The region around Málaga is called the Costa del Sol for a reason. On average, the sun shines here around 300 days a year. Yet the past few days have painted a different picture: grey clouds drift over the city and rain falls again and again, sometimes lightly, sometimes more heavily. The locals are familiar with this. A well-known Spanish saying goes, “En abril llueve mil,” which roughly means “in April, it rains a lot.” But what can you do when the weather makes it impossible to go to the beach or enjoy the city’s many outdoor attractions? No need to worry, because Málaga also offers plenty of ways to spend a great day when it rains.
A visit to a museum
The city is home to numerous museums that attract visitors every day. The most famous is probably the Museo Picasso Málaga, which displays nearly 300 works by the world-famous artist from Málaga. His birthplace at the Plaza de la Merced is also a popular spot and well worth a visit. But there are many other museums to discover. At the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga, visitors can explore Spanish painting of the 19th century, with a strong focus on Andalusia. Temporary exhibitions complement the permanent collection.
Less well known, but just as interesting, is the Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda. Located slightly outside the city centre towards Huelin in a former tobacco factory, it is one of the few museums in the world that combines cars, fashion and art in a single exhibition.
Good to know: on Sundays, entry to many exhibitions is free.
A day at the spa
When the rain starts to seep into your bones, there is often nothing better than warming up in a sauna. The perfect place for this is the spa at the Hotel IPV Palace & Spa. For just 15 euros, you can spend the entire day there enjoying a sauna, steam bath, pool and plenty of space to relax. To round things off, you can have a drink at one of the many bars on the hotel grounds. If you are staying in the city centre and prefer not to travel far, you could opt for a massage with Javi Montañez. The trained therapist has a studio right in the centre of Málaga and offers high quality, personalised treatments.
Browsing, reading and coffee
A rainy day is the perfect excuse to finally pick up a book again. Luckily, Málaga has many bookshops that also offer titles in English. In the city centre, La Casa del Libro is a great option, with a wide selection ranging from crime novels to romance bestsellers in English. If you not only want to buy books but also sit down to read while enjoying a coffee, Librería Café Q Pro Quo is the place to go. Here you can spend hours browsing through countless books before settling down with a coffee in a cosy atmosphere. The café also regularly hosts readings and other cultural events.
Get Creative and Try Something New
If you don’t just want to escape into other worlds but create your own, ALTALLAMA is the place for you. This creative hub lets you experiment with different art materials at a low cost, making it easy to try something new without any pressure. Instead of wine or beer, the menu offers watercolours, charcoal, or printmaking. A little coffee bar fuels you with everything you need.
This is the perfect spot to unwind, meet people, and let your creativity flow while the rain quickly fades into the background.
