Are there free attractions in and around Malaga? If you're on a strict budget for your holiday, you'll find plenty of free activities and attractions in the popular tourist city and province of Malaga in southern Spain. Here you will find a list of tourist attractions that you can enjoy for free.
Free parks and nature
1. Parque de la Batería, Torremolinos
A beautifully landscaped green space with wide footpaths and cycle paths, a lake, numerous children's playgrounds, picturesque fountains and a viewing tower, suitable for the whole family. The park is located in the Avenida del Carmelo in Torremolinos. Parking spaces are available directly in front of the park, but they often fill up quickly.
Opening hours are daily from 9 am to 8 pm. However, dogs are not allowed in the park.
2. Jardín Botánico, Malaga
The 23-hectare botanical garden has existed since the mid-19th century and is located on the Camino del Jardín Botánico in Malaga. Here you can admire tropical and subtropical flora from five continents. The park is suitable for children, and dogs are also allowed on a leash. The botanical garden is free of charge on Sunday afternoons from 2 pm.
Opening hours are 9:30 to 10:30 from April to September, otherwise 9:30 to 16:30. The park is closed on Mondays and certain public holidays.
3. Parque de Poniente and Parque de la Fantasía, Fuengirola
The park consists of a green area with bicycle paths, roller skating track, petanca track and a pirate-themed children's playground and is located between the Castillo Sohail and the Paseo Maritimo on Calle Alberto Morgenstern in Fuengirola. The park is not fenced and is therefore open 24 hours a day and free of charge; there are private operators offering zip lines, bouncy castles and similar activities for separate prices.
Less than 200m from Poniente Park is the Parque de la Fantasía, also free of charge, which is particularly suitable for younger children with its imaginative figures.
4. Montes de Malaga, Natural Park
The Montes de Malaga Nature Park is located near the mountain range of the same name in Casabermeja - Colmenar, Malaga. The characteristic pine forests make the park particularly attractive for extensive hikes in summer. The following hiking routes are particularly recommended:
Sendero Torrijos: 1km, easy trail, especially suitable with children and elderly people.
Sendero EL Cerrado: 3km, medium difficulty trail
Sendero Pocopán: 3km, medium difficulty trail
Sendero Umbría de Contadoras: 1km, easy trail
5 Paseo de la Muralla, Mijas
The walk leads through a botanical garden and along the old city walls and the remains of the Arab castle of the village of Mijas. From the botanical garden you have a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside all the way to the sea.
Free museums in Malaga
1st Picasso Museum
Dedicated to the famous artist Pablo Picasso, the museum is located in the historic centre of Malaga, near the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre. It is open daily from 10am to 6pm, 7pm or 8pm, depending on the season. Free entry to the museum on Sunday afternoons for the last two hours of opening time for everyone. Children under 16, students of the University of Malaga and people with a valid disabled pass are always admitted free of charge.
2. Pompidou Centre
The museum displays modern art and is located on Pasaje Doctor Carillo Casaux in a colourful cube-shaped glass building. Opening hours are from 9:30 am to 8 pm. Admission is free on Sunday afternoons between 4pm and 8pm.
3. Carmen Thyssen Museum
The museum specialises mainly in Andalusian art from the 19th century and is located in Calle Compañía. Opening hours are from 10 am to 8 pm.
Admission is free on Sunday afternoons from 5 pm.
4. airport museum
The Malaga Airport Museum in Plaza Pierre George Latécoère, Avenida García Morato is well worth a visit. There you can admire all kinds of exhibits with aviation from the last decades and the original terminal of the original airport. Of particular interest to children is the interactive room where you can open a black box, put on a captain's uniform and learn Morse code.
Open usually from 10 am to 2 pm and admission is free.
Castles and fortresses in Malaga and surroundings
1. Castillo Gibralfaro and Alcazaba
The ruins of the Moorish fortress offer a view of the city of Malaga that is particularly worth seeing. The way up is steep in parts, but there is also a lift. The castle is open from 9 am to 6 pm and admission is free on Sundays from 2 pm. Dogs are only allowed in if they are carried. Immediately below is the Alcazaba with beautiful gardens. Here too, entry is free on Sundays from 2pm.
2 Castillo Sohail, Fuengirola
The castle, which is about 1000 years old, is located right next to the only dog beach in the area and is therefore certainly particularly attractive for travellers with dogs. It is open between 10 am and 2.30 pm and 5 pm and 8 pm. Admission is free of charge.
3. Álora Castle
The Arab Castle is located in the town of Álora in the Guadalhorce Valley.The castle is open from 8 am to 3 pm and allows a fantastic panoramic view of the whole area.
Other free attractions in Malaga
Atarazana's market
This central covered marketplace dates back to the 14th century and was originally built by the Moors for shipbuilders. The market has an enchanting atmosphere and gives a good insight into local goods from olive oil to fish. Opening hours are from 8am to 3pm.
Muelle Uno
Muelle Uno is a modern shopping mile at Malaga's harbour with first-class restaurants. Lined with orange trees, you can stroll along the promenade past exclusive yachts while admiring the Alcazaba from afar. The shops or restaurants are usually open between 12 noon and midnight.
Benalmadena Stupa
Right next to the Butterfly Park in Malaga is the Buddhist Temple, which is open to all and is a sacred place of prayer for many people. Opening hours are from 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm, the temple is closed on Mondays.
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Travel tips for Malága and surroundings
