Where To Stay In Málaga: Best Neighbourhoods & Hotels

Planning a trip to Málaga and wondering where to base yourself? This guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods to stay in Málaga, based on different travel styles, budgets, and priorities—plus our top hotel picks in each area.

Málaga is often underestimated, but it’s one of southern Spain’s most liveable, layered cities. It combines beaches, historic sights, food culture, and a relaxed Andalusian rhythm with a modern, creative edge.

You’ll find Roman ruins and Moorish fortresses, traditional markets and neighbourhood bars, alongside contemporary art museums, rooftop terraces, and a thriving dining scene.

Some areas are lively and central, others residential and local, and a few are ideal if beach access is your top priority.

We’ve been to Málaga many times and stayed in several different areas.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the best areas to stay in Málaga based on the kind of trip you’re planning, with a few hotel recommendations for each neighbourhood.

For ideas on what to do, read our guide to the best things to do in Málaga.

MAP: WHERE TO STAY IN MÁLAGA

All the places listed in this guide are shown on the map below, colour-coded by neighbourhood.

USING OUR MAPS. Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.  

BEST NEIGHBOURHOODS IN MÁLAGA

1. CENTRO HISTÓRICO (BEST FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS)

If it’s your first time in Málaga, Centro Histórico is the most convenient and atmospheric place to stay.

This is the heart of the city, where you’ll find Málaga Cathedral, the Picasso Museum, the Roman Theatre, and the Alcazaba fortress, all within a short walk.

Streets are lively from morning until late at night, filled with tapas bars, cafés, boutiques, and small plazas.

Staying here means you can explore most major sights on foot and easily dip in and out of your hotel during the day—especially useful in the summer heat.

The downside is that it’s quite busy. Particularly in the evenings and at weekends, street-facing rooms may be noisy. Prices also tend to be higher than in surrounding neighbourhoods.

OUR CENTRO HISTÓRICO HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Palacio Solecio (€€€€) – Elegant boutique hotel in an 18th-century palace near the Alcazaba. Stylish rooms, an excellent restaurant, and a refined, grown-up atmosphere.
• Room Mate Valeria (€€€) – Bright, modern hotel near the port with colourful design and a popular rooftop terrace. A great location between the old town and the beach.
• Molina Lario (€€€) – A classic, reliable choice with comfortable rooms and one of Málaga’s best rooftop bars, overlooking the Cathedral.
• Debambú Suites (€€) – Excellent-value apartments with modern design right in the historic centre. Ideal for travellers wanting extra space and a kitchen.

2. SOHO (BEST FOR FOOD, CULTURE & NIGHTLIFE)

Soho sits just south of the historic centre, between Alameda Principal and the port. Once gritty, it’s now Málaga’s creative district, filled with street art, independent galleries, and some of the city’s best restaurants.

This area attracts a younger crowd and feels more contemporary than Centro, with a strong food and nightlife scene and fewer tourists during the day.

You’re within a 5–10-minute walk of the old town, the beach, and the main transport hubs, making it a great all-round base.

The atmosphere is urban rather than traditional, and some streets still feel a little rough around the edges—but that’s part of Soho’s character.

OUR SOHO HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Only YOU Hotel Málaga (€€€€) – One of Málaga’s standout hotels, with sleek design, spacious rooms, and a rooftop pool overlooking the port. Ideal for a stylish city break.
• Soho Boutique Equitativa (€€€) – A smart boutique hotel in a restored historic building, offering good value for the location and polished interiors.
• Casual del Mar Málaga (€€) – A fun, design-led budget option close to the port and Centro, with comfortable rooms and good transport links.

3. LA MALAGUETA (BEST FOR BEACH + CITY BALANCE)

La Malagueta is Málaga’s main central beach neighbourhood, located east of the port and within walking distance of the historic centre.

Staying here gives you the best of both worlds: beach access and city sightseeing. You can walk into Centro in 10–15 minutes while still waking up near the sea.

The area is relaxed and practical, with supermarkets, chiringuitos (beach bars), and wide promenades. It lacks the charm of the old town, but it’s very convenient.

Accommodation here is a mix of modern hotels and apartments, often offering better value than Centro during peak season.

OUR LA MALAGUETA HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Gran Hotel Miramar (€€€€€) – Málaga’s most luxurious hotel, set in a grand historic building right on the beachfront. Large spa, pool, and elegant rooms.
• Soho Boutique Las Vegas (€€€) – A solid mid-range beachfront hotel with sea views and easy access to both the beach and the city centre.
• MS Maestranza Málaga (€€€) – A well-located mid-range hotel between the historic centre and the beach, offering modern, comfortable rooms and easy walking access to Málaga’s port, Alcazaba, and old town.

4. EL PERCHEL & LA TRINIDAD (BEST FOR LOCAL LIFE & VALUE)

Located just west of the historic centre, El Perchel and La Trinidad are traditional working-class neighbourhoods that offer a more authentic slice of Málaga life.

This area is less polished and far less touristy, but it’s well connected and increasingly popular with travellers looking for better-value accommodation.

You’ll find local bakeries, neighbourhood bars, and everyday Málaga rather than curated experiences. Centro is a 10–15-minute walk away.

These neighbourhoods won’t appeal if you want postcard charm, but they’re ideal if you like staying somewhere real and residential.

OUR EL PERCHEL / LA TRINIDAD HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Barceló Málaga (€€€€) – A contemporary design hotel next to the main train station, with spacious rooms, a rooftop pool, and excellent transport links.
• Ilunion Málaga (€€€) – A modern, good-value hotel with an indoor pool and gym, popular with longer-stay travellers and families.
• Apartamentos Prestige Málaga (€€) – Modern, well-equipped apartments within walking distance of the historic centre, offering good value, extra space, and the flexibility of self-catering.

5. PEDREGALEJO (BEST FOR BEACHES & A LOCAL FEEL)

Pedregalejo is a former fishing village east of the city, now one of the most appealing places to stay if you want a relaxed, local atmosphere by the sea.

The beachfront promenade is lined with some of Málaga’s best seafood restaurants, famous for grilled sardines cooked over open fires.

It feels more like a seaside town than a city neighbourhood, and you’ll mostly be surrounded by locals, especially in the evenings.

The trade-off is distance: Pedregalejo is around 20–30 minutes from the centre by bus or taxi, though connections are frequent and affordable.

OUR PEDREGALEJO HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

• La Chancla (€€€) – A charming boutique hotel right on the beachfront, with a small spa and rooftop jacuzzi. Perfect for a slower-paced stay.
• La Moraga de Poniente Málaga Hostel (€) – A friendly, well-run hostel close to the beach, offering simple private rooms and dorms in a relaxed, local neighbourhood.
• Hotel Elcano (€€) – A small, family-run boutique hotel near the Pedregalejo seafront, known for its warm service, traditional character, and excellent value for the location.

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