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Málaga

Andalusia, Spain · Europe

About Málaga

Málaga is worth a stop: 25 minutes from Totalán, 28km from El Torcal de Antequera.

Málaga is a city located in Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 592,346, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Málaga sits in Spain, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Madrid time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Málaga to your route.

About Málaga

Málaga ( ; Spanish: [ˈmalaɣa] ) is a municipality of Spain and the capital of the province of Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. With a population of 592,346 in 2024, it is the 2nd-largest city in Andalusia and the 6th-largest in the country. It lies in Southern Iberia on the Costa del Sol ('Coast of

Read more the Sun') of the Mediterranean, primarily on the left bank of the Guadalhorce. The urban core originally developed in the space between the Gibralfaro Hill and the Guadalmedina. Málaga's history spans about 2,800 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe. According to most scholars, it was founded about 770 BC by the Phoenicians from Tyre as Malaka. From the 6th century BC the city was under the hegemony of Ancient Carthage, and from 218 BC, it was under Roman rule, economically prospering owing to garum production. In the 8th century, after a period of Visigothic and Byzantine rule, it was placed under Islamic rule. In 1487, the Crown of Castile gained control in the midst of the Granada War. In the 19th century, the city underwent a period of industrialisation followed by a decay in all socioeconomic parametres in the last third of the century. The most important business sectors in Málaga are tourism, construction and technology services, but other sectors such as transportation and logistics are beginning to expand. Málaga has consolidated as a tech hub, with companies mainly concentrated in the Málaga TechPark (Technology Park of Andalusia). It hosts the headquarters of the region's largest bank, Unicaja, and it is the fourth-ranking city in Spain in terms of economic activity. Regarding transportation, Málaga is served by the Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport and the Port of Málaga, and the city was connected to the high-speed railway network in 2007.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Málaga

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Málaga?

Málaga offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Málaga?

Plan your road trip to Málaga with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Málaga as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Málaga located?

Málaga is located in Andalusia, Spain, Europe. The coordinates are 36.7202 latitude, -4.4203 longitude.

What is the population of Málaga?

Málaga has a population of approximately 592,346 people, making it a city in Spain.

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Quick Information

Population
592,346
Continent
Europe
Country
Spain
Region
Andalusia
Timezone
Europe/Madrid
Coordinates
36.7202, -4.4203

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Spain

Police
091
Ambulance
061
Fire
080
All emergencies
112
Driving side
right

Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.

Full driving guide for Spain

Tags

EuropeSpainAndalusiaCity

Worth the detour from Málaga

6 notable places within an hour's drive.

beach

Costa del Sol

Spain's sun-drenched southern coastline stretching from Malaga to Gibraltar, famous for over 300 days of sunshine per year.

0 km · about 5 min drive

natural wonder

El Torcal de Antequera

A surreal karst landscape of stacked, pancake-like limestone formations carved by erosion, with ibex roaming the trails.

28 km · about 30 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Caminito del Rey

A thrilling boardwalk pinned to sheer cliff faces above the El Chorro gorge, once called the world's most dangerous path.

38 km · about 45 min drive

landmark

Frigiliana

Repeatedly voted Spain's prettiest white village, a steep tumble of geranium-draped lanes above the Costa del Sol.

48 km · about 55 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Balcón de Europa, Nerja

A palm-lined seafront promenade jutting on a clifftop balcony with panoramic Mediterranean and mountain views.

49 km · about 55 min drive

natural wonder

Caves of Nerja

Spectacular caverns containing the world's largest known stalactite and prehistoric paintings dating back 42,000 years.

52 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Málaga

  • 38 kmCaminito del ReyA thrilling boardwalk pinned to sheer cliff faces above the El Chorro gorge, once called the world's most dangerous path.
  • 49 kmBalcón de Europa, NerjaA palm-lined seafront promenade jutting on a clifftop balcony with panoramic Mediterranean and mountain views.
  • 67 kmRonda Puente Nuevo ViewpointThe 18th-century bridge spanning the 120-metre-deep El Tajo gorge, splitting the town of Ronda in two with dizzying views into the abyss.

Driving in Spain

Drives on
the right
Petrol
~€1.55/litre
Motorway tolls
~€4.00/100km

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Málaga.

Totalán

🇪🇸 Spain

12 km awayPop. 800

Rincón de la Victoria

🇪🇸 Spain

13 km awayPop. 38,666

Torremolinos

🇪🇸 Spain

13 km awayPop. 65,448

Alhaurín de la Torre

🇪🇸 Spain

14 km awayPop. 35,114

Moclinejo

🇪🇸 Spain

16 km awayPop. 1,167

Almogía

🇪🇸 Spain

16 km awayPop. 4,231

Valdés

🇪🇸 Spain

16 km awayPop. 13,529

Arroyo de la Miel

🇪🇸 Spain

17 km awayPop. 17,763

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence