Did you know that Málaga was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso? With an impressive connection to the art world, an enchanting old town and world class cultural institutions, it’s been holding its own on the design map for years – even if some of us have failed to see it.
For years, we’ve been guilty of underestimating Málaga. You could say this coastal town has been somewhat of a gateway – somewhere to fly into before moving on to luxurious Marbella or the whitewashed villages of Andalusia. At worst, it’s been unfairly cast as the preserve of stag parties and budget beach breaks, with a cultural depth sometimes lost behind those adverts for cheap flights.
While cities like Lisbon, Copenhagen or Antwerp have previously monopolised design-conscious traveller’s appetites for boutique hotels and chic concept stores, over the last few years Málaga’s newest openings have suggested a shift in tone.
Chief among them is Cristine Bedfor Málaga, the hospitality group’s third outpost, created in collaboration with Spanish designer Marta de la Rica. Its interiors are simply gorgeous, with details like skirted sinks and hand-painted walls, bringing together an eccentric use of patterns and traditional Spanish colours and textures. This imaginative scheme welcomes a new kind of traveller: one who notices upholstery, appreciates a well-curated library nook and will book flights for the beauty of a destination’s stays, as well as its sun beds.
Crucially, though, Málaga remains disarmingly accessible. Direct flights from most UK airports make it an easy weekend proposition and, compared to its saturated European counterparts, it still offers high design at humane prices. Both easy to get to, and easy on the eyes, Málaga is fast becoming one to watch.
Where To Stay
Cristine Bedfor Málaga
If you’re an interiors buff but not au fait with Cristine Bedfor, we have a feeling you’re going to love this boutique hotel group. Founded by Cristina Lozano, there are now three locations across the Mediterranean, all inspired by Lozano’s fictional alter ego: Cristine Bedfor. Each property is imagined not as a hotel but as the residence of this fantastical host, layered with the memories, books, linens and curiosities of Cristine, a well-travelled daughter of Spanish and English diplomats. After opening in Menorca and then Mahón, the third address arrives in Málaga, and it’s here that the brand takes its most confident stride into the world of design.
For Málaga, Lozano partnered with interior designer Marta de la Rica, whose vision is known for championing character over polish. Together, they’ve transformed a historic period building in the heart of the city, utilising its extraordinary interior courtyard and showcasing its colourful glass ceiling.
Guests will instantly notice how sunlight spills over the winding staircases and tiled floors – both grand and welcoming. Especially lovely is how the design feels like a dialogue between cultures. Fabrics draw from British eclecticism, mixing chintz, stripes and unexpected florals, while the palette is unmistakably Spanish: terracotta reds, olive greens, sun-baked ochres.
Rooms are composed with mismatched charm mixing cane headboards, wicker lamps, antique trunks and embroidered cushions, each piece chosen with narrative in mind. Nothing matches, but it feels like everything belongs. Across the 27 bedrooms, the Cristine’s Choice category really stands out with personal recommendations from the brand, offering bedrooms that have special architectural features or views. You might also want to check out the in-house restaurant, Cristine’s Kitchen, which serves up typical Southern Spanish flavours in a stylish setting every morning for breakfast, but for nightly dinners, too.
Where to Eat
Balausta
If you take a wander around Málaga’s old town, part of its inherent charm are the tapas bars which, while casual, are framed by traditional, beautifully-ornate tiling featuring swirling typography in blue and white. While you should definitely enjoy a pinchos at a little haunt like this, there’s also appeal to dressing up and visiting an 18th-century Andalusian palace for the night.
Enter Balausta, which offers up-market dining in the heart of the action set within the internal courtyard of a stunning former palace. The setting is its signature: wraparound walkways overlook the dining space below, punctuated by archways and columns, all anchored by a striking black-and-white chequered floor. The surrounding walls blend brickwork, colourful tiles and stone, creating a space that feels deeply cultural yet contemporary thanks to modern details like place settings and seating.
