The Málaga Fortress, commonly known as the Alcazaba, is a defining reminder of the city’s Islamic past. Built in the 11th century during Muslim rule in al-Andalus, it functioned both as a military stronghold and as a residence for governors. Its commanding position above the old city and port allowed control over maritime traffic and inland routes. The complex was expanded and reinforced over time, particularly under the Nasrid dynasty, before being taken by the Catholic Monarchs in 1487 after one of the longest sieges of the Reconquest. King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I entered the fortress and raised their royal standard on the Tower of Tribute, a moment often cited as a turning point in the formation of unified Spain.

The fortress is organised as a carefully layered defensive system. Access to the outer enclosure is gained through the Vault Gate, designed with a sharp double-back turn intended to slow and expose intruders—though today visitors can bypass this ascent using an elevator located on Guillén Sotelo Street, behind the City Hall. From the Vault Gate, a rising path leads past gardens and ornate fountains to the Gate of Columns. After passing through the Gate of Columns, the path opens to the left toward the Christ Gate. Once through this gate, you enter the Parade Ground. Here, on the opposite side of the Christ Gate, the Gate of the Granada Quarters leads toward the palatial heart of the Alcazaba.

Beyond the Gate of the Granada Quarters lies the Courtyard of the Jets. On the western side of the courtyard, the 11th-century Taifa Palace comes into view. Its defining feature is the Southern Pavilion, which displays Caliphal-style horseshoe arches of particular elegance.

Moving to the northwestern side of the Courtyard of the Jets brings you into the Orange Tree Courtyard—a quiet space that once served as the entrance hall to the palaces. Continuing north, you encounter the more delicate architecture of the 13th-century Nasrid period. This section is centred around the Pool Palace, where a long reflecting pool and finely carved plaster arches define the space. The rooms surrounding this courtyard now house a small Archaeological Museum, displaying Moorish ceramics and artefacts uncovered during excavations.

The church of Santa Maria is a small Tabernacle church adjacent to the cathedral of Malaga. The interiors are richly carved with many spectacular works of art.

The small church was partly built over an ancient mosque. The papal bull of 1488 authorized the construction of the cathedral and this church. The construction style is Isabelline Gothic that was popular for Christian buildings constructed after the defeat of the Moors. The richly carved façade of the church was originally intended for the frontal portion of the cathedral. The church has one rectangular nave with a flat head. The building is home to one of the fraternities that take out a procession on Holy Week called the Brotherhood of Christ Maimed.

The church has many elaborately carved altarpieces including one that depicts the lives of Saint Paul and Saint Peter and a gilded altarpiece of the Virgen de Lourdes. The unique pulpit is made of red marble. The main altarpiece was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. It was replaced by an altarpiece from the Spanish town of Becerril de Campos. An altarpiece depicting the Virgen del Sagrario, also from Becerril de Campos was gifted to the church by a prominent family of Malaga.

Saint Paul’s Church, located in the historic Trinidad neighborhood of Malaga, is a neo-Gothic Catholic temple with a rich history deeply intertwined with the urban development of its surroundings. Designed by architect Jerónimo Cuervo, the current structure was built between 1874 and 1891, replacing a previous church that had fallen into disrepair after the 1775 earthquake.

The origins of the church trace back to the 17th century when it was established as a hermitage to support the Parish of the Holy Martyrs. In 1833, it was elevated to parish status. The neighborhood of La Trinidad, where the church is situated, developed in the 16th century as a humble area with fertile orchards. Over time, Saint Paul’s Church became the focal point for spiritual life in the area, fostering devotion through its brotherhoods.

Jerónimo Cuervo’s neo-Gothic design reflects the eclecticism of 19th-century Malaga. The façade features an ornate ogival doorway framed by columns and pinnacled arches. A prominent rose window, initially positioned lower, was adjusted during construction. The mahogany main gate and Gothic-inspired detailing demonstrate the architect’s pursuit of artistic perfection.

The side façades incorporate circular windows and access points to the church and its 50-meter-high tower. The tower, constructed with three tiers and topped with ceramic pinnacles and a weathervane, is a defining landmark of the neighborhood.

Inside, the church features three naves divided by clustered pillars and pointed arches. Ribbed vaults adorn the ceilings, and the main altar boasts a polygonal ambulatory. A balustraded choir is situated at the rear, completing the harmonious interior design.

Saint Paul’s Church remains a vital cultural and spiritual landmark in Malaga. Its towering presence and historical importance make it a key element of the city’s religious and architectural heritage.

When is a shipyard not a shipyard? When there are no ships, no yard, no water—and what you find instead is a market. The market’s name comes from Arabic, meaning “house of manufacture” or shipyard, referring to the Nasrid-era shipyards that once occupied this area during the Islamic period. When Málaga was under Muslim rule, this zone lay close to the shoreline and functioned as a centre for naval construction and repair. After the Christian conquest in the late 15th century, the shipyards gradually lost their original function, yet the name endured.

