We weren’t sure what to expect along the Costa del Sol, but so far we’ve really been enjoying this part of Spain. Our Winter campervan tour of has seen us continuing along the coast from lovely Nerja. Now, we’re ready for a day in Malaga and we can’t wait to start exploring.
The sea is flat calm as we drive the coast road, enjoying the views and blue skies. We’ve been looking at the Apps for parking in Malaga and gather it may be tricky.
Motorhome stopovers full
There aren’t many options for parking in Malaga, but en-route we pass some private Aires on the outskirts. As we’re passing, we decide to ask about availability, but doubt they’ll have room for us.
All the motorhome stopover areas we’ve seen so far on this trip have been full, with many motorhome owners staying long term for winter sun.
Nevertheless, we don’t give up and ask all the same. However, just as we thought -they are full. The staff seem to give a ‘don’t ask silly questions’ kind of look, but at least we know we tried.
Chaotic Parking
Continuing on to Malaga brings more traffic and very busy approach roads. We’re still unsure where to park and we’re trying to reach a few parking spots from Park4Night.
It seems every time we’re about to turn for the directions, we miss it and end up having to drive on. After turning round when we can and trying again, we eventually manage to find the entrance to a rough ground parking area.
It’s about a 15 minute walk from Malaga old town, on a main road opposite the port. As we drive in over bumpy ground, full of pot holes, a local chap approaches. Like many of these type of parking areas in Spain, he’s showing us where to park amongst the full looking area. Finding us a place backing onto a pavement on the main road and giving a €1.50 ‘tip’ seals our spot for the day.
Apparently it’s possible to stay overnight, but we don’t fancy it ourselves.
Malaga old town
The walk along the main road is easy and brings us straight into Malaga old town. This is a different feel to elsewhere on this Winter tour, with bustling streets resembling high season.
Roman ruins grace the centre, where an amphitheatre is one of the must see sights. Above on a hill is another major tourist attraction, the Alcazaba, which is similar, but apparently much smaller to Alhambra. We haven’t time to venture inside the mighty red-tinged walls, but it looks fabulous.
Outdoor dining
The town itself is full of narrow marble slab streets, wide palm-fringe walkways and numerous restaurants.
Everywhere here is extremely busy, with outdoor dining in abundance under the winter sun. Malaga is one very popular destination.
Malaga has a wonderfully elegant cathedral at its core with eateries surrounding pretty squares around its exterior.
There’s a large queue to enter, so we give it a miss, beside we want to continue exploring and are conscious of time.
Marina complex
Malaga has the most wonderful walkways, where beautiful plant life and parrots flying through the palms bring a tropical feel.
Walking through the leafy paths towards a large marina complex is quite welcoming, escaping the busy streets of the old town.
Meeting a promenade which leads to both the vast port area and the marina gives a different aspect to Malaga.
It’s just as busy here, where modern restaurants, craft type market stalls and shops give plenty of opportunity for browsing.
Alongside the marina are super yachts, their vast size seeming to tower above us and provide a glimpse of how the other half live.
This is also a ferry port, with ferries loading as we pass by, sailing to North Africa.
Did we enjoy Malaga
So, did we enjoy our day in Malaga? The answer is a very big yes! We weren’t sure what to expect here, but Malaga has gone beyond our expectations. It’s a busy destination but easy to explore and full of life, even in Winter.
The only difficulty is lack of proper motorhome parking or an Aire type area in Malaga itself, which is a shame.
This trip was in Winter 2024, but in March 2025, we came back to Malaga for another day of sightseeing. Unfortunately, this time the weather was poor along the Costa del Sol, but despite the threat of rain and cool air, we still thoroughly it.
We drove to the same parking area and once again, paid a ‘tip’ to the attendant! The parking area was full and partially flooded, but it did the job, and just like the first visit, it took a few attempts to find the entrance!