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Málaga is one of the Spanish cities with the highest number of museums per square metre, and a large proportion of them can be visited free of charge. There are museums with free entry all year round and others that offer free entry at specific times, almost always on Sunday afternoons. With a bit of planning, you can see several top-class collections without spending a penny.
In this guide, we look at which museums offer free entry and when, how to fit them into your itinerary, and what else you can do in the city at no cost. If you’d like to learn about the historic centre and its context before exploring it on your own, you can round off the day with a guided tour of Málaga.
These museums don’t charge an admission fee on any day, so they’re the perfect place to start your day.
Located in the Customs House, in the square of the same name, houses the collections of Fine Arts and Archaeology in the city and is one of the most comprehensive in Andalusia. Its collection includes paintings by José de Ribera, Francisco de Zurbarán and Joaquín Sorolla, and archaeological artefacts dating from prehistoric times to the Roman period.
The Admission is free for European Union citizens accredited visitors, and free for everyone on Sundays from 2.00 pm. It’s next to Málaga Park and at the foot of the Alcazaba, so it goes perfectly with the Roman Theatre.
The Contemporary Art Centre Admission is free all year round, and it hosts temporary exhibitions of international contemporary art which are updated regularly, so that every visit is a different experience.
It also offers free guided tours, educational programmes and family activities, alongside talks, workshops and film screenings. It is situated near the mouth of the Guadalmedina River, just a short walk from the town centre.
In the 12 Cruz del Molinillo Street, is the the first and only museum dedicated to Expressionism and Neo-Expressionism in Spain. Its seven galleries showcase the work of Jorge Rando and, on a temporary basis, that of contemporary artists associated with that movement. Free admission for all visitors.
Next to the airport, explore the history of aviation with real aeroplanes and simulators. It is free and a great option if you’re travelling with children, although it’s worth checking its opening days as it isn’t open every day of the week.
The Municipal Heritage Museum, situated very close to Málaga Park, houses the City Council’s art collection: paintings, sculptures and decorative arts linked to the city’s history, from the 15th century to the present day. It is free entry and it’s usually a fair bit less crowded than the big-name venues.
Here’s the secret to visiting the most famous museums for free. Five of the major venues are offering free entry on Sundays from 4.00 pm, until closing time.
And one important exception that is often overlooked: the Revello de Toro Museum, dedicated to the Málaga-born painter Félix Revello de Toro, is also open free of charge on Sundays, but mornings only. If you leave it until the afternoon, you’ll miss out. It’s right in the city centre, near Plaza de la Merced, and for the rest of the week there’s a reduced admission fee, with free entry for children under 14 and pensioners.
| Museum | When is it free? |
|---|---|
| Museum of Malaga | Always for EU citizens; Sundays from 2.00 pm for everyone |
| CAC Malaga | Always |
| Jorge Rando Museum | Always |
| Aviation Museum | Always |
| MUPAM | Always |
| Picasso Museum Malaga | Sundays, last two hours |
| Carmen Thyssen Museum | Sunday afternoons |
| Picasso's Birthplace | Sunday afternoons |
| Centre Pompidou Malaga | Sundays from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm |
| Russian Museum Collection | Sundays from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm |
| Revello de Toro Museum | Sundays, mornings only |
The open-access timetables are reviewed each season, so Check the screening times on the museum’s official website on the day of your visit.
With so many free events taking place on Sunday afternoon, you’re forced to choose, as there isn’t enough time to do everything. One approach that works:
And a date to note down: the International Museum Day, on 18 May, and the White Night Many venues that charge an entry fee during the rest of the year are open for free, with activities and guided tours included.
The free attractions aren’t limited to museums. The historic centre itself serves as an open-air museum:
If you’re planning a walking route, you’ll find our guide on What to see in Málaga in 3 days and the selection of 8 must-see monuments in Malaga.
If you have a few more days, Málaga is an excellent base from which to explore the rest of Andalusia. Here are three day trips with pick-up from central Málaga:
Sunday is the big day. From 4.00 pm, the Picasso Museum — for its final two hours —, the Carmen Thyssen Museum, Picasso’s Birthplace, the Centre Pompidou and the Russian Museum Collection are all open free of charge. The Revello de Toro Museum is also free on Sundays, but only in the morning. Other museums, such as the one in Málaga, the CAC and the Jorge Rando Museum, are free every day.
Admission is always free at the CAC Málaga, the Jorge Rando Museum, the Aeronautical Museum and the MUPAM. The Málaga Museum, in the Palacio de la Aduana, is free for accredited European Union citizens and open to everyone free of charge on Sundays from 2.00 pm.
On Sundays, during the last two hours of opening hours. As closing times vary depending on the season, this time slot changes: in July and August the museum closes at 8.00 pm; from September to October and from March to June, at 7.00 pm; and from November to February, at 6.00 pm. It’s best to arrive a little early, as this is the busiest time of day.
Yes, but it’s best to be selective. In the morning, you can visit the ones that are always open, such as the Málaga Museum or the Jorge Rando Museum, as well as the Revello de Toro, which is only free during those hours. From 4.00 pm onwards, it’s best to visit one or two of the Sunday-opening museums: the Picasso, the Thyssen and the Casa Natal are all close to one another in the historic centre.
Head up to the Gibralfaro viewpoint, stroll along Calle Larios and through the historic centre, explore the Atarazanas Market, see the Roman Theatre at the foot of the Alcazaba, walk through Málaga Park beside the harbour and enjoy the beaches at La Malagueta or Pedregalejo. The old town is like an open-air museum.
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