We visited Malaga recently with our daughters, and this is my guide to the best things to do in Malaga with kids!
Malaga is one of the largest cities in Spain, and it’s a city that’s rich in history and culture. And so, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Malaga is not very kid-friendly, and thus many families opt instead to stay along the coast (in places like Marbella, Fuengirola, and Benalmadena). Well, actually, we’ve spent time in both – in Malaga and along the coast in Fuengirola with our two young daughters, and actually, our girls said they preferred our stay in Malaga.
Let me tell you why they loved it. First off, there’s a huge beach within walking distance of the city center and several interesting sites that held their attention (namely the Alcazaba and the Interactive Music Museum). Plus, you can easily go on day trips to spots like the Butterfly Park in Benalmadena and the waterpark in Torremolinos.
In this blog post, I will share with you all the best things to do in Malaga with kids, as well as the best hotels for children here.
Should I visit Malaga with kids?
Oh yes, absolutely!
Would you believe, an impressive 14 million tourists visit Malaga every year? Many of them are families, so it’s safe to say it’s one of the most popular family destinations in Europe. And that’s because the weather is great in the summer (daily highs of 28 Celsius), it’s easy to get around, and there are loads of family-friendly things to do here.
17 Best Things to Do in Malaga With Kids
Alcazaba
An absolute must-see in Malaga (with or without kids) is the Alcazaba, an impressive Moorish fortress that offers stunning views of the city.
Built during the early 11th century by the Hammudid dynasty, the Alcazaba stands as a testament to Malaga’s rich Moorish heritage. It’s very well-preserved, and the architecture blends Roman and Islamic influences – a true reflection of the diverse cultural history of the region. We loved exploring its fortified walls, stunning gardens, and intricate arches and taking in the breathtaking views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
Gibralfaro Castle
The climb to Gibralfaro Castle is not for the faint-hearted, which is why we recommend doing it in the morning if traveling with kids to escape the hottest time of the day. FYI – you can get a cab to the car park at the top if you’re not keen on the walk.
This castle was originally built in the 10th century, and it was later expanded in the 14th century to provide fortification for the nearby Alcazaba. The name “Gibralfaro” is derived from the Arabic “Jabal-Faruk,” meaning “Rock of Light,” reflecting its strategic importance and awe-inspiring views over the Mediterranean Sea.
We spent around an hour here exploring its well-preserved ramparts and towers, which provide breathtaking panoramic views of Málaga city and its port. There’s also a small museum here which displays weapons and clothing the soldiers who protected the castle wore back in the 14th Century.
We recommend buying a combo ticket for both Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, which you can do at either entrance. This costs 10 euros per adult.
Interactive Music Museum
Next, we recommend checking out the nearby Museum of Music – which my daughters absolutely loved.
Also known as the Museo Interactivo de la Música (MIMMA), it boasts over 1,000 musical instruments, many of which you can play yourself, making it a truly immersive experience. Here, you can explore various musical genres, learn about the evolution of instruments, and even try your hand at playing some.
It costs just 6 euros per adult to enter.
Picasso Museum
The ‘cherry on top‘ of the best things to do in Malaga is undoubtedly the Picasso Museum, which, as you can guess, celebrates the legacy of Málaga’s most famous son, Pablo Picasso.
Now, I will add that this museum deserves at least 1-2 hours of your time, but it only held our young daughters’ attention for around 45 minutes. So we took turns sitting in the courtyard with them while the other looked at the rest of the art.
There are over 200 works on display here, and the way it’s laid out gives you a comprehensive overview of Picasso’s artistic evolution. It’s worth noting that you can pre-book tickets online for the Picasso Museum, but if these are sold out, you may still be able to visit. There’s a queue to the left of the entrance for same-day visits, and the security guard will let you know if it’s possible for that day.
A ticket for the Picasso Museum costs 13 euros per adult.