The menu nods to tradition but never leans on it too heavily. Being so close to the coast, seafood is a standout, so you could try something like the tuna tartare paired with fried egg cream and seasonal truffle which offers a decadent twist, while the octopus in papillote, served with Marenga sauce, potato and smoked paprika foam is sourced directly from local fishermen. It’s refined without being stiff, with cocktails that match the mood, arriving in beautiful glassware and plenty of off-menu options available. Balausta proves that in Málaga, fine dining can hold its own among the city’s art and architecture.
Verde Limón
New opening Verde Limón is a stylish, relaxed eatery just off the beaten path. Wind your way out of the old town and along the seafront to find this local favourite, tucked in a leafy, residential neighbourhood. Its aesthetics tick all the right boxes with plastered walls and sculptural seating, hued in on-point shades of verdant green and rich burgundy.
Huge terracotta planters bring home a Spanish feel but in an of-the-moment way, complemented by lofty ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside, the terrace is a secluded little spot to enjoy an afternoon Aperol Spritz, with tiled tables and tangerine-striped parasols that bring a vibe.
You’ll mainly hear Spanish voices at Verde Limón thanks to its location away from the tourist traps. It feels like an insider secret, reflected in a young, cool crowd. Open from Wednesdays for lunch and then again for dinner, come in the daytime for al fresco dining or in the evening for the main restaurant’s decor and ambience.
From the menu you can expect plenty of choice with a distinctive Spanish feel and an avant garde twist here and there. Start authentic with gildas and a luxurious plate of Iberian ham, before trying some of the sharing plates like roasted carrot salad on a bed of stracciatella, with a sprinkling of arugula. A must is the tangy seabass ceviche served with jalapeno tiger’s milk and shavings of crunchy sweet potato.
PERRO VIEJO
If you’re looking for a buzzy dinner spot, PERRO VIEJO is centrally located but another hit with locals – so rest assured, you won’t find any stag dos in here. There’s lots to love about this place and once again, it’s easy on the eye which is a big plus. Housed within a stunning, multi-storey stone house, the architectural details throughout include exposed brick and stone walls, wooden beamed ceilings and poured concrete flooring.
The design team have worked with the space using reclaimed furniture in earthy tones, but instead of sticking too precisely to its historic bones, you’ll see Scandi dining chairs alongside retro leather sofas and plenty of plants for an industrial-chic feel. On any given night, PERRO VIEJO is practically magnetic, filled with crowded tables and shimmering candle light, as groups of friends reach for their glasses of cava. And, at around four euros a glass, we say keep them coming!
Here, we’d recommend trying out the charcoal grill with dishes like glazed beef rib or BBQ pork ribs, served alongside ricotta mashed potatoes and carrot puree. If that’s not your thing, the fresh pasta section is also inviting with seasonal options like hazelnut pesto gnocchi, topped with toasted pumpkin and sun-dried tomatoes.
What to do
Museo Picasso
For a city often miscast as a beach gateway, Málaga has long been connected to art. It is, after all, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso – a fact that runs deeper than recent travel fads. The Museo Picasso Málaga anchors that identity, not just through its collection but through its setting in the Buenavista Palace, a magnificent example of 16th-century Andalusian architecture.
Located in the historic quarter, the palace blends Renaissance symmetry with Mudéjar flourishes, layered over remnants of a former Nasrid estate. Arched courtyards, latticed galleries and pale stone walls give the building a contemplative calm, grounding Picasso’s radicalism in a deeply local context. Picasso’s importance lies not only in his invention of Cubism but in his restless reinvention; he moved through styles with the same ease that others change materials. Málaga’s museum reflects that span, from early academic sketches to late, liberated ceramics, placing him not just on a pedestal, but in a lineage of Spanish craftsmanship.
Málaga is home to an impressive selection of art institutions (and more on that in a minute) but you really can’t leave without experiencing the museum dedicated to this iconic name.
Centre Pompidou Málaga
If you’re excited to see Museo Picasso, wait until you stumble across Centre Pompidou Málaga. This giant, rainbow-coloured cube, quite literally, gleams by the port and inside, you’ll find the first outpost of Paris’s iconic modern art museum, and one of the city’s most exciting cultural spaces.
