Trying to decide where to stay in Malaga? This guide has you covered! Personally curated by us, here are the best hostels, apartments and hotels in Malaga.

Whether you’re visiting Málaga on a weekend city break, just stopping by for a couple of days on an Andalusian road trip, or planning an entire week to enjoy the coast, the old town and the surrounding countryside, the accommodation and neighbourhood that you pick will likely have a big impact on your overall experience.

But how, amongst all the hundreds upon hundreds of hotel and apartment listings are you supposed to pick the very best place for you, your travel style and your budget. Well, that’s where this guide comes in!

After our own experience in the southern Spanish city, we’ve scoured hundreds and hundreds of hotel, hostel and Airbnb listings and reviews across Málaga, to create this curated collection of the best places to stay in the city. Broken down into five different nighbourhoods, and offering up options to cover every budget, you can be confident that you will find your perfect hotel room or apartment below.

This is our complete guide on where to stay in Málaga.

Malaga Neighbourhoods

Historic Centre | Ideal for short trips and first timers
Lagunillas | Local vibes, good value & street art
Soho | The cool neighbourhood
Playas del Palo | For beach lovers & families
El Perchel | Budget friendly

picking the right accommodation for your budget

To help you, we've shared price ranges with the following symbol:

£ | Less than £100 a night

££ | Less than £200 a night

£££ | Less than £300 a night

Note that these prices refer to the early summer period.

Where to Stay in Malaga

Historic Centre | Ideal for Short Trips

If you’re only in Malaga for a handful off nights, visiting for the first time, or are only really interested in the city’s major attractions, staying in the historic centre may be ideal for you.

Malaga is a very walkable city, and should you choose to stay within the old walls, you’ll never be more than a 10-15 minute walk away from the most popular landmarks.

The only downside is that this area tends to get the most crowded, even during the lower season, and can be a tad overwhelming at some points. It’s also one of the more expensive areas to stay in meaning that prices tend to be on the higher side.

Historic Centre Hotels

La Casa Mata Central (£) | If budget is your prime concern, be sure to take a look at this colourful guesthouse on the outskirts of the historic centre. Rooms are clean, comfortable and with a modern feel; the reviews are also great. Find out more here.

Two other fantastic value options in the centre include Malaga City Suites (honestly, they look like the should cost more!) and Alcazaba Premium Hotel.

LD Convento Cister (££) | Offering just six rooms, and located in a beautiful historic building that has been sensitively refurbished, LD Convento Cister embraces a neutral palette with a contemporary softness - both across the communal area as well as the rooms. Guests speak very highly of the host, the decor, the breakfast and the location but do be aware that this is not a traditional hotel, in that there are only reception staff on-site a couple of hours a day. Find out more here.

Vincci Selección Posada del Patio (£££) | If you want true luxury, look no further than Vincci Selección Posada del Patio. Located in an old posada, this is Malaga’s premier 5* hotel and ideally located hotel for the city’s major attractions. It offers a gorgeous lobby with rotating art exhibits (and a stretch of preserved Roman wall), rooms with a contemporary style design, and a wonderful wooden decked rooftop terrace with a fantastic pool and spectacular views over the city. Find out more here.

The hotel chain also has another property in the city, the 4* Vincci Larios Diez.

Palacio Solecio (£££) | Offering luxury at a slightly lower price point, this beautiful hotel (also excellently located) has undergone an ambitious restoration, maintaining stunning original features but combining creative contemporary Andalusian design - it’s fast becoming one of the city’s most popular places to stay, drink, eat, and be seen. Find out more here.

Molina Lario (££) | A family-owned and sophisticated 4* hotel housed within two elegant 19th-century buildings and overlooking Málaga’s cathedral, it recently underwent a significant makeover by the Spanish designer, Martinez Otero. Rooms have a romantic, contemporary-design that feels somewhat boutique (despite there being more than 100 rooms), and guests can enjoy a swim in the gorgeous rooftop pool or hang out at the happening rooftop bar. Find out more here.

There are a really good selection of mid-range hotels in central Malaga, including:

H10 Croma Málaga (££) | Likely such good value due to it being ever so slightly south west of the historic centre, H10 Croma offers modern rooms plus an incredible rooftop pool area.

Málaga Premium Hotel (££) | Grey walls and pops of colourful wallpaper set these hotel rooms apart whilst maintaining a contemporary vibe, but the real draw is the incredible views offered from many of the balconies.

