Where to stay in Málaga: A local’s guide to the best areas and hotels
The view from the Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro Hotel
With its sunny Mediterranean climate, laid-back atmosphere and packed calendar of festivals and events, Málaga is one of the most popular cities in southern Spain. It’s truly a year-round destination, where you can go from chilling on the beach to exploring world-class museums and feasting on delicious tapas, all within the space of an afternoon.
Call me biased (I lived there for three very happy years), but I think Málaga is a must-do on any Andalucía itinerary and a worthy destination for a city break in itself. The question is - where to stay?
Outside of living there, I’ve visited Málaga more times than I can remember. I know the city and its accommodation options extremely well, so if you’re looking for advice on where to stay based on first-hand experience, you’re in the right place!
Unless otherwise stated, I’ve personally stayed in or visited every place in this guide (all the photos you’ll see are mine). I often choose mid-range hotels, but I’ve also stayed in some very affordable places as a solo traveller and pushed the boat out for some special occasion stays, so there’s a wide range of budgets and travel styles covered.
In this article:
If you’re short on time and just want my top overall picks, here they are (all of them are covered in more detail below):
Top five places to stay in Málaga
Only YOU Hotel Malaga: For its iconic building and central location.
Palacio Solecio: A gorgeous boutique hotel in the heart of the historic centre.
AC Hotel Marriott Palacio: For its rooftop with the best views in town.
Hotel La Chancla: A hidden gem on the beach east of the city centre.
H10 Croma Málaga: A chic new hotel at the edge of the old town.
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Where to stay in Málaga old town
Málaga’s main attractions are located in or around its centro historico (historic centre), so staying here is a good option if it’s your first visit to Málaga and you want to see and do as much as possible on a short stay, or if you just want to be in the middle of the action.
The historic centre falls within what were once the medieval walls (small sections of these remain - you can see one on Calle Carretería) and is bordered by the wide boulevard called Alameda Principal to the south. It’s a small, mostly pedestrianised area that you can cross in just 15-20 minutes on foot.
The pros of staying in the old town: sites like the Alcazaba fortress, Picasso Museum and Cathedral are right on your doorstep, you’re surrounded by pretty streets and there are great bars and restaurants everywhere you turn. The cons: it fills up with tourists during the day, especially when there are cruise ships in port, and can be noisy at night. The higher-end hotels have great soundproofing, which makes this much less of a problem.
Palacio Solecio, Málaga
Palacio Solecio **** is an oasis of calm amongst the bustle. If staying in palaces and castles is your thing (and if it is, you should definitely check out my guide to unique places to stay in Andalucia), this boutique hotel in an 18th-century palace is worth a look.
It was commissioned by the playing card magnate Felix Solesio during what was a boom time for Málaga, with the building’s design attributed to José Martín de Aldehuela, architect of the iconic Puente Nuevo bridge in Ronda. As well as its elegant rooms and rooftop pool, the hotel has a fabulous restaurant, Balausta, in its internal courtyard.
AC Hotel Marriott Palacio **** is a modern 15-storey hotel between the cathedral and the waterfront. It has, in my view, the best roof terrace in Málaga (certainly the highest), complete with a pool and panoramic views over the port, Alcazaba fortress and cathedral. Watching the sunset from up here is really special, and the view of the city lights (below) never gets old.
H10 Croma Málaga **** Right on the edge of the old town, this sleek white building has an ingenious design by architect Rafael Moneo that gives every room its own exterior balcony lined with geometric patterned tiles. One of the newer hotels in town (it opened in 2022), it has an impressive roof terrace with a plunge pool, restaurant area and cocktail bar.
If you’re travelling in a group of friends or family, they have “Corner2” rooms that are two independent rooms connected by a private corridor.
Where to stay in Soho
The wedge-shaped neighbourhood between the Alameda Principal boulevard and the port is Soho, known for its street art and contemporary vibes. It’s also home to Málaga’s contemporary art museum, the CAC, though this has been closed for refurbishment for a couple of years and is due to open in 2027. Staying here is less busy than the historic centre, but you’re still close to the action.
Only YOU Hotel Málaga ***** At the eastern edge of Soho and facing Malaga’s most famous street - Calle Marqués de Larios - the Only YOU is also housed in one of its most iconic buildings, La Equitativa. Built in the 1950s for the insurance company of the same name, its minaret-like turret is one of the landmarks of the Málaga skyline.
Only YOU is a Spanish 5-star hotel chain and this one has all the luxurious touches you would expect - plush bathrobes, superb soundproofing (with the windows closed, street noise is non-existent) and very comfortable beds. There’s a roof terrace and pool and I’m also a big fan of the cocktail bar and restaurant on the ground floor.
Mariposa Hotel **** With one of the most visually striking hotel facades in Málaga thanks to its “vertical garden”, the Mariposa is located in the heart of Soho. It’s a boutique hotel with 52 rooms and a colourful, contemporary aesthetic. The roof terrace might not have panoramic views of the city’s skyline but it’s still a charming spot to enjoy an evening cocktail.
Mariposa Hotel, Málaga
Where to stay in Málaga near the beach
Playa La Malagueta is Málaga's best-known city beach, and its location just a 15-minute walk from Alameda Principal means you'll be "near the beach" in most hotels in the old town and Soho.
