through the Alcazaba on the way to Malaga’s Gibralfaro Castle.
Can you try a hammam in Malaga?
Yes, Hammam Al-Andalus in Malaga offers a luxury experience with massage and Hot Stone treatment.
See more about Hammam Al-Andalus in Malaga here
Is Malaga Cathedral worth visiting?
Yes, it is quite impressive and definitely worth a visit.
There is a long queue at the entrance, so make sure to book tickets in advance.
Is Malaga’s port area interesting?
No, it’s a tourist trap.
The port area ‘Muelle Uno’ has been made beautiful and neat, with many restaurants and shops.
But there is nothing local or original about it.
It is created exclusively for tourists, especially cruise tourists.
What museums are there in Malaga?
The Picasso museum (ticktes here)
Picasso´s birth place (tickets here)
The Russian Collection (ticktes here)
Carmen Thyssen art museum (tickets here)
CAC Art Museum (now closed)
Pompidou art museum (ticktes here)
Automobile museum (ticktes here)
Imagination museum (tickets here)
Malaga´s City Museum (tickets at the entrance)
Is Paseo del Parque a nice place?
Yes, it is a wonderful breath of fresh air right in the center of Malaga.
It is not exactly a large park, but a good opportunity to get away from tourism and traffic.
Can you go to the market in Malaga city?
There is a street market with clothes, shoes, antiques and old stuff on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.
And then there is the permanent market building in Malaga where there is fresh fish, meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables every morning.
Is the market building in Malaga worth a visit?
Malaga´s permanent market building is called ´Mercado de Atarazanas´ and is a really good experience.
There are also cafes and tapas bars here.
Can you experience a real flamenco show in Malaga
Yes. The best and most recognized flamenco show in Malaga is at Alegría.
Here you can get a ticket without meals or a ticket with dinner included.
Is the Cathedral in Malaga a good experience?
Yes, definitely. It is quite impressive.
There are many tourists here, but the cathedral is large, so you mostly walk around alone and don’t notice the tourists.
How do you avoid queuing at Malaga Cathedral?
Make sure to book tickets for the Cathedral in Malaga and the Alcazba in advance – otherwise there will be a queue.
Book tickets for the Malaga Cathedral here
Is there an alternative to Malaga’s touristy city center?
Yes, here are 3 suggestions:
1) Get away from the main streets and into the small side streets. It’s beautiful here.
2) Head down to the SOHO district, right next to the city center. There are also tourists here, but it’s nice and fancy here.
3) Head out to Malaga’s amazing botanical garden outside the city.
Is the botanical garden worth a visit?
Yes, Malaga’s botanical garden ‘La Concepción’ is a very special experience.
The garden was originally founded in colonial times to acclimatize Latin American plants for growth in Europe.
There are a lot of special plants and trees here – and it’s just lovely. Quiet, shady and beautiful.
Is the botanical garden touristy?
No, few people find their way to Malaga’s botanical garden.
Too bad for all those who don’t experience it – and good for the few who do.
Can you sail on a catamaran from Malaga?
Yes, the catamaran trip in the Bay of Malaga is a wonderful trip with great views.
Can you get to Caminito del Rey from Malaga without a car?
Yes, there are organized tours both from Malaga and from other places on the Costa del Sol.
Is there a hop-on hop-off bus in Malaga?
Yes, it’s an easy and smart way to experience everything worth seeing in Malaga.
Can you get to Gibraltar from Malaga?
Yes, there are organized tours to Gibraltar, including the entrance ticket to the Upper Rock National Park.
Can you get one combined ticket for both the Alcazaba and Malaga Cathedral?
Yes, there is a combination ticket that includes the two biggest attractions in Malaga.
Is there a combination ticket for the Picasso Museum and Picasso’s birthplace?
Yes, there is also a combination ticket for the two Picasso museums in Malaga.
Can you get to Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas from Malaga?
Yes, there are organized tours to the amazing Ronda and the white village under the rocks, called Setenil de las Bodegas.
Can you experience the Andalusian horse in Malaga?
Yes, there is a show with the Andalusian horse at El Ranchito.
Can you see Malaga in an open, electric tuk-tuk?
Yes, it’s probably the best way to get around and see all the exciting things in Malaga city.
Can you get to the Alhambra from Malaga?
Yes, there are organized tours to Granada and the Alhambra from Malaga.
See more here:
How to avoid unpleasant experiences with car rental at Malaga airport?
There are very cheap car rental companies – and there are expensive companies.
Especially at Malaga airport, there is a lot – and you have to be careful not to choose based exclusively on price.
Price is often related to quality and service
Many of our guests have experienced being left on their own when they suddenly had problems with their car or if a scratch had been made.
How to avoid choosing the wrong car rental company at Malaga Airport?
Make sure to book a rental car in advance in any case
The queue at the airport is unbearable, so it is a bad idea to wait until after arrival to rent a car.
Some of the companies our guests would not recommend are MalagaCar, DelPaso and Goldcar.
