Málaga is a city in southern Spain on the Mediterranean Costa del Sol. It is the capital of the province of the same name in Andalusia: at 1 January 2025 it had 599,063 residents, and the whole province 1.79 million. Málaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, a city of museums, sunshine and beaches right within the city limits. Below we cover where Málaga is, what the climate is like and when to go, which beaches to visit and what to see, how to get there and what is nearby. If you are thinking not of a trip but of living in the city, everything about residence permits, neighbourhoods, prices and taxes is in the article moving to Málaga.
Where is Málaga
Málaga stands on the Mediterranean shore in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. The country is Spain, the autonomous community is Andalusia and the province is Málaga. The capital of Andalusia is Seville, while Málaga is the administrative centre of its province and the main city of the Costa del Sol, the “Sun Coast”. The only official language is Spanish. Above the centre rises a hill with the Moorish fortress of the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle.
Málaga climate and weather
The climate is Mediterranean: mild winters, hot summers, and rare rain that falls mostly in autumn and winter. According to AEMET normals, Málaga gets 2,905 hours of sunshine a year and only about 42 days of rain. How Málaga compares with other cities in winter is covered in our guide to winter in Spain.
Almost all rain falls between October and April: the wettest months are November and December, with 100 mm each, while July on average has no rain at all.
To compare with other Spanish cities by winter and summer temperatures, sunshine and rain, see our ranking of the climate of Spain by region and city.
When is the best time to visit Málaga
For swimming, people usually choose June to October. July and August are the hottest and busiest months: average temperatures of 25.5 °C and 26 °C, with full beaches and hotels. May, June, September and October are better for combining the sea with walks around the city. In winter the sea is too cool for swimming, but January averages 12.1 °C with many sunny days, which makes the city popular for wintering. The main events of the year are Holy Week (Semana Santa) with processions of the brotherhoods, from 29 March to 5 April in 2026, and the Málaga Fair (Feria de Málaga), from 15 to 22 August in 2026.
Málaga beaches
There are beaches right within the city. In 2026 seven city beaches received the Blue Flag, a mark of clean water and good facilities, and 45 across the whole province.
- Malagueta
- La Caleta
- Pedregalejo
- El Palo
- El Dedo
- La Misericordia
- San Andrés
There are even more Blue Flag beaches along the coast: eight in Marbella, and four each in Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Nerja.
What to see in Málaga
- The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle — a Moorish fortress and a castle on the hill above the centre, with the best views of the port and the city. Current opening hours and prices are on the city council website.
- Picasso Museum (Museo Picasso Málaga) — opened in 2003 in the 16th-century Buenavista Palace in the historic centre.
- Picasso Birthplace Museum on Plaza de la Merced — the artist was born here on 25 October 1881.
- Centre Pompidou Málaga — a branch of the Paris centre in the “Cube” building (El Cubo) in the port, open since 2015; the agreement has been extended to 2035.
- Carmen Thyssen Museum — 19th- and 20th-century Spanish painting in the Villalón Palace, opened in 2011.
- The Cathedral — in the historic centre of the city.
- Cortijo de Torres market — on Sundays it sells second-hand goods, vintage and ceramics. Other markets around the country are in our guide to antiques in Spain.
What is near Málaga
- Caminito del Rey — a walking trail through the Gaitanes gorge, 57.7 km from Málaga. The route is 7.7 km, of which 2.9 km is on boardwalks above the gorge; it runs in one direction only, from Ardales to El Chorro, and takes 3–4 hours. A ticket costs €10, or €18 with an official guide; children under 8 are not allowed. Closed on Mondays.
- Nerja Cave — a cave near the resort town of Nerja, one of the main sights of the province.
- Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola — resorts west of the city, each with between 71,000 and 85,000 residents.
- Marbella — a resort in the west of the province, 159,786 residents, eight Blue Flag beaches.
- Granada — the city of the Alhambra, inland in Andalusia; people often travel there via Málaga Airport.
How to get to Málaga
Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport handled a record 26.8 million passengers in 2025 — on this measure only Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca are ahead of it in Spain. Most passengers fly in from the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands. The C-1 commuter train links the airport with central Málaga and Fuengirola. From Madrid the AVE high-speed train is convenient. The city is served by buses and the metro: two lines that have reached the centre, at Atarazanas station, since 2023. There are no direct flights from Russia — entry rules are in the article visa to Spain.
Living in Málaga
Málaga is not only a resort but also the business centre of southern Spain. In 2025 the Málaga TechPark was home to 719 organisations and 29,018 workers, and in 2023 Google opened a cybersecurity centre here. Foreigners make up 11.7% of the city’s residents and almost a fifth of the province’s population; the province is home to 18,923 Ukrainian citizens and 9,867 Russian citizens. Housing here is noticeably more expensive than the national average. Which residence permit to choose, which neighbourhood to live in, how much housing costs and which taxes apply in Andalusia is covered in the article moving to Málaga.
Frequently asked questions about Málaga
Where is Málaga?
In Spain, on the southern Mediterranean Costa del Sol, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is the capital of the province of Málaga.
What country is Málaga in?
Spain. The city is part of the autonomous community of Andalusia and is the capital of the province of the same name.
What is the population of Málaga?
599,063 at 1 January 2025, and the whole province of Málaga has 1,791,092 residents.
What is the weather like in Málaga in winter?
Mild: the average January temperature is 12.1 °C, with many sunny days. Rain falls mostly from October to April, with about 534 mm over the year.
When is the best time to go to Málaga?
For a beach holiday, June to October. To combine the sea and sightseeing without the peak heat and crowds, choose May, June, September or October.
Does Málaga have beaches?
Yes, right in the city. In 2026 the Blue Flag went to seven city beaches: Malagueta, La Caleta, Pedregalejo, El Palo, El Dedo, La Misericordia and San Andrés.
What is there to see in Málaga?
The Alcazaba fortress and Gibralfaro Castle, the Picasso Museum and the house where he was born, the Centre Pompidou in the port, the Carmen Thyssen Museum and the Cathedral. From the city people head to the Caminito del Rey trail and Nerja Cave.
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