Every year on the same date, 27 September, Malaga celebrates International Tourism Day. On this day the city celebrates open doors and free guided tours in its museums and monuments.
- No refuelling fee
- Free cancellation
- Hire without intermediaries
- Pay when you pick up your car
In the historic centre of Malaga
In Malaga we are in luck during World Tourism Day, as the city has a large number of museums in its old town.
We can discover them comfortably strolling through the charming streets and squares. And afterwards drop into a terrace and watch life go by.
Map of Museums in Malaga
- If you want to prepare your visit in advance, in this article we present you the best museums in Malaga: Such as the Thyssen Museum, the Picasso Museum, or the Museum of Contemporary Art to name just a few.
- But there are many more. Some of them very curious like the Interactive Museum of Music, the Wine Museum or the Museum of Glass and Crystal, the Museum of Imagination or the National Museum of Air Transport.
- There is also the Malaga Museum, the Alborania Museum or the Automobile Museum. And Malaga also has its own version of the Centre Pompidou.
As you can see, there is a wide range of museums on offer. You surely will find something that interests you. In our article about the best museums in Malaga you will also find all the related information, opening hours and location.
Historic Cemeteries & Historic Botanical Garden
In addition to museums in the strict sense, you can also visit other types of spaces, such as Malaga’s historic cemeteries or the historic La Concepción Botanical Garden.
La Concepción Historical-Botanical Garden
The historic La Concepción estate, located 5 km north of Malaga, is the most beautiful and important tropical and subtropical garden in Spain and one of the finest in all of Europe.
It is an excellent opportunity to visit this spectacular 19th-century tropical paradise for free. On this special day, the garden will maintain its usual summer hours, opening from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm.
It is worth noting that La Concepción Botanical Garden is worth visiting in any season, as there are always plants in bloom. Even in the height of summer, when the sun beats down mercilessly, one can enjoy a refreshing stroll in the protective shade of centuries-old trees, amidst an abundance of water, streams and ponds.
English Cemetery
The old English cemetery, dating back to 1831, is the oldest Protestant cemetery in Spain.
It is located on Paseo de Reding, near El Limonar – one of the wealthiest areas of Malaga city and a neighbourhood where the local bourgeoisie settled in the 19th century.
As the name suggests, it was built in the 19th century for British citizens residing in Malaga. Designated a site of cultural interest, it holds great historical value and is the final resting place of various figures from Malaga’s cosmopolitan and historical life during the 19th and 20th centuries.
San Miguel Cemetery
The San Miguel Historic Cemetery is one of the most important monumental and architectural gems in Andalusia and Spain.
It features impressive individual crypts and mausoleums in various architectural styles, housing the remains of the most distinguished figures of the Malaga bourgeoisie.
The cemetery is closed for burials since 1986. Admission is free from 9 am to 6 pm, with open access to the chapel.
Historic monuments with free admission
Malaga’s major monumental sites, such as the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Fortress complex, or the Roman Theatre and its Interpretation Centre, also throw their doors open to the public.
Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Fortress
The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle are the jewels in the crown of the city’s historical monuments.
Alcazaba
The Alcazaba, on the slopes of Mount Gibralfaro, is an elegant 11th-century palace-fortress featuring lush Nasrid-style courtyards.
Alongside the Alhambra in Granada, it stands as the best-preserved fortress-palace of Muslim origin in Spain, combining technically sophisticated defensive walls with tranquil, fountain-adorned palace courtyards that overlook the Mediterranean Sea.
Gibralfaro Castle
Gibralfaro Castle is a majestic 14th-century Nasrid fortress, situated on Mount Gibralfaro to house troops and defend the Alcazaba. For a long time, it was considered the most impregnable fortress on the Iberian Peninsula. Today, it is recognized as the region’s best viewpoint, offering an unparalleled 360-degree panoramic view of the city, the Mediterranean coast and Malaga’s historic bullring.
Admission is free throughout the monument’s opening hours (typically 9 am to 8 pm during the summer season), subject to capacity limits.
Roman Theatre
The Roman Theatre of Malaga is the city’s oldest archaeological monument, dating back to the 1st century BC, during the reign of Emperor Augustus.
Surprisingly, it remained hidden beneath modern streets for centuries until it was rediscovered by chance in 1951 during garden renovation work.
Situated right at the foot of the magnificent Alcazaba fortress, it offers a striking visual contrast where Roman, Muslim and modern cultures converge in the very heart of Malaga.
Before reaching the wooden viewing platforms, you pass through the modern, glass-walled visitor centre. It houses excavated artifacts, tools and digital displays that explain Roman life in ancient Malaca.
Malaga Cathedral
Malaga Cathedral will be open for regular religious services. However, you can visit the Cathedral Museum throughout the day to see significant works of sacred art, gold and silver work and historical paintings from the diocese.
Free-admission museums
Carmen Thyssen Museum
Once again, the Carmen Thyssen Museum Malaga is participating in the activities to celebrate World Tourism Day on September 27.
