Málaga
Who each neighbourhood suits, and who it doesn’t, from Where to Stay in Málaga: A Neighbourhood-by-Neighbourhood Guide.
Neighbourhood · 20 places
The old centre is where the sights are. The Andalusian tourist board’s tour of it takes in “the imposing Cathedral; the Nazari Gibralfaro Castle; La Alcazaba fortress, renovated for public usage; and the Roman Theatre”. Its best-known street is Calle Marqués de Larios, or simply Calle Larios, which starts by the port at Plaza de la Marina and is lined with shops.
Best for first-timers · short stays · museum-focused trips
Neighbourhood · 6 places
It lies next to the port, bordered by the southern edge of the Alameda, the Heredia Wharf, Plaza de la Marina and the Guadalmedina river.
Best for return visitors · art-minded trips · anyone who wants the centre without the crowds of Calle Larios
Neighbourhood · 6 places
Above the old centre is Plaza de la Merced, which the Andalusian tourist board describes as the “site of the house in which the artistic genius Picasso was born”. Hotel Del Pintor calls the streets around it the “Barrio de Picasso”, steps from the Picasso Museum, the Roman Theatre and Alcazaba, and the Museo de Málaga in the Palacio de la Aduana. It’s the calmer edge of the centre, and its small hotels have more character for the money than most of the old town’s.
Best for couples · returning visitors · anyone who wants the old town on foot without sleeping on its busiest streets
Neighbourhood · 10 places
This is the base for a beach holiday that still wants the city: the old town is a walk one way, the sand a walk the other.
Best for beach-and-city trips · families · couples on a luxury break
Neighbourhood · 4 places
The streets around the station are practical rather than pretty. Stay here if your trip runs on trains, or if you’re catching an early one at the end of it. Otherwise, sleep in the old town and walk in.
Best for early trains · short stopovers · anyone moving on by rail
Neighbourhood · 7 places
The Andalusian tourist board describes “the suburb of El Palo, with its typical fishermen’s houses, coves, promenades” and fried fish, in the east of the city. Hotel La Chancla calls neighbouring Pedregalejo Málaga’s traditional fishing quarter, and Hostal Moscatel sums it up as one of the city’s most popular beaches, with a seafront promenade and a great many restaurants and chiringuitos (beach bars).
Best for beach-first trips · return visitors · longer stays