Málaga has over 3,000 years of history under its belt, and it has been traversed by many different civilisations who have left their mark on monuments that continue to shine today as a relic of a bygone age. Málaga’s old town and its Arabian labyrinth of streets are a perfect example. As you walk through its streets, you’ll come across churches and monuments that tell the history of the city.
One of the city’s main sights is Málaga Cathedral, which combines Baroque and Renaissance architectural styles. It was completed between the 16th and 18th century when work on it stopped, leaving one of its towers unfinished. This is why the locals call it “La Manquita”, meaning The One-Armed Lady.
Another stop on a tour of monumental Málaga is Calle Alcazabilla, which is where you’ll find the main icons of the city. One of these is the Roman Theatre, built in the 1st century BC. In Roman times, it acted as a stage for performances. Just behind it is the Alcazaba, an imposing fortress from the Muslim era. Both these monuments combine to create one of the most symbolic views of the city.
The 16th century Gibralfaro Castle is another one of the city's most important sights. You can climb up to it from Calle Alcazabilla. At the top, you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the city from the castle's walls.
Holy art: a tour of the churches
You don’t have to look very hard to find a great number of Málaga's architectural treasures as you walk through the streets of the old town. Amongst the most iconic churches you have the Church of Santiago, which is where Pablo Picasso was baptised, the Church of San Juan Bautista, the Santos Mártires Church and the Sagrado Corazón Church, the latter two being close to the Carmen Thyssen Museum.
You will find another of Málaga's most iconic churches about ten minutes away from the old town. This is the Basilica of Santa María la Victoria, which is situated in the area where the Catholic Monarchs camped during the siege on Málaga at the time of the Reconquista.
Prominent buildings and palaces
In addition to all these sights, you also have prominent buildings and palaces that house museums today, such as the Buenavista Palace – home to the Málaga Picasso Museum. The 19th century Aduana Palace is another of the city's iconic building, soon to open as the Málaga Museum, housing a vast collection of Fine Arts and Archaeology.
