Malaga, a beautiful city and capital of Costa del Sol, is a hub of multicultural architecture, beautiful landscapes, and sunny beaches. One of the best things you can find in this city is that everything you want to do touristy can be done without breaking the bank!
The city is as traditional as it could get with the essence of Andalusian can be found. While maintaining the traditional aspect, the city has managed to enhance its beauty and yet remain cheap to its visitors.
There are some amazing things to do here and you won’t miss out even if you are travelling on a modest budget, because there are also plenty of free activities to choose from.
Some might wonder if the city is worth visiting during the winter season. But, to their astonishment, Malaga is perfect to visit during the cold season. Nothing compares to the beautiful sights this city holds for its visitors. So, here’s a list of the best things to do in Malaga in winter. Read on and plan a trip pocket-friendly for you to enjoy the best of this city.
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Things to do in Malaga in winter
Malaga is a brilliant city to visit all year round but we especially love visiting in the off season. You may also want to check out this day trip to Grenada from Malaga whilst you are visiting Spain.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
We use the below booking platforms to plan our trips. We hope you find them useful too!
Where to Stay in Malaga
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Malaga, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Malaga for any budget.
Luxury –Only YOU Hotel Málaga is a luxury hotel in the city centre of Malaga. The hotel has a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool and a bar with fantastic views. All rooms are air-conditioned with wifi and a coffee machine.
Book your stay at Only YOU Hotel Málaga here.
Mid-Range – When you visit Malaga, how about staying at AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott, a beautiful hotel in the city centre of Malaga. The hotel has a rooftop pool with views over the port, as well as a gym and free wifi.
Book your stay at AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott here.
Budget – We recently stayed at AAC Málaga – Con luz propia, amplio y nuevo! , a beautiful self-catering apartment in the city centre. The apartment is very spacious with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a large balcony, a kitchen and a washing machine. Located a 15-minute walk from the city centre.
Book your stay at AAC Málaga – Con luz propia, amplio y nuevo!here.
Light show in Calle Larios
If you are planning your visit to Malaga in the winter season then being a spectator of the Light show in Calle Larios is a must. This wonderful show includes a musical light display.
Locals as well as visitors come down and fill up the streets to witness this magical experience. One of the best things about this light show is the fact that it is totally free. Along with this, this activity is considered as one of the best family-bonding times and that is why, amongst the visitors, many come with their families.
Carnival in Malaga
If you to live a day like a local in Malaga then be a part of the Carnival in Malaga. One of the things to do in Malaga in winter is to be a part of this festive celebration.
Carnival or as locals say ‘Carnaval’, is celebrated in the month of February and during the week leading up to Lent. these celebrations take place much before it is done in New Orleans or Rio de Janeiro.
During the Carnaval time, the city comes alive. The vibrant vibes with amazing music, dancing, and costumes can be seen and felt. As you take part in the celebrations, you can also see many floats making their way through the city during the parade.
The Carnaval is the best time to learn about the city and get to know about things much more than just doing the touristy things on your trip.
Walk El Caminito del Rey
If you thinking of doing something different and want to explore the historical part of Malaga, then visit El Caminito del Rey. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers much more than just being a sight.
One of the best things to do in Malaga in winter is to actually walk the El Caminito del Rey. Once considered one of the most difficult hikes in the world, has now become much more accessible for the public and is considered a scenic hike of the world. Doing this wike in winter would mean much more pleasant temperatures!
Located around 100 metres above the deep gorge of Los Gaitanes and flanked by beautiful green forests, this walk is a majestic sight to behold. Many visitors, who come down to explore this peculiar sight, learn about a fact. It takes around 2 hours to walk 8 kilometres, one way. There are shuttle services available for those who look for their return possibility.
Go hiking
Hiking is one of the best things to do in Malaga in the winter season. It gives you new places and a newer perspective to see the city. Also, it keeps you warm during the season.
One of the other major reasons to perform hiking in winter is that you get access to locations that were unavailable during summer due to excessive heat. For instance, coastal mountain ranges see a lot of hikers making their way there.
There are various hiking trails that tourists take and here are some based on their difficulty level. Hope you find one which suits your comfort level!
