Things To Do In Malaga Cruise Port

If your cruise is stopping off at Malaga Cruise port these are the places you must not miss. Malaga is one of my favourite cities to visit and it has so much to offer. The Stunning Historic City of Malaga has many beautiful beaches, bars, cafes as well as cultural and historic places to visit thus making it a popular Spanish port of call.

Everything you need to know about visiting the Malaga cruise port and where to go when you are there for 2024

When your cruise ships Docks in Malaga you will want to know where to explore, we have visited Malaga many times and have brought all of our best hidden secrets of Malaga Cruise port for you to find. These are our favourite places we explored when our ship docked in Malaga Cruise port.

Visit the Alcazaba in Malaga

This visit is a must! The Alcazaba on top of the cliff side which is an 11th-century castle and palace complex. It is one of the most impressive Moorish monuments in Spain and offers stunning views of the city. From here you can also visit the castle of Gibralfaro. You can get combined tickets for both of these online or at the entrance.

Explore the Roman Theatre

The Roman Theatre in Malaga is right in the middle of the town surrounded by shops and restaurants making rather surreal. You can see the theatre from the square or you can explore inside. The Roman Theatre The Teatro Romano de Málaga is an ancient theatre dating back to the 1st century AD and is one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in Spain.

Explore the Central Old Town of Malaga

Stroll through the historic centre and explore the architecture such as the quaint old churches hidden around each corner. Malaga’s historic centre is home to a variety of historic buildings, museums, and churches, and is a great place to explore on foot.

Go to Picasso’s Birth Place Museum

Visit the Picasso Museum: This museum is dedicated to the work of Pablo Picasso, who was born in Malaga.The museum features over  285 works donated by members of Picasso’s family with a variety of his paintings, sculptures, and other works of art.

Take a Boat Trip or Catamaran out of the Port

Take a boat tour, there are many boat and catamaran tours along the coastline. You can hire one to admire the beautiful beaches, cliffs, and coves that make this area so special. Some boat hires are shared with a driver or you can hire one yourself if have a boat licence.

Explore the Paseo del Parque

Explore the palm tree lined Paseo del Parque area in Malaga. This lovely promenade park is located near the port of Malaga and is a great spot for picnics or walking along and taking in the views.

Eat Tapas

Try the local Spanish cuisine in Malaga which is known for its delicious seafood and traditional dishes such as tapas. There are many restaurants and Bars around the city so be sure to try some of the local specialties during your visit.

Admire the Cathdral

Visit the Cathedral, The Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga is a 16th-century cathedral in the heart of Malaga city. It is one of the most impressive examples of Renaissance architecture in Spain and is well worth a visit.

Visit the Museo Carmen Thyssen Malaga and the The Pompidou Centre Malaga

Visit the Museo Carmen Thyssen gallery and the Pompidou Centre. The Carmen Museum is really well displayed collection of unusual turn-of-the 20th century Spanish paintings. It resides within the 16th-century Palacio de Villalón. The museum offers an extraordinary journey through the genres that dominated 19th-century Spanish painting, with a special emphasis on Andalusian art. The collection draws from the personal holdings of Carmen Cervera, the fifth wife of Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Málaga’s Centre Pompidou was the first branch of the famous modern art museum established outside France. The museum offers a permanent modern art tour spanning an impressive 1,800 square meters. Within this space, visitors encounter a curated selection of artworks drawn from the Centre Pompidou’s incomparable collection.

You can also visit the Visit the Automobile and Fashion Museum. The Museo Automovilístico de Málaga museum is housed in a historic building and features a collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, and fashion items from the 20th century.

Go Shopping in Malaga’s Shops

Walk down the La Calle Larios which is the Main Shopping Street in Malaga. With beautifully paved streets and beautiful buildings you will be spoilt for choice of shops to explore. This is a pedestrianised traffic free streets with plenty of tapas bars and  restaurants to choose from. Explore the Atarazanas Market in Malaga Old Town. The Mercado Central de Atarazanas indoor market is housed in a historic building. Here you will find a variety of local produce, meats, cheeses, and other food items. The market is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm.

Relax on the Beach

Sit on the beach each of la Malagueta and relax. The long sandy beach of La Magagueta is perfect for sunbathing. There are plenty of chiringuito‘s and places to hire rental loungers and umbrellas. There are also lots of small Children’s play parks along the promenade and beach area.

How to get in to town from the port in Malaga?