The present market building dates largely to the 19th century, when Málaga experienced an industrial boom. It incorporates iron architecture typical of the period, while preserving a key historical element: the monumental Nasrid marble gate that once formed part of the original shipyards. This gate, now integrated into the market’s façade, features carved vegetal motifs and stands as one of the few surviving architectural reminders of Málaga’s Islamic past within today’s urban fabric.

Inside the market, the spacious hall is organised into aisles of stalls selling fresh produce, seafood, meat, spices, and local specialities, offering a clear sense of Andalusian food culture. The stained-glass window above the main entrance depicts scenes from the city’s port and historic skyline. More than a place to shop, the market also functions as a lively social space where locals gather daily. And with its reputation for tapas, it’s easy to see why this is a popular meeting point.

Málaga Cathedral stands at the heart of the historic centre and reflects the city’s transition from Islamic rule to Christian Spain. Construction began in 1528 on the site of the former Great Mosque, following the Christian conquest of the city in 1487. Built over more than two centuries, the cathedral brings together several architectural phases, with a predominantly Renaissance structure later enriched by Baroque elements. The project was never fully completed, a circumstance that earned it the nickname “the One-Armed Lady,” referring to the unfinished south tower. A plaque near the truncated tower explains why: funds originally intended for its completion were diverted in the late 18th century to support the American revolutionaries, a transfer facilitated by Luis de Unzaga, then governor of what is now Louisiana, through his connections to King Carlos III of Spain. As a result, the cathedral has remained “short-armed” since at least 1782.

The main façade differs from the rest of the building because of its pronounced Baroque character. Arranged on two levels, it features three large arches on the lower tier, with portals flanked by marble columns. Above them, medallions depict Málaga’s patron saints, Cyriacus and Paula, alongside a representation of the Annunciation.

Once you step inside the main nave, head toward the centre of the church to find the choir stalls. They are located in the central aisle, between the main entrance and the high altar. The sculptural works feature 42 intricately carved wooden figures of saints and religious subjects. Most of the seats were carved in the 17th century, and their craftsmanship is unique. Take a moment to notice the small ledges beneath the seats, used as misericords for leaning during long services.

Another cathedral highlight is the twin organs. As you face the choir stalls, look to your left and right—the two organs flank the choir. These massive, 18th-century Epistle and Gospel organs contain over 10,000 pipes combined. They are rare for their perfect symmetry and are still used for concerts today.

The experience extends beyond the nave. Access to the roof offers broad views across the old town, the port, and the Alcazaba. Roof access is available only via guided tour, and the staircase leading to the roof can be reached from the Orange Tree Courtyard, located north of the cathedral.

Editor’s note: The cathedral’s rooftop visits are suspended until 2027, due to repair works being carried out on the roof.

Gibralfaro Castle rises above Málaga on a hill that reaches about 131 metres in height, overlooking the city, the port, and the Mediterranean Sea. Built in the mid-14th century during the Nasrid period, the fortress was intended to reinforce the defence of the Alcazaba below and to control both land and sea approaches. The site held strategic importance long before the castle itself: the Moors erected the fortress near an earlier lighthouse constructed by the Phoenicians. Its name reflects this layered history, combining the Arabic word gabel, meaning “rock,” with the Greek word faro, meaning “lighthouse.” Today, the castle’s silhouette is so closely tied to the city that it appears on the official seal and flag of Málaga.

The fortress played a decisive role during the Reconquest. In 1487, the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella laid siege to Gibralfaro for three months. The stronghold resisted until hunger forced the Moorish garrison to surrender. Notably, this siege marked the first time that both attacking and defending armies made use of gunpowder, signalling a turning point in warfare. After the conquest, the castle remained under Christian control, although its military importance gradually declined.

Gibralfaro Castle offers insight into both military life and daily survival within a fortress. After passing through the main gate, you encounter the former gunpowder magazine immediately to your left. Today, it houses a small military museum displaying uniforms, weapons, and a detailed model of the city during the Islamic period. Exiting the museum and continuing straight ahead brings you to the Upper Courtyard. One of its key features is the Airon Well, carved roughly 40 metres into solid rock during the Phoenician era. The well is easy to identify by its small, rounded fountain head rising about one metre above the ground. Nearby stands the Main Tower, approximately 17 metres tall, which can be accessed from the southeastern part of the courtyard.

Arguably, the castle’s greatest attraction is its ramparts. Visitors can climb onto them and walk the full perimeter of the battlements. Although staircases throughout the complex provide access to the walls, the most effective route begins at the top of the Main Tower. From there, walking clockwise along the walls ensures that no viewpoints are missed. The panoramic views take in the Port of Málaga, the Alcazaba below, and Málaga Cathedral, offering one of the most comprehensive outlooks in the city.