Málaga is bursting with history and culture with some of the Costa del Sol’s best art, history, and archaeological museums. In this lively beach town you’ll find everything from Pablo Picasso’s sketches to artifacts recovered from Roman and Moorish civilizations. If you’re spending a few days in this seaside city, check out these four museums in Málaga.

Picasso Museum: Most Popular Museum in Málaga

The city holds enormous pride over being Picasso’s birthplace. The Picasso Museum in Málaga opened in 2003 and quickly became the city’s most popular museum. You won’t find the artist’s most famous paintings in Málaga–“Guernica” is in Madrid’s Reina Sofia Museum and Barcelona’s Picasso Museum holds a larger collection of his works. But Málaga’s Picasso Museum offers an intimate look at the painter and his process through his sketches and sculptures that led him to create his masterpieces. The line to enter this museum can get long, especially on the weekends. Go on a weekday or queue early in the morning as the museum opens. 

Check out the Picasso Museum’s website for entry fees and hours. 

Tip: Visit Picasso’s family home in Plaza de la Merced, Museo Casa Natal Picasso. Learn more about the artist’s personal life from his childhood in Málaga to the city’s effect on his identity and artwork. 

Museo de Málaga: Best History Museum in Málaga

The Málaga Museum is easily the city’s largest museum in the Old Town. It’s located in the old custom’s house, where goods entering and exiting the city were registered. Part archaeological and art museum, the Málaga Museum offers visitors a great overview of the city’s history, from its earliest civilizations through the early twentieth century. Don’t miss the storage room on the first floor where miscellaneous items from the museum’s collection are on display.

For more information about entry fees and hours, visit the Málaga Museum website.

Carmen Thyssen Museum: Best Art Museum in Málaga

Carmen Thyssen Museum is personally my favorite museum in Málaga. The museum displays the private collection of Baroness Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza including primarily nineteenth century Spanish paintings of the Andalucía region. From beautiful landscapes to depictions of everyday life in the south of Spain, I love seeing familiar scenes like the Giralda in Seville, bullfights, or women in flamenco dresses depicted in beautifully painted portraits. 

For more information about entry fees and hours, visit the Carmen Thyssen Museum website.

Centro Pompidou: Best Contemporary Art Museum in Málaga

Centro Pompidou is a branch of the famous Centre Pompidou in Paris and the institution’s first outside of France. If you’re fascinated by contemporary art, Málaga’s Centro Pompidou is a must-see. Exhibits rotate about twice a year, meaning you’ll discover something different with each visit. Guided tours are free and run frequently throughout the day.

For more information about entry fees and hours, visit the Centre Pompidou Malaga website.

When are museums free in Málaga?

Many museums in Málaga offer free entrance for visitors on certain days. You may also get a discounted ticket if you’re a Málaga resident. Check their websites for more details and up to date information.

How many museums are in Málaga?

According to the Málaga Tourism website, the city has close to 40 museums and exposition spaces. The majority are well off the tourist trail. For example, there’s the Russian Museum of Málaga with an impressive collection of Russian art. There are also two small art museums dedicated to local artists, Museo Félix Revello de Toro and Museum Jorge Rando.