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Our top 3
- Best luxury: Gran Hotel Miramar: Málaga’s grand 1920s palace hotel, on the seafront at La Malagueta
- Best location: Catalonia Molina Lario: next to the cathedral, with a rooftop pool facing it
- Best value: Soho Boutique Bahía Málaga: simple, modern rooms a few minutes from Calle Larios and the port
How we chose
We only list hotels in Málaga’s old town, Soho, the port area and La Malagueta, so you can walk to the sights and the beach, plus a few on the coast for a beach holiday. Every hotel has a guest rating of at least 8.5 out of 10 on Booking.com, a character building, an outstanding location or a particularly good price, and a consistent record in recent reviews. Hotels pay nothing to appear here. We earn a commission if you book through our links, which never changes the price you pay. See our editorial policy.
The hotels
Luxury
Gran Hotel Miramar (La Malagueta). A palace hotel from the 1920s on the seafront, restored and reopened as a five-star hotel. Gardens with pools, a spa and the beach a short walk away. The centre is a 15–20 minute walk.
Check pricesPalacio Solecio (Centro Histórico). An 18th-century palace in the heart of the old town, restored as a small luxury hotel around its original courtyard, with a well-regarded restaurant.
Check pricesVincci Selección Posada del Patio (Centro, west edge). A five-star hotel near the Atarazanas market, built over remains of the old Roman and Moorish city walls. Rooftop pool with views of the old town.
Check pricesHotel Only You Málaga (Alameda and Soho). A design hotel with bold interiors, a rooftop pool and a bar, between the old town and the port.
Check pricesBoutique and mid-range
Catalonia Molina Lario (Centro Histórico). Contemporary rooms, some with cathedral views, and a rooftop pool and terrace looking over the cathedral and the sea. We think it is hard to beat for location.
Check pricesAC Hotel Málaga Palacio (Centro, by the port). A tall hotel between the cathedral and the Paseo del Parque, with port views from the upper floors and a rooftop terrace with a pool.
Check pricesParador de Málaga Gibralfaro (Gibralfaro hill). A stone-built parador next to the castle, with a pool and, we think, one of the best views of the city and the bay. Quiet at night, but you will need taxis to and from the centre.
Check pricesRoom Mate Valeria (Soho, near the port). A colourful design hotel with a rooftop terrace, a short walk from Muelle Uno and the Centre Pompidou.
Check pricesHotel Larios Málaga (Centro Histórico). In a 19th-century building on Calle Larios itself, with a rooftop terrace. In our view, the most central address in Málaga.
Check pricesBudget
Soho Boutique Bahía Málaga (Soho). Simple, clean and modern, a few minutes from Calle Larios, Muelle Uno and the airport train at Centro-Alameda.
Check pricesHotel del Pintor (Centro Histórico). A small, modern hotel near the Roman theatre and Plaza de la Merced.
Check pricesComparison table
| Hotel | Area | Price | Pool | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Hotel Miramar | La Malagueta | €€€€ | Yes | A special occasion, the beach |
| Palacio Solecio | Centro Histórico | €€€ | No | Couples, character |
| Vincci Selección Posada del Patio | Centro, west edge | €€€ | Yes | Rooftop pool, history |
| Hotel Only You Málaga | Alameda and Soho | €€€ | Yes | Design, rooftop bar |
| Catalonia Molina Lario | Centro Histórico | €€ | Yes | Location, cathedral views |
| AC Hotel Málaga Palacio | Centro, by the port | €€ | Yes | Port views |
| Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro | Gibralfaro hill | €€ | Yes | Views, quiet |
| Room Mate Valeria | Soho | €€ | Yes | Design, near the port |
| Hotel Larios Málaga | Centro Histórico | €€ | No | The most central address |
| Soho Boutique Bahía Málaga | Soho | € | No | Budget, location |
| Hotel del Pintor | Centro Histórico | € | No | Budget, old town |
€ under €100, €€ €100–200, €€€ €200–350, €€€€ over €350 for a double room in spring (approximate). Prices are higher in July and August, and during Semana Santa and the Feria.
On the coast: Torremolinos and Marbella
If you want a beach holiday with trips into Málaga, the coast is an easy train or bus ride away.
- Torremolinos: Hotel Pez Espada, a 1950s landmark on the beach, about 20 minutes from Málaga by train. See the beach options in where to stay in Málaga.
- Marbella (about an hour by car or bus): Hotel El Fuerte Marbella sits between the old town and the beach; Marbella Club Hotel and Puente Romano are the famous luxury resorts on the Golden Mile.
For a trip around Andalusia with a car, see our Andalusia road trip and car hire at Málaga airport.
Booking tips
- We recommend booking early for summer. July and August sell out first, on the coast and in the city, and prices rise as the date approaches.
- We’d choose free cancellation, then check the price again a few weeks before your trip.
- Semana Santa and the August Feria fill the old town. Book months ahead, and expect noise at night if your hotel is on a procession route.
- A pool matters from June to September. Among our picks, the rooftop pools at Molina Lario, Posada del Patio, Only You and AC Málaga Palacio are, we think, also great at sunset.
- We think winter is the best value. Apart from Christmas and New Year, prices drop and the weather is mild.
- Arriving by train or plane? The airport train stops at María Zambrano and Centro-Alameda, so hotels in Soho and the west of the old town are the quickest to reach with luggage.
Not sure about the area? Read where to stay in Málaga first, and see our Málaga travel guide and things to do in Málaga.
FAQ
What is the most famous hotel in Málaga?
The Gran Hotel Miramar, a 1920s palace hotel on the seafront at La Malagueta, restored as a five-star hotel.
Which Málaga hotels have a rooftop pool?
Among our picks: Catalonia Molina Lario, Vincci Selección Posada del Patio, Hotel Only You Málaga, AC Hotel Málaga Palacio, Room Mate Valeria and the Parador. The Gran Hotel Miramar has garden pools.
How much does a hotel in Málaga cost?
Prices change a lot with the season and the date, so compare them for your own dates: the price bands in the table above give a rough guide. Summer is more expensive; winter is the cheapest season.
Is it better to stay in Málaga or Marbella?
We’d say Málaga for a city break with museums, restaurants and easy trains; Marbella for luxury resorts and beach clubs. Many travellers spend a few nights in each.