Which is the best place to stay in Malaga Province?
By Daniel Badcock. October 10, 2024
Blessed with around 300 sunny days per year and a glorious coastline, the Costa del Sol has long been known as the archetypal beach holiday destination. However, with exceptional cuisine, exciting nightlife, traditional Andalusian culture, picturesque pueblos blancos, mountains filled with wildlife, superb golf courses and myriad other attractions, there’s so much more to Málaga province than just sun, sand and sea.
On a short break, the best place to start your exploration of the region is doubtlessly the provincial capital of Málaga city where you’ll be able to experience local culture, gastronomy, history and downtime on the beach. Nearby Torremolinos is best known for its seemingly endless sandy beaches while Benalmádena, the next town along, offers a slightly more laidback vibe that’s perfect for couples.
Marbella is famed as a playground for the rich and famous, but it’s still accessible for those who don’t have millions in the bank. Estepona, conversely, is a coastal town that retains a more authentic Spanish flavour. For nature lovers, Ronda, with its famous bridge and easy access to excellent hiking trails, is an obvious choice. Then there’s Antequera, an inland town that’s perfect for those trying to escape the tourist masses.If you are interested in where to stay in Malaga province, you may also be interested in where to stay in Alicante region, where to stay in Valencia, where to stay in Granada, or where to stay in Seville.
Best places to stay in Malaga Province
Málaga City (Best for Short Breaks)
With limited time, you won’t need to venture beyond Málaga city to sample the best of what the province has to offer. For history, visit the Alcazaba, a fortified Moorish palace, and the Gibralfaro castle, stopping by the impressive Roman theatre below as you leave. Next up is shopping, and the vibrant central pedestrianised area surrounding Calle Larios is the place to go for this.
Málaga has a wealth of museums, so make your way to the Picasso Museum or perhaps stroll through the lush greenery of the Paseo del Parque on your way to the Centre Pompidou, located in the bustling Muelle Uno port development. You’ll then find yourself conveniently close to La Malagueta beach where you can sit down in a typical chiringuito restaurant to try espetos de sardinas, the local speciality of sardines barbecued on sticks, as you finally kick back and relax with your feet in the sand.
Marbella (Best for the High-Roller Lifestyle)
Since the 1950s, Marbella has been a favoured destination for aristocrats, celebrities and the international jet set. This means for the high-roller lifestyle, drinking in exclusive bars or dancing the night away to the sounds of superstar DJs, this is the place to be - as long as you have deep pockets. When they come down from their luxury villas, the superrich usually hang out in the marina and casino complex of Puerto Banús, 6km down the coast from Marbella, and it’s fun to check out the moored yachts there before grabbing a drink or a bite to eat.
Marbella’s Old Town, centred on the charming Plaza de los Naranjos, remains remarkably authentic, and it’s a fascinating quarter to discover just by walking the streets. There are good beaches too, and you can explore the protected Dunas de Artola or simply catch some rays on the ever-popular La Fontanilla or Venus beaches, to name just three.
Torremolinos (Best for Beaches)
Torremolinos was the first resort on the Costa del Sol to be developed in the 1950s, and the 8km strip of alluring sand still makes it a top destination for a beach getaway. The seafront is divided into six main beaches, each with its own character. Centrally located, El Bajondillo and Carihuela are among the most popular and are backed by attractive promenades lined with bars and restaurants. Los Alamos to the east, on the other hand, is renowned as one of the liveliest beaches on the whole coast.
You can expect more than just sand, though. The Old Town, including the famous shopping streets Calle San Miguel and Tajo de Cuesta, merits investigation, and Torremolinos also boasts Aqualand, the largest waterpark in the province. In addition, Torremolinos is known for its nightlife, perfect for those who want to let loose after dark. So in short, Torremolinos is a beach resort par excellence that has something for everyone.
Benalmádena (Best for Couples)
As you continue along the coast, the next town west is Benalmádena. It’s a great place for couples, and although the urban sprawl of Benalmádena and Torremolinos blends into one, the atmosphere here is more laid back and less frenetic. Some beaches, like Torre Bermeja and Malapesquera, are large and developed, but you can also find wild beaches and less frequented coves. There’s also Benalnatura, one of the first nudist beaches in Spain.
A highlight of Benalmádena is the impressive Puerto Marina, the perfect place for a sunset drink or a romantic meal. There are some quirkier attractions too, including Europe’s largest Buddhist stupa, a butterfly park incongruously set in a Thai-style temple and the Castillo de Colomares, a bizarre monument to the exploits of Christopher Columbus. You can also ride the cable car into the hills for superlative views of the town, the coast and, if you’re lucky, North Africa in the distance.
Ronda (Best for Nature Lovers)
Ronda’s biggest draw is the gravity-defying Puente Neuvo, the iconic bridge spanning the precipitous El Tajo gorge, but it’s an ideal destination for nature lovers too, and further exploration of the town will also reveal many treasures. For example, Ronda is home to Spain’s oldest bullring, and you can also see the Baños Árabes, the well-preserved 13th-century Moorish baths constructed during the Islamic period.
It’s possible to reach Ronda by public transport, but it’s better to tackle the nausea-inducing road up there in a private car to make it easier to visit the surrounding area. You can then see the Roman ruins at Ronda la Vieja or the prehistoric cave paintings at Cueva de la Pileta, and you’ll also be well placed to drive out to some of the nearby pueblos blancos - the so-called ‘white towns’. You’ll also have access to the Sierra de las Nieves National Park where you can explore the vast natural landscape on foot.
Antequera (Best for Escaping the Tourist Hordes)
Recommended for anyone hoping to escape the tourist hordes is the small but culturally important town of Antequera. Located less than an hour’s drive north of Málaga, it feels a world away from the tourist developments of the coast - indeed, there’s no guarantee that people in shops or restaurants here will even speak English. It’s a visually appealing town that rewards exploration on foot, and it’s worth climbing up to the Alcazar to take in the panoramic views of the town below. In the distance, you’ll also see the Peña de los Enamorados rock, a prominent small mountain that looks uncannily like the head of a reclining giant.
On a day trip from Antequera, you can reach the mighty El Torcal National Park to hike the walking trails that weave between the bizarre karst formations found there. Also not to be missed are the local dolmens, important prehistoric megalithic monuments and burial sites dating back over 4,000 years.
Estepona (Best for Small-Town Spanish Vibe)
For a small-town Spanish vibe and a glimpse of what southern seaside villages were like before the arrival of mass tourism, continue past Marbella to the pretty town of Estepona, the self-styled ‘Garden of the Costa del Sol’. Large hotel complexes are entirely absent within the town here, allowing Estepona to maintain a distinctly Spanish feel.
The newly-opened seafront promenade, backed by an assortment of cacti, plants and palm trees, is one of the longest and most beautiful in Spain. The white alleys of the Old Town adorned with coloured plant pots make for delightful wandering, and the pretty remnants of the old fishermen’s village are also worth a look. There are beaches, of course, but they rarely get crowded, and there’s no shortage of outstanding restaurants - La Escollera near the port is especially good for seafood. It’s no wonder, then, that this relatively little-known town now ranks among Málaga province’s most up-and-coming destinations.
Our recommended hotels in Malaga Province
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in Malaga ProvinceNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
