Malaga is a vibrant and interesting city located on the Andalusian coast – Costa del Sol. It is the sixth largest in Spain – the number of its inhabitants at the beginning of 2023 was 568,305 people.
Today we will try to tell you in detail about the best areas of Malaga from the point of view of purchasing a home or spending holidays, and we will also mention those that should be avoided if possible.
Are you ready? Then let’s begin.
First, we will tell you a little about the history of Malaga, because it is to it that this city owes its charming appearance and attractions.
Malaga: History
According to the archives, the city was founded by the Phoenicians, who initially founded a settlement at the foot of the hill, where today the famous fortress of Alcazaba de Málaga stands. After the Roman conquest, the village began its gradually development thanks to the export of port wine, butter and the famous garum sauce, made from salted fermented fish. Within a century it was granted municipal status, as evidenced by the entry in the Lex Flavia Malacitana – a bronze plaque of local laws in Latin dated 81–84 AD.
The city reached its heyday at the end of the Middle Ages, under Muslim rule, when numerous mosques began to be built here, as well as majestic buildings like Las Atarazanas, where today the city market (Mercado de Atarazanas) is located, or the above-mentioned Alcazaba Castle – an important landmark of Malaga. The city was also famous all around for the production of raisins, dried fruits and for its painted earthenware.
At the end of the XV century, Malaga was conquered by the Catholic monarchs (los Reyes Católicos) and then it was settled by Christians who came from the Guadalquivir valley. During this period, the main mosques of the city were rebuilt into church parishes, new monasteries were erected en masse, and one of the Islamic mosques was transformed into a cathedral named Catedral de Málaga, which construction was completed only at the end of the XVIII century.
After reform initiatives of the XVIII century, such as the creation of the Consulate (Consulado), the College of San Telmo (Colegio de San Telmo), the Economic Community (Sociedad Económica) and the establishment of Alameda (a municipality of the province of Malaga), by the middle of the XIX century, the city experienced a period of rapid economic growth, noted by the creation of new industries, steel and textile enterprises (La Constancia, La Industria Malagueña), led by the Larios, Heredia and Loring family clans.
In the late XIX and early XX centuries, a deep socio-economic crisis came in Malaga due to the appearance of the grape aphid – phylloxera, which caused a quite collapse of the wine industry.
After a bloody civil war and a harsh post-war period, Malaga focused its efforts on developing the tourism industry. It all started with beach tourism, which successfully developed on the Costa del Sol, and later it was added with cultural tourism, where Malaga appeared as a city of museums.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the developed and diverse infrastructure created over the past decades, which includes the University of Malaga (Universidad de Málaga), the Technopark (Parque Tecnológico), the high-speed railway (AVE) and much more, made Malaga a model of dynamism and progress in Europe.
What does a modern city look like, and which areas of Malaga are best for living and relaxing? First, let’s find out: what are the average prices for renting and buying real estate in this city?
Malaga: Renting and Buying Real Estate
Before the coronavirus outbreak, Malaga was one of those cities in Spain where rentals remained high, and it was unaffordable for many people to rent a separate apartment here and therefore they had to share an apartment with neighbors.
The average price in the city was about 500 € for a one-room apartment, 600 € for a two-room apartment and 700 € for a three-room apartment. For this reason, those who did not have their own housing in Malaga often preferred to rent rooms costing 300-350 €, including utilities.
The high cost was mainly due to the high demand for housing in Malaga among tourists, which led to the fact that many apartments, which were previously for a long-term rental, changed their status to «tourist apartments for a short-term rental» as that brought more profits to their owners.
However, since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated restrictions that caused the collapse of international tourism, a large number of apartments have lost regular demand. Homeowners were forced to cut their price to avoid downtime of housing, and some hotels in Malaga, as throughout Spain, began to rent out their rooms for long periods at very attractive prices.
Thus, in 2020, there were significant fluctuations in the average rental price. Simply put, a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment could be found for approximately 450-500 €, i.e. rental prices have decreased by approximately 100-200 €/month.
In 2021-2022, the situation gradually stabilized due to the opening of European borders and the resumption of tourism and the return of potential investors to the country.
