Hop On Hop Off Malaga

See Malaga’s castles, beaches, and museums from a red double-decker bus.

Tickets & Prices

City Sightseeing offers three ticket levels for Malaga. They all include unlimited rides on the Red, Blue, and Green routes, but the experiences differ based on what you want to see and do.

Ticket Comparison

Children under 4 ride free.

All tickets include audio commentary in 8 languages (Spanish, English, Italian, German, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, French) on the Red and Blue routes. The Green Route uses smaller minibuses without audio guides.

FAQs about Ticketing & Pricing

Route Map & Stops

Explore Malaga with 3 routes covering 30 stops at major attractions. The Red Route is the main tourist loop covering 14 stops around the city center and coastline. The Blue Route focuses on museums with 5 stops. The Green Route takes you to the Botanical Garden and other spots away from the center, with 13 stops.

Your ticket works on all three routes. Hop on and off as many times as you want during your ticket period.

Timetable

What to See & Do

Listen to Audio Commentary in 8 Languages

As the bus rolls through Malaga, plug in your headphones and select your language. The audio guide tells you what you’re seeing as you pass each landmark. You’ll hear about the Phoenicians who founded the city 3,000 years ago, the Moorish rulers who built Gibralfaro Castle, and Picasso’s childhood in Plaza de la Merced.

The commentary mixes historical facts with local stories and practical tips. Available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Russian. Headphones are free on board, but bring your own if you want better sound quality. The Green Route doesn’t have audio commentary because it uses smaller minibuses.

See 30 Landmarks Across Malaga

The three routes cover 30 stops across the city. You’ll see the Pompidou Centre, Gibralfaro Castle, beach restaurants, the Botanical Garden, the Cathedral, bullring, port, museums, and Picasso’s birthplace.

The Red Route alone takes you past most of the major sights. Do the full 77-minute loop first to understand the city’s layout, then hop off at places that interest you.

Climb Gibralfaro Castle for Panoramic Views

The castle sits 132 meters above the city on a hilltop. From the defensive walls, you can see the entire bay, the bullring below, the port stretching into the Mediterranean, and mountains in the distance. On clear days, you can see a long way out.

The 14th-century fortress was built to protect the Alcazaba and earned a reputation as the most impregnable fortification in al-Andalus. Walk the 733-meter wall, climb the eight towers, and visit the Interpretation Centre in the old gunpowder magazine.

The hop-on hop-off bus drops you at the entrance. Walking up from the city center takes about 20 minutes on a steep path, and in summer heat, that’s brutal. Let the bus do the work.

Explore Contemporary Art at the Pompidou Centre

The bright multicolored cube near the port houses the first permanent Centre Pompidou outside France. Inside, you’ll find 20th and 21st-century art from the Paris museum’s collection. The permanent tour covers works by Miró, Picasso, Barceló, and contemporary Spanish artists.

They rotate temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Even if modern art isn’t your thing, the building stands out and gets photographed a lot.

Relax at Playa de la Malagueta

This is Malaga’s main city beach, a 1,200-meter stretch of sand just minutes from the old town. The beach is lined with palm trees and chiringuitos serving fresh seafood. Order grilled sardines (espetos), fried fish (pescaíto frito), or paella. Grab a cold beer and watch the Mediterranean waves.

The water is warm and calm. Good for swimming. The sand gets very hot in summer, so bring sandals or flip-flops. It’s busy with locals and tourists, but that’s how city beaches are. You’re in the middle of a working city, not some isolated resort.

Wander Through the Botanical-Historical Garden

This English landscape garden north of the city is home to more than 50,000 plants. The historical section features waterfalls, fountains, greenhouses, and ancient palm trees. One of Europe’s best palm collections grows here.

The botanical section is organized scientifically with areas for aquatic plants, prehistoric species, African plants, and vines. Walk the forest trails, find the viewpoints, and enjoy the quiet. You won’t hear traffic or see crowds here.

During Christmas, they light up the whole garden for special night visits. The Green Route (Stop 8) takes you directly there. Remember, the Green Route doesn’t run on Mondays.

Visit Picasso’s Birthplace

Pablo Picasso was born in Plaza de la Merced in 1881. The house is now a small museum dedicated to his early years. You’ll see family photos, early sketches, and personal items from his childhood.

The collection isn’t massive, but you’re standing in the rooms where one of history’s most influential artists grew up. The plaza outside has cafes where you can sit with a coffee and watch the neighborhood.

Sample Fresh Seafood at Port Restaurants

The port area (Muelle Uno) is packed with restaurants and bars overlooking the water. This is where you’ll find everything from casual tapas spots to upscale seafood restaurants.

Order gambas al pil pil (garlic prawns), pulpo a la gallega (Galician octopus), or whatever the catch of the day is. Good for watching boats come and go while you eat. Yes, it’s touristy, but the seafood is still decent and the views help.

See the Ornate Bullring

Plaza de Toros is one of the most Spanish buildings you’ll encounter. This massive circular structure hosts bullfights during the season. The facade is detailed, the building perfectly round, and it’s been standing for centuries.

You can admire it from the street or book a guided tour to see the interior and arena. No pressure either way.

Cruise the Bay of Malaga

The boat tour (included in Essential and Ultimate tickets) takes you along the coast for one hour. You’ll see the city from the water, cruise past the port and beaches, and get a different perspective on Malaga’s coastline.

The boat runs daily at 12:00, 13:30, 16:00, and 17:30. You can buy drinks on board. It’s a nice break from walking and gives you time to sit down and relax while still sightseeing.

Shop and Stroll on Calle Larios

This pedestrian shopping street is Malaga’s main shopping avenue. The stores range from international chains to local boutiques, and the street is always busy. Come in the evening when locals are out for their paseo (evening walk). During Christmas, they string up overhead lights that look great at night.

FAQs