Housed beneath its kaleidoscopic glass façade (known locally as El Cubo), the gallery brings a dose of French modernism to the Costa del Sol, with a permanent collection of 20th- and 21st-century heavyweights like Francis Bacon, Frida Kahlo, and Marc Chagall, alongside rotating exhibitions that spotlight contemporary artists from Spain and beyond. It’s all framed by a minimalist, light-filled interior that feels worlds away from the tourist bustle outside.
But part of the joy here is the atmosphere. Locals drift in for air-conditioned calm and a dose of inspiration, families weave between installations, and the harbour views outside offer the perfect spot for a post-gallery glass of something cold. Even if you’re not an art obsessive, Centre Pompidou Málaga is worth a detour. It’s a reminder that Málaga isn’t just Picasso’s birthplace, but a living, breathing creative city that constantly reinvents itself and does so with colour, confidence and a dash of French flair. What’s not to love?
Book a creative retreat
Here, we have to shout out Micaela Sharp, part of our Citizen Expat series, who moved from London to rural Spain, taking over a farmhouse on the outskirts of Málaga in 2023. We interviewed Micaela, who’s known for presenting Changing Rooms, leading Create Academy’s upholstery courses and her book, Modern Upholstery, about her favourite spots in the city but, even better, she’s now hosting creative retreats in the countryside.
Every few months, Micaela invites small groups into her space for a multi-day experience covering different forms of artistic expression from painting and drawing, to sculpture and sound healing. Alongside accommodation at her beautiful farmhouse, the weekend also includes meditation sessions and catering with a private chef, prioritising fresh, organic produce – some of which Micaela grows herself. Micaela’s presence and these retreats nod to Málaga’s growing creative community and would be the perfect accompaniment to a few days in the city beforehand.
Where to shop
Nice Things Paloma S
If you’ve wandered around Liberty London in the last few years, you may well have become a fan of Paloma Wool – a fashion project borne out of Barcelona by the brand’s namesake, and now a big hit in the UK. But, did you know that Nice Things came first? Indeed, a flair for fashion runs in the family and it was back in 1995 that Paloma Santaolalla, Paloma Wool’s mum, started her clothing brand eventually going on to inspire her daughter. Nice Things has been a Mediterranean success for over 30 years and has a dedicated, cult following thanks to its ever-evolving collections of contemporary everyday wear often inspired by art, exhibitions and film. Expect effortlessly cool pieces with a Spanish soul that you can dress up or down. You could say it’s the perfect treat to take back home with you.
Librería Mapas y Compañía
Librería Mapas y Compañía only opened in 2002, but it feels like it’s been sitting in Málaga’s old town forever. This travel bookshop and map specialist stands out immediately thanks to its handsome, dark wooden façade and floral floor tiles – so pretty, you’ll instinctively reach for your camera. Step inside and you’re met with a whimsical canopy of pastel wooden hot air balloons drifting above the shelves, a touch of make-believe that awakens the child explorer in you. Maps and globes are carefully curated, chosen not only for utility but for beauty and intended as pieces you could hang on the wall or decorate your home with – making for the perfect souvenir. For travel fans, this really is the spot to visit thanks to its impressive selection of travel literature, interspersed with stationery, notebooks and small gifts. You’ll love their philosophy, too, seeing themselves as “the port where you stock up on supplies before embarking on a long journey, that downtown café where you recount your latest adventure in another country, or that quiet library where you research before embarking on a journey.” For those who dream of the golden age of travel, Librería Mapas y Compañía brings together a sense of nostalgic wanderlust that’s irresistible.
Pompeu
If you love labels, get your designer kicks at Pompeu – one of the city’s most luxurious shopping boutiques. Situated in the Muelle Uno shopping centre, it has the most fabulous location looking out across the sea, with floor-to-ceiling glass frontage. From BALENCIAGA’s new sneaker drop to Valentino’s latest collections, you’ll find most major fashion houses here alongside some smaller, boutique brands hand-curated by the in-house buyers. Whether you’re splashing out or just window shopping, you’ll find plenty of sartorial inspiration.
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