In addition to free admission to the museum throughout the day during regular opening hours (10 am to 8pm), there will be six free guided tours (in Spanish and English) to the masterpieces of the permanent collection.
Picasso Birthplace Museum
Picasso’s Birthplace is located at the charming Plaza de la Merced. You can freely tour the rooms throughout the day where Picasso spent his early childhood.
During this open house event, there will be gallery interpretation and express tours in Spanish and English (you have to advance sign-up at the counter 30 minutes prior).
Centre Pompidou Malaga
The Centre Pompidou Malaga is a modern and contemporary art museum located in the vibrant Muelle Uno (Pier One). There, you can view the legendary 20th- and 21st-century masterpieces housed by the institution.
The museum is instantly recognizable thanks to “El Cubo” (The Cube), a striking glass structure with a multicolored geometric façade.
Open from 9:30 am to 8 pm.
Russian Museum Collection
Housed in a beautifully restored former 1920s tobacco factory (La Tabacalera).
Opened in 2015 as the first Western European branch of the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, the centre has reinvented itself in recent years by showcasing significant private collections of avant-garde and contemporary art.
Open from 9:30 am to 8 pm.
Malaga Museum
It is housed in the Palacio de la Aduana, an 18th-century Neoclassical building that also contains the city’s Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeological Museum.
The museum features both a café and the Blossom restaurant, helmed by chef Emi Schobert. This venue offers a refined contemporary fine-dining experience. Located on the building’s top floor, the restaurant boasts an indoor dining room and a fantastic terrace offering exceptional views of the Alcazaba and the city.
Opening hours: 9 am to 3 pm.
World Tourism Day in the province of Malaga
The different municipalities in the province are also organising activities. There are guided tours of museums, old quarters and sites of special interest.
Rincón de la Victoria
Rincón de la Victoria, on the eastern Costa del Sol, celebrates International Tourism Day from September 25 to 27 with free activities for all audiences. Over these three days, you can enjoy heritage tours, concerts and the popular Oktoberfest, among other events.
- Cueva del Tesoro (Treasure Cave) and Villa Antiopa will be open to the public completely free of charge throughout the day. Free guided tours will be held at 11 am, 12:30 pm, 5 pm, and 6:30 pm. No prior reservation is required for self-guided visits, but for guided tours, you have to pick up tickets directly at the box office.
- Cueva de la Victoria. This is an active caving tourism experience open to participants aged 10 to 70 with no mobility issues. Due to the presence of delicate rock art dating back over 30,000 years, there is a limited number of spots. Only two exclusive tours will be held (at 10 am and 12:30 pm), with a maximum of 10 people per group. Helmets and headlamps are provided. Advance online booking via the official Rincón Tourism website is mandatory.
- Oktoberfest at Plaza Al-Ándalus: A major beer festival will take place in the town centre over the course of three days. It opens at 7 pm on Friday, at 12 pm on Saturday (running until midnight on both days), and from 12 pm to 7 pm on Sunday.
Nerja
Over the course of three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), visitors can enjoy the popular “Mercado de Sabores” (Flavours Market) at the centrally located Plaza de España. There will be food stalls where you can sample and purchase sweet wines from the Axarquía region, local raisin-based products and artisanal pastries.
The square will also host several free concerts featuring national bands throughout the event.
In addition, the town frequently organizes themed guided tours of its historic centre and the iconic Balcón de Europa. It is also an excellent time to check out special access options for the famous Nerja Cave, located less than 4 km away.
Benalmadena
Bil-Bil, the small Neo-Moorish style castle, located right by the beach, will be the focal point for celebrations in Benalmadena.
The venue will host live outdoor musical performances. It opens to the public from noon until midnight.
Fuengirola
Sohail Castle invites the public to an open day.
This 10th-century medieval fortress, located near the river mouth, is hosting an open day this weekend with free admission for all visitors.
Marbella
At 9 pm, a free concert illuminated exclusively by candlelight will take place at the Plaza del Santo Cristo.
Estepona
The Estepona Orchid House offers special access and guided tours to showcase its tropical flora during the weekend of September 27th.
This spectacular botanical garden is renowned for its glass domes and its collection of over 5,000 orchid species. Reservations and time-slot allocations are handled at the Estepona Orchid House’s main entrance.
Antequera
Antequera opens its doors to its vast monumental and historical heritage.
You can visit its megalithic structures, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Antequera Dolmens Archaeological Site organizes a special thematic visit—featuring immersive experiences and an exhibition—running from 11 am to 1 pm. The activity is completely free of charge, though capacity is limited to 30 people and advance reservation is required.
The Alcazaba Monumental Complex and the Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María open their doors and offer special guided tours for visitors.
The El Torcal de Antequera natural area often joins the celebrations with guided hiking routes to explore its famous karst formations.
Did you know that…?
• Malaga is the Spanish city with the most museums in its old town.
• Malaga, together with Gothenburg, in 2020 was smart tourism capital of Europe.
This award is given to European tourist destinations with outstanding performances: Sustainability, Digitisation of Information, Accessibility and Heritage and Creativity.
More information at the official smart cities website.
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