Málaga Holidays: Packages to the Costa del Sol City
City · Costa del Sol · Spain
Málaga holidays have an unusually short gap between landing and unpacking. The airport sits about eight minutes' drive from the city, so a package of flight, hotel and transfer can have you on a terrace by mid-afternoon. This is a real city of nearly 600,000 people on the Costa del Sol. The Alcazaba, the cathedral and the Museo Picasso Málaga are all in the centre, and Playa de La Malagueta is roughly half a mile away. Summers are hot and almost dry, with July and August averaging 31°C. Winters stay mild, at around 17°C by day in January. On this page you can compare live package deals from several UK providers, plus hotels, tours and car hire.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. It is how we keep this site free. Details
- Málaga Airport is about 8 minutes' drive from the city, so transfers are very short.
- The Alcazaba, the Roman Theatre and the cathedral are all within the historic centre.
- July and August average 31°C, with almost no rain from June to August.
Package holidays to Málaga
Flights, hotel and transfers together, ATOL protected, from UK airports.
Jet2holidays
Flights to AGP or GRX and hotel together, ATOL protected, from regional UK airports.
TUI
Package holidays in Málaga with TUI's own flights and reps.
loveholidays
Mix-and-match flights and hotels in Málaga, with low deposits.
On the Beach
Beach holidays in Málaga: flights, hotel and transfers in one booking.
Who this city suits
Málaga suits travellers who want sun and culture in the same week. A couple on a long weekend can fill each day with the Museo Picasso Málaga, the Carmen Thyssen Museum and the Museo de Málaga. In the evening there is still time for the beach. As a Malaga city break it works well, because almost everything worth seeing is in or close to the centre.
Families get two city beaches, Playa de La Malagueta and Playa de la Caleta, plus the Alcazaba and the Castle of Gibralfaro, which are easy to explore with older children. Travellers after something quieter can head for the Jardín Botánico La Concepción, about 3 miles out. Spring and late autumn, when the heat drops, are good for slower days too.
Where to stay in the city
Málaga is a single city rather than a string of resorts, so the real choice is about which part of town to base yourself in. The historic centre has the cathedral, the Palacio Episcopal, the Roman Theatre of Malaca and the Alcazaba. Picasso's birthplace, the Casa natal de Pablo Ruiz Picasso, is also there. Staying here means walking to most sights.
The Malagueta side is about half a mile from the centre, by the beach and the Plaza de toros de la Malagueta. Playa de la Caleta lies a little further, around a mile out. These areas suit anyone who wants the sea outside the door and the old town a short stroll away. For contemporary art, the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga and the Museum Jorge Rando are both within about half a mile of the centre.
When to go to Málaga
May to June and September to October: daytime highs between 24°C and 28°C with little rain.
- 17°CJan46 mm
- 17°CFeb30 mm
- 19°CMar85 mm
- 21°CApr41 mm
- 24°CMay23 mm
- 28°CJun9 mm
- 31°CJul1 mm
- 31°CAug8 mm
- 28°CSept28 mm
- 24°COct68 mm
- 20°CNov66 mm
- 18°CDec39 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting to Málaga from United Kingdom
Málaga (AGP), Granada (GRX) and Gibraltar (GIB) have direct flights from the UK, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, London Luton and Manchester.
Málaga (AGP)
About 8 min by road to the nearest resortdirect flights from the UK
Granada (GRX)
About 1 h 8 min by road to the nearest resortdirect flights from the UK
Gibraltar (GIB)
About 1 h 32 min by road to the nearest resortdirect flights from the UK
When to book
The main season runs from May to October. May brings 24°C highs and only four rainy days on average. June and September sit around 28°C. July and August peak at 31°C, with nights still around 23°C. October cools to 24°C, but rain picks up later in the month.
From November to April the city is a winter-sun and sightseeing destination rather than a beach one. Daytime highs are 17°C to 21°C, and March is the wettest month, with about ten rainy days. Malaga Christmas holidays are popular for exactly this reason: December averages 18°C by day, which is ideal for walking between museums and castles. Package prices generally rise during UK school holidays, so booking early for those dates gives you more choice.
Getting there from the UK
Málaga Airport (AGP) has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies about eight minutes' drive from the city. A package transfer is about as short as they come anywhere in Spain. Granada Airport (GRX) also has direct UK flights, but it is roughly 68 minutes' drive away, so it only makes sense if you plan to combine the two cities.
You do not need a car to see Málaga itself. Car hire helps for touring the Costa del Sol, and you can compare it on this page. The city also has its own ferry port, about half a mile from the centre. Motril is around 50 miles away and Algeciras about 70 miles.
Booking your package
A package holiday bundles your flight, hotel and usually your airport transfer into one booking. When sold as a package from the UK it is ATOL-protected. Check the board basis before you choose. Room only or bed and breakfast tends to suit a city where eating out is part of the point. Half board or all inclusive suits those who prefer meals sorted.
On this page you can compare live deals for holidays to Malaga Spain from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach. You can also check hotel prices, see tours and tickets for the sights and compare car hire. If you are already staying along the coast, the same tours and tickets work for a day out in the city.
Next steps
Questions people ask
What is the best car hire at Málaga Airport?
There is no single best company for everyone; it depends on your dates, car size and excess cover. You can compare car hire from Málaga Airport on this page. The airport is only about eight minutes from the city, and you will not need a car for the centre itself.
What are the best beaches in Málaga city?
The two city beaches are Playa de La Malagueta, about half a mile from the centre, and Playa de la Caleta, roughly a mile out. Both are easy to reach on foot from the historic centre, so you can combine sightseeing and a swim in the same day.
What are the best things to do in Málaga?
Start with the Alcazaba, the Castle of Gibralfaro, the cathedral and the Roman Theatre of Malaca. Art lovers have the Museo Picasso Málaga, the Carmen Thyssen Museum and Picasso's birthplace. The Jardín Botánico La Concepción, about 3 miles out, makes a quieter half day.
Is Málaga good for a Christmas holiday?
For winter sun and sightseeing, yes. December averages 18°C by day and 11°C at night, with about five rainy days. That is too cool for most people to swim, but comfortable for walking between the old town's castles, museums and the cathedral.
Which airport is closest to Málaga?
Málaga Airport (AGP) is the closest, about eight minutes' drive from the city, and it has direct flights from the UK. Granada Airport (GRX) also has direct UK flights, but the drive is roughly 68 minutes.
Are Málaga package holidays ATOL-protected?
When flights and accommodation are sold together as a package from the UK, the holiday is ATOL-protected. On this page you can compare Malaga package holidays from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach before booking with the provider.