Still not sure where to stay in Malaga?
Málaga is a dream destination for many reasons.
With its exceptional natural setting and rich history, the capital of the Costa del Sol is full of sites to discover.
Málaga is one of the largest cities in the region and has an international airport, making it an almost obligatory stop on a visit to Andalusia.
Málaga will be an ideal starting point, or arrival point.
In this post, you can find out everything you need to know about finding the best place to stay in Malaga.
Top 8 areas for a long and short stay in Malaga
Málaga is an extremely famous seaside resort, pleasant at all times of the year.
It is a very touristy place and therefore, we recommend you to anticipate and book your rooms well in advance.
If you wait too long, all the best accommodations will be gone and you will have no choice but to go to lower quality hotels that will not necessarily be cheaper.
In order to choose your accommodation, you will first have to decide on its type.
You can find hotel rooms, complete apartments, and even villas where you can enjoy a stay with family or friends.
In order to choose the best location in Malaga, you will have to take into account what you personally like and your budget.
Malaga areas have their own advantages, and some of them are suitable for a cultural stay, while others are more suitable for a beach stay.
The city center of Malaga
Málaga’s downtown area is the most touristy part of the city.
The center of Malaga is located to the west of the Gibralfaro fortress and to the north of the beach, which is bordered by the large Malaga Park.
Many of the main attractions that you can discover in Malaga are located in the city center, such as the Cathedral of the Incarnation of Malaga, the Alcazaba fortress and the Picasso Museum.
The most important shopping streets in Malaga are also in the city center.
The Calle Larios avenue in particular is a true paradise for shoppers.
The main advantage of staying in the center of Malaga is that you can visit the city on foot, without any means of transportation.
This is also the case if you are staying in the Malagueta district, which we will talk about below.
There is a wide range of accommodation in the center of Malaga, which is the most popular area for travelers.
Prices are quite variable and you can find all kinds of establishments.
Trinidad
Trinidad is also located in the tourist center of Malaga.
Bordered by the Guadalmedina River and surrounded by Hispanic-Arabic walls, the Old Town district is home to buildings with typical Andalusian architecture.
Strolling through the pedestrian streets is a true exploration of time.
You can admire the Roman and Moorish vestiges, but also store in fashion stores of the biggest international brands.
In the maze of small pedestrian streets that wind through Malaga’s historic center, you can discover the Trinity Church and the San Pablo Church, among other things, as well as many restaurants.
If you are looking for where to stay in Malaga this area can be a good option.
There are fewer places to stay in this area than in the rest of the city, but there are a few very cozy accommodations to stay that are accessible, and Trinidad can be an excellent place to stay in Málaga.
Behind the old stones are refined lofts and comfortable apartments, which make Trinidad the best place to visit Malaga without leaving the center.
Malagueta
If you like the beach, Malagueta is one of the best places where to stay in Malaga.
Trinidad and the city center are probably the best choices for those who want to stay in a central location and close to the historical sites.
The Malagueta neighborhood, on the other hand, is the best choice if you want to make the most of the sun, the beach and the sea during your vacation in Málaga.
A long sandy beach of 1.2 km awaits you in Malagueta.
Located between the beach and the city center, Malagueta is one of the ideal place to stay in Malága.
Whether you want to enjoy a relaxing break on the warm sand or visit the main historical monuments, everything can be done on foot.
This former industrial district is now the most dynamic area of the city.
It has a multitude of tapas bars, restaurants and discos.
A visit to the Plaza de Toros is a must to enjoy the neo-mudejar style of the bullring, or to attend bullfights and concerts.
During a stroll through the marina, visit the Alborania Museum to discover the marine life in the Alboran Sea.
It is also home to one of the city’s most popular green spaces, the Parque de Málaga, and the Muello Uno shopping center, which is just a stone’s throw from the park and the port.
However, the best accommodations in this area are extremely popular and the prices are often high.
Just east of Malagueta is La Caleta, another seaside neighborhood that is a bit more out of the way, but also very pleasant.
