Malaga holidays

After exploring the old town, climb one of the hillsides outside the city. Your reward will be impressive views of the coastline, and you can explore Alcazaba fort and the castle on Mount Gibralfaro, both dating back to Moorish times. For a more relaxed discovery of Moorish influence on Málaga, book a scrub down in a hammam.

To escape the city, head to the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain range, which has a rich mix of hiking and mountain biking trails. Alternatively, El Caminito del Rey is a scary-but-stunning walkway curled along a steep gorge.

Málaga’s got you covered if you’d rather just chill. Its sandy city beaches are lined with bars and seafood restaurants.

If you want a cheap holiday to Málaga, it's wise to look for offseason deals, when the temperature dips. Winters are warm (average highs of 17C in January), but fog and the odd rainy day mean sunbathing is unlikely.

Shoulder months are a good bet for bagging a deal without compromising on weather. In April and October (average highs of 21C and 24C respectively), the main sights are open, but there are fewer crowds.

The Raisin Route is a 62km (38 mile) road journey that links Málaga to the picturesque whitewashed villages of the Axarquía region. Renowned as a muscatel grape-growing area, here you can try the grapes both as delicious sun-dried raisins and as local dessert wines.

Visit during December’s Verdiales Music Festival to see colourfully dressed pandas (groups of dancers and singers) from local towns competing for the top prize.

Hilltop fortresses and museums

Pay a visit to Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress palace dating and its neighbouring Roman amphitheatre. And at the iconic Gibralfaro Castle, you can walk along the restored ramparts for views across Málaga and its port.

If you like things a bit more modern, try the Picasso Museum, home to more than 200 art works, and the “pop-up” Centre Pompidou, with pieces by Frida Kahlo and Francis Bacon.

Malagueta Beach

Málaga has several beaches, but if you only visit one, make it Malagueta Beach. Its soft sands and sun-loungers are only a five-minute walk from the centre. Take a few hours to sun yourself, interrupting your lounging only for a trip or two to the chiringuitos (beach bars) by the sand.

Snap a selfie with the famous Malagueta sculpture before exploring the Bullring, the Pergola and the Centre Pompidou, all very close by.

El Caminito del Rey

For more than a decade, the death-defying El Caminito del Rey was too dangerous to walk, but in 2015, it reopened with a new boardwalk and handrail.

Now safe, the path takes you along sheer cliff faces and above a 100m (328ft) gorge below, so you still need a head for heights, but you can enjoy the scenery rather than concentrating on where you’re putting your feet. A shuttle bus back to the car park is available.

Relax with a hammam

There’s no better place to experience Málaga’s Moorish past than at Hammam Al Ándalus. Lovingly restored, the beautiful Arab baths’ décor and mosaic tiles are worth the entry price alone.

Book a water treatment using essential oils or a massage on a hot stone bed before plunging into soothing thermal baths in the grand central chamber. You can rehydrate by sipping on unlimited glasses of mint tea throughout your relaxation session.

El Palo, a 15-minute drive from Málaga centre, is a peaceful family-friendly barrio (neighbourhood). There’s a popular beach with a pleasant promenade here.

For travellers on a budget

Stay in a cheap hostel in the historic centre if you want to be close to all the action. There are cheaper rooms outside the city centre, too. El Palo has budget hotels, and a regular bus service will have you in town in half an hour.

El Perchel, southwest of the old town, is another good spot for frugal travellers. There’s an authentic feel to this area, with tapas bars serving daily changing menus, and you can walk across the river to town in 20 minutes.

For food and drink

The funky neighbourhood of Soho has restaurants as creative as its galleries and street murals. You’ll find trendy restaurants serving fusion international cuisine, as well as traditional tapas bars by the water serving local favourites, such as boquerones fritos (fried anchovies). There are also a few craft beer bars.

Alternatively, stay in Pedregalejo, a 15-minute drive east of the centre, and soak up the traditional charm of the former fishing village. Find a sunny spot on a restaurant terrace overlooking the sea and order seafood paella or grilled fish caught that morning.

For nightlife

Much of Málaga’s nightlife is around the old town and La Merced, to the northeast. Spend an evening dining on tasty tapas in a cosy bar or enjoy a rooftop cocktail in a swish bar. Prefer to party? You can sing along to Spanish pop in chilled venues or dance the night away to DJ beats in chic clubs.

For a more laidback scene after dark, Pedregalejo has beachside bars for a cocktail or two as the sun sets. Or, feel the sand between your toes at one of the bars right on the sand.

For culture

If art is your thing, Soho’s apartments and mid-range and boutique hotels are good places to stay. In the neighbourhood is the Contemporary Art Museum, which has about 400 permanent pieces, and there’s street art all over the place. The Centre Pompidou is a 15-minute walk along the Muelle Uno waterfront shopping promenade.

To step into Málaga’s past, stay in the old town. From here, you can walk to historic Gibralfaro Castle, La Alcazaba and the Roman theatre. Huelin, meanwhile, is a beachside suburb with museums dedicated to cars and Russian art, just a 15-minute drive from the centre.