There are plenty of neighbourhoods in Malaga. Every district has their own vibe and their own charm. Malaga offers beautiful and attractive spots all over town. Depending on what you are looking for, you can find the perfect neighbourhood in Malaga agreeing with your taste. From old architecture to youthful vibrant street art – in Malaga, you can find it all if you look in the right neighbourhoods. There are neighbourhoods that are lovely for walks while others are great for restaurants or bars. If you decide to visit Malaga, make sure to check out different neighbourhoods in order to experience Malaga in all its facets. This guarantees an amazing and unique vacation in the capital of costa del sol.
1. Centro Historico/Old Town
The main and most important neighbourhood in Malaga has to be the old town. The magnificent architecture and cute little alleys are all over this area. Furthermore, most of the key monuments are in the historic centre. Thus, when visiting Malaga you will not be able to avoid this stunning area. One of the main streets is Calle Marques de Larios. It is a wide street with amazing shops, leading up from the port to one of the biggest squares in Malaga namely Plaza de la Constitucion. This square is the venue for many concerts and shows. During the holiday season, you will be able to enjoy Christmas concerts there almost every night. The old town is also home to the main attractions of Malaga like the breathtaking Moorish Alcazaba fortress, the Malaga cathedral, the Roman theatre as well as the magnificent Gibralfaro castle.
2. La Merced – Malaga Neighbourhoods
La Merced is to the North-East of the historic centre. This Malaga neighbourhood got its name from the vibrant square, Plaza de la Merced which is part of the barrio. This square is great for any time of the day. It is perfect to hang out on one of the many benches as well as check out the lively bar and restaurant scene there. The square is particularly great in autumn and spring as the restaurants all have amazing sun-flooded outside seating. Oftentimes, you will be able to be enchanted by some live street performers while enjoying delicious paella, tapas or a nice cold drink. Close to Plaza de la Merced you will find the best food market in Malaga which is also great to visit on rainy days as it is covered. Mercado de la Merced offers food from all over the world and different kinds of cuisines. Moreover, there you can get fresh vegetables, meat and fish. Close to the square are multiple nice streets with a lot to offer particularly nightlife-related and tapas.
3. Soho – Malaga Neighbourhoods
A very young and trendy neighbourhood is Soho in Malaga. Close to the port is this unique barrio which used to be a fancy residential district but is now rather run-down and neglected. However, graffiti artists have turned this area into one of the most interesting and colourful areas. The initiative Malaga Arte Urbano Soho (MAUS) managed to establish a vibrant and exciting street art scene right in Soho Malaga. They invited famous graffiti artists to bring the run-down facades back to life with stunning murals and colourful art. While there are some online maps to check the locations of murals but we recommend simply exploring the area as it is way more exciting to discover the art on accident. Furthermore, there are some cute shops and boutiques ready to be discovered by you. The best part about this area is that there are rarely any tourists.
4. El Perchel
El Perchel is not only a subway station in Malaga but also a neighbourhood in Malaga. If you are wondering what working-class people live like, check out El Perchel, one of the oldest barrios in Malaga. You will not come across many tourists but mainly locals. As it is close to the sea, there are many people who have ocean-related jobs here. This also means that in this district you will find the freshest seafood in all of Malaga. Go visit Mercade del Carmen and try some fresh fish! The district of El Perchel gives you an idea of what Malaga was like before it became a beloved tourist destination. It is very different to the historic centre, yet charming in a different way. Furthermore, there are a lot of nice bars and restaurants here that are a lot cheaper than in the centre of Malaga.
5. La Malagueta
An amazing neighbourhood is la Malagueta. The main attraction is the amazing sand beach which is almost one mile long. There you can soak up the sun in the sand, enjoy ice cream, swim or try other watersports. You will not get bored in the district east of the Centro Historico. you should also check out Paseo del Muelle Uno. It is a beautiful promenade with cute shops and restaurants. Malagueta is also home to the impressive contemporary art museum Centre Pompidou.
6. La Goleta – Malaga neighbourhoods
This neighbourhood in Malaga is very popular among young people. It is close to the centre and the rent is rather cheap. While it used to be rather run-down, La Goleta has undergone some gentrification and many nice bars and cafes have opened up there. The district in the North-West of the centre is a very bohemian and hip area. While some buildings seem shabby and grungy, it is the mixture of those buildings, plants and cute balconies that make this neighbourhood special and worth a visit. Check out La Goleta and experience a different side of Malaga.
7. Lagunillas
One of the up-and-coming Malaga neighbourhoods is Lagunillas. Located East of la Merced is this colourful district. It is full of street art and locals. This area is a very popular residential area. It is still close enough to walk to the old town but there is also the possibility of taking public transport. It is a very affordable area and recently cute bars and cafes have opened there. However, it is a rather quiet district compared to others. If you are a fan of Street art, you should not miss out on a casual stroll through Lagunillas.
Do you want to know more about art in Malaga? Check out this guide!
If you want to know more about what to see and do in Malaga, click here https://www.malaga.eu/