While La Malagueta has its charms, it is not my favourite. In my opinion, the best beaches on the Costa del Sol are about an hour east of Málaga in Nerja, where you'll find natural golden sand, picturesque coves and (weather permitting) a spectacular waterfall into the sea.
But if you're looking to combine the delights of a Málaga city break with beach time, the eastern neighbourhoods of Pedregalejo and El Palo are my top pick. Like La Malagueta, the beaches here have been widened with imported sand, while a series of espigones (breakwaters) creates sheltered, U-shaped bays that are ideal for swimming.
Sunrise at Hotel La Chancla
Hotel La Chancla *** is a locally-owned boutique hotel right on the beach in Pedregalejo, a barrio that still has the low-rise, neighbourhood charm of its fishing village past. It has just nine rooms, many with sea views (you can hear the waves!) and a small rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi and a self-service honesty bar. Read my full review of Hotel La Chancla
Where to stay in Malaga for solo travellers
My top pick for solo travellers is Coeo Pod Hostel Beatas, which combines the comfort and privacy of a hotel with the budget-friendliness of a hostel.
The lounge/cafe area in Coeo Pod Hostel Beatas
If you book a single pod here, you’re not going to be stung with the “single tax” that solo travellers face when booking a hotel room. I’ve stayed here several times when visiting Málaga solo and can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s also great for digital nomads. Read my full review of Coeo Pod Hostel Beatas.
Where to stay in Malaga on a budget
In addition to Coeo Pod Hostel Beatas, here are some other budget-friendly options.
Albergue Inturjoven Malaga ** This youth hostel in a quiet residential area west of the city centre has en-suite single, double, triple and quadruple rooms. It’s run by the Junta de Andalucía (regional government) and the building has a slightly institutional feel, as if it were a hospital or school in a former life, but it’s spacious, clean and light. It’s around 15 minutes walk to the bus and train stations, and 25 minutes to the historic centre (or 12 minutes by bus).
Hotel Zenit *** While it’s not exactly a low-budget hotel, I’ve always found the Spanish-owned Zenit chain to offer good value for money. Their Málaga hotel is located to the north of the historic centre in a neighbourhood called Olletas. If you’re coming to Málaga by car, it’s a good location as you won’t have to negotiate the narrow streets of the Old Town - but it’s just 15-20 minutes away by foot. When we stayed here, our room had a little exterior courtyard which was a nice touch.
Where to stay near Málaga train station
Hotel Eurostars Málaga **** has spacious rooms (as shown below), a modern building and a great location right next to Málaga Maria Zambrano Station with high-speed rail connections to Córdoba, Seville, Madrid and beyond. It has an on-site parking garage and electric vehicle charging, so it also makes a good stopping point on a road trip.
Where to stay in Malaga near the airport
If Malaga is the first or last stop on your road trip through Andalucia, you might want to stay near the airport for maximum convenience. My husband and I avoid driving in Andalucian city centres as much as possible, as the narrow streets and pedestrianised areas (not always marked in GPS…!) can be a bit of a nightmare.
The Hilton Garden Inn **** is my personal pick as it’s well located, has good parking and is also just a couple of minutes’ walk from the nearest Metro station. This makes it a good compromise if you want a quick and easy exit to the airport (10-15 minutes drive) but also have the time to head into central Mâlaga by public transport for some sightseeing or to eat.
Where to stay in Malaga to avoid crowds
Salles Hotel Málaga Centro **** (pictured above) is located just across the Guadalmedina River from the Old Town, making it a great option if you want to explore Málaga's historic centre on foot but prefer to stay away from the busiest tourist streets. The hotel has a rooftop pool and terrace bar with views towards La Trinidad, one of the neighbourhoods at the heart of Málaga's Semana Santa celebrations. It's a quiet, comfortable hotel that's also popular with business travellers.
Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro **** I’m a big fan of Spain’s state-owned Parador hotel network, as they’re often in historic or (in this case) spectacularly-located spots and have reliably high-quality accommodations. The outdoor restaurant terrace at this Parador has one of the best views in town, and you’re right next door to the remains of the medieval Gibralfaro Castle, one of the city’s most emblematic monuments. The cons: it’s a steep hill to walk up, but luckily Málaga’s taxis are plentiful and well-priced.
Gran Hotel Miramar ***** Full disclosure: I haven't (yet!) stayed here, so I can't give a personal review, but I'm including it because it's one of Málaga's most iconic hotels. Opened in 1926, long before the Costa del Sol became synonymous with international tourism, this grand seaside property has welcomed famous guests like Ernest Hemingway. It has an elegant spa, a beautiful interior courtyard and La Malagueta beach is just across the road.
Although it's within easy walking distance of the historic centre and Muelle Uno, it feels removed from the city's busiest streets (the landscaped gardens help).
Gran Hotel Miramar: an impressive sight at night
A note about holiday apartments
Like many parts of Spain, Málaga has seen overtourism protests in recent years, with the rapid growth of tourist apartments on platforms such as Airbnb contributing to rising rents and a housing shortage for residents. For that reason, I've chosen not to recommend holiday apartments in Málaga itself - I’ve seen first-hand the impact they’ve had on the city.
However, I totally get how convenient they are! A great option if you’re travelling in a group and want the option of self-catering is a casa rural (rural holiday home). The locally owned platform Ruralidays lists holiday homes in the wider Malaga area, including charming seaside towns and villages in the mountains, many with their own pool.
