As well as lovely beaches, world-class art museums and great food, Malaga is a destination where you can shop till you drop. Whether you’re looking for Spanish chain stores, quirky boutiques or shops selling typical produce, there’s plenty choose from. Here’s our guide to the 10 best places for Malaga shopping including Malaga shopping centres.
Shopping in Malaga and covid-19
After the covid-19 lockdown, shops in Malaga have reopened. It isn’t quite business as usual yet and you’ll notice strict hygiene rules in place. They include:
- Limited number of people allowed in each shop. Some small shops have set up their counters at the door.
- Hand sanitiser is available at every entrance and many shops ask you to use it when you go in.
- Masks are obligatory when you go in shops.
- Some shops have separate entrances and exits – follow the arrows!
- Social distancing rules – try to keep at least 2m away from other shoppers.
Read the latest about Covid in Malaga. Don’t let these rules put you off – the shop assistants are as friendly as ever and shopping is the same!
Malaga Shopping Streets
Calle Larios
When it was built at the end of the 19th century, this was the most elegant street in Spain and it still counts as one of the most exclusive in the country. Make this marble-lined pedestrian street your first stop for clothes shopping in Malaga.
Main shops – Spanish chain stores such as Mango, Massimo Dutti (with a giant store at the south end of the street), Woman’s Secret, Bimba and Lola are joined by Swedish brand COS. If you’re looking for Zara (also recently expanded), pop into Calle Liborio García on the left as you walk up Calle Larios. Women’s lingerie buyers are spoilt for choice – Larios is home to Victoria’s Secret, Oysho, Tezenis, Etam and Women’s Secret.
Top tip – most shops open all day from around 10am to 9pm. For a quieter look round the shops go at Spanish lunchtime (2-4pm).
Time out – grab a terrace table at Lepanto and watch the shoppers crowd by as you enjoy afternoon tea with a French patisserie-style cake.
Calle Nueva
Parallel to Calle Larios, this narrow pedestrian street has a good mix of stores from international brands to one-off shops only found in Malaga.
Main shops – Danish homeware store Flying Tiger sits at the top of the street where you’ll also find Footlocker plus numerous other shoe shops. Decathlon City has a small store here too as does the British brand Marks & Spencers. Before you get excited about the food halls, the branch sells lingerie only. We also like Natura, 3 floors of fashion accessories, quirky gifts and homeware – don’t miss the flamingos on the terraces!
Top tip – this is one of the busiest spots for shopping in Malaga. Avoid the crowds by going first thing or at Spanish lunchtime.
Time out – pop in La Bella Julieta in Puerta del Mar for a coffee and fresh bagel.
Calle Especería/ Cisneros
Perpendicular to Calle Larios and Calle Nueva, this street is a treasure trove of typically Spanish clothes.
Best shops – lots of different stores selling mainly fashion and accessories. Good choice of flamenco dress shops, traditional espadrilles and a good old Spanish sombrero.
Top tip – many of these shops are family-owned so close for lunch, usually from 2-5pm.
Time out – check out El Almacén del Indiano on the corner of Calle Cisneros and Calle Fernán González. Try typical Malaga produce before you buy.
What more? Walk down to Atarazanas Market, the largest in Malaga and packed with fresh food stalls.
Calle Compañía
To the left of the top of Calle Larios, this long street has a good mixture of independent stores along with bars and cafés.
Best shops – Carmen Thyssen Museum shop has great unusual gifts, Mapas and Compañía near the river sells maps galore as well as jigsaws and games, and the cancer hospice charity shop Cudeca has great vintage bargains.
Top tip – lose yourself in the side streets and discover some great little shops.
Time out – after maxing out on your credit card, treat your wallet to delicious budget tapas at Las Merchanas bar on Calle Mosquera.
Calle Andrés Pérez
This narrow street off Plaza de los Mártires has had a complete facelift with brand-new paving. Great for unusual small stores. Read our guide to this area of Malaga here.
Best shops – some lovely small boutiques, La Casa del Cardenal (one of the best antique shops in Malaga) and Mahatma Showroom with traditional children’s toys and an art gallery.
Top tip – take a side trip into Calle Pozos Dulces. Turn first right and follow the road round into you reach a vertical garden. Worth the maze!
Time out – treat yourself to a large ice-cream at Casa Mira on Calle Andrés Pérez. A much quieter location than their Calle Larios venue and stunningly designed.
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Malaga Shopping Centres
You´ll find a selection of malls for shopping in Malaga, some of which are close to the city centre and therefore within easy walking distance. For other Malaga shopping centres, you need to take public transport. Here’s our round-up:
Muelle Uno
Located on the port between the Pompidou Centre and the lighthouse, this is a good venue for browsing the shops (fashion, sports and accessories mainly). An art and crafts market takes place at weekends.
Top tip – do your shopping in the late afternoon and then take a seat to watch the sun go down over the Cathedral and Malaga ferris wheel.
Time out – splurge on a gourmet dinner at JCG Restaurante, the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Malaga.
El Corte Inglés
Spain’s flagship department store and a household name, here you’ll find everything you need under one roof from appliances to cosmetics and fashion to sports gear. Located over the Tetuán Bridge, about 10 minutes’ walk from Calle Larios.Top tip – January and July sales are especially good at El Corte Inglés when almost everything in the shop has a discount.
Time out – head for the Gourmet Experience on the top floor for a choice of tapas and meals to take out on to the rooftop balcony with great vistas of Malaga Cathedral and the city centre from the viewpoint. And if you get a Reward Card (see above), enjoy a free tapa and glass of wine!
Centro Larios
Located northwest of the bus and train stations, and about 15 minutes’ walk from Calle Larios, this 2-storey shopping centre has all the usual Spanish brands plus Malaga’s only Primark and Dunnes Stores. The mall had a recent total facelift and is brighter and lighter as a result. Restaurants are on the upper floor.
Top tip – give this a miss on Saturday afternoons when crowds flock to these Malaga shops.
Time out – Block House serves good steaks, but go early (1.30pm or 7.30pm) to avoid queuing for a table.
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Centro Vialia
Part of the main train station, this is the newest shopping centres in Malaga with a good choice of Spanish and international clothes shops plus Media Markt and lots of restaurants and cafés.
Top tip – a good place to spend time while you’re waiting for a train or bus to arrive.
Time out – leave the shopping centre and cross over the road to D’Cuadros with a nice terrace and good for morning coffee plus a cake.
Plaza Mayor
On the other side of the airport, this Malaga shopping centre is well out of town, but is a must if you’re looking for discount Nike gear (the Nike Outlet store is here) as well as all the Spanish clothes brands. Pop over the road to Ikea or take in an original version film at the cinema while you’re there.
MCARTHURGLEN DESIGNER OUTLET MALAGA
Southern Spain’s biggest luxury fashion outlet, opened on the east side of Plaza Mayor in February 2020. The complex has around 80 shops, all offering discounts on 100 top brands for fashion, accessories, sportswear and homewear. There are also 4 restaurants on site.
Top tip – you can get here on public transport – local train (cercanías) from the Alameda station (trains leave every 20 minutes, journey time 15 minutes) or the No 5 bus from the Alameda Principal (buses every 40 minutes, journey time around 40 minutes).
Time out – choose a bar or café in one of the square for a pleasant fountain-side refreshment.
Find these venues for Malaga shopping on a map.
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