See Cathedral
Malaga Cathedral
Historic center, 0.2 miles from El Palmeral
Its south tower was never finished. A €10 ticket includes an audio guide, and entry is free from 8:30 to 9:00 AM every day.
View Cathedral Tickets (opens a new tab)
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.
Andalusia · Spain
Malaga
A Moorish fortress, a Picasso museum and a city beach, close to the cruise port.
Climb the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle, see the Picasso Museum, shop the Atarazanas market and swim at La Malagueta beach.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.
Four Ways to Spend a Day in Malaga
Unwind Beach
La Malagueta
City beach, 0.4 miles from El Palmeral
This Blue Flag beach is about three-quarters of a mile long, with calm water and medium sand. A promenade runs along it with restaurants, showers and sunbed rental.
See the Beach Details (opens a new tab)
Taste Market
Mercado de Atarazanas
Calle Atarazanas, 0.4 miles from El Palmeral
The city's central market has 260 stalls. It is open 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday to Saturday.
See Market Details (opens a new tab)
Explore Art
Museo Picasso Malaga
Calle San Agustin, 0.3 miles from El Palmeral
The museum is in the Palacio de Buenavista. Full entry costs €13, or €11 reduced, and it is free in the last two hours every Sunday.
View Museum Tickets (opens a new tab)Skip the excursion desk
Tours & Tickets in Malaga
Getting Around Malaga
Where you dock decides the route: ships up to 656 feet long can use El Palmeral, by the center; longer ships use Levante Terminals A and B.
Getting to Malaga's Cruise Port
The airport is about 5 miles from the port in a straight line.
Parking and Luggage
The port has no cruise parking on site. A large public open-air area in front of the terminals needs no ticket or booking; the operator does not manage it. Nearby car parks include Paseo de la Farola, Muelle Uno and Calle Maestranza; no prices are published. Drop-off and pick-up areas are in front of Terminals A and B and near El Palmeral.
If you do one thing here
Climb the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro
The Alcazaba is a Moorish palace-fortress. Gibralfaro castle, built in the 14th century to house troops and protect the Alcazaba, stands on the hill above it and a walled path joins the two.
One site costs €7 and a joint ticket costs €10. Entry is free on Sundays from 2:00 PM. Both are open every day: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM from April to October, and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from November to March. The Alcazaba is 0.2 miles from El Palmeral and 1 mile from Levante. Gibralfaro is 0.5 miles and 1.2 miles away, uphill.
Safety and Weather
Crime figures are for Malaga city, per resident.
- CrimeIn 2025, police recorded about 27% more crime per resident in Malaga than the Spanish average: 6,381 against 5,038 per 100,000. Theft was 66% higher (2,144 against 1,291) and robbery with violence 18% higher (149 against 126). The rates divide by residents only, so a city with many visitors scores higher.
- Walking to townFrom El Palmeral, yes: the center is a 10 to 15 minute walk. From Levante, Plaza de la Marina is about 1.3 miles on foot, roughly 30 minutes along the flat harbor front; the cruise-day bus is the other option.
- The beachLifeguards cover La Malagueta daily from June 15 to September 15, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and on weekends from Holy Week to mid-June and in late September. The city lists no cover from October to Holy Week.
- WeatherAverage highs are 87°F (31°C) in August and 62°F (17°C) in January. July is the driest and sunniest month; November and December are the wettest.
Crime figures: Spanish Ministry of the Interior, Balance de Criminalidad, 4th quarter 2025 (data still to be consolidated), Malaga municipality against Spain; resident population from INE (599,063 for Malaga, 1 January 2025) and the sum of INE municipal totals (49,114,494 for Spain); the rates and percentages are our maths. Weather: AEMET 1981-2010 normals, Malaga airport station.
Make it part of your voyage
Cruises From Malaga
MSC, Viking, Marella, Costa and more call at Malaga, and some sailings start here.
Malaga FAQ
Where do cruise ships dock in Malaga?
Malaga has two cruise zones. The Levante area has four berths and two terminals, A (north) and B (south), and every ship can berth there. El Palmeral, by the city center, has one berth for ships up to 656 feet long.
What is the Malaga cruise port schedule?
The port authority and the terminal operator both publish the schedule. Neither lists which berth or terminal a ship uses.
How far is the Malaga cruise port from the city center?
From El Palmeral, the historic center is a 10 to 15 minute walk. From the Levante terminals, Plaza de la Marina is about 1.3 miles on foot, roughly 30 minutes.
Is there a shuttle bus from the Malaga cruise port?
A public bus runs from the Levante terminals to the Plaza de la Marina entrance whenever a ship is docked at Levante. The port names no line number or fare. Some cruise lines run their own shuttle, the terminal operator says.
How much is a taxi from the Malaga cruise port?
The city tariff sets a minimum of €9.45 for a ride that starts or ends at the Levante cruise station. Fares are metered and no flat fare to the center is published.
How do I get from Malaga airport to the cruise port?
A taxi takes about 20 minutes, the operator says, from a weekday daytime minimum of €18.24. EMT bus line A (€4) runs to Paseo del Parque, and the C1 train (€1.80) reaches Centro-Alameda in about 12 minutes.
What is there to do near the Malaga cruise port?
From El Palmeral, the cathedral, Alcazaba, Picasso museum, Atarazanas market and La Malagueta beach are all within about 0.4 miles in a straight line. From Levante, they are 0.7 to 1.0 miles away.
What can I do in Malaga in one day?
Start at the Alcazaba when it opens at 9:00 AM and walk up to Gibralfaro on the €10 joint ticket. Then see the cathedral and the Picasso museum, and finish at La Malagueta beach.
What is the best beach near the Malaga cruise port?
La Malagueta is the nearest, 0.4 miles from El Palmeral and 0.7 miles from Levante in a straight line. It has a Blue Flag, calm water and a promenade with showers and restaurants.
Is Malaga safe?
Recorded crime per resident in 2025 was about 27% above the Spanish average, and theft was 66% higher. The UK government warns of thieves who use distraction techniques and often work in teams.
What is the weather in Malaga by month?
August is hottest, with an average high of 87°F (31°C). January's average high is 62°F (17°C). July has almost no rain, and November and December are the wettest months.
Photos: Malaga: Benjamin Smith (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Malaga Cathedral: HervilleMelman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · La Malagueta: Benjamin Smith (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Atarazanas market: Christian Schmitt (CC BY 2.0) · Picasso Museum: Emilio Luque (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Alcazaba: Fernando (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Cruise ship in port: Daniel Capilla (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped for display.