Malaga & Granada, Spain - Travel Guide

Malaga offers a vibrant coastal experience with historic sites, beautiful beaches, and a lively food scene. Granada is a captivating city known for the stunning Alhambra palace, rich Moorish history, and a charming, walkable old town.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay5 days

Budget$60/day

Mid-range$150/day

Luxury$500/day

Known For

AndalusiaSouthern SpainCosta del SolAlhambraSierra Nevada

🇪🇸 Country Information: Spain

CapitalMadrid

CurrencyEuro (€)

Language Spanish , Catalan, Galician, Basque, Valencian

Phone Code+34

Electricity230V (Type C, F)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is generally not obligatory but appreciated for good service; 5
10% in restaurants is common for good service, rounding up taxi fares, small change for baristas

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available, especially in urban areas
Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas, but smaller establishments might prefer cash
It's good to have some cash for small purchases and less urban areas
There is no black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Meal times are typically later than in many other countries, with dinner often starting at 9 PM or later
Siesta is less common in major cities but still observed in smaller towns
Personal space can be closer than in some other cultures
Dress codes are generally casual but respectful, especially when visiting religious sites

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Spain is very LGBTQ+ friendly with comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and legal same-sex marriage since 2005. There is strong societal acceptance.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are complex: private use and cultivation of cannabis are decriminalized, but public consumption and trafficking are illegal and carry severe penalties

Special Laws

It is illegal to drink alcohol in public spaces outside of designated areas
Smoking is prohibited in many public indoor spaces
Nudity and topless sunbathing are allowed on some beaches but can be restricted in others

Common Phrases

HelloHola (OH-lah) Hola

PleasePor favor (por fah-VOR) Por favor

Excuse mePerdón (per-DOHN) Perdón

Thank youGracias (GRAH-see-ahs) Gracias

Climate

Malaga is coastal, Granada is inland and at higher altitude.

Climate Zone: Mediterranean

Best Time to Visit

Hot Season: Jun
Aug
Cold Season: Dec
Feb

Getting There

Fly into Malaga Airport (AGP)
Direct flights from major European cities
High
speed train (AVE) from Madrid to Malaga (approx
2
5
3 hours, €40
€80)
Train/bus from Malaga to Granada (approx
1
5
2 hours, €10
€20)

Getting Around

Local buses are efficient in both cities
Metro in Malaga
Taxis widely available
Ride
sharing apps like Uber and Cabify operate in Malaga and Granada

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations recommended
No specific altitude sickness concerns
Probiotics can be useful for digestive health
No malaria risk

Staying Connected

eSIMs widely available
Orange, Vodafone, Movistar are major providers
Airalo, Nomad, and Holafly eSIMs work well

Local Cuisine

Espeto de Sardinas must_try

If Malaga had a culinary postcard, this would be it. Sardines are skewered on long canes and roasted over wood, a popular and traditional dish found a

Tapas (in Granada) regional_speciality

Granada is one of the few cities left in Spain where a plate of food (tapas) is still offered for free when you order a drink. This cultural practice

Porra Antequerana seasonal

A cold, thick soup typical of Antequera (near Malaga), made with tomatoes, bread, red pepper, olive oil, and garlic. It is typically served with toppi

Berenjenas con Miel regional_speciality

Fried eggplant slices drizzled with cane honey (miel de caña). This dish is popular in Andalusia and represents a delicious combination of sweet and s

Pescaito Frito must_try

A mixed plate of various types of small fried fish, a staple of Malaga's coastal cuisine. This dish highlights the fresh seafood available in the regi

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Alhambra Palace and Generalife Tickets (Granada) Attraction

Book 2–6 months in advance

The Alhambra is an extremely popular Spanish cultural landmark with a strictly limited number of daily tickets, causing them to sell out months in advance.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Intercity Train/Bus Transport between Malaga and Granada Transport

Book 3 weeks to 3 months in advance

Booking in advance secures cheaper fares (especially on trains) and ensures availability on preferred dates and times, as services can fill up.

Fun Facts

1. In Malaga, the city's cathedral is nicknamed "La Manquita" (The One-Armed Lady) because its second tower was never completed due to a lack of financing.
2. The residents of Malaga are affectionately known as "Boquerones" (anchovies), which is also a local delicacy often served as tapas in the city's bars.
3. Granada is one of the few places where you can ski in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the morning and drive to a Mediterranean beach in the afternoon, as the coast is only 70 kilometers away.
4. Granada offers free tapas with every drink order, a longstanding tradition that makes the city a unique culinary destination in Spain.

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