20+ of the best things to do in Malaga with kids

Sun, sea, tapas, art and enough history to fill a week – Malaga has quietly become one of Spain’s best cities for families, with masses of things to do in Malaga with kids plus the gorgeous weather of the Costa del Sol.

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Unlike some of the country’s bigger cities, Malaga also manages to pack its old town, beach and the majority of its museums and family attractions beach into a compact, walkable centre, so it’s also an easy option to visit with children.

And if you’re considering Malaga with teens or tweens who love art, it’s unmissable – as well as being Picasso’s birthplace, you’ll find contemporary works, Baroque art and more, although if your kids don’t fancy even a single gallery, you can get a taste of ancient Rome, explore a fortress palace, climb to a castle, enjoy a boat trip and a whole lot more. Here’s my pick of the best things to do in Malaga with kids.

The Alcazaba

Easily one of the highlights of a visit to Malaga with kids of any age, the Alcazaba is the city’s fortress-palace, built in the 11th century, when the area was under Muslim rule.

One of the best-preserved examples of its kind in Spain, a series of sloping paths lead ever up through the arched gates, heading to courtyards with pools, fountains and shady gardens, and some more decorative rooms from the old palace.

Much of the site has been restored after the Alcazaba was besieged, plundered for stone and even converted to cramped homes over the centuries.

Now, the lush vegetation and orange trees make it a lovely place to wander – although you’ll still find plenty of reminders of its original military function – while the views back over the city and port from the upper terraces are fabulous.

It’s one place that I’d recommend getting a guided tour, to share the stories behind the stones.

I stepped up to play the part of a defending soldier as our own guide Lucia explained how the design of the Alcazaba was used in its defence, as well as pointing out stones stolen from the Roman Theatre in its walls, and revealing how a tranquil pool was actually one of the precautions used to keep the palace bigwigs safe.

Book a guided tour of the Roman Theatre and Alcazaba with free cancellation here

If you’ve got younger kids who won’t have the attention span for a tour, there is a free audio guide (informative but a bit dry) but just being inside the walls is perfect for encouraging their imaginations to run riot.

The Alcazaba sits right beside the Roman Theatre (see below), so it’s easy to combine both in one outing, while you can also get combined tickets with Gibralfaro Castle if you do decide to explore independently. There isn’t always much shade, so picking a morning tour/visit is a good plan.

If you’re visiting Malaga with teens, you could also experience another taste of the city’s Islamic past at Hammam Al Andalus to visit the baths

The Roman Theatre

Right at the foot of the Alcazaba, Malaga’s Roman Theatre was built duing the reign of the emperor Augustus, around 2,000 years ago but only rediscovered in 1951, hidden for centuries beneath later buildings.

With some parts impressively well preserved and others well-restored, it’s free to visit, plus a small interpretation centre helps to explain what life was like here in Roman times, bringing the site a little more to life.

Older kids studying the Romans at school will get a particular kick out of sitting on the stone seats and looking down onto the stage – you wouldn’t have had gladiators here, but there’d have been plenty of comedy to enjoy. Easily one of the best free things to do in Malaga with kids.

It doesn’t take long to look around, so it’s an easy stop to fit in on the way up to the Alcazaba – save a few moments to peek down onto other Roman remains under the glass pyramid nearby on Calle Alcazabilla, where once the sought-after fish sauce known as garum was made.

Gibralfaro Castle

Perched high above the city, you’ll get the best views in Malaga from Gibralfaro Castle, looking out across the port, La Malagueta bullring and the sweep of coastline beyond.

The walk up is a fair climb, with some steep sections along the path, so while it’s certainly doable with kids who can manage a half-hour walk, it pays to wear some footwear with decent grip – I would not fancy the slippery slopes if it had rained, although that’s rarely a concern in Malaga.

When the sun does shine, there’s very limited shade, so this is somewhere to visit early or late.

A lot of people head up for sunset, although rather than braving the walk down in the dark I decided to set off around 6pm – that way, you skip the worst of the heat and still have time to look around inside and soak up the spectacular views in the golden light.

