Our gateway to Andalusia. A laid-back Mediterranean port city with Moorish history, incredible seafood, and some of the best sweet wine in Spain. Perfect for easing into the trip.
Day 1 — Tuesday, October 13
Arrive Málaga AGP ~5:20pm · Settle in · Evening stroll
EI 584 arrives Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport at 17:20. Taxi to Casual del Mar (~20 min, ~€18–22 — airport to Av. de la Aurora 9). Check in, freshen up. By the time you're settled it'll be around 7pm — perfect timing for an evening stroll through the old town (~12 min walk). Aperitivo at El Pimpi or Antigua Casa de Guardia, then dinner nearby. No need to rush — it's a gentle first night.
Note: You've just come off a long haul — TPA→CLT→DUB overnight, then DUB→AGP. Keep tonight simple.
Day 2 — Wednesday, October 14
Morning: Alcazaba + Cathedral · Afternoon: Market · Evening: Dinner
Alcazaba first thing (before the heat). Walk down to the Cathedral for a look inside + optional rooftop. Lunch grazing at Atarazanas Market. Afternoon rest, then dinner at Mesón Mariano or El Tapeo de Cervantes.
Day 3 — Thursday, October 15
Visiting friends · Free day
Day with friends in Málaga. No fixed itinerary — enjoy the city at your own pace. Perhaps a leisurely seafront lunch, a stroll through Soho street art district, or drinks at sunset on the port. Pack in the evening for tomorrow's train to Seville.
Day 4 — Friday, October 16
Morning: Picasso Museum or seafront · Departure: Train to Seville departs 2:51pm
Train leaves at 14:51 — a relaxed final morning. The Picasso Museum (Museo Picasso Málaga) is right in the old town if you haven't been; or take a final coffee on the seafront at El Pimpi. Taxi to Málaga María Zambrano station (~10 min from the centre). Allow 30 min before departure. AVE 02153 departs 14:51, changes at Córdoba (arrive 15:43, depart 17:03 on AVLO 02156), arrives Sevilla Santa Justa 17:55.
Booking Status
| Item | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Outbound flights | Booked | Oct 12 · AA1982 TPA→CLT 17:22 · AA724 CLT→DUB 21:15 · Oct 13 EI584 DUB→AGP dep 13:10 arr 17:20 |
| ✅ Casual del Mar Málaga | Booked | Oct 13–16 · Deluxe Double Room |
| ✅ Málaga → Seville trains | Booked | Oct 16 · AVE 02153 dep 14:51 + AVLO 02156 dep 17:03 · conf 9NP8D7 |
Attractions
Alcazaba
★★★★★ 4.6 (11,238)11th-century Moorish fortress-palace above the city. Terraced gardens, horseshoe arches, sweeping views over the port. The Roman Theatre below is free to visit.
Tickets: Viator · TripAdvisor
Atarazanas Market
★★★★★ 4.5 (1,864)19th-century iron-and-glass market hall. Moorish arch entrance from the 14th-century shipyard. 200+ stalls: seafood, cheese, olives, wine bars inside.
Cathedral (La Manquita)
★★★★★ 4.5 (7,986)Renaissance cathedral, nicknamed "the one-armed lady" because one tower was never finished. Beautiful interior with optional rooftop tour for panoramic views.
Tickets: Viator · TripAdvisor
Hotels
✅ Casual del Mar Málaga Hotel BOOKED
★★★★★Avenida de la Aurora 9, Málaga 29002 — Deluxe Double Room. 3 nights Oct 13–16.
Restaurants
🍽️ What to order in Málaga: Málaga is famous for pescaíto frito — lightly battered and fried small fish (anchovies, boquerones, rings of squid) eaten with a cold beer at a chiringuito on the seafront. Fresh anchovies (boquerones en vinagre, marinated in vinegar) are a local staple. Espetos de sardinas (sardines grilled on skewers over an open fire on the beach) are the summer icon, but available well into October. For something heartier, try ajoblanco — Málaga's white gazpacho made with almonds and garlic, often served with grapes.
El Pimpi
Double duty — great for both drinks and a full meal. Traditional Malagueño food in a buzzy atmosphere.
Mesón Mariano
★★★★★ 4.5 (1,800)Traditional Andalusian cooking in the old town. Known for their fritura malagueña (mixed fried fish), grilled prawns, and generous portions. Family-run, old-school atmosphere. A proper locals' lunch spot.
💰 ~€45–65 for two 📍 ~12 min walk from hotel (old town)
El Tapeo de Cervantes
★★★★★ 4.7 (2,400)Creative modern tapas with Andalusian roots. Small plates like oxtail croquettes, cod with honey, and goat cheese with mango. Intimate space, great wine list. A step up from traditional tapas bars.
💰 ~€60–80 for two 📍 ~13 min walk from hotel (old town)
Wine & Cocktail Bars
🥂 Try locally: Vino dulce de Málaga — the sweet fortified wine made from sun-dried Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez grapes. Rich, raisiny, and intensely sweet, it's served chilled as an aperitif or with dessert. Nothing like it elsewhere. El Pimpi is the classic place to try it, poured from the barrel. Also look for Málaga Virgen dry white, made from the same grapes in a crisp, unfortified style.
🏃 Running Routes
Seafront Promenade (Port to Playa la Malagueta)
Flat, wide promenade along the waterfront. Run past the lighthouse, along the palm-lined pier to the cruise terminal and back, then continue along the urban beach. Great early morning or sunset run with sea views the entire way.
📏 5-8km (adjustable out-and-back) 🛤️ Paved promenade, flat 🏃 ~4 min run to seafront (650m east through Soho) 📐 Total door-to-door: 6–10km
Seafront Promenade West (towards Torremolinos)
Continue west past the port along 25km of continuous seafront path. Do as much or as little as you like — turn around at any point. Passes beaches, parks, with views to the Alboran Sea. Popular with local runners.
📏 5-10km+ (out-and-back, choose your distance) 🛤️ Paved promenade, flat 🏃 ~6 min run to western promenade start (1km via port) 📐 Total door-to-door: 7–12km+
Maps: GreatRuns
📚 Further Reading
Rick Steves — Costa del Sol & Málaga — Practical tips on Málaga and the surrounding coast.
Rick Steves Audio Tours (Spain) — Free self-guided audio walking tours. Download the Audio Europe app.
Seat61 — Train Travel in Spain — Best independent guide to Spanish trains.
Transport
🚕 Getting Around
Airport → Hotel (Av. de la Aurora 9): Taxi ~€18–22, ~20 min
Hotel → María Zambrano station: ~10 min walk (750m) or taxi ~€5
Old town is ~10–12 min walk from the hotel. The Soho art district is right outside the door.
🗺️ Málaga → Seville on Rome2Rio → (compare train, bus, car options)
🚄 Train Bookings
| Route | Date | Depart | Duration | Standard (pp) | Business (pp) | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Málaga María Zambrano → Sevilla Santa Justa (via Córdoba) | Fri Oct 16 | 14:51 | ~2 hrs | — | €37.20pp (booked) | ✅ Booked · conf 9NP8D7 David: Coach 1, 13C (Confort) → Coach 11, 02A (Turista) Judy: Coach 1, 13B (Confort) → Coach 11, 02B (Turista) |
Prices shown are advance fares (booked 60 days ahead) per person, one way. Walk-up fares can be 2–3x higher.