Heidi is the writer, creator and photographer behind Roost & Roam, a UK-based home and travel blog from Somerset. She shares city breaks, family adventures and couples’ getaways in unique accommodation. Plus, travel guides from around the world and hidden gems across the UK. When she’s not planning her next escape, you’ll usually find her mid home makeover, moving furniture or dreaming up the next project! 

Here’s her ultimate travel itinerary for getting the most out of three days in Malaga... 

So you’re jetting off for a long weekend in sunny Malaga - lucky you! And now you need the ultimate three-day itinerary to get the absolute most out of this beautiful Spanish city. Well, after recently enjoying a Jet2CityBreak here, I’m sharing the perfect way to spend three unforgettable days in Malaga, including a fun itinerary that’s jam-packed with local culture, fascinating history and of course plenty of tasty tapas – consider this your reminder to pack your comfy elasticated trousers!  

The perfect three days in Malaga: A first-timer’s guide  

To squeeze every minute out of your three days in this coastal city and return home with a camera roll full of happy holiday memories – here’s the itinerary I’d follow. The good news is, three days is a great amount of time to tick off loads of Malaga’s highlights, although there’s plenty to keep you busy if you decide to dip a little deeper into your annual leave allowance. Depending on your flight times, you may need to shimmy things around slightly, but this itinerary works perfectly with a late morning arrival in Malaga.  

Day 1 - Gibralfaro, Flamenco and Port of Málaga  

Morning  

Once you’ve arrived in Malaga and dropped off your bags at your hotel, you’ll probably want to peel off that knitted jumper and change into something cooler. Then, slather on the SPF and get ready to explore under the golden Spanish sun. I arrived around 11am, but after an early morning flight, I was more than ready for some food. So, first-things-first – tapas! Head over to Tragata near the harbour to enjoy dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. In fact, the chef owns a Michelin-starred restaurant in Ronda, which you can tell by the presentation in this one. 

Afternoon  

A great first activity to kick off your trip, is to go on a tour of Malaga. You could opt for a walking tour, but if you fancy doing something a little different (and a bit easier on tired legs), you could take the unique option of a tuk-tuk tour. In just a couple of hours, we covered a huge amount of ground. From the harbour to the historic centre – we even stopped at Gibralfaro and Pablo Beach, where we learned about espeteros (sardines skewered and grilled over open boat BBQs). After the tour, take a gentle stroll beneath the white-waved shaped canopy at the harbour, wander towards the lighthouse, then plonk yourself down on Malagueta beach to soak up some sunshine before heading back to the hotel to freshen up.  

Evening  

Head out for more tapas (told you those elasticated trousers were essential) at an authentic Spanish tapas bar like El Tapeo de Cervantes. This one’s popular with the locals and has a rather lively atmosphere. Be sure to order the pumpkin and mushroom risotto, it’s delicious! After dinner, walk over to Teatro Flamenco Malaga to enjoy an evening of cultural entertainment inside a dark and moody retro theatre. Most of the flamenco dancers performed solo, which completely shattered my assumption that flamenco was all couples and twirling skirts! It’s dramatic, passionate and the perfect way to end your first night in Malaga.  

Day 2 - Day trip from Malaga and rooftop cocktails in golden hour  

Day two brings an early start and a choice of adventure, both are worth pre-booking in advance!  

Morning  

Option 1 (Ronda): Wake up early and hop on your coach to Setenil de las Bodegas, a unique village where all the houses and shops have been carved directly into the rock. From there, continue your journey to explore Ronda’s iconic bridge (Puente Nuevo). Enjoy exploring the city and stop for lunch, there’s plenty of options with cafés and restaurants peppered all over the city, so you won’t go hungry! As the tour is 8am-5pm, you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a long day of sightseeing.  

Option 2 (Caminito del Rey): If you're feeling adventurous, opt for the Caminito del Rey trail! I'd arrive early to avoid the intense midday heat, then pop on your hard hat and set off along the one-way route, soaking up dramatic views and jaw-dropping scenery along the way. The walk takes roughly 3-4 hours to complete and isn't for the fainthearted, so bring plenty of water and snacks with you as you won’t be back in Malaga until late afternoon.  

Afternoon  

After a busy day of sightseeing, I think it's a good idea to reward yourself with well-deserved ice-cream on the way back to your hotel. Lucciano's is amazing, with an entire rainbow of flavours to choose from! I can report that the Kinder Bueno and banana split is an elite combo. 