If walking isn’t an option (or just doesn’t tempt you), there is also a bus which runs from central Malaga – line 35 travels from Alameda Principal and Paseo del Parque up to Gibralfaro. It may not save you much time, but definitely cuts out the effort.

It’s well worth heading inside once you’ve reached the top – like the Alcazaba, there’s a free audio guide with QR codes to scan, but you can also wander along the restored ramparts, climb up to one of the towers and wander inside the walls, imagining yourself defending the castle from invaders.

Malaga City Museum (Museo de Malaga)

There’s a lot of history packed into Malaga’s golden streets, so to get a proper overview, head to the Museo de Malaga – the Malaga City Museum is Spain’s fifth largest museum, holding around 15,000 archaeological items in its collection.

Although it’s not desperately interactive, it’s cheap to visit (tickets cost 1.50 Euros, free entry for EU citizens) so you could speed through with kids or just visit the few areas you’re interested in.

Even the building is impressive, an 18th century Neoclassical Palace, once used by customs at the busy port of Malaga, while there are also several galleries of art to discover.

Don’t miss the display on the 7th century BCE Phoenician grave – the Phoenicians being the first to settle here, naming it Malaka – plus a rare bronze Greek helmet, Roman mosaics and sculptures (spot the bear eating the ram).

You’ll also find background on the Islamic caliphates and emirates which ruled Malaga as well as the later Christian kingdoms.

It’s around the corner from the Roman theatre and Alcazaba, so it’s easy to combine with the two historic sites. You can’t take any bags or water in, so make sure you have a 1 Euro coin for the locker (refunded after use) and have cash to pay for entry as well.

Malaga Cathedral

Malaga’s cathedral – or Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación to give it its full name – is at the heart of the old town.

Big enough that you’ll get glimpses of the 84m high tower or sudden views of the exterior as you wander around, ongoing restoration work to replace the roof means the grand Renaissance and Baroque building is slightly overshadowed by cranes at present.

But it’s still well worth a visit. Built on the site of a former mosque, it’s known as ‘La Manquita’, or the one-armed lady as only one tower was ever built – the story goes that the money for the second tower was sent to help fund the American War of Independence, although the truth might be rather more prosaic.

There’s currently lots of debate about whether the restoration work should include building the missing tower or not, and what happens to the nickname if you do… something to ponder with your kids as you explore inside.

Look out for the matching pair of huge organs, as well as the intricate wooden carvings in the choir, ornate gold decoration and the little museum in the former Cathedral Chapter Room. There’s a free audio guide, as well as children’s audio guides available, and even a VR experience.

The rooftop tours are not currently available while the restoration work is ongoing

A walking tour in the old town

You’ll find yourself strolling through Malaga’s old town more than once as you explore the city, so you’ll quickly get a feel for the elegant squares, narrow passages and older streets as well as the more modern pedestrian avenues like Calle Larios.

But rather than just wandering aimlessly, you’ll find a few fun trails and treasure hunts to turn exploring into more of a game. This treasure hunt takes you to all the key sights of Malaga (except the castle), with plenty of chances for kids to get hands on, and a games master on hand in case you do get stuck.

Or for another fun challenge, you could pit your wits to work out who murdered Picasso as you explore the city in Crime Challenge Malaga, with GPS leading you to 10 locations to find the clues – and past plenty of the old town highlights.

If you prefer something more traditional, there are plenty of walking tours including a 90-minute old town tour (it’s worth knowing it doesn’t run on Mondays and Tuesdays), while this two-hour tour focuses on art, culture and legends.

There’s also a three-hour Hidden Streets and Stories tour of Malaga to tell some of the tales of the city, including an evening option which might appeal to teens.

You can also discover more about Malaga’s Muslim heritage with a special themed three-hour walking tour

Bike tours of Malaga

If you prefer exploring on two wheels rather than two feet, you can pick from a whole string of bike tours of Malaga, although some are best with older kids only.

