1 June 2022 - Team of Hacienda el Sueño
Holidays to Malaga
Every year, thousands of families fly to the Costa del Sol for sun-drenched holidays. They fly into Málaga Airport but forget that Málaga is a wonderful city to visit during your stay on the Costa del Sol, because Málaga with children is so much fun!
A city, do you want that with the children in the summer holidays? A city like Málaga does! It is a compact city, so also doable with short legs. And not unimportant; because it also offers an enormous amount of beaches, it is actually a seaside resort and beach in one.
Add to this the great climate; between May and September the thermometers easily reach 25 °C, in the high summer months 30 °C is easily reached. What can you do in Málaga with children at these temperatures? We have listed it for you!
A first acquaintance with the hop-on-hop-off bus
Like in other European cities, Málaga also has the well-known red sightseeing buses. These give you the opportunity to buy a day ticket and then hop on and off wherever you want. In the meantime, you will learn a lot about the Spanish city via an audio tour. And the little legs will get a rest at the same time!
Because the historic centre of Málaga is car-free, the bus will not take you to all places. But you can get off at the edge of the centre and the bus goes past Muelle Uno, Castillo de Gibralfaro, the bullring, the main beach, Centro Pompidou Málaga and one of the most famous squares, Plaza de la Merced, among others. Some of these sights will be covered in this article.
Relax for a day at Playa de la Malagueta
Málaga's main beach is Playa de la Malagueta, a wide and long beach practically bordering the city centre. From the old historic centre you only have to follow the promenade Muelle Uno to arrive at the lighthouse. This is where the beach starts!
At the beach - which is popular among tourists, but also among locals - you can rent beds and umbrellas or take a seat on the grassy plains under the palm trees. Hello holiday feeling! You can have lunch at one of the chiringuitos. These are beach bars where you can order sardines for next to nothing. Sardines are the local speciality. With fries, your children will surely appreciate this.
Also fun with kids; Málaga's most iconic image - which you will find on many postcards - is an image of the letters Malagueta written in sand letters. The ideal spot for a family holiday photo.
Climb the Gibralfaro Mountain
Are your kids not averse to a bit of hiking and do they love beautiful viewpoints? Málaga lies at the foot of the Gibralfaro mountain, with the castle of the same name on it. The castle is not freely accessible, but the small amount that you do pay is worth it anyway. Walk the castle walls and admire a new part of the city every time!
While many tourists from the centre of the city go up the landscaped stairs, we recommend taking an alternative route. On the north side. Why? The route takes a bit longer, but there is shade and that makes it less demanding. For your children and yourself.
From Plaza de la Mered cross the street Calle Victoria. Just before the walking tunnel, walk uphill and through the barrier you will arrive at Calle Mundo Nuevo. And then it is always gerade aus and you arrive at the viewpoint. Which is again a stone's throw away from Castillo de Gibralfaro.
Hire a bike & discover the coastline
Cycling in the Dutch countryside: in the city, with (small) children, this might be a bit too busy and chaotic. But Málaga's coastline lends itself perfectly to this!
Your cycle tour starts at the aforementioned lighthouse and from there you cycle in a straight line along the coastal promenade. Getting lost is not an option and if the children get fed up with it, you can turn around again in no time.
By the way, preferably do not do that before you have seen the fishing villages Pedregalejo and El Palo. Cute beach bars and colourful houses adorn the beach scene here.
Spend a day soaking up culture
Málaga with children also means culture. After all, the city has a compact historical centre with various highlights. The best must-see with children? The Alcazaba, one of the best preserved Moorish fortresses in Spain. It is a true maze with its many alleys, beautiful columns and richly decorated arches.
More cultural attractions to visit with children in Málaga?
1. Climb the beautiful and imposing cathedral for a view over the city centre.
2. Immerse yourself in Picasso's life by visiting the Picasso Museum. You can also visit his former house in Malaga.
3. Plaza de la Merced is a beautiful square with ditto buildings around it. While you admire them from a terrace, the children can play ball games on the square.
4. With food-loving children, Mercado Central Atarazanas is a must. Introduce them to the local specialities by sampling everything.
Visit the best museums in Malaga
Apart from the Picasso Museum, which is a must-see anyway, the city also offers some museums that are particularly fun for children. Like Museo Automovil, where everything is about cars. You'll find, among other things, the first Spanish taxis from 1952 and old models of the most chic brands. And it is located in an old tobacco factory!
Another must is Museo Interactivo de la Música. This is an interactive music museum with instruments from different eras and countries. Some of the more than 400 (!) instruments children can play themselves. Isn't that fun?
Are you convinced that Málaga with children is right for you? Then take a look at our offers! Have a nice holiday!