As for purchasing real estate in 2023, in October this year, according to the idealista.com portal, the average cost of housing in Malaga was 2,643 €/m2, and prices in the city vary significantly depending on the area. Thus, in the most expensive areas of Malaga, Este and Centro, the cost was 3,682 €/m2 and 3,528 €/m2, respectively, and in the most budget ones, Ciudad Jardín and Bailén – Miraflores, 1,752 €/m2 and 2,092 €/m2.
Malaga: Neighborhoods and Quarters of the City
According to statistics from the ayuntamiento of Malaga, there are about three hundred neighborhoods and quarters in the city. Of course, we will not be able to talk about each of them, so we will choose the most famous ones, located in different parts of the city.
Malaga boasts a variety of very beautiful neighborhoods and residential areas, and if you are going there for holidays, those are the most touristy neighborhoods here:
- El Soho: a graffiti zone has been a fashionable design of city blocks in recent years, a center of attraction for active young people.
- Pedregalejo y El Palo are picturesque fisherman’s quarters, replete with a variety of beach bars.
- Centro Histórico is the historical center, the heart of Malaga, where almost all the streets are pedestrian. There are many atmospheric places where you can enjoy excellent local dishes, and it is also recommended to stroll along the ancient streets, rich in architectural attractions.
Best Areas to Live in Malaga
Of course, such an assessment will always be somewhat subjective, but it can still be assumed that the vast majority would choose areas near the beach or the historical center of Malaga:
El Limonar
This is a residential neighborhood in the eastern part of Malaga, located in the prestigious Este area, close to the historical center, the beach and the mountain of Gibralfaro – Monte Gibralfaro. El Limonar is placed between other popular neighborhoods – Malagueta and Pedregalejo.
Housing here is represented by apartments, chalets and aristocratic villas built at the end of the XIX century. This is one of those areas that people of the middle and upper class of society choose to live in. That is why the price per square meter in El Limonar is one of the highest in the city. This applies to both renting and purchasing property. According to the portal idealista.com for October 2023, the average cost of housing in this area was 4,383 €/m2.
Pedregalejo and El Palo
These two neighborhoods are not only very beautiful and close to the beach, but also have a special Andalusian charm. Malaga’s historic center can be reached in just 15 minutes by public transport.
Once upon a time, Pedregalejo and El Palo were ordinary fisherman’s quarters of Malaga, but today this is a modern residential area with excellent infrastructure: many apartments and houses, beach bars and cafes, general education and language schools. It is a fairly quiet and safe area, living at its own pace and with its own personality.
The Pedregalejo area can certainly be called one of the best places to live in Malaga. The only downside may be the cost of residential buildings and the amount of rent. Almost every house here has its own garden, and many have a swimming pool, making them more expensive properties than the average housing in Malaga.
For example, a villa or house for rent in Pedregalejo will cost you approximately 1000 – 1300 €/month. But if this is not critical for your budget, then look no further – you will have an enviable quality of life in Pedregalejo.
El Palo is also a very nice neighborhood and similar to Pedregalejo, but there is a difference: most of the properties here are apartments rather than houses and chalets, so property prices are quite comparable to average prices in other parts of the city. According to the idealista.com portal, in October 2023, the average housing price was 3,528 €/m2 in the Pedregalejo area, and 2,848 €/m2 in El Palo.
La Malagueta
This is one of the most popular areas of Malaga and also one of the best to live in. It is just a few minutes’ walk from the historic centre, the Muelle Uno port and La Malagueta beach. In this neighborhood you will find many supermarkets, restaurants and other establishments.
This is definitely a great area to live in Malaga so everything you need is always at your fingertips. And of course, La Malagueta will have quite high property prices, as is the case with El Limonar. These are the most prestigious areas of the city and an apartment here can cost almost twice as much as in other areas of the city – 5,451 €/m2.
Huelin/Misericordia
This comfortable area is located in the western part of Malaga and is also on the beach, but rental prices here will be lower than in La Malagueta. Both of these areas are situated nearby, in the western part of the city, and both are on the beach.
