Which Area of Malaga is Best to Stay In?
One of the largest cities in Andalusia, Malaga is an energized capital overlooking a sun-drenched stretch of the Mediterranean Sea. It serves as the beating heart of the Costa del Sol where laid-back fishing villages have been transformed into blissful resorts. In the city itself, you’ll find Moorish fortifications, majestic churches, and world-class shopping, as well as museums dedicated to its most famous son, Pablo Picasso.
For the most memorable holiday in Malaga, begin by choosing an area to stay in that reflects your interests. At Rentola Malaga, you’ll find options to suit all budgets, from affordable apartments to luxury villas and spacious family homes. It covers properties in the Old Town and alternative Soho, as well as holiday villas in the surrounding beach towns. Below are four of the top areas to stay in, whether you want to be in the heart of all the tourist action or experience an authentic taste of Andalusian life.
Old Town
Combining Roman, Moorish, and Catholic monuments, the Old Town lies at the historic heart of Malaga. It’s a great place to stay if it’s your first time visiting the city as it puts you within a stone’s throw of countless attractions. It’s here that you’ll find the city’s magnificent Renaissance-style cathedral and the art-filled Picasso Museum, which occupies a 16th-century palatial residence. Also within the district is the Carmen Thyssen Museum with its impressive collection of Andalusian paintings and the history-focused Malaga Museum.
Watching over the Old Town is the Alcazaba, a Moorish-built fortification that shouldn’t be missed. When it’s time to eat, you can dine on tapas at the Mercado de Atarazanas, a lively market that has been going strong since the 14th century. It’s also a great place to pick up fresh produce and artisan delicacies to prepare back at your accommodation.
Running through the heart of the Old Town is Malaga’s most popular shopping street, Calle Larios, which is lined with designer boutiques. If you want to be within a stone’s throw of high-end restaurants and chic bars, then look for a luxury apartment in one of the street’s elegantly curved buildings. Keep in mind, Calle Larios is one of the most expensive streets in Spain, so accommodation here isn’t cheap!
Soho
Wedged between the Old Town and the Port of Malaga is Soho, a trendy neighborhood that exudes the bohemian flair for which the city is renowned. In this creative quarter, you’ll find colorful street art, independent galleries, and eclectic eateries that range from fashionable cafes to bars serving craft brews.
The great thing about staying in Soho is you’re within walking distance of the Old Town and all of its attractions while enjoying a waterfront setting on the Guadalmedina. Don’t miss a visit to the Contemporary Art Centre of Malaga, which exhibits boundary-pushing works by both Spanish and international artists. If possible, coincide your visit to Malaga with the “Made in Soho” market where you’ll find everything from locally made crafts to antiques.
El Palo
For a beachfront stay, head to El Palo, which is located around 10 kilometers to the east of the Old Town. It’s a laid-back spot where you can spend your days swimming in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea before dining at one of the seafood bistros that line the beachfront. Many of El Palo’s colorful houses are now occupied by “chiringuito” beach bars where you can feast on typical Spanish dishes throughout the day.
You can soak up El Palo’s small-town atmosphere on a guided walking tour of the neighborhood or rent a kayak to explore the surrounding coastline. In the late afternoon, the seaside promenade is the place to be as the sun slowly sinks to the west. If you can drag yourself away from El Palo to explore the sights of central Malaga, there are plenty of buses plying the main thoroughfare.
El Perchel
Named after the hangars on which fishermen used to dry their catch, El Perchel is an off-the-beaten-track neighborhood to the west of Malaga’s city center. It was one of the first areas that was settled outside of the Old Town and it has a very “local” flavor today. One of the great things about staying in El Perchel is its proximity to Malaga Maria Zambrano Train Station, which is the main arrival point for intercity trains.
Rather than big-name attractions, El Perchel is more about discovering an authentic slice of Malaga, with some beautiful old buildings and public artworks to explore. While wandering the streets, keep an eye out for the 17th-century Church of San Pedro and the Convento de San Andres, which was founded by the Carmelites in the 16th century. When it’s time to eat, there are plenty of laid-back restaurants where you’re more likely to be dining alongside locals than other tourists.
