travelguide195DEENES

Tour · Old town on foot · Málaga

Málaga Old Town Walk: From Calle Larios to Plaza de la Merced

A day on foot through Málaga's Centro Histórico, with the cathedral, Bishop's Palace, old convents, and quiet squares. After lunch, you visit the Museo Carmen Thyssen. The day ends at a cocktail bar in the heart of the old town. All stops are just a few minutes' walk apart.

Stops
13
Time
10:00–19:00
On foot
approx. 2.2 km
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This tour takes you through Málaga's Centro Histórico for a full day, with no need for any transportation. All the stops lie within one compact neighborhood, and the walks in between usually take just a few minutes. That leaves time to peek down side streets, linger on a square, or stop for a spontaneous coffee.

The walk begins at the monument to the Marqués de Larios at the lower end of the famous shopping street. From there, you head to the cathedral, which you can explore at your leisure in the morning. Around Plaza del Obispo, you'll find the Bishop's Palace, the Iglesia del Sagrario, and Calle Císter with its convent and traces from Phoenician times. Past the sculpture of the poet Ben Gabirol, you reach Plaza de la Merced and then head back via Calle Granada into the western part of the old town. After a late lunch, as is customary in Andalusia, you visit the Museo Carmen Thyssen with its collection of Spanish painting. The day ends at a cocktail bar just a few steps away.

The tour is ideal for anyone visiting Málaga for the first time who wants to get to know the old town at a steady pace. The focus is on architecture and city history, with a museum rounding out the program without filling up the day.

Churches, palaces, and lanes in the Centro Histórico

  1. Visit · Monuments · Centro Histórico

    1Monumento al Marques de Larios

    A good starting point at the lower end of Calle Larios, before the shopping street fills up.

  2. on foot 4 min · 330 m
    Visit · Museums (general) · Centro Histórico

    2Catedral de Málaga

    Allow time for the interior and the choir stalls; please check opening hours and services in advance.

  3. on foot 1 min · 40 m
    Visit · Historic sites · Centro Histórico

    3Palacio Episcopal de Málaga

    The Baroque facade on Plaza del Obispo stands right next to the cathedral; check exhibition hours in advance.

  4. on foot 1 min · 100 m
    Visit · Monuments · Centro Histórico

    4Iglesia del Sagrario

    Look for the late Gothic portal on the north side of the cathedral; the interior can only be visited at certain times.

  5. on foot 1 min · 20 m
    Visit · Historic sites · Centro Histórico

    5Convento Cister

    A quiet corner of Calle Císter that shows how closely intertwined the church and the residential neighborhood are here.

  6. on foot 1 min · 80 m
    Visit · Historic sites · Centro Histórico

    6Santuario Fenicio de la Calle Císter

    Remains from Phoenician times, the oldest layer of the city; check in advance whether it is open to visitors.

  7. on foot 3 min · 210 m
    Visit · Historic sites · Centro Histórico

    7Ben Gabirol Sculpture

    The sculpture of the Jewish poet stands in a small green space, a good spot for a short rest.

  8. on foot 3 min · 220 m
    Visit · Historic sites · La Merced

    8Torrijos Monument

    The obelisk marks the center of Plaza de la Merced, a few minutes to the north.

  9. on foot 4 min · 310 m
    Visit · Palaces · Centro Histórico

    9Palacio de Crópani

    A town palace on Calle Granada, on the way back to the western old town.

  10. on foot 4 min · 340 m
    10
    Meal · Spanish · Centro Histórico

    10La Abacería del Cantarrana

    Spanish cuisine in the heart of the neighborhood; in Málaga, lunch is eaten fairly late, and 2 p.m. works well.

  11. on foot 3 min · 270 m
    Visit · Art museums · Centro Histórico

    11Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga

    A compact collection focused on 19th-century Spanish painting; check opening hours and closing day in advance.

  12. on foot 1 min · 50 m
    Visit · Historic sites · Centro Histórico

    12Plaza De San Ignacio Malaga

    A small square right by the museum, ideal for catching your breath after the exhibition.

  13. ·
    Break

    Short break and stroll

    Wander without a destination through the surrounding lanes toward the bar, which is only a few minutes away.

  14. on foot 3 min · 280 m
    13
    Bar · Cocktail bars · Centro Histórico

    13Alquimia Bar

    A cocktail bar in the northern part of the old town, a relaxed way to end the day.

Good to know

  • Visiting the cathedral in the morning helps you avoid the biggest tour groups.
  • Comfortable shoes are essential: the paving in the old town is smooth, especially after rain.
  • In summer, the narrow lanes offer stretches of shade, but at midday you should carry water for the squares.
  • Opening hours for the cathedral, Bishop's Palace, and museum change from time to time, so check them the day before.

Not quite right? Open this tour in the trip planner and set your own interests, times, pace, and must-see places.

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Automatically compiled from travelguide195 places (as of 11/05/2026). Travel times are estimated from distance; please check opening hours in advance.

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