If you’ve got your heart set on Spain, and you’re in the midst of planning your Transatlantic getaway this very minute, you might want to hold your horses before you book that flight to Barcelona.
Yes, it’s absolutely gorgeous, and sure, it’s everyone’s going, and maybe where everyone expects you to go for an inaugural visit to Spain, but did you know there’s an equally beautiful coastal city with a far more laid-back vibe and lower prices?
One you can fly to nonstop from the States, at that.
Stay until the end of the article for flight details.
Is Malaga The New Barcelona?
Located on the southwestern coast of Spain, Malaga is a tried-and-true European summer haven. Brits, Germans, and Frenchies have been flocking here every year for their sunny holidays, yet surprisingly, it’s not really super well-known among Americans.
The capital of Costa del Sol, a coastal stretch along the Mediterranean known for its honey-colored sands, year-round warmer temps, and azure waters, it is one of Spain’s trendiest spots to visit for those ditching the Barcelona crowds.
Whether you’re here for the beaches or the fascinating culture, you’re absolutely in for a treat:
Littered with landmarks, the Historic Center is known for its many palm-ringed plazas, charming cafés with terraces that spill onto the street, and Old World flair.
The main attraction here is, without question, the Alcazaba. Built by Arabs in the Middle Ages, it’s that imposing hilltop fortress complete with gardens, rampart walks, and panoramic terraces overlooking the urban sprawl and beaches below.
On the slopes of the castle, you’ll find the remains of a Roman Theater. It’s no Colosseum, but the seats are super well-preserved, and it looks like a time capsule in the middle of the buzzing modern city.
In the heart of downtown, Malaga Cathedral is distinguished for having only one finished tower—they even affectionately call it La Manquita, or ‘one-armed lady’—and a lavish interior, with gold-accented altars and ornate chapels.
Europe is changing its travel rules in a major way this year. Check Entry Requirements for Spain before flying.
Picasso’s Birthplace
For that laid-back coffee break, hit up Plaza de la Merced, flanked by a number of streetside cafés, and… wait for it… Picasso’s birthplace!
Yep, Pablo Picasso hailed originally from Malaga, and you can visit the historic 18th-century house he was born in for free on Sundays.
Craving a little tapas bar fun? Any of the side streets around Calle Granada are packed-full of cozy, no-frills food and drink spots, and the whole scene gets rather lively at nighttime, with that buzzing mingle of locals and tourists.
El Pimpi is the iconic go-to spot right on Calle Granada itself, with the wine barrels, busy atmosphere, and constant hum of chatter and clinking glasses, though if you’re looking for something a little more intimate, Casa Lola is a bit more laid-back but still always buzzing.
Great for Andalusian tapas, and you can’t really go wrong: from their patatas bravas to the Andalusian soup, everything on the menu slaps.
Barcelona has La Barceloneta, Malaga has La Malagueta, and to be quite frank, we prefer the latter’s.
The beach here is wide, sandy, and laid-back, and it doesn’t feel nearly as hectic or crowded as Barcelona’s main beach. There’s none of that low-key runway energy, where everyone’s flexing abs or outdoing each other with the most over-the-top posing.
Wondering how safe Spain is to visit right now? Here’s what travelers have been reporting:
How Much Cheaper Is Malaga?
Cheap tapas bar meal (1 person)
- Barcelona: $12–$18
- Malaga: $10–$16
Malaga is slightly cheaper, especially in local bars outside tourist zones.
3-course mid-range restaurant (1 person)
- Barcelona: $25–$35
- Malaga: $20–$33
Similar overall, with Malaga being usually a bit cheaper or equal.
3-star hotel (per night)
- Barcelona: $130–$220
- Malaga: $90–$150
Malaga is much cheaper for similar hotel quality.
Luxury Hotel (4–5 Star)
- Barcelona: $250–$600+
- Malaga: $200–$450+
Barcelona is significantly more expensive at the high end.
Average Museum Entry
- Barcelona: $12–$30
- Malaga: $3–$15
Malaga is cheaper for culture and museums.
Public Transport (Single Ticket)
- Barcelona: $2.40–$3.00
- Malaga: $1.50–$1.80
Malaga is markedly cheaper.
Taxi Rate (Per Mile)
- Barcelona: $2.00–$2.50 per mile
- Malaga: $1.80–2.20 per mile
Malaga is slightly cheaper.
Explore Andalusia Beyond Malaga
Don’t just stay in Malaga!
You can combine a visit to Spain’s hottest coastal city right now with several other incredible destinations nearby, either on Costa del Sol, or the wider Andalusia:
- Marbella: the ‘St Tropez’ of Spain, home to a glitzy marina, modern waterfront condos, and a beautiful municipal beach (1h)
- Nerja: known for its coastal caves, clear-water beaches (clearer than Malaga’s), and Balcón de Europa, a lookout over the coast (1h)
- Ronda: a dramatic inland town with a bridge spanning a gorge. Full of Ancient Roman ruins, and the proud host of Andalusia’s most traditional bullring (1h30)
- Caminito del Rey: Anadalusia’s iconic cliffside walkway through a gorge. It was previously one of the world’s most dangerous hikes, now it’s perfectly tourist-friendly (1h30)
- Cordoba: a Moorish-era town dominated by a towering mosque-turned-cathedral. Visiting it feels like crossing an invisible portal into North Africa (2h15)
- Granada: Arab palaces, cute cobblestone alleys flanked by whitewashed houses, incredible tapas scene, and… drum roll… the Alhambra! A literal fortified city within a city, and the most monumental Islamic fortress ever built (1h45)
In case you’re confused why there’s so many Arab-built stuff around here, you should know Andalusia, the part of Spain that encompasses Malaga, was once under Arab rule for over eight centuries, from the 700s all the way up to the early 15th century.
We know, crazy. Bet your History textbooks glossed over that back in secondary school.
Oh, of course, how could we forget it?
Seville, the stunning Andalusian capital, is a short 2h30 train ride away from Málaga, but given the sheer size of the city, and the plethora of things to do and see, from the iconic Plaza de España, to the soaring cathedral, you might want to stay for 2–3 days instead of attempting a short day trip.
Everything You Need To Know About The Nonstop Flight
The only airline offering nonstop flights from the United States to Malaga (AGP):
Route Basics
- Airline: United Airlines
- Flight number: UA350
- Flight time: 7h45
This is significantly faster than any connecting flight via Madrid (usually 10–14h total).
Schedule
- Usually 1 flight per day in peak season
- Departure: 5:50 PM from Newark (EWR)
- Arrival: 7:30 AM next day in Malaga (AGP)
Aircraft & Cabin
- Aircraft: Boeing 757-200
- Cabins: Economy, Business (Polaris-style lie-flat seats)
Prices (roundtrip)
- Typical: $1,200–$1,400
- Cheapest seen recently: $1,000–$1,100
- Business class: $3,00–$5,000+
You’re paying around $300–$600 more for nonstop convenience.
