10 Things to Do in Malaga in December

Visiting the city of Malaga for the month of December and Christmas is one of the best decisions you can make. Its climate, with around 300 days of sunshine all year round, offers tourists and locals alike plenty of fun alternatives all year round!

Another great advantage of visiting Costa del Sol during this season is the evident decrease in the number of tourists visiting the place, which will leave you with more space to enjoy the best things to do in Malaga with more ease and comfort.

Here is a list of specific, fun and recommended things to do in Malaga in December. Organise your trip with these suggestions in mind and include as many of them as possible in your travel itinerary.

December is a lovely time to visit Spain, but especially Malaga. If you have the opportunity to organise a trip during the festive season, you should know that both in the city and in the surrounding area there are some of the liveliest and most picturesque Christmas Markets.

Shopping in the markets is one of the best things to do in Malaga, while you walk through the streets and learn more about its history and culture. Here is a small list of the most traditional and popular markets in Malaga.

Christmas Market in Muelle Uno

Muelle Uno in Malaga is a space frequently used for the celebration of fairs and local events. During the Christmas season it is no different and this place, which offers wonderful views of the Mediterranean Sea, hosts the largest Christmas market in the city.

If you decide to attend you will find a variety of stalls selling clothes, handicrafts, but above all gastronomy and locally produced sausages and cold meats.

• Date: The market is set up at the end of November and extends beyond Epiphany in January.
• Opening hours: Open to the public from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Christmas Market in Fuengirola

Considered one of the most original and beautiful markets on the Costa del Sol, the event takes place in the Plaza de la Constitución in the small town of Fuengirola. It is located 30 minutes drive southwest of Malaga.

• Date: From the beginning of December until approximately 20th December.
• Timetable: From 10:30 h until 18 h.

The Corralones are one of Malaga's hidden surprises: traditional houses with interior courtyards of Andalusian design, full of plants and flowers. They are private residences that remain closed most of the year. However, in mid-December and for a week they open their doors to the public.

Historically, these spaces were designed for the enjoyment of the social activities of the families who lived in the complex. During the week of the Corralones festival, the best decorated and most beautiful courtyard is chosen.

Visit as many of the Corralones in Malaga as you get the chance and see some of the most beautiful Spanish patios you have ever seen. Even if your stay is of short duration, like 3 days in Malaga or less, I recommend to dedicate an afternoon to this tour.

Useful information

• Location: These traditional buildings are mainly located in the Malaga neighbourhood of La Trinidad and also in the Perchel neighbourhood.
• Price: The event is free for the general public.
• Opening hours: Opening hours may vary, generally open to the public from morning until dusk.

If you're in town for the festive season one of the best things to do in Malaga at night is to enjoy the wonderful Christmas lights that flood Malaga's main squares, streets and historic buildings.

The Christmas lights in Malaga are inaugurated at the end of November and remain installed until the first days of January; consequently December is the best month to enjoy the spectacle, during these days one of the best plans is always to take a walk through the streets to enjoy the lights, taste some tapas or a glass of wine.

Useful information

• Location: The most famous and most elaborate stretch of lights is possibly the one on Calle Larios taking the route in the direction of Plaza Constitución. However, I highly recommend wandering the side streets and the surrounding area to find some really impressive creations.
• Price: Not necessary, just reserve one of your evenings to walk the streets of Malaga alone or with friends.

Every year in December the famous departmental group El Corte Inglés installs in the heart of Malaga its attraction called El Pueblo Navideño. A place of family fun where you can find everything from carousels, snow decorations, sledges, slides, a Christmas train and an ice rink.

If you go to Malaga with children in the month of December this is an attraction that you simply cannot miss. The Malaga ice rink at the Corte Inglés is usually installed in the first days of December and remains open to the public until after Epiphany.

Useful information

• Location: El Corte Inglés de Málaga is located on Av, Andalucía in the Central District of Málaga. You will find several bus lines that stop just a few minutes away, for example Alameda Principal and Plaza de Arriola.
• Price: Tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket office at a price of around €6 per participant.
• Opening hours: The official opening hours are Monday to Sunday, open to the public from 11am to 2pm and from 4pm to 10pm, so you'll have plenty of time to organise a visit.

Christmas concerts in Malaga usually take place in different theatres and art centres in the city, generally in the days before Christmas.