It is very easy to get into Malaga Town centre from the Malaga Cruise port. You can get a shuttle bus in to town from the port organised by your cruise ship. The Port Authority of Malaga also offers a bus from the cruise terminal to Plaza de la Marina in the centre of the city. Buses run every 15-20 minutes and the charge from the cruise ship is around 11 euros per person Depending on the cruise line. The bus will take you you to the Plaza de la Marina square in the city centre and takes around 10 minutes. From here it is easy to explore most areas.

A must visit from Malaga cruise port is the Alcazaba which is an is an ancient Moorish fortress that overlooks the city. From here you will have amazing views over the Roman ruins, rooftops and the harbour. You can also access many other beautiful parts of the region from here such as the mountain village of Nerja or the adventurous Caminito Del Rey.

Where do ships dock in Malaga cruise port?

Ships dock at the eastern dock pier 1 or pier 2 in Malaga Harbour. You can get a shuttle bus in to town from the port. The Port Authority of Malaga offers a bus from the cruise terminal to Plaza de la Marina in the center of the city. Buses run every 15-20 minutes and the charge from the cruise ship is around 11 euros per person. The bus will take you you to the Plaza de la Marina in the city centre and takes around 10 minutes.

How to get in to the city of Malaga from the cruise terminal

 In just a couple of minutes you can also walk in to town via the beautiful view of the port of Malaga in about 15 to 20 minutes. At the end of the port is the main promenade with amazing views of the harbour. This walkway leads to the beach of la Malagueta. If you dock at Pier 2 which is slightly closer you can easily walk in to the town and explore.

Different options to get from Malaga cruise terminal to the city centre.

There are also several other options for getting from the cruise port in Malaga to the town center:

1. Taxis: Taxis are readily available at the cruise terminal and are a convenient option for getting into town. Taxis are white in Malaga with a yellow sign on the roof. The fares are metered and from the port to the town center should be around €15 depending on traffic.
2. Bus: The local bus service, called “EMT,” runs a shuttle service between the port and the town center. The buses are cheap and run frequently, but they can be crowded during peak times these are also used as cruise shuttle buses.
3. Rent a car: If you prefer the flexibility of having your own transportation, you can rent a car. There are many rental agencies located near the port such as Hertz.
4. Walking: The port is located relatively close to the town center, so if you are comfortable walking, this is another option. The walk should take about 20 minutes.
5. Hop-on Hop-off Tour Bus: Another option is to take a hop-on hop-off tour bus with city Sightseeing. This is a convenient way to see the city’s major attractions while also getting transportation from the port to the town center. The pick up point is a short walk from the terminal to Paseo de La Farola. Here you can catch the red bus route.
6. Scooter: Outside the Malaga port terminal are plenty of electric scooters to hire. You can sign up to use one with the Tier app.

How to get to Malaga port from the airport

If your cruise ship is docking in Malaga the international Malaga airport is only 15 minutes drive away from the port. Your can also get a train from the airport to the train station nearest to the port which is called Malaga Centro Alameda. You will need to take the C-1 train which takes about 10 minutes. Both the Malaga railway stations Maria Zambrano and Centro Alameda are around 1,5 kilometres from the port. There are also plenty of taxis outside of the airport when you arrive.

If you are looking to stay in Malaga pre or post cruise check out these amazing Hotels in Malaga .

Things to do in the port of Malaga

See these Hi lights of Malaga things to do at a glance! Malaga is full of cultural museums, beautiful architecture and lively bars here are some popular things to do in and around Malaga when you disembark your cruise ship:

1. Visit the Alcazaba: This 11th-century castle and palace complex is one of the most impressive Moorish monuments in Spain and offers stunning views of the city. From here you can also visit the castle of Gibralfaro. You can get combined tickets for both of these online or at the entrance.
2. Explore the Roman Theatre: The Teatro Romano de Málaga is an ancient theater dating back to the 1st century AD and is one of the best-preserved examples of Roman architecture in Spain.
3. Stroll through the historic center: Malaga’s historic center is home to a variety of historic buildings, museums, and churches, and is a great place to explore on foot.
4. Visit the Picasso Museum: This museum is dedicated to the work of Pablo Picasso, who was born in Malaga.The museum features over 285 works donated by members of Picasso’s family with a variety of his paintings, sculptures, and other works of art.
5. Take a boat tour: Take a boat tour along the coast to admire the beautiful beaches, cliffs, and coves that make this area so special.
6. Visit the Automobile and Fashion Museum: The Museo Automovilístico de Málaga museum is housed in a historic building and features a collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, and fashion items from the 20th century.
7. Explore the Paseo del Parque: This lovely promenade park is located near the port of Malaga and is a great spot for picnics or walking along and taking in the views.
8. Try the local cuisine: Malaga is known for its delicious seafood and traditional dishes such as tapas. There are many restaurants and Bars around the city so be sure to try some of the local specialties during your visit.
9. Visit the Cathedral: The Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga is a 16th-century cathedral in the heart of Malaga city. It is one of the most impressive examples of Renaissance architecture in Spain and is well worth a visit.
10. Explore the Atarazanas Market: The Mercado Central de Atarazanas indoor market is housed in a historic building. Here you will find a variety of local produce, meats, cheeses, and other food items. The market is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm.
11. Visit the Museo Carmen Thyssen Malaga: A really well displayed collection of unusual turn-of-the 20th century Spanish paintings which contrast to that of Picasso.
12. Walk down the La Calle Larios which is the Main Shopping Street in Malaga. With beautifully paved streets and beautiful buildings you will be spoilt for choice of shops to explore. This is a pedestrianised traffic free streets with plenty of tapas bars and restaurants to choose from.
13. Sit on the beach each of la Malagueta: The long sandy beach of La Magagueta is perfect for sunbathing. There are plenty of chiringuito‘s and places to hire rental loungers and umbrellas. There are also lots of small Children’s play parks along the promenade and beach area.

