Malaga Courtyard Festival - 5 to 9 May 2026

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Would you like to experience Malaga off the beaten tourist track? Discover a historical but little-known facet of the city during the Malaga Courtyard Festival.

The 20th Annual Malaga Courtyard Festival will take place from May 5th to 9th in the La Trinidad and El Perchel neighborhoods. Scheduled activities include visits to the corralones (traditional courtyard buildings), guided tours, lectures, food tastings, workshops and performances.

What is the Malaga Courtyard Festival about?

First of all, the Malaga Courtyard Festival has nothing to do with the Courtyard Festival in Cordoba, which has been declared a World Heritage Site.

The Courtyard Festival Malaga takes us to the neighbourhoods of La Trinidad and El Perchel on the outskirts of the historic centre where you can still breathe the typical neighbourhood life and very little tourist traffic.

The two neighbourhoods celebrate during these days their history and culture, with courtyards decorated with flowers and typical shawls (mantón).

These patios in particular are called Corralones and are peculiar to Malaga, further down we explain why. During this week, the Corralones families proudly show their house and their way of life.

What are the Corralones?

The classic Andalusian courtyard has existed for centuries, being a fusion of Roman and Muslim architecture. It is usually a private house with an open inner courtyard, decorated with plants and a fountain.

The Corralones of Malaga could be described as the first housing blocks that became popular back in the 19th century. That is, a larger building with multi-family dwellings situated around a large interior courtyard.

The special thing about the Corralones is that they were built for workers and very humble families. The dwellings were tiny, there were no toilets, so social life took place in the courtyards of these buildings where there was usually a well or a fountain.

This building typology fosters an intense coexistence and relationship between neighbours, since the life of all of them has a common nexus: the central courtyard.

A total of 106 Corralones are preserved in Malaga. These dwellings, associated with a low purchasing power, have led the public administration to organise beautification competitions and thus was born the Patio week of Malaga, which has more and more followers every year.

Corralón de Santa Sofía

Among all these Corralones stands out the Santa Sofía Corralón. It is a beautiful 19th century Corralón that has been carefully restored and converted into a space for the elderly.

This is where the events of the Corralones week of La Trinidad and El Perchel are held.

Celebration of the Biennial of Flamenco Art of Malaga in the Corralón de Santa Sofía, during the Week of the Corralones.

Visiting the Corralones

The Corralones are open to the public during that week from 10 am to 1 pm and from 6 pm to 8 pm.

On our map you will find all the Corralones and you can make your own tour.

We especially recommend you visiting the Corralón de Santa Sofía, in Calle Montes de Oca 6. All the activities, gastronomy and performances are organised there throughout the week.

If you wish to participate in any of this week’s activities, you should know that all are FREE (WITHOUT RESERVATION) UNTIL FULL CAPACITY, except for HISTORICAL VISITS (in which case you must contact the Zegrí Association on the phone +34 952 29 15 70, from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 1 pm). These visits will take place in the afternoons, from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Programme

You can enjoy traditional cuisine at the Corralón de Santa Sofía during the following hours:

– Tuesday to Friday: 6 pm to 10 pm
– Saturday: 12 pm to 3 pm and 8 pm to 11:30 pm

The Corralon de Santa Sofía is also the epicentre for other activities.

Featured Activities

Tuesday, May 5th
The courtyards open to the public with free and guided walks, food from La Alacena del Corralón, and a live cooking demonstration at the Santa Sofía Courtyard.

Wednesday, May 6th
Choir at the Santa Sofía Courtyard at 8 pm

Thursday, May 7th
Traditional Spanish song (Copla) at the Santa Sofía Courtyard at 7:45 pm

Friday, May 8th
80s Music at the Santa Sofía Courtyard at 7:45 pm

Saturday, May 9th
Music and dance by young artists at the Santa Sofía Courtyard at 12 pm