Playa la Malagueta
This is the beach in Malaga City, and it’s a great place to chill out for a couple of hours with kids; there’s plenty of space and the waves are calm. It’s also lined with lots of cafes and restaurants, and there’s even a playground on the beach and a beach volleyball area.
Malaga Cathedral
At the heart of the city is the magnificent Malaga Cathedral, often referred to as “La Manquita,” or “the one-armed lady,” due to its unfinished south tower. If you fancy heading inside (we didn’t get the chance to this time) – keep in mind that they provide a kids-exclusive version of the audio tour that skips the deep and meaningful commentary, instead highlighting the amusing history of the building. It definitely sounds like it would keep (most) kids entertained.
Paco Jose Store
Malaga’s Oldest Crisp Shop! Potato crisps hold a special place in Malaga, with numerous companies devoted to their creation. Among these, Paco José Freiduria stands out, crafting delicious crisps for more than 45 years. It would be a missed opportunity not to stop by and sample their offerings while visiting Malaga.
The shop itself is a lively showcase of treats, making you feel like a kid in a candy store. There’s something for everyone, especially the renowned crisps!
Malaga Bull Ring
Built in 1874, the bull ring has long been a symbol of the city’s cultural heritage and its deep-rooted tradition of bullfighting. With a seating capacity of around 9,000, the bullring is not only a venue for bullfights, particularly during the famous Feria de Agosto, but also hosts concerts, events, and cultural exhibitions. Of course, bullfights no longer happen here, but you can learn about the history of bullfighting at the onsite museum.
See an event
We visited for Three Kings’ Day in January, and honestly, it was probably the highlight of our daughter’s trip.
Known here as “El Día de los Reyes,” the holiday is celebrated on January 6th. It marks the culmination of the Christmas festivities and commemorates the biblical journey of the Magi – Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar – who brought gifts to baby Jesus. This day is especially magical for children, as it is traditionally when they receive presents. The night before, on January 5th, most Spanish towns and cities host vibrant parades, known as “Cabalgatas,” where the Three Kings make their grand arrival, throwing sweets to the crowds.
Another one of the most celebrated events is the Málaga Fair (Feria de Málaga), held in August, which transforms the city into a carnival of music, dance, and traditional Andalusian culture.
Day Trip to Ronda
Located around a 90-minute drive from Malaga, Ronda is a captivating town perched atop the dramatic El Tajo gorge. It is most famous for the Puente Nuevo, an impressive 18th-century bridge that spans the gorge, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding countryside. And the Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings.
If you don’t have a car, you can get a train from Malaga to Ronda; however, you’ll need to change trains, usually at Antequera-Santa Ana station, making it a 2 – 2.5 hour journey.
Spend a few hours in Juzcar
This small mountain village is known for a unique feature: the village’s houses and buildings are painted a gorgeous shade of blue. Why? Well, in 2011, Sony Pictures decided to paint the town blue as a promotional event for “The Smurfs” movie. Although it was initially a temporary measure, the locals decided to keep it blue due to a significant increase in tourism.
Juzcar is located in the scenic Valle del Genal in the Serrania de Ronda, around an hour and 45 minutes’ drive from Malaga. But it’s just 25 km from Ronda (listed above), and so many tourists combine the two on a day trip from Malaga.
Half-day trip to Setenil de las Bodegas
Around an hour and 20-minute drive from Malaga is this super-unique town. What sets this town apart is the way its whitewashed houses are built into and beneath large canyon rock overhangs.
We loved wandering its maze of narrow, winding streets and snapping lots of photos of the dramatic rocky overhangs over the white-washed townhouses known as “abrigos bajo las rocas,” which translates to “shelters beneath the rocks.”
In Setenil de las Bodegas, people quite literally live under a rock, and it’s truly amazing to see in person.
Next, head over to Cuevas del Sol – this is the town’s most famous street, as it pretty much has a rock canyon roof. Yep, here the rocky overhang extends between the buildings on both sides of the street. As you can guess, it can get pretty crowded here – and this is where tour groups get dropped off to explore the town. So, if you can try to visit here either before 11 am or after 4 pm.
