10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Malaga

Playa de la Malagueta is a great place to watch the sunset, either by taking a long stroll along the sand or having a happy hour drink at one of the beachfront bars. Along the promenade, you’ll find a variety of restaurants and bars open until after midnight, with sea views and outdoor beach seating for the warm evenings.

Playa de la Malagueta is arguably the most well-known beach in Malaga. Located between the Port of Malaga and Playa la Caleta, it’s a long stretch of golden sand with a palm tree-lined promenade. During the day, you'll find sunbeds and umbrellas for rent as the beach gets quite crowded in summer. 

Mirador de Gibralfaro is an iconic viewpoint in Malaga. Located near Castillo de Gibralfaro, the natural hilltop lookout offers a panoramic view of the city and sea below. It’s open 2/7, so you can head there after dinner. It’s a popular place to be right before sunset, or even later when the city lights all come on.

The hilltop lookout can be reached either on foot or by bus. If you prefer the latter, you can take a public bus or the hop-on-hop-off tourist bus. Some people prefer to hike from Plaza de la Merced in the city centre, which also offers nice views as you head to the hilltop.

Plaza de la Merced is one of the most popular public squares in Malaga. The beautiful old plaza was originally a public market in the 15^th century until it was turned into a leisure spot for locals in the 19^th century. It’s dominated by the Monument to Torrijos at the centre. While a popular tourist attraction by day, the square is also one of Malaga’s best nightlife hotspots.

The square is surrounded by a range of tapas bars, cocktail bars and late-night restaurants, all housed in historic buildings. Many of the eateries and bars have outdoor seating, which spills out into the square. You'll find a mix of locals and tourists enjoying the warm nights.

Soho Malaga is a trendy art district in the middle of the city. Located next to the harbour and just south of the old town, it’s a popular neighbourhood to explore throughout the day and night in Malaga. It’s most well-known for its urban street art and graffiti, covering the facades of many of the buildings. However, it’s also slowly becoming a well-known nightlife spot.

The district is home to several theatres and museums – the Soho Theatre hosts musicals and other live performances throughout the year. Several restaurants and bars open until late, many of which specialise in organic and gourmet food in trendy spaces. Start your night on Calle Pinzón, where you can find a cluster of interesting nightlife venues.

Muelle Uno is an open-air shopping and dining complex at the Port of Malaga. The modern complex overlooks the water and harbour, making it a very accessible place to wander after dinner. It has a huge variety of shops for retail therapy and bars for late-night drinks.

Muelle Uno is home to well-known fashion brands and independent boutiques. You can also find high-end seafood restaurants and casual eateries for lunch or dinner. Muelle Uno is considered a more relaxed offering than the bars down on Malaga’s bustling nearby beaches. 

The MVA Cultural Center is one of the most important cultural centres in Spain. The 18^th-century era building was once home to a movie theatre until it was converted into the main hub of performing arts in Malaga. The exterior retains much of its original design, making it a historical icon of the city. It’s located just north of the old town district.

The MVA Cultural Center has a broad programme that includes concerts, exhibitions, and performances. Some of the offerings are free, while others are ticketed events. You should check online to see their latest schedule and purchase tickets.

Teatro Cervantes dates back to the 19^th century, making it the oldest continuously running theatre in Malaga. The current building was designed and built in 1870 by architect Jeronimo Cuervo. A notable highlight is the ceiling mural, which was painted by Bernando Ferrandiz.

The theatre hosts a variety of performances, including comedies, dramas, operas, ballets, jazz, music, and flamenco. It’s recommended to pre-book a concert or performance, which you can do through its official website. It’s within walking distance of the old town, just a couple of minutes from Plaza de la Merced.

With a warm climate for most of the year, Malaga is great for enjoying a drink in the outdoors with a stunning view. Some of the city’s best rooftop bars are in the historic Old Town, offering incredible panoramas of centuries-old architecture and illuminated plazas at night. Must-visits include Terraza Nómadas Centro, San Juan Terrace, and La Terraza de Larios.

As the city sits on the coast, there are also plenty of rooftop bars close to the harbour and beach. A few of the high-end hotels in Malaga also feature rooftop pools along with a bar. Standouts include AC Hotel by Marriott Malaga Palacio and La Terraza De Valeria. 

Flamenco shows are a must-see while visiting Malaga. While the city isn’t particularly known for this traditional dance, you can still find some incredibly intimate flamenco bars and venues around the city. Some flamenco bar-cafes have been around since the 19^th century, so it’s no surprise that you can find some live Spanish music and dance performances most nights of the week.

The home of live flamenco in Malaga is at Los Amayas in the old town, which features 2 performances every night. You can also find flamenco performances at Kelipe Centro de Arte Flamenco. Malaga even hosts a bi-annual flamenco festival that runs over the summer months at open-air venues across the city.

Malaga is surprisingly home to plenty of jazz clubs. The city has a strong connection to the jazz scene from the USA, with a Spanish spin on the more traditional sounds. You can find some incredible jazz bars offering live performances every night. There is also the Malaga International Jazz Festival which takes place every autumn.

Some of the city’s best jazz clubs include Clarence Jazz Club, ZZ Pub, Birdland Jazz Bar and Speakeasy Jazz Club. Many are intimate spaces for live music and a drink, while others are larger venues that have a cover charge for the live performances.