Huelin/Misericordia are popular working-class neighborhoods where rental housing is difficult to find, because it is in high demand. There are many different establishments, green parks and nice, relaxed atmosphere. In addition, this area is located relatively close to the historical center and La Misericordia beach, which is ideal for those who like walking and jogging along the promenade. This is an excellent option for families and young people, as there are many schools, shops, a variety of cafes and, in general, the infrastructure is well developed. The average cost of housing is 3,684 eur/m².
Centro Histórico
This area, full of architectural attractions, is a favorite choice for tourists. It is suitable for living for those who do not need personal transport every day.
The historical center of Malaga is not only the Old Town area – Casco Antiguo, but also a whole labyrinth of streets, walking along which it is easy to get lost and unexpectedly discover some new street.
This old area is truly beautiful, with the ruins of ancient Arab walls, Malaga Cathedral, the imposing Alcazaba Castle and much more to see. Be sure to stroll along the elegant Larios Street with its XIX century buildings. Despite the historical appearance, the modern rhythm of Malaga – the city that never sleeps – is perfectly felt here!
Don’t be fooled by the venerable age of the streets – the area of the historical center is not very suitable for those who prefer silence and solitude. Residents of the center often complain (and not without reason) that it is difficult for them to fall asleep due to the constant noise of discos and crowds of people ready to party all night long, and they are also disturbed by garbage collection trucks rumbling until the morning.
Living in the center of Malaga is the best option for young people and those who like to live at an intense pace and who do not tolerate boredom. Among the advantages of living in the historical center is infrastructure and attractions within walking distance, but among the disadvantages is city noise, especially on holidays and weekends.
As for real estate prices, they may vary depending on the quarter, but in general, renting a one- or two-room apartment will cost 500-600 €. The average cost of purchasing a home is 3,528 €/m2.
The best neighborhoods of the historical center are: Alameda de Colón, Plaza de la Merced, Plaza de los Monos or Carretería, since although they are located in the historical center, they are somewhat removed from the noisy nightlife.
Teatinos
This is another area with a good reputation. Teatinos belongs to the University district and this is one of the most modern parts of Malaga. There are many modern buildings on its territory, and most of the residents are students or young families.
Teatinos is an area with good infrastructure, therefore local residents willingly choose it for permanent residence. Property prices here are quite competitive, on average 2,844 €/m2. Perhaps the only drawback is that it is somewhat isolated from the beach area and the historical center.
This is what our list of preferences among the districts of Malaga looks like. Someone may be wondering: are there any areas that should be avoided? It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally, but we will try.
Malaga: Parts of the City to Avoid
Malaga is considered one of the safest cities in Spain and there are no «criminal» areas in the full sense of the word. However, if you are choosing an area for permanent residence, then you should take a particularly responsible approach not only to the choice of location, but also to your future neighbors. Below we list the areas you should be careful with.
Palma – Palmilla
These quarters are located in the northern part of the city, near the football stadium «La Rosaleda». This is one of the most famous areas of Malaga and its reputation is by no means impeccable: if you type «Palmilla, Malaga» in the search box, you will probably find there some information from past years about drugs, shootings or family clashes.
The good news is that Palmilla is gradually changing for the better and today it is no longer as dangerous a place as it was 20 years ago, but it still makes sense to be careful when you are there.
The cost of housing, taking into account all the disadvantages of the area, is very, very affordable – only 702 €/m2 on average.
Los Asperones
Local residents also consider this area to be quite marginal and do not recommend coming here by car, as it can be quite dangerous. However, as the case with the previous quarter, this area is gradually losing its «sharpness».
By the way, although Los Asperones is placed on the outskirts of the city, it is also located near the new medical campus, and many students rent budget housing in this quarter. In any case, a «bad» area does not automatically mean that only «bad guys» live there, because some simply seek to acquire inexpensive housing and get a good chance to live next door to like-minded people.
And for today our story about the areas of Malaga has come to an end. We hope it was interesting and you found some useful information. If you have any questions about renting or buying real estate in Spain, whether Malaga or any other city, as well as about property cost, obtaining a residence permit, enrolling your children in school, etc. – you can always consult with our specialists.