If you’re heading up to the castle, an ebike is a very good option unless you’re used to cycling on steep hills, and this ebike tour of Malaga is suitable for age 13+.

Alternatively, this three-hour bike tour is suitable for all ages and takes you along the coast past the harbour and beach and out to one of the nearby fishing villages – a great way to see beyond Malaga’s centre.

Tuk tuk tours

For a quirky alternative to walking or cycling, you’ll also discover a choice of tuk-tuk tours of Malaga for families – great if your kids are a bit too young for the bike tours and might struggle with too much walking.

Hop in an eco tuk-tuk to explore with a choice of one-hour and two-hour itineraries, depending if you’d like to focus on central Malaga or venture further out to Baños del Carmen and the Port of Malaga as well. Suitable for age 2+.

Or this alternative tuk-tuk tour of Malaga is suitable for age 4+ and also has a choice of itineraries (including the chance to skip the steep hill up to the castle).

There is also a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Malaga – you won’t be able to use it to explore the pedestrianised old town but it’s another option to get your bearings, and some tickets also include museum entry, a walking tour and boat tour

La Malagueta Beach

Just a short stroll from the historic centre, Playa de la Malagueta is Malaga’s main city beach, with golden sand, calm waters and plenty to fill a few hours with kids between sightseeing.

There are showers, playgrounds, beach bars and sunbed hire dotted along the promenade, plus plenty of space for sandcastles and a paddle, with lifeguards on duty in season.

It’s unsurprisingly popular, especially at weekends and in peak summer, but it’s long enough that you can usually find a quieter patch if you walk a little further along.

The seafront promenade is also lined with chiringuitos (beach bars) serving classic Malaga-style grilled sardines, known as espetos – worth trying even with fussier eaters.

La Malagueta isn’t the only Malaga beach on offer if you’re happy to travel a bit further, with seven Blue Flag beaches in total – El Palo & Pedregalejo is another good option for families, with buses running to Los Baños del Carmen nearby or it’s within cycling distance if you fancy hiring bikes

Muelle Uno and the Palmeral de las Sorpresas

Malaga’s revamped harbourfront, Muelle Uno, is a lovely spot for an evening stroll with kids, lined with palm trees, fountains, shops and restaurants, plus the Centre Pompidou’s colourful glass cube as its centrepiece.

The Palmeral de las Sorpresas (Palm Grove of Surprises) runs alongside it, a landscaped promenade with wooden walkways, water features and plenty of open space. It’s especially pretty at sunset, when the light catches the water and the yachts moored in the port.

You’ll find plenty of places to stop for a drink or something to eat (although it’s also pricier here than in the old town), as well as the much less tranquil Galaxy Park arcade if your kids fancy a few games.

The little aquarium at Museo Alborania (Aula del Mar) is now closed.

Boat trips

Malaga’s history is intertwined with its importance as a port – for centuries, the city was one of the most important trading locations on the coast and it’s still a working port today.

Today, that means you’ll have plenty of boat trips to choose from, whether you fancy a shorter jaunt out onto the water or longer at sea.

The Fly Blue catamarans run hour-long cruises taking you out into the bay, or even better, do as we did and save time to watch the sun dip below the horizon on a sunset boat tour.

You’ll find several companies running similar trips, although we really enjoyed Fly Blue’s 90-minute sunset cruise – timings do vary during the year, sunset isn’t until around 9.30pm in July for example, around 8.30pm in early April or mid September, but it’s a lovely way to end the day regardless.

Once you’ve cruised past the more industrial corners of Malaga’s port, you’ll get a great view along the coast and the sight of the sun turning the sky gold as it disappears behind the hills.

If you want a longer adventure, most boat trips run from nearby Benalmadena but this half-day cruise includes pick-up from Malaga, with inflatable slides and snorkelling plus lunch on board.

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Picasso Museum

Malaga was Picasso’s birthplace, so it seems only right that the city has its own dedicated Picasso Museum, housed in a beautiful 16th-century palace in the old town.

