Your trip to Malaga
From historical buildings to natural wonders, Malaga has it all, so it's no wonder why 18 million people visit the Spanish city every year. No matter what season you choose to plan your trip in, there will be no shortage of beautiful sights and cultural spots to take in, both indoors and outdoors.
Malaga is filled with verdant parks and its famous golden beaches where you can relax and soak up the sun, while the old town is lined with cobbled streets, architectural wonders, and various eateries to explore. As the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Malaga's museums, art galleries and theatres also offer a taste of the city's vibrant art culture.
Planning the perfect getaway to Malaga requires some tips, tricks and inside knowledge. Here is a tip for you: booking your flight and hotel at the same time and not separately can make you save up to 40%. Take advantage of a flight + hotel package in Malaga to your destination and save time searching for hotels separately. If you have already purchased your flight and you’re only looking for a hotel, you can find it here.
What to see in Malaga
Before we get into the specifics of flights to the Costa del Sol or how to get from Malaga Airport to Marbella, we need a daily itinerary. The best way to devise a travel plan is to think about what there is to see in Malaga in 1 day. Breaking things down on a daily basis ensures you get to see as much of the area as possible during your trip. With this in mind, here’s what to see in Malaga on a 3-day trip.
Day 1: relax and recharge after your flight to Malaga
You’ve found the perfect flights to the Costa del Sol and landed at Malaga (AGP) Airport. You’ve looked at where to stay in Malaga and found Salles Hotel Malaga Centro. Everything is set for a short but fun-filled break. It's going to be enjoyable but, at times, full-on. Therefore, it makes sense to take advantage of Marbella's beaches on your first day.
This gives you a chance to unwind after your flight and charge up ready for a few days of exploring. Malaga Airport, often also called Pablo Ruiz Picasso International Airport, is the nearest airport to Marbella. A car journey takes around 40 minutes. Here's how to get from Malaga Airport to Marbella (or from your hotel to Marbella):
Leave Malaga (AGP) Airport via the MA-20 and head towards Torremolinos. Continue until you join the AP-7 into Marbella. That route can get busy at peak times, so you might want to use the N340 toll road.
There's also a shuttle bus that is available from Malaga to Costa del Sol locations, including Marbella. From Malaga Airport, head to the bus terminal and take the bus to Marbella bus station. The trip takes around 35 minutes and costs approximately €8. Or, if you're leaving from your hotel, there's a good chance you can hop on the bus from a stop close by.
A trip to Marbella gives you access to the famous Golden Mile in Puerto Banús. There you can relax on the sandy beaches, sample some seaside cocktails and enjoy a local dish or two before heading back to your hotel, relaxed and ready for day 2.
Day 2: have your fill of fun and food
The second day in Malaga should be when you hit your stride. You’ve chilled out on Marbella's seafront and had a good night’s sleep, so you should be ready to cram in at least two or three tourist attractions. There are plenty of things to do so here's a list of Malaga’s best attractions:
- Montes de Malaga Natural Park
- The Botanical Garden
- Parque de Malaga (the city’s biggest park)
- Malaga Cathedral
- The Roman Theatre of Malaga
- Picasso Museum Malaga (the birthplace of Picasso)
- Centre Pompidou Malaga (contemporary art gallery)
Any of those attractions will give you a taste of Malaga. Once you’ve had your fill, you can refuel at one of the city’s best nightspots. Whether you're in the mood for tapas and drinks, dinner with live music and a stunning view of Parque de Malaga, or somewhere for a good serving of patatas bravas and other regional favourites, you will be spoilt for choice as excellent food and drink is flowing from almost every corner.
Day 3: see the city from above
Alcazaba should be your final port of call. The Alcazaba of Malaga is situated on the slopes of Gibralfaro Mountain. It’s an ancient fortification that provides a glimpse into the city’s past, including the time it was part of the Muslim-ruled Al-Andalus empire.
Once you’ve wandered around the ruins, head down to the beach and El Tintero. Here, waiters leave the kitchen with different dishes. They call out what’s available and you have to beckon them over if you want it. This combination of fresh seafood and theatre is the perfect way to end your final day in Malaga.
