Patio week in Malaga May 2025

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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 Patio week in Malaga.

What is Patio week in Malaga?

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

The Patio week in 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 5 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.

Programme

From Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 May, you can enjoy free tours of the Corralones of Perchel and La Trinidad. Opening hours are from 10 am to 1 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm.

All these days there will be gastronomy from 6 pm to 10 pm at the Corralon de Santa Sofía with tapas and drinks at very affordable prices.