The collection spans the artist’s whole career, donated largely by his own family, and while some of the more abstract works may go over younger heads, there’s plenty to get everyone thinking, helped along by some background on the free audio guide (accessed via a QR code on your phone).

Even a shorter visit, taking in a handful of rooms, gives a good flavour of Malaga’s most famous son, and there are also smaller exhibitions of other contemporary artists in the same building.

I can’t stress enough that this is something you definitely need to book for, and even with timed tickets, you’ll need to queue – we got tickets for the 10am opening slot and turned up around 15 minutes beforehand, but didn’t get in until 10.20. You can buy tickets with free cancellation as well as direct from the museum.

If your children don’t fancy the art, nearby Casa Natal de Picasso – the house where Picasso was born, just around the corner from his statue in Plaza de la Merced – is free for kids and only a few euros for adults. Or if they’re feeling inspired, you could even paint your own Picasso at this workshop for kids aged 8+

Centre Pompidou Málaga

Housed in a striking glass cube on the harbourfront, Centre Pompidou Málaga is the first outpost of the famous Paris museum outside France, and it’s a fun introduction to modern art for families.

The collection is compact rather than overwhelming, so you can explore it properly in an hour or so without anyone flagging, plus there are often family-friendly, colourful and playful pieces that appeal to kids as much as the adults.

There are also family tours on offer, or head to Espacio Joven, a dedicated interactive space inside the museum where younger children can play, dress up, and get a child-friendly introduction to art. Under-18s go free too.

It sits right on Muelle Uno, so it’s easy to combine with a wander along the harbour afterwards.

If you love art but prefer something classic to contemporary, the Carmen Thyssen museum has a series of Old Masters in its collection, although realistically, it’s most likely to appeal to art-loving teens

OXO (Museo del Videojuego)

For a change of pace from all that history and art, OXO is Malaga’s space dedicated to digital culture and gaming, tracing the history of video games alongside the latest innovations in the industry – plus plenty of chances to get hands on.

Kids can try an immersive 3D room and play with historic gaming devices as well as newer releases, with three floors dedicated to video games past, present, and future.

Fun whether you fancy a few classic arcade machines, a break to play current favourites or a look at what the future holds for gaming, you can also end with a drink with a view on the Cathedral Terrace (book ahead).

MIMMA – Interactive Museum of Music

Another hands-on option, the Malaga Interactive Music Museum (MIMMA) houses a huge collection of nearly 1,000 musical instruments from across different periods and cultures – many of which can actually be played.

This approach means kids can try their hand at everything from traditional Spanish instruments to curiosities from around the world, rather than just looking at exhibits behind glass. The multimedia displays help bring the history of each instrument to life too, so it works well for a range of ages.

Set inside former mansion Palacio Conde de las Navas, it’s not a huge museum, so an hour is usually plenty, making it an easy option if you’re already exploring the old town.

Paws for a Moment cat cafe

Just a few minutes’ walk from both MIMMA and OXO is one of Malaga’s more unusual family attractions – Paws for a Moment cat cafe.

Home to a series of rescued cats and kittens, your entry ticket includes a free drink and you can also buy snacks, as well as treats for the cats.

Larger than many cat cafes, the furry occupants can leave if they don’t fancy company, while there are plenty of places for them to climb as well as lounging wherever takes their fancy. Ideal for humans too if you’re unlucky enough to need ideas for rainy days in Malaga with kids.

If you’re looking for more quirky places to visit in Malaga with kids, check out the Museum of Imagination – this interactive space is full of places to pose for photos with backdrops designed to trick the eyes

Mercado Central de Atarazanas

You don’t have to be a foodie to love the Mercado Atarazanas, although if you are, you’ll be in heaven.

The city’s main indoor market, it’s housed in a striking 19th-century building on the site of Malaga’s 14th century shipyard – you can still see the marble Nasrid arch from the original Muslim building and even the ironwork of the current market is designed in the same style.

But inside is an even bigger feast for the eyes (and stomach), with stalls piled high with fish, fruit, jamón and olives, all looking very tempting even if you’re only planning to browse.