Here, they have experienced cars that were not quite in order and lack of service when problems arose with the cars.
However, the most expensive car rental companies do not necessarily give the most value for money – here you often pay extra for the brand and exclusivity.
This applies, for example, to Avis, Hertz and Sixt.
The wrong car rental company?
At Malaga Airport we always use HelleHollis Car Rentals because we know that the cars are in good condition, the service is top notch and the prices are reasonable.
Here our guests get the best price-quality ratio
All the companies pay commission to those who recommend them, so we have no financial reason to recommend one company over another.
That’s why we only recommend companies we have had good experiences with – and when you use the link you help keep Authentical running with good tips and recommendations.
Categories and prices at HelleHollis
Frequently asked questions about car rental at Malaga airport
Do you risk unpleasant experiences with car rental at Malaga airport?
Yes, unfortunately.
Situations can always arise with the car or in traffic. And it is important to be in good hands.
Insurance must of course be in place.
In addition, the car should be in good condition.
Finally, it is important that there is someone to take care of it when problems arise.
Unfortunately, the service varies greatly from one rental company to the next.
There are simply some companies that have skimped on service.
Does the price of car rental in Malaga depend on the quality?
Yes and no. This requires an explanation:
You can count on the very cheapest companies having skimped on service and therefore not offering much help in difficult situations.
But you cannot generalize and say that the most expensive companies provide the best service when things get tough.
With some companies you will pay extra for the ‘brand’ – that is, for their well-known name – without getting better service for the money.
Not too cheap and not too expensive is our best advice when it comes to price.
What happens if there are problems with the car along the way?
If you need help along the way, roadside assistance is usually included.
Most rental companies will arrange it for you – with a greater or lesser degree of service.
Many car rental companies also provide a replacement car. But not all!
There are rental companies that have very limited help in such situations, so you may be left to contact the insurance and roadside assistance directly yourself.
Should you book a car rental in advance?
Yes, absolutely.
Previously, you could just book it at the airport. But now there are so much queue at the car rental companies that it has become unbearable. And there is a risk of a shortage of cars!
It does not cost extra to book the car in advance – and then you avoid queues and the risk of being sold out.
Is there a long queue for car rental at Malaga Airport?
Yes, it has become really crazy.
You can stand in line for up to 1 hour before you even get attended.
Which car rental companies do other guests advise against?
Especially the cheapest car rental companies have given our guests unfortunate experiences and poor service when help is needed.
Specifically, our guests have told us about unfortunate experiences with MalagaCar, GoldCar, ClickRent, Centauro and DelPaso.
Which car rental companies are too expensive?
It is our experience that you do not get extra good service by choosing the most expensive car rental companies.
Car rental companies where you pay extra for the name are, for example, Avis, Sixt and Hertz.
Which car rental companies do other guests recommend?
Our guests are generally happy with Europcar, Record and HelleHollis.
We have never heard of poor service from these car rental companies.
Can you be sure that the rental cars are in good condition?
Most rental cars are almost new and therefore cause few problems.
Some car rental companies have slightly older cars and the risk of problems is therefore higher.
Where do you get the best price-quality ratio?
Our guests have always been most satisfied with HelleHollis.
The prices are not expensive – but they are not the cheapest either.
On the other hand, the service is top-notch. They take care of everything that may arise with fast service and a replacement car if necessary.
Do you have a financial advantage by recommending HelleHollis over others?
All car rental companies pay approximately the same commission, which means that there is no financial advantage in recommending one company over another.
This means that we are free to recommend the car rental companies that our guests like best – those that provide the best service and have fair prices.
When you rent a car via our link, it’s the same price – but the rental company pays us a little to create more good content for Autentical.
Please accept cookies on the HelleHollis website and help us develop more useful content on Autentical.com
Is insurance included in the price?
All car rental companies have liability and comprehensive insurance included in the rental price.
However, there is an excess (a deductible) of 400 – 800 EUR, depending on the type of car.
Is there an excess (a deductible) in the insurance?
All car rental companies have excesses/deductibles of varying sizes. Make sure to find out how big the excess/deductible is in advance.
Can you avoid the excess/deductible?
Yes, for example, HelleHollis offers additional insurance that removes the excess/deductible. It costs approx. 9 EUR per day.
With the additional insurance, you don’t have to worry about scratches or parking damage, which are typically not covered due to the excess/deductible.
Can you rent a car as a young person under 21?
Yes, with some car rental companies, e.g. HelleHollis.
You have to contract an extra insurance for young drivers.
Is there an experience requirement with the driving license?
No. The requirement is simply that the driving license is valid for use in Spain (e.g. driving license from EU countries or the UK).
Is it difficult to drive in the Malaga area?
No. Driving in the Malaga area and Andalusia in general is easy and straightforward.
There is a lot of traffic right around Malaga airport and Malaga city, but as soon as you get a little further away, the traffic is quiet and calm.
Can you compare prices for all car rental companies?
Yes, there are price comparison portals that provide prices from several companies.
Try the price comparison for car rental companies here:
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