Historic Centre Airbnbs & Apartments

An Airbnb Plus with a Difference (£) | Located in a former convent, the beautiful one-bed flat boasts high ceilings and numerous large windows, helping to create a large, bright space. Its recent restorations provides a modern layout and feel, whilst the host’s use of furniture from travels to Africa and the Middle East provides an interesting twist on the traditional. Also has a small interior, shaded patio. Find out more here.

Despite the vast majority of Airbnbs in the historic centre being at a higher price point than elsewhere in the city (as is common across much of Europe), there are still some excellent value apartments to be found including ALMA House 3 and Casa La Maga. Both are super modern in their design, very light, bright and with colourful designs. Perfect for both those that need a pleasant crash pad in the city, but also plan on spending a bit of time in the apartment working or cooking. Both can currently be booked for less than £80 a night in high season.

Dream Loft (££) | Don’t let the fact that this is a studio put you off, this gorgeous loft - located on the second floor of a historical building along Calle San Juan - is spacious, bright and fresh, with high ceilings, six small exterior balconies, and contemporary aesthetic throughout. Find out more here.

If views and terraces upon which to enjoy that lazy brunch or pre-dinner glass of wine are on your must-have list for your Malaga apartment, be sure to check out Teatro Romano, this absolutely gorgeous penthouse with private rooftop in the heart of Malaga, this Downtown Terrace Apartment, this penthouse with private rooftop or this penthouse suite.

Minimalist Loft in Revitalized Historical Space (££) | This exquisitely crafted one-bedroom Airbnb Plus property features soaring exposed wood beam ceilings, an open-plan living area, an all-white interior with sharp contrasts throughout, and rooftop views. Find out more here.

Ático Plaza de las Flores (£££) | This huge three-bedroom penthouse apartment is ideal for families or groups of friends. It offers clean, comfortable and modern interiors, but its real selling point is the HUGE wraparound terrace with views out over the city. Find out more here.

Luxury Attic Apartment (££) | For lovers of contemporary design, this apartment is just *chef’s kiss*! Honestly, the whole aesthetic is just wonderful, and extends from the living room, to the kitchen and the two bedrooms. It even has a cute little terrace that provides the perfect set up for an alfresco breakfast or early evening aperitivo. Find out more here.

Attic Oasis (£££) | Our priciest Airbnb recommendation in this area (although technically it is a couple of blocks outside to the historic centre), this super contemporary, highly-stylised apartment is simply too gorgeous not to include. The living spaces aren’t huge, but they are more than made up for by the massive, rooftop terrace with sitting and dining areas plus outdoor kitchen and sunbathing zone. Find out more here.

Another two of our favourites include this gorgeous one-bed apartment, San Agustin I (££) and the effortlessly chic Solaga (£££).

Historic Centre Hostels

There are a surprisingly large number of hostels in Málaga, almost all of which are located in the historic centre. If you can get in early enough before they’re booked up, they offer a budget-friendly, social base for groups or couples!

The Urban Jungle Rooftop Hostel (£ for dorms, ££ for doubles) | The ultimate in boho-Bali vibes, this beautiful hostel is - as the name would suggest - all about the incredible rooftop! They offer dorms, privates, a guest kitchen, and the interiors have a very ‘Selina Hostels’ vibe (if you know, you know). Amazing reviews to boot. Find out more here.

COEO Pod Hostel (£) | Fancy staying in Andalusia’s first ever pod-style hostel? Quirky, colourful and ultra-modern, it’s a popular place for the urban traveller who just needs a private place to sleep. Also has an on-site bar and restaurant and offers a variety of group activities. Note that it unfortunately has no outdoor space. Find out more here.

TOC Hostel Málaga (£) | You would never guess that this was a hostel! Sophisticated, with a hint of luxury it offers stunning communal facilities, privates that wouldn’t look our of place in a 4* hotel and super classy dorms. Also offers breakfast in its cafeteria at street level and a shared kitchen. Find out more here.

Soho | The Cool District

Officially designated as Málaga’s cool district, Soho offers up a veritable abundance of street art, the city’s contemporary art gallery (CAC), an ever so slightly more grungy vibe and some incredible accommodation options.

Located between the historical centre and the Port, it’s well-located to explore the best the city has to offer and you’ll never be more than 10-20 minutes from the best things to do in Málaga. There’s also quite a number of restaurants and bars, so you needn’t necessarily venture far in the evening.

The potential of area’s ‘up and coming’ nature was quickly recognised, and partially underpinned by some businesses moving in, so prices actually tend to be on the higher side for the city.

