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Chances are if you’re visiting the Costa del Sol on holiday, you’ll be flying into Málaga. This Andalusian city is known for its beaches, holiday resorts, and shopping, not to mention its huge nightlife scene. But apart from all of that, Málaga is a beautiful city, with a history dating back to the Roman period, that really does need to be explored more by visitors. There are plenty of things to see and do in Málaga, but if you really want to see the city in all of its glory, you’re going to want to head to some of the many viewpoints it offers. There are a lot of beautiful spots in the city where you can get some phenomenal views of Málaga from, and it’s worth visiting at least one of them during your time here.
Depending what time of the year you visit Málaga, it can be very hot outside. If you’re planning on visiting some of the viewpoints I’ve listed below, please make sure to check the predicted temperature because some of the locations take a bit of uphill walking to get to. If hiking in nature is more your thing, both Monte Victoria and Monte San Antón are very popular hiking locations in Málaga, with both locals and tourists. Here is my short list of what I believe to be the best viewpoints in Málaga - some of them I’ve even been to more than once!
1. Mirador de Gibralfaro
If you want to get unrivaled views of Málaga’s port and bullring (Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta), you can either hike or drive up to probably the best viewpoint in Málaga - Mirador de Gibralfaro. Every time I come to Málaga I make a point to visit this viewpoint because it’s absolutely stunning. It’s also a very popular spot to watch the sunset from in Málaga too. There are actually two different parts of Mirador de Gibralfaro which offer different views of the city. The one pictured above is at the highest point of the hill, but if you follow the walking path downhill a bit you’ll be able to catch another panoramic view of Málaga, which includes a view of the cathedral too.
2. Castillo de Gibralfaro
One of the must-see attractions in Málaga is Castillo de Gibralfaro - a 14th century Moorish castle built at the top of Mount Gibralfaro, meant to protect the Alcazaba below. The castle is very inexpensive to enter (€3.50), and is one of the most visited sites in Málaga. There isn’t too much to see inside of the castle, but it’s a very impressive structure and it’s nice to be able to walk along the tops of the castle walls, and take in different views of Málaga from each side of it. It’s one of the best castles to visit in the Province of Málaga too! If you’re planning on hiking up to Castillo de Gibralfaro, make sure you don’t hike in the middle of the afternoon! It’s quite a steep trek to the top and although the path is quite shaded it still gets very hot.
3. Parador de Gibralfaro
While you’re at Castillo de Gibralfaro, you might as well make a quick stop at the Parador de Gibralfaro. This 4 star hotel has a prime position in Málaga, being right next to the castle and boasting breathtaking views of the city of Málaga and the coast. If you really want to treat yourself during your trip to Málaga, this is one of the best hotels in the city, and has a great restaurant to go along with it that a lot of locals like to dine at. If staying at a fancy hotel isn’t in your plans, you can still walk around the outside and take in the picture perfect views of Málaga!
4. The walls of the Alcazaba
Málaga is one of the most popular cities to visit in Andalusia, and it has a lot to offer apart from its bars and beaches. One of my favourite places to visit in Málaga is the Alcazaba. This fortress is situated right in the heart of the city, and was built in the 11th century during the city’s period of Muslim rule. It’s a beautiful fortress to explore, and one of the best views of Málaga can be found along the walls of the main garden area. Apart from the fortress and castle, one of the top things to see in Málaga is its cathedral, and from here you have a beautiful view of it, which is particularly pretty near sunset. The Alcazaba costs only €3.50 to get into, and if you want to see both the Alcazaba and the castle, you can purchase a combined entrance ticket for €5.50 - yay savings!
5. Málaga sign
Every time I visit Málaga, something new has popped up. I found this Málaga sign by chance while we were walking towards the Alcazaba, and it’s very easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. It sits behind the entrance to the exhibition of the Teatro Romano de Málaga, at the top of a set of steps overlooking the Roman ruins. It’s a very unique spot in Málaga to take a photo from, as you can get a nice angle of both the ruins and the fortress in the background. Does it offer the best views in Málaga? No. But its central location makes it worth stopping for a quick photoshoot. Plus you get to be the "L" in Málaga!
6. Pasarela-Mirador de la Alcazaba
If you don’t have time to visit the inside of the Alcazaba, you can actually get a really nice view of the city from outside of its walls at Pasarela-Mirador de la Alcazaba. There’s a path that leads from the Málaga sign heading towards the walls of the fortress, and at the end of the path are a set of stairs to climb up. Once at the top, you get a perfect view of the inside of the Roman theatre with the modern day city of Málaga in the background. This is a great place to visit in Málaga if you’re travelling on a budget, as it’s completely free to enter, but does have a closing time of 5pm in the winter and 8pm in the summer.
7. The roof of the Cathedral
One of the best viewpoints in Málaga, and the most popular in the city centre, is from the top of its beautiful cathedral. Visiting the Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga is high up on the list of the best things to do in Málaga, and much like the Duomo in Milan, you can climb to the top and get access to its roofs! Most of the views in Málaga show the cathedral in the distance, so it’s a great opportunity to see the city from a different perspective - from the top of its treasured landmark! Entry to the cathedral costs €6, or you can buy the combination ticket that will give you access to the cathedral and its roof for €10.
8. Rooftop bars
Málaga is certainly not short on restaurants and bars, and it’s considered to be one of the best places to visit in Andalusia for nightlife. But if you aren’t into partying, you can always grab some tapas and a drink or two on one of the many rooftop bars in Málaga! I’ve only been to a couple of the rooftop bars in the city, but all of them have had spectacular views. One I would really recommend going to is actually at the top of the AC Hotel Málaga Palacio, and is one of the oldest in the city - and the most luxurious. On one side of the rooftop you have beautiful views of the coastline and some of the beaches in Málaga, and on the other you have an unobstructed view of the cathedral’s tower. It really is one of the best views in Málaga, and kind of a secret if you aren’t staying at the hotel!
9. Mirador del Jardín Botánico Histórico de la Concepción
This one is a little further out of Málaga's city centre, but definitely worth the short drive to get to. Inside the Jardín Botánico Histórico de la Concepción is a beautiful viewpoint where you're able to see the entirety of Málaga. You can catch a glimpse of the Alcazaba, the cathedral, and the port of Málaga all at the same time. This is the most popular spot in the botanical gardens, and is perfect to take photos at. Entry to the gardens costs just €5.20 per adult and you can spend as long as you like there!
Málaga is a beautiful city along the Costa del Sol to visit. Whether you plan to spend 2 days in Málaga as part of your road trip in southern Spain, or are thinking of turning it into a longer vacation, you certainly won’t be short of things to do. Some of the best views of Málaga are completely free, which is perfect if you’re visiting Spain on a budget, or would rather save your money to dine at one of the many fantastic restaurants Málaga has to offer.
Have you visited any of these viewpoints in Málaga before? Or know of another spot where you can find great views of the city? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below! And as always, don’t forget to follow me on my travels through Instagram.
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