Soho
Located in the southern part of the city, between the sea and the historic center, Soho is the artists’ district in Malaga.
Walking through the charming streets of this neighborhood, you will sometimes feel like you are visiting a museum.
Calle Casa de Compos is the most famous street for street art in Malaga.
In the contemporary art center of Soho, you can also see many art exhibitions and even participate in creative workshops.
The neighborhood is also home to the Fábrica de cerveza artesanal Cruzcampo, where you can also see exhibitions by local artists, while tasting the best beers in the area.
Soho is a neighborhood in perpetual motion, very lively at all hours of the day and night.
It is one of the best places to go if you want to enjoy a lively evening during your stay in Malaga.
There are a variety of accommodations in the Soho area.
With its unique atmosphere, this neighborhood will appeal to art lovers, but it could also be a good choice if you want to stay in a place that is close to both the historic center and the beaches.
Pedregalejo
Pedregalejo is clearly not the most touristy area of the city. This is a very chic neighborhood, located about 5 km from downtown Malaga.
Pedregalejo is a residential area by the sea, where most of the beautiful villas and luxurious apartments are located.
This chic neighborhood with a peaceful atmosphere will charm you with its sandy beach, bordered by a pleasant avenue where you can stroll.
Beach games, fish and seafood tasting on the terrace in front of the marina, drinking sangria to the sound of flamenco, etc.
There are also a good number of restaurants serving traditional local dishes, as well as very welcoming seaside bars.
Although you can find hotels in this area, they are rare, and you can mostly rent apartments or large villas, for a quiet stay, just a stone’s throw from the beach.
The luxury accommodations are often quite expensive, and their availability is not always guaranteed.
This is a good and quiet location if you still don’t know where to stay in Malaga.
Immerse yourself in Spanish life and being awakened by the waves is a dream come true in Pedregalejo!
El Palo
Calm, sun and sea. If these three words sum up the stay you want, then we highly recommend this neighborhood.
El Palo is a fisherman’s neighborhood, which is located a little further east of the city.
If you want to get away from the hectic city center of Malaga and enjoy a quieter and more authentic atmosphere, this area could be a good place to stay.
For a complete change of scenery, get excited in El Palo to the east of the Andalusian capital.
El Palo beach is more than a kilometer long. Here you can relax, enjoy the warm water and do many activities.
It is a lively, family-friendly area with churro bars and an open-air market for food lovers.
You will also see the fishermen in their small traditional boats, the jabegas.
The coastline of Malaga is urbanized from one end of the city to the other, so beachgoers, partygoers and shoppers alike will enjoy this typical fishermen’s neighborhood.
All over the area you can find kiosks and restaurants by the sea that offer dishes made with freshly caught fish.
You will find welcoming apartments and you will be able to reach the city center quite quickly thanks to the city buses.
Huelin
The western district of Huelin is only 4 km away from the historical center of Malága.
You will be instantly charmed by its urban beaches and interesting cultural offer, as well as by its family atmosphere.
This quiet neighborhood has a 32,000 m2 green park where children can play in the playgrounds while parents relax by the lake.
In Huelin, you will have the privilege of easily finding accommodation facing the sea.
Pinares de San Antón
If you’re looking for a natural environment, this residential neighborhood is located on the San Antón mountain, surrounded by pine trees.
Located 5 km east of the city center, Pinares de San Antón has spectacular villas for idyllic vacations, as well as smaller modern homes for couples or solo adventurers.
To reach the beach and visit the city, you can rely on Malaga’s excellent public transportation system.
We just presented you where to stay in Malaga according to the most famous areas of the city.
Is it better to stay in Marbella or Malaga?
It really depends on what you are looking for!
If you are looking to relax on beautiful beaches and enjoy a high-quality vacation we would advise you to stay in Marbella.
If you are looking to discover the culture, history, and museum we would advise you to stay in Malaga
How many days do you need in Malaga?
You can visit Malaga in 2 or 3 days. Then, it would be interesting to discover Andalusia, inland or on the Costa del Sol.
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