Soho Hotels

Only YOU Hotel Málaga (£££) | Located in La Equitativa, one of the most emblematic buildings in the city centre, Only YOU is an exceptionally beautiful hotel. Its décor, by the interior design studio Proyecto Singular, combines art deco style with a fresh and urban Mediterranean touch throughout. It has excellent reviews and even offers a roof-top infinity pool with views out over the sea. Doubles can be had for around £200 a night, but suites cost significantly more. Check prices and availability here.

ICON Malabar (££) | A boutique hotel with a slight hipster edge, this 4* hotel combines colonial-era design with a modern aesthetic. The lobby, courtyard and communal spaces are bright, airy and welcoming, and whilst their basic doubles are a little on the small side, their larger rooms are really quite striking. Also has a popular, healthy restaurant on site. Find out more here.

Another popular boutique hotel nearby at a similar price point is the super popular Soho Boutique Colón.

Hotel Sur Málaga | A fairly basic hotel, but it offers good value, clean, and comfortable rooms in a great location. It’s a popular option as well, with thousands of excellent reviews. Find out more here.

Soho Airbnbs & Apartments

Alemania & SOHO (£) | This gorgeous little studio apartment is well-located, well-priced, and well-designed. Would suit a couple or single traveller looking for a modern crash-pad in the Soho area of Malaga. Find out more here.

An Enchanting Apartment in Soho (£) | This Airbnb Plus one-bedroom property is incredibly good value for the standard of accommodation offered. The neutral palette throughout maintains a light and airy aesthetic, the reviews are excellent and it has a full-kitchen making it ideal for those that wish to cook for themselves. Find out more here.

Other excellent apartment options that cost less than £100 a night include: this compact and cosy one bedroom apartment, this modern apartment, this one-bedroom apartment with large roof terrace and Hoyo de Esparteros.

Spacious Apartment (££) | This two-bedroom apartment in a historic building has been lovingly restored to create a modern, light space which retains many original features. Decorated with beautiful pieces of art throughout and stylish furniture, it’s another Airbnb Plus so has amenities and features that puts it a step above lots of its competition. Find out more here.

Penthouse with Ocean View (££)| Whilst this apartment isn’t quite as stylish as others on this list, it has two major things going for it: an incredible roof terrace and free parking, something that’s quite the rarity in Malaga! Find out more here.

Doppelgänger (£££) | The most expensive property in this selection, this two-bedroom apartment is simply stunning. Part of a collection of apartments in the same building (all of which have been designed by a renowned Madrid-based designer), this option offers exceptional interior design with a very contemporary feel, plus an abundance of light from the many huge windows. We would move in tomorrow. Find out more here.

Premium Apartment (£££) | This four-bedroom, contemporary apartment is ideal for a family or a large group of friends. Full of light, the rooms are large, modern and exquisitely decorated. Find out more here.

Premium Alameda Principal (££) | Another great option for larger groups, this beautiful three-bedroom property has been decorated to an exceptionally high standard. The bedrooms are large and luxuriously furnished (including a free-standing bath in one!), it offers great communal spaces and has two balconies. Find out more here.

The Lagunillas / Victoria District | The Local neighbourhoods

Just north of Plaza de Merced, you will find Lagunillas and Victoria - the area where we stayed. These two neighbourhoods offer a very local experience, with far fewer tourists around than elsewhere in the city and many more budget-friendly options.

It’s a pleasant 15-minute walk into the historic centre (and 30 minutes down to the port) which was no problem for us but definitely something to bear in mind if you have limited mobility or know you’ll be eating out most evenings.

Due to the more residential vibe of these two neighbourhoods, there are very, very few hotel options.

Lagunillas / Victoria Hotels

Hotel Brö (££) | This adults-only 3* hotel offers smart, modern, simple rooms (some with terrace and private plunge pools) in an excellent location just a couple of minutes walk from Plaza Merced. The communal spaces are vibrant, but its biggest selling point is the rooftop pool area. Guests also speak very highly of the breakfast. Find out more here.

Málaga Lodge Guesthouse (£) | A stone’s throw from Santuario de la Victoria, this small, family-run guesthouse offers comfortable and cosy rooms at an exceptionally good price! Find out more here.

Lagunillas Airbnbs and Apartments

Malaga Center// Urban style (£-££) | This is the cute little Airbnb that we stayed in. The host actually owns the entire building, which houses several similarly decorated apartments and studios. Recently remodelled, our place was a little small for the length of time we spent in the city but would be absolutely ideal for a young couple that just wants a base to return to in the evening. Find out more here.

Ático La Merced (£) | Probably the best ‘cheap’ apartment we’ve seen during high season across all of the city - if you’re on a budget, be sure to take a look and nab it! Find out more here.