- Fuente del Esparto – Almendron (Difficult)
- Cerro Lucero (Difficult)
- Caminito del Rey (Moderate)
- El Candado (Malaga) to Rincon de la Victoria (Moderate)
- Guadalmina Channel (Easy)
- Ribera del Guadiaro (Easy)
Visit the white pueblos
One of the major reasons of Malaga being a tourist favourite destination is the presence of white villages. Although the city is home to some of the most historical monuments and tourist attractions, this point always grabs more attention.
The origin of white villages comes from the presence of traditional Muslim houses during the Moorish period. The traditional structure included the construction of the roof to be such that it kept the houses cooler during high heat or even the summer season. Many of these white villages were originally built as fortresses to protect the Muslim-occupied areas from the Christian armies and other would-be attackers.
Till date, you can spectate the remains of medieval walls, towers, and Arab arches dotted around the white villages in Andalucía. Here’s a list of white villages that you can include in your Things to do in Malaga in winter:
- Almogía
- Álora
- Archidona
- Casares
- Comares
- El Borge
- Frigiliana
- Marbella
- Mijas Pueblo
Free things to try out
Malaga offers everything for everybody. That is why it also houses a lot of free things to try out. Here are a few things which would help you plan a trip to this magnificent city and include some of the free things to do in Malaga:
- Atarazanas Market
- Museum-y Malaga
- Malaga’s Centre of Contemporary Art
- Alcazaba and Castillo de Gibralfaro
- Malaga’s Viewpoints
- Montes de Malaga Nature Park
- Soho Neighborhood: Malaga Street Art District
- Malaga Cathedral and Churches
- Museo de Malaga
- Botanical Gardens
Flavourful tour of the city
Are you ready to warm up your soul with the deliciously lip-smacking meals from Malaga?
One of the best ways to learn about the city is to go through the flavourful side of the city. With every exploration you find yourself on, try to include a local food or drink in it as it is one of the perfect Things to do in Malaga in winter. Here’s a list of dishes you can relish while your stay in Malaga in winter!
- Migas Cortijeras
- Porra Antequerana
- Ajoblanco
- Borrachuelos
- Grilled Chestnuts
- Ensalada Malagueña
- Patatas bravas
- Roscos De Vino
- Pestiños
- Polvorones
- Mantecados
- Turrón
- Bolitas De Coco
- Roscón De Reyes
Before You Leave for Malaga
Before you set off on your way to Malaga, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Malaga. All of this is discussed in detail below.
How to Get to Malaga
The most popular way to arrive in Malaga is by flying, however being located in the south of Spain, many people may also arrive in Malaga by bus or train.
Where to Stay in Malaga
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Malaga, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Malaga for any budget.
Luxury –Only YOU Hotel Málaga is a luxury hotel in the city centre of Malaga. The hotel has a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool and a bar with fantastic views. All rooms are air-conditioned with wifi and a coffee machine.
Book your stay at Only YOU Hotel Málaga here.
Mid-Range – When you visit Malaga, how about staying at AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott, a beautiful hotel in the city centre of Malaga. The hotel has a rooftop pool with views over the port, as well as a gym and free wifi.
Book your stay at AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott here.
Budget – We recently stayed at AAC Málaga – Con luz propia, amplio y nuevo! , a beautiful self-catering apartment in the city centre. The apartment is very spacious with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a large balcony, a kitchen and a washing machine. Located a 15-minute walk from the city centre.
Book your stay at AAC Málaga – Con luz propia, amplio y nuevo!here.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Malaga
What you need to pack for Malaga will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and rainy days. During the Summer, you are pretty much guaranteed nice weather with temperatures ranging from 20-35 oC. The hottest months are July and August, so these will be the most popular for a Summer holiday.
During the winter months in Malaga, the rain will become more frequent and the temperatures will drop to between 10-20 oc. If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Malaga is very strong, especially during the summer months. Apply a lot of sun cream regularly to prevent a nasty burn from ruining your trip. We use this specific sunscreen to protect us as it is not as oily and irritating as other sunscreens.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Malaga, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Spain
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, your guide to the best things to do in Malaga in winter. If you are visiting this incredible city and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! Let us know in the comments below!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning walk.
If you are planning a Spain trip soon then check out our other Spanish content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
Read Now:
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- The Top 6 Reasons to Visit the Canary Islands in Winter
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