10 Best Tours in Malaga (Perfect for Solo Travellers)

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When you’re travelling solo in Malaga, joining a guided tour can be one of the best ways to explore the city. It takes the pressure off planning every detail yourself, helps you discover places you might otherwise miss, and gives you the chance to meet other travellers along the way.

The tricky part is knowing which tours are actually worth booking. With so many tours on offer, it’s easy to end up scrolling through endless listings without really knowing which experiences are best for solo female travellers.

After visiting Malaga four times, I’ve put together a list of the best tours in Malaga that genuinely work well for solo travellers.

I’ve personally tried some of these experiences myself and carefully researched the others based on location, reviews, and what I know about the city. From foodie experiences and walking tours to day trips and cultural highlights, this guide will help you find tours that are enjoyable, safe, and a great way to connect with others while travelling solo.

If you’re wondering which Malaga tours are actually worth your time and money, this guide will help you choose the best ones without the overwhelm.

1. Malaga Walking Tour with GuruWalk

A walking tour is a great way to get to know a city and explore neighbourhoods while learning about its history and culture. It’s also an excellent way to meet other travellers if you’re travelling solo in Malaga.

While there are many paid walking tours you can take via GetYourGuide and Viator, I recommend booking a free walking tour with GuruWalk in Malaga.

On this free walking tour of Malaga, you’ll explore downtown Malaga, the Roman Theatre, the Alcazaba, the Cathedral, and the Picasso Museum, while learning about the history of Málaga and some interesting facts along the way.

While the tour is technically free to access, you ‘pay what you wish’ at the end of the tour. It’s expected that you will pay a minimum of €10-15 euros as a tip to the guide at the end. This is a great option if you’re travelling in Malaga on a budget and are looking for something low cost.

I really enjoyed the walking tour I took in Malaga. I learnt about the city’s Moorish roots and how much of the architecture is still influenced by its Arabic past. We also visited Ataranzas Market as part of the walking tour, which was a great added extra stop!

2. Malaga Tapas and Wine Tour

When I travel solo, I sometimes feel at a loss for something to do in the evening after dinner. I don’t like sitting in bars alone as a woman, and it can be hard to know what to do other than just heading back to my hotel. That’s why I love evening group tours.

Booking group tours of any kind is not only a great way to meet people if you’re travelling solo, but an evening tapas tour is also a fantastic way to spend an evening. Tapas tours can help you to experience the city from a local’s perspective, as you get to visit bars and restaurants that are off the tourist trail, that you wouldn’t otherwise have known about.

When I visited Malaga, I took a tapas and wine tour with Spain Food Sherpas, and I loved every second. I honestly believe this is one of the best tours in Malaga, especially for solo travellers. On the tapas tour I booked, I met people from all over the world, some of whom I have stayed in touch with.

You can book your tickets for the Malaga Wine and Tapas Tour with Spain Food Sherpas here. The small group tour (max 12 people) lasts for 3.5 hours, with a variety of food and wines. I was so full by the end of this tour, I didn’t think I’d eat for 2 days!

3. Cooking Class and Ataranzas Market Tour

When travelling in Malaga, I took a Spanish cooking class with Spain Food Sherpas and really enjoyed it. Even though I cook regularly at home, I learned so much from the professional chef and the tour guide. It was very interesting learning about the culture and various cooking methods, and we also got to sample different olive oils.

We learnt how to make sangria, gazpacho (cold soup), paella and churros and enjoyed eating and drinking them all at the end! It was a great way to spend a morning – we were on the course from about 10 am until 1 pm. The menu for what you’ll cook will likely change depending on what’s in season.

You can book tickets for Spain Food Sherpas Cooking Classes here. The experience lasts 3 hours, with a walking tour of Malaga first and a visit to Ataranzas Market for some food sampling.

4. Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour

If you’re looking for something a little more special, this Organic Vineyard Tour just outside Malaga feels like a hidden gem. Set in a private organic vineyard in the Andalusian countryside, only 30 minutes outside Malaga, this isn’t your typical tourist trap.

Instead, you’ll visit a small, family-run estate that’s far removed from the busy tourist routes, where the focus is on quality.

The experience includes a guided walk through the vineyard, a visit to an intimate “garage winery,” and the chance to taste six organic wines that are rarely available to the public.

Many of these wines are produced in small batches and usually reserved for high-end restaurants, which makes the tasting feel even more unique. The group sizes are small, so it’s easy to relax, ask questions, and chat with other travellers.

To round things off, the wines are paired with a generous selection of gourmet tapas and premium Iberian meats, making this just as much a foodie experience as it is a wine tasting. With transport included, it’s a great option if you want a tour that’s a little more indulgent.

5. Alcazaba and Roman Theatre Guided Tour

When I visited the Alcazaba and Roman Theatre, there was one thing missing. A guide! While we were walking around the Alcazaba and admiring the incredible courtyards and views across the city, I couldn’t help but think it would have been more interesting with a guide to give us context and history.

And so, I highly recommend booking a guided tour which includes a walking tour of the Roman Theatre and Alcazaba, along with entry tickets.

This Alcazaba and Roman Theatre guided tour allows you to explore the best-preserved alcazaba in Spain while learning about the stories and histories of Malaga.

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, with 40 minutes spent at the Roman Theatre and 40 minutes spent inside the Alcazaba.

6. Street Art Tour in the Soho District

I really enjoy street art, especially impressive murals that take over the sides of buildings. But sometimes the meaning of the painting can be lost until a guide explains it, which gives the artwork a whole new meaning.

If you want to see a different side of Malaga, this 1-hour street art tour in the Soho district is a great choice. Known as the city’s creative hub, Soho is filled with bold murals, hidden graffiti, and a completely different atmosphere from the historic centre. It’s the kind of place you might not fully appreciate on your own, which makes a guided tour especially worthwhile.