Butterfly Park of Benalmadena
The Butterfly Park of Benalmadena, also known as Mariposario de Benalmádena, is home to over 1,500 exotic butterflies from around the world. It’s the largest butterfly sanctuary in Europe.
And next to it is the Stupa of Enlightenment, the tallest stupa in Europe. It is 33 meters tall!
Estepona Orchid House
The Estepona Orchid House, which houses an impressive collection of over 1,300 orchid species (however, because orchids are seasonal, there weren’t this many in bloom on our visit in January). My daughters loved wandering around the lush, tropical landscape and checking out the waterfall. The domes are a really cool feature of the building, too.
Bioparc Fuengirola
We recommend heading over to Fuengirola to the Bioparc Fuengirola, a cool zoo that’s all about conservation and natural habitats.
The park is laid out to make it seem like there are no barriers, so it feels like you’re actually in the wild. They focus on saving endangered species through education and eco-friendly practices. And the sections are themed around places like Madagascar, Equatorial Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Aqualand Torremolinos
This popular water park in Torremolinos (about 20 minutes from Malaga) boasts a variety of slides, including fast ones for the bigger kids and more gentle ones for young children. One of its standout attractions is the Kamikaze, a very steep slide. In addition to the slides, there’s a wave pool, a lazy river, and a play area. Plus, lots of food options, too.
Aquavelis Waterpark
Over 30 minutes from Malaga, Aquavelis Waterpark in Torre del Mar is another popular waterpark. With a diverse array of slides like the Kamikaze and the Twister, to more relaxing options like the wave pool and lazy river. There’s also a dedicated children’s area with smaller slides and splash zones. As well you will find amenities like sunbeds, picnic areas, and food outlets here.
Where to stay in Malaga with kids:
Gran Hotel Miramar – this luxury 5-star beachfront property combines historic charm with modern amenities, and many rooms offer stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel features a children’s club, a dedicated kids’ pool, and family rooms.
Another excellent choice here is the Sol Guadalmar, popular with families due to its beachfront location and activities designed for kids, including a mini club and a playground.
About renting a car in Spain:
I’ll be honest, the easiest way to get to all of the day trips listed above is with a rental car – we always use Discover Cars when we want to rent a car because you can search by ‘cheapest car rental rates’ and ‘most popular car rental deals’ – it’s so easy to use!
The most important thing you will need if renting a vehicle in Spain is a valid driver’s license. No company will allow you to do so without one.
And if you are traveling from a country outside the European Union, you might want to get an international driver’s license to make the rental process easier. Although many rental companies accept foreign driver’s licenses without it.
Drivers typically need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Spain, though some companies might require a minimum age of 25. Young drivers under 25 may incur a surcharge.
Each company has different terms and conditions, so you should be fully aware of them. Additionally, you will also need a valid credit card in your name. Rental companies will want to keep a credit card on file as a holding deposit.
If you have a debit card, you will be charged a holding fee. Please note that some companies do not accept a debit card.
Also, because renting a car in Malaga is incredibly popular, you WILL NEED to book your rental car in advance. Our rental car company told us they sell out over the busy tourist season (which is from April to September).
Travel Insurance for Spain/ Europe:
At first glance, skipping travel insurance may seem like a great way to save some money. However, if you end up losing your luggage, having your flights cancelled, or getting sick – it is a decision you’ll probably regret. Thinking nothing will happen is definitely a mistake, and without travel insurance, it’s one that will end up costing you – big time.
✅ Our fix: Shop around for budget-friendly travel insurance based on your trip length and destination while paying attention to what it covers. We like to use Auras Travel Insurance for our trips!
Thanks for reading!
Tell me – what did you think of our guide to things to do in Malaga with kids? Is there anything we have missed? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
Last Updated on March 24, 2026 by snaphappytravel