Places to visit from Malaga cruise port

These are just a few of the many things to do in and around Malaga, and there’s plenty more to discover in this vibrant and historic city if you want to go further a field too!

You may want to travel a little further afield when you dock at Malaga or you may want to extend your trip here. Some of these places are under an hour away and some a little more. Always make sure what time you have to be back onboard your ship before you embark on a longer journey.

Here are some places that are easy to get to in a few hours from Malaga cruise port:

1. Granada – home to the famous Alhambra palace! a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts. This sprawling hilltop fortress complex with its royal palaces, fountains, serene patios, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty are stunning. As well as the well maintained gardens, fountains and orchards of the Generalife gardens are waiting to be explored. Marbella to Granada takes approximately 1hr 30 minutes by car.
2. Seville – the capital of Andalusia, known for its stunning Gothic cathedral, Alcazar palace, and lively atmosphere. Seville is approximately 2 hour 20 minutes by car from Malaga.
3. Ronda – a beautiful mountain town famous for its dramatic cliff-side location and historic bullring. Ronda is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car from Malaga
4. Cordoba – a city with a rich history, including the Mezquita, a mosque-cathedral, and the Roman bridge. Cordoba is approximately 2 hours by car from Malaga
5. Marbella – a stylish coastal town known for its luxury boutiques, yachting marina, and lively nightlife. Visit Marbella and people watch or have tapas in the famous Orange Square. Marbella is approximately 1 hour by car from Malaga it is also possible to get a train to Fuengirola and then a bus to Marbella.
6. Nerja – a charming coastal town famous for its dramatic cliffs, hidden caves and stunning beaches. Nerja is approximately 1 hour by car from Malaga or you can catch a train from the city centre.
7. Mijas – a picturesque white-washed village known for its traditional Andalusian architecture and is only 30 minutes from Malaga. You can also catch a train the C-1 to Fuengirola and then a bus or a taxi.
8. Gibraltar – a British overseas territory located just a short drive (2 hours) from Malaga, famous for its huge rock, wild monkeys, and duty-free shopping.
9. Caminito Del Rey – The Caminito del Rey is not for the faint hearted it is a walkway pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro. Once a very dangerous cliff side path it is now safely walkable due to a renovation of the pathway structure. It has absolutely amazing views and the walk takes a couple of hours. Booking advisable as it gets fully booked quickly. The Caminito del Rey is roughly 1 hour from Malaga
10. Visit Júzcar the Smurf Village in Spain Which is Entirely Blue: Nestled in the hills of Southern spain Andalusia is something a little bit different. The villages are all white except for one Juzcar Smurf village. If you are visiting Ronda it is worth stopping off here on your return journey. Juzcar is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes away from Malaga by car.
11. Explore the playground of the rich and famous Puerto Banus: Watch yachts and super cars in the port and sip cocktails over looking the sea. Puerto banus is approximately 1 hour from Malaga city centre.

Regardless of your chosen method of transportation and where you choose to go be sure to allow enough time to get from the port to the town center. There can be heavy traffic and crowds during peak season. As always leave enough time to return to your ship before last boarding.

Take trip to Puerto Banus

There are many shopping areas and restaurants in this area of Marbella. But the Puerto Banus Marina is known as the millionaires playground and it is the perfect place to people watch, yacht spot and supercar watch. I have spent lots of time discovering the best restaurants for Seafood, best for the price and best cocktails in Puerto Banus as well as the best places to stay and hotels.