Things to do at night in Malaga to experience the city like a local
While your days will be filled with visits to Malaga Cathedral, the Pablo Picasso Museum, Plaza de la Constitución, Paseo del Parque, or the lovely botanical garden, the fun certainly won’t stop when the sun sets. On the contrary, many (especially students and backpackers) would argue that's when Malaga really comes alive.
Dinner time is late, and bedtime is even later for most Spaniards. Should you choose to adopt the local sleep pattern (a siesta will work wonders for this), you’ll discover Malaga at its best. The nightlife scene is defined by tapas bars for snacks and a late meal at a restaurant followed by buzzy nightclubs. You’ll find the crowds to be friendly and well-dressed, but the atmosphere is more approachable than in larger cities like Madrid.
The pleasant climate of the Costa del Sol makes for comfortable strolls around Old Town or along its waterfront on the Mediterranean Sea, and there’s a reasonably efficient metro system for longer trips. Exploring the streets and enjoying drinks on rooftop bars will be a delight. And if you’re hitting the town right after you arrive, Bounce can take care of the bags in Malaga while you get down to clubbing or dining.
What to do in Malaga at night if you’re looking for…
A night out with friends
Heading out for an evening of drinking and dancing is usually at the top of the list for anyone’s Malaga itinerary and for good reason. There’s no one way to enjoy the Malaga nightlife scene, but here are a few top spots to point you in the right direction.
Hit the best rooftop bars
There are plenty of rooftop bars and nightclubs in Old Town or Los Baños del Carmen, so you can drink under the night sky. The AC Hotel Bar, Terraza Nómadas Centro, San Juan Terrace, La Terraza De Valeria, and La Terraza de Larios are just a few highlights with sleek rooftop lounges.
Pro tip: Pair a rooftop visit with a few snacks at tapas bars for the perfect Malaga night.
Hit the bars around Plaza de la Merced
For a fun night of live music or dancing, head to where the city’s young people gather for a pub crawl or to hit rooftop bars with views of the city center. Plaza de la Merced is one of the top neighborhoods for sightseeing as it’s situated near Pablo Picasso's childhood home, but this barrio is ideal for hitting a bar or nightclub. Mañana Cocktail Bar in the city centre serves up delicious concoctions and sleek vibes while ZZ Pub is perfect for punky live performances and cheap beer. You can put together quite the bar crawl, and you can stash your bags at a nearby Bounce location if you’re hitting Plaza de la Merced on a travel day.
Unpack Malaga’s winemaking history
Spanish wine, with its vibrant red colors and spiciness, makes for the perfect food pairing. But if you want to do a deep dive into the winemakers of Malaga, you can head to Antigua Casa de Guardia to learn about the unique process of local producers. This winery has been operating for almost 200 years, and it’s still in the family! You can take a tasting course and meet with the vintners for a fun but educational evening.
Do a tapas bar crawl
This one might seem obvious, but the most popular dining method in Malaga is the ever-dependable tapas bar. You’ll have an easy time putting together a tapas crawl in Barrio el Carmen or Plaza de la Merced.
Pro tip: A few of the top dining destinations for these delightful little snacks are La Tranca, La Comedia, El Beato, and La Vegana.
A romantic evening
In typical Spanish fashion, it couldn't be easier to put together a romantic itinerary if you're honeymooning in Malaga or taking a trip with your significant other. There are not only beautiful and historic venues to take in a show or do some sightseeing, but the dining and drinking also lend themselves to more intimate occasions.
Enjoy a night at the theater
While the Roman Theatre is a major sightseeing draw, the actual performances are happening at Teatro Cervantes. This 19th-century theater off of Plaza de la Merced is the longest-serving event space in Malaga and hosts opera, ballet, jazz, pop music, and flamenco performances. It’s an architectural gem, especially the ceiling mural, and makes for the perfect setting for an intimate evening. Don't let the cloakroom slow down your evening, drop the bags off with Bounce on your way to the show.
Enjoy the sunset at Mirador de Gibralfaro
One of the epicenters of Malaga's nightlife scene, this popular vantage point is perfect for an early evening stroll or sunset picnic. You certainly won't be the only couple enjoying the panoramic view of the city and Castillo de Gibralfaro, but it's an easy stroll up the hill from Plaza de la Merced and the views are worth it.
Take an evening stroll on the beach
With the ocean air and the sounds of the waves, Playa de la Malagueta is the ideal place for a night walk as it will capture all your senses. Malaga’s most popular beach, next to the equally attractive port, is the perfect place to take in the sunset or enjoy a stroll as the temperature cools down. There are a number of Beach bars and nightclubs worth popping into, including a few terraces.
Pro tip: This palm tree-lined paradise might even be the ideal setting for an engagement… Just don't let your luggage spoil the mood!
Visit the Botanical Garden
When the weather is right (spoiler: it's almost always right), you’ll want to spend the maximum amount of time walking Malaga’s streets or its waterfront. But if you want a different look, head to the Jardin Botanico to admire the hundreds of plant species and beautifully manicured arrangements under the sky. This is also a wonderful idea if you're traveling with the kids. There's a bag policy, so you'll want to stop by a Bounce location on your way to the gardens.
Malaga is one of those places where you'll find yourself busy enjoying the weather both night and day, so don't waste valuable vacation time by heading to your hotel to drop the bags off. Download the Bounce app to find convenient luggage storage locations near nightlife hotspots, and the city's amazing waterfront on the Costa del Sol. Then, it'll be easy to work your way through this list of the top things to do at night in Malaga.