Málaga · Things to do

An 11th-century Muslim palace-fortress built straight above a Roman theatre, linked by a walled ramp to the castle on the hill behind it. Both are run by the city and there is a combined ticket; the walk up is steep, and bus 35 saves your legs if it is hot.

In the Palacio de Buenavista at Calle San Agustín 8, open daily 10:00–19:00. The collection came largely from the artist's family, so it leans towards work he kept rather than the famous canvases; his birthplace on Plaza de la Merced is five minutes away.

The cathedral with one tower never finished, which is why the city calls it La Manquita. The interesting ticket is the guided cubiertas visit that takes you out onto the roof vaults; hours shift around the August feria, so check before you go.

A walkway bolted to the walls of the Gaitanes gorge, reached by train from Málaga María Zambrano to El Chorro. It is one-way and booked by timed slot; under-8s are not admitted and everyone 8 and over needs original ID for the age check. Parking at the visitor centre is €2 a day.

A 19th-century garden north of the city with more than 2,400 plant species, open 09:30–20:30 April to September and 09:30–17:30 October to March, closed 25 December and 1 January. Camino del Jardín Botánico 3 — you need a bus or a taxi, and it is the one green half-day in Málaga.