There are several tapas bars inside the market itself and outside by the entrance where you can grab a quick, inexpensive lunch too. It’s busy and bustling rather than somewhere for a quiet browse, but that’s very much part of the charm and you’ll find plenty of locals doing their shopping as you wander.

Closed on Sundays, it’s open from 9am until 2pm the rest of the week, although inevitably it’s better to get there earlier rather than later. The tapas bars do stay open after the market has shut though, and look out for Casa Aranda around the corner, which has been tempting Malaguenos for chocolate and churros since 1932.

You can also take guided tours of the Mercado Atarazanas including tastings, while a visit is included in some cooking classes as well as in tapas tours taking place during opening hours, such as this morning market and tapas tour, this daytime tapas tour and the daytime versions of this fantastic tapas tour (which I took in the evening)

Tapas tours of Malaga

You won’t have any trouble eating well in Malaga, whether you grab something from the market or stumble across a great restaurant as you wander the streets of the old town.

But for a real taste of some of the city’s best food, head off on a tapas tour. We booked an evening tour with Spain Food Sherpas, led by a trained chef who’s lived in Malaga for years, and it was a fantastic way to explore and indulge. Needless to say, you won’t need dinner.

Our tour took in the oldest bar in Malaga, a whole series of different tapas, a brief introduction to different types of jamon (while sampling them), plus croquetas, paella and more with wine (or soft drinks), all with a side helping of Spanish culture and history.

Alternatively, you’ll find plenty of other ways to snack your way through Malaga’s tastiest stops – this three-hour tour is led by a local, while Secret Food Tours (which I’ve tried elsewhere) features sweets as well as local tapas.

While they can be adapted for different dietary requirements and ours had a few options to swap specific tapas as we went, they’re best with older kids than pickier younger ones – and with half a dozen types of pork and charcuterie, plus cheese, anchovies, seafood and more, it’s also likely to be less tempting for vegans.

If you’d like to learn how to make your own tapas, this three-hour workshop is fun for families, or you can also learn the secrets of paella at this cooking workshop

Parque de Málaga

Running along the edge of the port, Parque de Málaga is a shady, palm-lined park that’s perfect if you’re looking for a cool place to escape or a break from sightseeing and exploring.

With fountains, exotic plants from around the world and the occasional resident parrot or two, it’s a lovely spot for a slow wander, and there are benches aplenty along the curving paths if anyone needs a rest.

Stretching for 800m, it links the old town neatly to the Muelle Uno harbourfront too, so it’s easy to fit in to the rest of your day. The little play area in the park is currently closed for renovations.

La Concepción Botanical Garden

A little further out from the centre, the Jardín Botánico La Concepción is one of the most important botanical gardens in Spain, with over 50,000 plants and exotic species collected from five continents over almost two centuries.

Sprawled across around 57 acres, the website has a few highlights if you want to make your own treasure hunt for kids to find, or simply enjoy wandering through the lush, subtropical grounds – a world away from the city streets, and noticeably cooler on a hot day thanks to all the shade. There are some family activities on Sundays from 11am-2pm as well, although not during July and August.

It’s around 15 minutes by car from central Malaga by taxi (Uber and Bolt both operate in the city), or around 40 minutes on public transport – take line 20 to its final stop of San Jose, then it’s around a 15-minute walk.

Day trips from Malaga with kids

While there’s plenty to tempt you to stay in Malaga itself, the city is also a great base to explore further around the Costa del Sol – there are even day trips as far as Gibraltar if you have the time.

The train which runs from the airport to Malaga city centre also continues down the coast stopping at Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola among other resort towns if you fancy more beach or the chance to explore further afield.

If you’ve got older kids who fancy a challenge, the famous Caminito del Rey route – a cliffside boardwalk suspended 100m above a river gorge – is around an hour from Malaga, although it’s strictly for age 8+.