In order to discover the beautiful landscapes of the surroundings, you can always rent a car in Malaga and travel the open road.
Frequently asked questions about travel to Malaga
What’s the name of the Malaga airport(s)?
The main airport in Malaga is called Malaga Airport (AGP). The airport is approximately 8km from the city centre and you can travel to your accommodation via bus, train, or taxi.
Which airlines offer direct flights to Malaga?
You can fly directly to Malaga from London and other UK airports via Ryanair, Wizz Air UK, easyJet, British Airways and TUI Airways. You can also find cheap flights to Malaga on Opodo via low-cost Spanish airline, Vueling. The average flight time from London to Malaga is 2 hours and 50 mins.
How can I request assistance for children travelling alone?
Different airlines have different policies about minors travelling alone, so it’s best to check their policies before booking. Some airlines offer a chaperone service for an additional fee, though others don’t, so you will need to contact the airline to make any appropriate arrangements.
How can I travel with an assistance dog?
You should contact the airline you want to book tickets with to check their policies and support for assistance animals. If travelling with an assistance dog, it must be trained and secured for taking off and landing. Your pet must also comply with the rules of the EU’s Pet Travel Scheme when you’re flying to Malaga.
How do I find cheap flights to Malaga Airport, so I have flexible policies at Opodo?
You can use the AI-powered search engine at Opodo to find cheap flights to Malaga AGP Airport from London and other locations in the UK. Each search provides real-time flight data and pricing, as well as details on how you can book flexible tickets that allow you to change your flights without any charges.
How can I book cheap hotels on Opodo in my destination city?
Opodo is the smart search engine for cheap flights and hotels in Malaga. You can choose to search for flights and hotels separately or combine the two to get the most cost-effective search results. You can also set up alerts and get notified when hotels in Malaga are offering cheap deals.
What baggage do I need to check on my flight?
You can travel with hand luggage for a supplement on various low-cost airlines, including Wizz Air UK, Ryanair and easyJet. Rules vary between airlines, so it’s worth checking their policies and weight or size limits before you travel, in case you need to bring any additional luggage.
How can I check in with Opodo?
Opodo not only reduces the cost of travelling to Malaga, but it also makes the process more efficient by directing you to the online check-in pages for each airline. For example, if you’re flying with Wizz Air UK, you can book your ticket on Opodo and use a link in the confirmation email to complete the online check-in within 48 hours of your departure.
Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight from London to Malaga?
Yes, you will need to pay a cancellation fee if you decide not to fly to Malaga from London. There are circumstances when you won’t have to pay but, if you cancel before a set date (usually 72 hours before your flight), you can get a refund minus a service fee. These fees vary depending on the airline.
How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?
Your flight to Malaga will be eligible for compensation if your flight arrived over 3 hours late. You can also claim compensation if the flight was overbooked, and you were denied boarding. Finally, you can get compensation if your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before your departure date.
Malaga (AGP) Airport: the essentials
The main airlines that fly to Malaga, Spain, are Wizz Air UK, Vueling, easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair and TUI Airways.
The main airport is Malaga (AGP) Airport.
The facilities you can access at Malaga (AGP) Airport, both on arrival and departure, are:
- Restaurants and cafes
- Shops and Duty Free
- An art gallery
- Baggage wrapping
- ATMs
- Lounges
- Hotels, including Holiday Inn Express Malaga Airport
The best time for a long weekend in Malaga
What is the best time to travel to Malaga? And when is the weather in Malaga best? The best months for the sun are June, July, August, and September. However, Malaga enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year, so you can go almost any time and be guaranteed clement weather.
The coldest month is January, but the average temperature is still around 17°C. During the summer months, temperatures can soar to over 30°C. Therefore, it’s all a matter of personal preference. You can choose to go in spring or autumn and enjoy temperatures of 20°C+ as you explore the city. Alternatively, you can go in the summer and catch some rays on the beaches of Malaga and other cities in the Costa del Sol.