Evening  

Time your evening cocktails right and you’ll be able to catch golden hour from one of Malaga's impressive rooftop bars. AC Hotel Málaga Palacio is a brilliant choice, with sweeping views over the cathedral and harbour. As the sun sets and the city below begins to twinkle, you'll be blessed with a stunning silhouette backdrop of mountains in the distance. After sipping a couple of cocktails, walk over to Mexicano Tulum for dinner and enjoy a delicious selection of Mexican food. The pulled pork tacos were bursting with flavour.   

Day 3 - Malaga's Alcazaba, Picasso Museum and Tapas Tour  

Morning  

Enjoy a slower start and breakfast from your hotel before heading to the Alcazaba and Roman Theatre ruins to see what Malaga looked like many moons ago. Although much of the Alcazaba has been restored, it's still a fascinating place to explore and be transported back in time. You can wander around independently or join a guided group tour, which I highly recommend if you enjoy history mixed with humour. Our guide explained the fortress’s clever defensive design and how marble pillars from the Roman Theatre were reused in its construction. It’s such a cool blend of history.  

Afternoon  

Before more sightseeing, refuel with tapas at Casa Lola and be sure to order extra croquettes because they're incredible from here. Next, even if art isn’t your thing, take a visit to the Picasso Museum (it’s his birthplace after all) before checking out the inside of the city’s incredibly intricate cathedral, La Manquita. Spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the quaint side streets, strolling through Malaga park or soaking up the sun on Malagueta beach.  

Evening  

Finish your trip with a guided wine and tapas tour to truly experience Malaga’s local cuisine. We loved the mix of food, wine and history that was shared by our friendly local guide. The tour began in Antigua Casa de Guardia (the oldest winery in Malaga) where we sampled a glass of Moscatel, which is a sweet, syrupy local sherry. Afterwards we visited two restaurants to enjoy a variety of tapas specially selected by our guide. Highlights included orange chicken and battered aubergine slices drizzled in sweet molasses. It was a great way to end our time in Malaga, ready to catch a flight home the next morning.   

Tips for first-timers in Malaga  

Now you’ve got the itinerary in the bag, check out some helpful tips about visiting Malaga:  

• Malaga is compact and very walkable. Most of the main attractions are centrally based, which makes it a great city to explore on foot.  
• On average Malaga see’s 300 days of sunshine a year. So, if you’re craving some vitamin D and a break from the gloomy UK, it’s a great choice!  
• Nearly everywhere accepts card, so don’t feel the need to change up too many euros.  
• Malaga airport is a 15-20 minute taxi ride to the centre of the city.  
• There’s a late-night dining culture, with most locals eating their evening meal around 9-10pm. You’ll find that’s when restaurants get extra busy!  
• Most of Malaga's museums have free entry on Sundays, so factor that into your itinerary.  
• The time zone is central Spain (one hour ahead of the UK). 
• There are over 30 museums to explore!  
• It gets very busy in December with the Christmas markets. 
• Summer temperatures can reach the forties.  

Where to stay in Malaga  

To make the most of this walkable city, I’d recommend staying somewhere central. Not only to benefit from easy exploring, but also to avoid forking out on taxi or bus fares. If you still want a touch of peace and tranquillity, then double check there’s not a lively bar right next to your hotel.   

I stayed at the beautiful Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Mar, which was far enough away from the hustle and bustle, but still just a ten to 15 minutes’ walk to most of Malaga's hot spots.  

What to pack for a three-day trip to Malaga  

With over 300 days of sunshine a year and varying temperatures, you'll need to pack accordingly depending on the season. Summer calls for lightweight clothing to keep you cool in potentially 40c heat, while spring and autumn are perfect for summer outfits, jeans and a light jumper for the evenings. Winter is mild, but you might want a jacket for the evenings and rain showers. You'll likely do a lot of walking too, so one non-negotiable is to bring comfortable shoes – your feet will thank you!  

When is the best time to visit Malaga  

This really depends on how much heat you can handle. Summers are scorching, but spring and autumn are ideal and probably more enjoyable for most. I visited in October, and it was dreamy – around 25°c and perfect for sightseeing without melting into a puddle.  

If you’re looking for a sunshine-filled city break that delivers on every level, Malaga is a very good idea. With short flight times, easy airport transfers and a walkable city centre, it’s an ideal choice for a long weekend getaway. It effortlessly combines history, culture, beaches and brilliant food, making it a destination that suits every kind of traveller.