Free Malaga Attractions

This charming port has recently undergone a major redevelopment and now it’s a pleasure to wander around, admiring the yachts, taking in some lunch at one of the many waterfront restaurants and checking out the sculptures that are dotted around.

One of the best places to spend a relaxing afternoon, with the sun shining on the crystal clear water. It’s easy to get to as well, with the promenade leading from the city centre, past the lighthouse and onto La Malagueta beach (link). The port is also one of the best shopping areas and even hosts a small market on Sunday mornings. You can watch the cruise ships coming in and out. It’s great for people watching in general and there is a vibrant, friendly atmosphere. If you’re feeling more active, you can hire bikes and segways. You can also go on a boat trip or even the small solar powered train.

The CAC (Centro de Arte Contemporaneo) is one of the newest and most exciting of Malaga’s galleries, opened in 2003. It showcases a wide range of modern art from across Spain and beyond, with constantly changing temporary exhibitions, so each visit will be different. Among the big stars who have been featured are Anish Kapoor, Damien Hirst and Jake and Dinos Chapman. The emphasis is on the best of contemporary art from the 1950s to the present, inspired by the German Kunsthauses (Houses of Art).

The museum has a floor space of 6000m², with over 400 works in the permanent collection. Entrance is free, and it enjoys the comparatively rare advantage among Spanish galleries of having a cafe. It’s situated on the bank of the dry river Guadalmedina.

Housed in the old Wholesalers’ Market which was built after the war, the building is in fact well suited to its current purpose, as it was designed by one of Spain’s leading architects in a functional, Cubist style.

The Museum of Malaga is a newly re-opened museum that has been relocated, after a 20 year wait, to the historic Palacio de la Aduana which was once the customs house. This 4 storey building is quite simply a treasure trove of archaeological finds and artwork with some 2,000 works of art and 15,000 archaeological finds from in and around Malaga on display.

Must see items include Picasso's 'Old man with blanket' and Simonet's 'And she had a heart!' along with an ancient Corinthian style helmet from 600BC and some unique Roman sculptures of the Casa-Loring collection. Amongst these key pieces, you can also see religious icons, 16th century ceiling corbels, modern art, and so much more.

Situated on a naturally formed island where the Guadalhorce river meets the Mediterranean sea, the Guadalhorce Nature Reserve (Paraje Natural Desembocadura del Guadalhorce) is a paradise for twitchers (bird watchers) as it's one of the most important breeding and migration sites in the country being on the direct route between Europe and Africa.

260 species have been recorded here which include ospreys, marbled teals, booted eagles, northern gannets, redshanks, crested larks, reed warblers, flamingos, monk parakeets and so much more. Comprising of marshlands, palm trees, willows, and poplars with a mix of fresh water and salt water it's certainly a unique environment and a tranquil green oasis for those who love spending time in nature, follow the trails, get comfy in a hide with binoculars, and see what you find.

Get the best view of the city from the 130 metre high Gibralfaro viewpoint, it's one of those top-spots for photography, especially at sunset and through blue hour as the city lights come on. Get there early to ensure you can get the best spot to look down on the bullring and Paseo del Parque Avenue whilst watching the cruise ships come in and out of port.

If you're walking up, allow enough time as it's quite a steep treck, if that sounds too strenuous grab the bus to the top of Mount Gibralfaro. Other viewpoints in Malaga include Noria de Málaga (Mirador Princess) and the viewpoint of ‘El Falcón’ but Gibralfaro has to be the best of them.

Address: Calle Campos Elíseos, 16, 29016 Málaga, Spain

The Roman Theatre is an archaeological treasure in the city, built in the 1st century BC but only unearthed again in 1951. The restoration is still ongoing, but nevertheless there is much to enjoy when visiting the theatre.

A small museum before you enter the theatre really puts you in the context of the arena’s heyday, with interactive exhibits, a short movie and information boards. This helps you imagine the splendour that once existed once you get inside. You can sit on the portion of original Roman seating that still survives and let your mind drift to the days of gladiatorial combat and classical drama.

In fact, it is possible to book tickets to see a production in the theatre, which would certainly be a unique experience. It’s free to visit at any other time, making this one of Malaga’s most enticing attractions. It’s at the foot of the Alcazaba (link), so is well worth checking out at the same time.