Things to Do: Málaga City Sights, Weather and Getting There

Málaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol, but it feels more like a proper Andalusian city than a purpose-built resort. Most of the stuff to do in Málaga is packed into a compact old centre: the Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of Incarnation, the Palacio Episcopal beside it, the Roman Theatre of Malaca at the foot of the Alcazaba, and the Museo de Málaga, all within roughly the same few streets.

It is also a serious art city. Alongside the Museo Picasso Málaga and the Casa natal de Pablo Ruiz Picasso you have the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Museum Jorge Rando and the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga. Add city beaches and a sunny climate and you have a place where a morning in a gallery and an afternoon on the sand fit easily into the same day.

Málaga is a single city rather than a string of resorts, so the choice is about which part suits you. The historic centre puts the main points of interest on your doorstep: the cathedral, the Alcazaba, the Roman theatre and most of the museums are all within half a mile or so, and the hilltop Castle of Gibralfaro is close by for views over the port.

If beach time matters more, look towards La Malagueta, about half a mile from the centre, where Playa de La Malagueta sits near the Plaza de toros de la Malagueta and the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo. Playa de la Caleta lies a little further along, around a mile out. For a quieter morning, the Jardín Botánico La Concepción is roughly 3 miles from the centre, and the Al-Andalus Mosque is about a mile away.

The best months are May to October. The Málaga temp in July and August peaks around 31°C, with nights near 23°C and almost no rain: July averages zero rain days. June and September are a touch gentler at about 28°C, which many find ideal for sightseeing on foot as well as the beach.

Winter is mild rather than cold. In January and February the temp in Málaga, Spain, reaches about 17°C by day and rarely drops below 9°C at night, so the city works well for a cultural break out of season. March is the wettest month, with around 10 rain days, and October and November can bring a few heavier showers, so pack a light layer if you travel then.

Málaga airport (AGP) has direct flights from the UK and is just 8 minutes' drive from the city, about as short a transfer as Spain offers. Granada airport (GRX) also has direct UK flights and is around 68 minutes away by road, which can be handy if you plan to combine the two cities.

You do not need a car to see the centre, but Málaga car hire makes sense if you want to explore further along the Costa del Sol. The city also has its own ferry port right by the centre, with Motril about 50 miles east and Algeciras around 70 miles west.

Many British travellers book Málaga as a package holiday, with flights, hotel and transfers together. In practice that means a direct flight into AGP, a transfer of only a few minutes into town and a choice of board basis, from room only to half board. Prices rise in the UK school holidays, especially July and August, so it pays to compare dates. You can compare package deals from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach on this page.

If you prefer to arrange things yourself, you can also check hotel prices, browse tours and tickets for Málaga's visiting places, from the museums to the Alcazaba, and compare car hire, all from the buttons on this page.