Malaga sits on the southern coast of Spain, pressed between the Mediterranean and the hills that rise sharply behind the old city. The streets are narrow in the centre, lined with wine bars and small restaurants that open late and stay open later. A date here can take many forms: a slow meal on a rooftop with views of the port, a walk through gardens planted in the 1850s, or an evening watching flamenco in a theatre small enough to hear the dancer’s breath. The city rewards those who take their time.
Choosing What Suits You
Malaga works for many types of couples. Some want a long meal with wine and a view. Others prefer a quiet garden or an afternoon in warm water. Some come looking for something less conventional, like those who find a sugar daddy or pursue other relationship paths that match their preferences.
Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro
The Parador sits on Gibralfaro hill, above the city and its port. The restaurant serves Andalusian dishes updated by season, with fresh fish at the centre of most plates. Specialities include gazpachuelo malagueño, ajoblanco, rice-in-broth preparations, and aubergines in tempura. Meat options run to cabrito and Iberian pork shoulder. The chef is Pedro Jesús Martínez Márquez. According to TheFork, expect to pay around €35 per person.
The bar opens daily from 8:00 AM to midnight, as noted on Malaga Rooftop Bars. Evening dress is smart casual. Book ahead for terrace seating on weekends or holidays. According to Wanderlog reviews, the walk down into town takes about 20 minutes, and bus 35 runs back up the hill.
Bodega Bar El Pimpi
Founded in 1971, El Pimpi is a wine cellar with deep roots in Malaga. Holidayguru, as cited on El Pimpi’s official website, reported that Tripadvisor reviews mentioned the word “beautiful” 629 times, crowning it the most beautiful restaurant in Spain. The terrace overlooks the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba.
Malaga Guru notes that Antonio Banderas is a partial owner. The main lounge holds vintage wine barrels signed by the Picasso family, painter Barceló, bullfighter Cordobês, the Duchess of Alba, Carmen Thyssen, and Banderas himself. The restaurant is at Calle Granada, 62, and opens daily from 12:00 until close. Local dishes and sweet Malaga wine are the main draw.
Hammam Al Ándalus Málaga
This hammam occupies a renovated space in the historic centre, designed to recall the Arab baths of Al Ándalus. The ritual includes cold, warm, and hot water pools, a steam room, and rest areas. Moorish decoration covers the walls.
According to Andalucia.com, the hammam is at Plaza Mártires, 5. It opens from 10am to 11:30pm, Monday through Sunday, and closes only on 1 January. Bath sessions run at 10am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm. Each lasts about 90 minutes, including a 15-minute massage or kessa. Prices start at €50 through GetYourGuide and Civitatis. Guests choose their own essential oils: rose, lavender, jasmine, or red amber.
Teatro Flamenco Málaga Club
This venue is one of Malaga’s newer flamenco stages. The show, Esencia, features top-tier flamenco artists from Spain and elsewhere in a one-hour performance. The theatre is small, and the acoustics are strong.
España Guide reports three daily shows at 5:30pm, 7:00pm, and 8:30pm. Tickets start at €29. Premium options include front-row seats and a complimentary drink. The address is C. Lazcano 5, 29008 Málaga. GetYourGuide notes wheelchair access and a one-hour duration. Alternatively, Tablao Flamenco Alegría at Calle Velez Malaga 6 offers shows at 6pm, 8pm, and 10:30pm for €28 per person.
La Concepción Historical Botanical Garden
The garden opened around 1855, created by the Marquis of Casa Loring and later extended by the Echevarría-Echevarrieta family. According to Spain.info, notable features include the Loringiano Museum, a small Doric-style church, and a wisteria-covered pergola near the palace. The paths wind through semi-tropical plants, ponds, waterfalls, and streams.
Malagacar.com states that the garden holds more than 50,000 plants, making it one of Europe’s few subtropical gardens. It sits 6km from Malaga centre, a 15-minute walk from the last stop on the number 20 bus. Opening hours are 9:30 to 20:30 from April to September, and 9:30 to 17:30 from October to March. Closed 25 December and 1 January.
Baños del Carmen Beach and Restaurant
This beach lies on Malaga’s east coast, 550 metres long and 5 metres wide, made of boulders and gravel. The old spa building dates to 1918, constructed on the ruins of Monte San Telmo. According to the Provincial Council of Malaga, the site was a leisure space for the upper classes.
Visitanddo describes watching the sun set here as one of the best romantic plans in Malaga. El Balneario restaurant offers views of the Mediterranean, with seafood and local dishes on the menu. Wanderlog notes the elegant setting. Bus lines 3, 11, 33, and 34 run from Paseo del Parque to the Bolivia stop near the beach.
Gibralfaro Castle Viewpoint
The Gibralfaro Castle sits on a hill above Malaga, dating to the 10th century. From the viewpoint midway along the walk to the fortress, you can see the bay, the city centre, the Muelle 1 port, and the bullring. This is the angle used in most photographs of the city.
According to Visitanddo, the fortress itself was built in the 14th century to protect the Alcazaba. Bus 35 runs from the centre to the castle entrance. Summer hours are 9am to 8pm; winter hours are 9am to 6pm. The sunset from here is worth the trip.
Muelle Uno Waterfront
Muelle Uno is a waterfront promenade with shops, restaurants, and marina views. Hello Malaga mentions the Michelin-starred José Carlos García Restaurant and El Palmeral de las Sorpresas, a landscaped area with palm trees, fountains, and statues designed by Junquera Arquitectos and completed in 2011.
According to Andalucia.com, Muelle Uno is five minutes from Calle Larios, the main pedestrianised shopping street. The Centre Pompidou Málaga sits beneath a colourful glass cube that has become a city landmark. Sunset here is particularly good, and several restaurants offer sea views.
