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,
– sharing the authentic with you
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.