Central Apartment With Panoramic Views (£) | One of the few three-bedroom apartments in these two areas (and a steal at less than £100 a night), it offers a large open-plan living space with lots of cute design features and incredible views out over the mountains. The inclusion of two infant cots makes it ideal for a family. Find out more here.

Magical Malaga Apartment (£) | We don’t like all our recommendations to be sleek, classic and white - which is why we have included this eclectic two-bedroom apartment replete with a Moroccan room! Combining Spanish, Moor, Mediterranean and modern influences, it lends the accommodation charm and magic, alongside being a really lovely place to stay in the city. Find out more here.

Convenient & Breezy Retreat in the Heart of Malaga (£) | With oodles of light, a charming balcony to enjoy the sun, simple but soothing interiors and exceptional reviews, this apartment is a fantastic affordable option! Find out more here.

Stylish City Center Apartment |(£) | At the very edge of Plaza Merced and Lagunillas, this stunning little one-bed apartment looks a little like it stepped out of Pinterest. Loads of plants, light and contemporary furniture it also comes with a small balcony, shared roof terrace, and two free bikes! Find out more here.

Playas del palo | Malaga’s Best Beach

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that we haven’t included accommodation recommendations for La Magueta, the city beach. It’s not that there aren’t any, it’s more that we wouldn’t want to stay there - instead, if you’re keen on a beachfront location, we recommend heading down to Playas del Palo.

If you would like to see the accommodation available in La Malagueta, check them out here.

The most important thing to note before booking accommodation here is that it really is quite far away from the centre of Malaga - and by far we mean, around an hour’s walking or 15-minute drive. For that reason, we’re only including a handful of accommodation options for Playas del Palo as we know only a few of you reading this will opt to stay there.

Playas del Palo Hotels

Whether it’s because hotels in this area are used exclusively by package holiday firms or they decided to keep those concentrated in La Magueta, there are almost no options along this stretch of beach - and certainly no big, multi-storey hotels like you find elsewhere in the Costa Del Sol.

Playas del Palo Airbnbs & Apartments

Luxury Loft (££) | This boho-chic two bedroom apartment is decorated with earthy tones, natural fabrics and unique stoneware - there’s a definite aesthetic, and it’s gorgeous. It’s also right by the beach. The host has number of accommodations in the same property including one-bedders and studios - definitely recommend checking them all out.

Terrace and Patio Apartment (££) | If you’re travelling with family or friends and need at least three bedrooms, don’t miss this delightful apartment just a couple of minutes from the beach. Large and bright living spaces, a fully equipped kitchen and two excellent patios for alfresco drinking and eating! Find out more here.

Renovated Cottage | This two-bedroom townhouse is simply stunning. White-washed walls, natural materials, muted tones make for light and bright, insta-gorgeous rooms plus a dream garden area that even has an outdoor shower. Find out more here.

El Perchel | The Budget Option

Looking for a budget friendly option in Malaga? Consider the El Perchel neighbourhood, west of the river that separates the two sides of the city.

Whilst some of the options are probably a little too far away from the centre of Malaga to satisfy every traveller, if you need those pennies to stretch as far as possible, that extra distance does reduce the cost of accommodations somewhat.

For example, when compared to the historic centre’s 4* hotels costing as much as £300 a night in the summer months, you can find similar standard lodgings in El Perchel for about a third of that!

El Perchel Hotels

Salles Hotel Málaga Centro | For full-on holiday vibes, consider this 4* hotel with comfortable, clean and modern rooms and an enviable rooftop pool. Find out more here.

Our pick however would be the aesthetically pleasing NH Málaga, with its neutral palette and contemporary styling, large, bright rooms with enviable views, and gorgeous pool area.

For good hotel accommodation under £100 a night in El Perchel, consider Casual del Mar Málaga, Hotel Guadalmedina or Hotel Zeus.

El Perchel Airbnbs & Apartments

Lovely Loft (£) | This modern and minimalistic studio apartment may be a little bare, but at less than £50 a night during high season (plus exceptional reviews), for the right traveller it may be perfect! Find out more here.

This bright and newly furnished apartment (with sunny terrace) is also excellent value!

Ancha del Carmen (£-££) | For those that appreciate the guarantees that Airbnb Plus properties bring, consider this excellent and beautifully furnished one-bedroom apartment which includes a lovely little sun-trap terrace, free parking, and even a free breakfast! Find out more here.

The Secret Penthouse | Whilst the interiors of this one-bed, comfortable and cosy apartment are fairly average, the huge roof terrace is anything but! This place is super popular, so be sure to book early. Find out more here.