As you will soon realise, music and dance form an important part of Malaga's culture and traditions. For this reason, if you go to the city in December, take the opportunity to enjoy the traditional Christmas concerts and also some of the best flamenco shows in Malaga, in any of its wonderful local tablaos.

You'll find numerous options all over the city. The best way to buy tickets is directly from the box office on the day of the performance; some concerts, such as the one in Malaga Cathedral, are free.

Some of the most popular and eagerly awaited performances are:

• The Christmas concert of the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra.
• The concert of the Joven Orquesta Barroca in Malaga Cathedral.
• The concerts at the Teatro Cánova.
• The numerous shows at the Echegaray Theatre.

From December to January is the season with the most rainy days in Malaga. If you happen to catch a rainy day during your holidays, the city has excellent alternatives for these occasions; one of my favourites is to visit the amazing museums of Malaga and spend an afternoon exploring the more artistic side of the city.

As you may remember, Malaga is famous for being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, which is why the Picasso Museum is one of the most visited museums in the city. Here you can find the most complete collection of the famous artist's works, but also exhibitions of other famous art figures.

Useful information

• Location: The Museum is located in the historic Buenavista Palace on Calle San Agustín. The Museum is located in the heart of the historic centre of Malaga; the best way to get to and around this area of the city is on foot.
• Price: The best way to buy tickets is usually a few days before your trip using a digital channel. The ticket price for the Picasso Museum is around €11 per adult participant.
• Opening hours: The official opening hours of the Picasso Museum are from 10am to 6pm in the evening.

Winter is undoubtedly the best time to take a road trip through the beautiful valleys, seascapes, and villages of Malaga's Costa del Sol. An excursion to Gibraltar, for example, is an ideal day trip from Malaga.

Gibraltar is less than 2 hours from Malaga. This small British Overseas Territory enjoys pleasant temperatures all year round. December is an excellent month to explore it, as the tourist flow is greatly reduced.

Bear in mind that the territory is extremely small, so a day trip is usually enough time to explore all the highlights.

It is best to plan and book your tickets in advance before your arrival in Malaga. Excursions are priced at around 70€, which covers return transport, guide accompaniment and entrance fees to some attractions.

Famous throughout Europe, Malaga's beaches are the city's unique trademark. No matter what time of year you visit Malaga, you should make the most of your trip to take a quick dip in the Mediterranean waters.

If you have the opportunity to combine a swim in the beaches with a snorkelling experience in crystal clear waters and even a boat trip around Malaga, you'll get the full Costa del Sol experience.

December is an excellent month to carry out these activities and enjoy a day of fun in the sea in Malaga due to the low number of visitors to these areas and the pleasant temperatures that can be enjoyed. On sunny days, temperatures on the coast range between 20 and 25 degrees.

The city of Malaga offers numerous dream places to carry out this adventure, one of the favourite places of the locals is the Natural Park of the municipality of Nerja, known asthe cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo, a 50 minute drive from Malaga.

A perfect month to enjoy another of Malaga's great pleasures; as well as its beautiful beaches, there is the delicious gastronomy of southern Spain.

In December you can enjoy the traditional gastronomic tours of Malaga, but also the seasonal delicacies andseasonal dishes that are only prepared for the holidays, such as picadillo soup, lomo en manteca or borrachuelos.

The tours usually last about 2 or 3 hours and are accompanied by an expert guide. When you book them, you can choose to do it at different times during the day, so it can be carried out even in a 1-day trip to Malaga.

For these experiences it is best to book in advance using digital channels, this way you ensure availability for the day and time that best suits your itinerary. The average price of the experience is around €79 per participant.

Take a break from the more traditional tourist activities to visit the famous Hammam of Malaga. I recommend taking advantage of the slightly cooler winter temperatures to enjoy this activity.

The Turkish baths are a way to connect with the remnants of Moorish culture and, of course, relax in the process. The spa experience includes steam baths, relaxing exfoliating massages, time for swimming in indoor pools and tasting traditional Arabic mint tea.

If you want to learn more about the Moorish heritage in the city of Malaga, you should take the opportunity to visit the ancient Alcazaba Castle, one of the most impressive historical sights.

Useful information

• Where to find them: one of the most traditional and famous Arab hammams, El Hammam Al Ándalus, is located in the heart of the old town.
• Price: the cost of the experience is usually around €55 per participant.