The guide brings the artwork to life by sharing the stories behind each mural, the techniques used, and how the area has transformed from an industrial district into one of Malaga’s most exciting cultural spaces. This is a really good option if you’re looking for something a little more alternative.

7. Sunset Catamaran or Boat Trip

If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, a catamaran trip along the Costa del Sol is a lovely way to spend a few hours just outside Malaga. Departing from nearby Benalmadena, this small-group sailing and dolphin-watching experience feels easy and laid-back.

You’ll take in views of the coastline, beaches, and white villages, with a good chance of spotting wild dolphins along the way. If they appear, the crew slow the boat so you can really enjoy the moment, which makes it feel even more special. There’s also time to stop in calm waters for a swim, with snorkelling gear and paddleboards available.

With drinks included and the option to bring your own snacks or upgrade to catering, it’s an easy, sociable experience that doesn’t require much planning. The group size is small, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it’s a great option if you want to meet people while doing something a little different from the usual walking tours.

Departure times include 10 am, 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. The tour lasts 2 hours.

8. Day Trip to Hike the Caminito del Rey

The Caminito del Rey is one of the best things to do near Malaga, especially if you love hiking and incredible landscapes.

Once known as the most dangerous walk in the world, the Caminito del Rey is now very safe to walk, with guided and self-guided options available. I’ve done both the self-guided walk and the guided walk with a local guide who provided interesting information about the landscape, history and wildlife on the trail.

If you don’t have your own transport and don’t want to use public transport, you can book a guided Caminito del Rey tour from Malaga for ease and peace of mind.

This tour leaves from central Malaga and transfers you to the start of the Caminito del Rey, where you will start the hike with a guide. Your entry ticket to the Caminito del Rey is included in the cost of the tour, along with the transport and guide.

9. Guided Day Trip to Los Pueblos Blancos

If I recommend only one thing in Malaga, it’s to get out and see the surrounding towns and villages, known as the Pueblos Blancos (white towns). These towns are quintessentially Andalusian with buckets of charm, culture and beautiful scenery.

My favourite Pueblos Blancos to visit are the town of Mijas Pueblo, the town of Frigiliana (known as Andalusia’s prettiest), and Competa, which is a little further inland but well worth the drive.

If you have your own transport, these towns are easy to visit independently. But if you don’t have a rental car, you can book a tour from Malaga to most of the smaller towns and villages. Here are a couple I recommend:

Tour of Frigiliana, with Nerja and the Caves of Nerja, also included – Nerja is a lovely town to visit on the coast. This tour leaves from Malaga.

Guided tour from Malaga to Marbella, Mijas, and Puerto Banús – Marbella’s Old Town is gorgeous, Puerto Banús is worth a visit for the beach and beach bars, and Mijas Pueblo is a stunning white town that you just have to see!

10. Guided Bike Tour of Malaga

If you fancy something a little different to a walking tour, why not book a guided bike tour instead! You’ll get to visit all of the top spots in Malaga without wearing out your feet and legs.

There are several options for guided bike tours of Malaga, from electric bike tours, if you’re not feeling very energetic, to vintage bike tours, for the Instagram-perfect shot!

The upside to choosing a bike tour over a walking tour is that you’ll see much more of the city, due to being able to get around the sites much quicker than on foot.

Here are a couple of bike tours I recommend:

Highlights, Hidden Gems and Coast Vintage Bike Tour – 2-hour tour with a vintage bike. You’ll see the vibrant streets of the historic centre, stop to admire the majestic Alcazaba and Roman Theatre, and soak up the sun as you ride along the Promenade and the Port of Málaga.

Guided E-Bike Tour of Malaga – 2-hour e-bike tour through Malaga’s sights, including Gibralfaro forest, where you’ll enjoy stunning views, the Alcazaba’s ancient walls, the promenade, and Málaga’s top beaches, with plenty of time to stop and take photos along the way.

How to Choose the Best Malaga Tour for Your Trip

Best Tours for First-Time Visitors

If you’re visiting Malaga for the first time, I recommend booking a tour that will help you to get familiar with the city. The best tours for this are usually walking tours, as you will get a feel for the place, visit the highlights and top attractions and learn about the history and culture of the city too.

Whenever I land in a new city, I try to book a walking tour for the first day. Not only will I get to know the city layout, but I can also get recommendations from the tour guide for the best things to see and do, the best places to eat and any spots that only locals know about.

Once you have got a feel for the city, you’ll be able to decide which of the attractions and spots you want to spend more time in during your trip.

I recommend booking a free walking tour with GuruWalk in Malaga, or this 2-hour walking tour via Get Your Guide.

Best Tours for Meeting Other Travellers

Booking a group tour is one of the best ways to meet other travellers while solo travelling. I’ve ended up meeting people on tours from all around the world that I have stayed in touch with for years.

One of the best tours that I found for meeting other travellers is the Spain Food Sherpas Tapas and Wine Tour in Malaga. The tour is 3 hours long, which provides plenty of time to chat with your fellow travellers.

While walking tours can also be great for meeting others, a food tour means that you will be sitting around a table, enjoying food, which is the perfect opportunity to strike up conversations. I usually start by asking people where they are from, and the conversation usually flows from there!

Best Tours If You Only Have One Day in Malaga

If you only have one day in Malaga, you’ll want to make the most of your time and see as much of the city as possible. A walking tour can be a great way to do this, but if time is of the essence, a guided bike tour of Malaga would mean you’ll see more of the city in less time.

After your tour ends, you can then head back to whichever parts of the city you liked the most to explore a little further, or head to other spots you didn’t see on the tour.

Frequently Asked Questions