Treasure Cave in Rincón de la Victoria

An easy half-day trip from Malaga, the Treasure Cave at Rincon de la Victoria is one of the world’s most unusual caves – the only marine cave in Europe.

The cave passages were originally carved below sea level by ancient waves and marine currents, before the land emerged, with water also later adding stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools.

Millennia ago, it was used as a burial site during the Stone Age and Bronze Age, with cave paintings discovered here – the name itself comes from a legend that a 12th century Almoravid emperor hid his treasure here.

You can get tours to the Treasure Caves from Malaga which include a guided visit to the cave, as well as a chance to see the coast and explore a little of Rincón de la Victoria.

Benalmadena

Easily reached on a day trip along the coast, it takes around 20 minutes to get from Malaga to Benalmadena by train (and only costs around £6 return for adults) and there’s plenty to keep families entertained all day.

Hop aboard the Teleférico Benalmádena (cable car) which takes you up Mount Calamorro for some amazing views across the Costa del Sol – on a clear day you can even see across to Africa.

Or if your kids love animals, the five themed areas of Selwo Marina marine park have everything from penguins and sea lions to squirrel monkeys among the inhabitants – it’s worth being aware that they do also have captive dolphins too. You can get joint tickets with the cable car, and both are walking distance from the station.

Down by the seafront, there’s also Sea Life Benalmadena aquarium – the hop-on hop-off bus connects this area and the station and cable car, as well as being a good way to see a few other highlights. Some buses will also take you to the Mariposario, Benalmadena’s butterfly house, but only a few a day travel this way if you’re hoping to visit.

Aqualand Torremolinos

If you’re visiting Malaga in summer and fancy a proper water park day, Aqualand Torremolinos has a whole range of slides from the gentle to the genuinely thrilling, alongside a wave pool, lazy river and a dedicated children’s area with smaller water slides and splash zones.

It’s a full day out rather than a quick stop, but one that will suit kids of all ages, from toddlers in the paddling zones to teenagers chasing an adrenaline rush. Bring plenty of sun cream, as there’s not always as much shade as you’d like.

You can take the coast train to Torremolinos and then it’s around a 15-minute walk, or there are buses which will also take you partway, but otherwise the easiest option is a taxi.

Cordoba

If you love Malaga’s Islamic history, you shouldn’t miss a chance to explore Cordoba as well – the former capital of the kingdom of Al-Andalus is home to two unique buildings, as well as the chance to wander its narrow historic streets.

The highlight is a visit to the UNESCO-listed Mezquita, the city’s mosque-cathedral, so-called because the 8th-century mosque has a 16th-century Renaissance Catholic cathedral built directly into its heart.

But the city’s former Jewish Quarter is also home to its ancient synagogue, the only one preserved in Andalusia after the Jewish population was expelled in 1492.

As a bonus for fans of Game of Thrones, you can also visit the Roman Bridge, which doubled for Volantis in the TV show – albeit with a lot of CGI extras.

The train takes under an hour if you’d like to visit independently, or there are tours to Cordoba to see the city’s highlights in a day – it’s a two-hour drive each way, so better with older kids, but you get the bonus of a guide to introduce you to the history.

Getting around Malaga with kids

Malaga’s city centre is compact, flat and easy to navigate on foot, so for most families a car isn’t necessary if you’re staying centrally – in fact, it can be more hassle than it’s worth given the narrow streets and limited parking in the old town.

For trips further along the coast, such as Benalmádena or Torremolinos, there’s a good local train line (the Cercanías) running from Malaga’s Centro-Alameda station (and Maria Zambrano station), which is easier than driving and finding parking at the other end. Buses also connect the city with most of the surrounding towns.

If you do want to hire a car for day trips further afield, such as into the mountains or along the Costa del Sol, it’s worth picking one up for just the days you need it rather than the whole trip, saving you the hassle of parking in the city itself.

For more of the best places to visit in Andalusia for families, check out my tips for things to do in Seville with kids, Ronda with kids and Granada for families

Images: Rincon de la Victoria/Benalmadena/Cordoba courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels

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