22nd September 2026 
Leave a commentWorld Tourism Day in Malaga takes place on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Malaga’s town council and local cultural institutions provide free admission and special events.
Also the municipalities throughout the region host special institutional activities, open-door museum days, and unique cultural programming.
Here you find the main highlights and where to enjoy good food to replenish energy in the city centre at a glance.
Museums with free access
Museo Carmen Thyssen Malaga
Free entry from 10 am to 8 pm. There will be six free guided tours: In English at 11am and 5 pm. An in Spanish at 12 pm, 1 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm.
Museo Picasso Malaga
World Tourism Day, it normally maintains its standard Sunday schedule, which offers free entry only during the final two hours of the day (5 pm to 7 pm).
Museo Casa Natal Picasso
Picasso’s Birthplace situated at the charming Plaza de la Merced. You can explore the rooms where Picasso spent his early childhood for free all day. Free admission for the special day.
Open doors with gallery mediation and flash visits in Spanish and English (registration required 30 minutes prior at the desk).
Centre Pompidou Malaga
Open from 9:30 am to 8 pm. Located at the Muelle Uno harbour, this modern art hub offers free general admission for the day.
Russian Museum Collection
Inaugurated in 2015 as the first Western European branch of the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, the centre has reinvented itself in recent years by showcasing major private collections of avant-garde and contemporary art.
Located in the historic Tabacalera building. Open from 9:30 am to 8 pm.
Museum of Malaga
Located in the impressive Customs Palace (Palacio de la Aduana), is an excellent choice for World Tourism Day. It is the largest state-run museum in Andalusia, housing a spectacular collection of archaeology and fine arts. Open from 9 am to 3 pm.
Historic monuments with free access
These are the city’s main monuments that you can visit without paying an entrance fee on that day:
Malaga Cathedral
It holds an open day, allowing you to visit its cathedral museum.
Roman Theatre
Located right at the foot of the Alcazaba, access to the site and the interpretation centre is usually free. However, on this day, the atmosphere is special, and there are additional activities.
La Concepción Historical-Botanical Garden
A spectacular tropical oasis on the outskirts of the city that typically participates in the open-access events of this celebration. It offers free admission on World Tourism Day.
It is an excellent opportunity to visit this spectacular 19th-century tropical paradise for free; it is ranked among the best botanical gardens in Europe thanks to its exotic vegetation brought from all five continents.
On this special day, the garden maintains its regular summer hours, opening from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm.
English Cemetery
The oldest Protestant cemetery in mainland Spain – a unique historic site filled with gardens and monumental tombs.
Historic San Miguel Cemetery
The San Miguel Historic Cemetery is one of the most important monumental and architectural gems in Andalusia and Spain.
Predominantly Neoclassical in style, this 19th-century burial ground serves as a veritable open-air museum reflecting the golden age of the Malaga bourgeoisie, filled with pantheons and mausoleums of great artistic value.
Open free of charge from 9 am to 6 pm with open access to the chapel.
Alcazaba and Gibralfaro
The Alcazaba and Castillo de Gibralfaro form Malaga’s most iconic historical skyline. Together, they represent one of the most formidable medieval defensive complexes in the Iberian Peninsula.
The lower-lying Alcazaba is an elegant 11th-century palace-fortress filled with lush Moorish courtyards. The 14th-century Gibralfaro Castle is a military stronghold offering unmatched 360-degree views of the coastline, port and city.
Free admission during the monument’s entire opening hours (usually 9 am to 8 pm during the summer season), subject to capacity limits.
Malaga Museum Locations Map
Recommendations for lunch spots in the historic centre
This year´s date for the World Tourism Day (it´s always on the 27 September by the way) is especially interesting as it falls on a Sunday.
So, nothing better than enjoy a full day strolling through the city centre.
We propose some excellent lunch spots near the historic centre of Malaga within arm’s reach of the core museums like the Museo Carmen Thyssen or Museo Picasso Malaga. Securing an outdoor terrace table or enjoying some tapas bars is a fantastic way to recharge between tours.
Tapas Bars
Bodega El Pimpi: An iconic, legendary bodega located right on Calle Granada. It is famous for its labyrinth of rooms filled with signed wine barrels, traditional Andalusian tapas, and a vibrant, bustling historic
Casa Lola: Highly popular for its retro tavern aesthetic and delicious traditional tapas, vermouth, and montaditos (small sandwiches). It features a very lively outdoor setup perfect for casual afternoon grazing.
La Tranca: A laid-back, kitschy tavern overflowing with local charm and old-school vinyl record covers on the walls. It is a fantastic pick for quick, simple bites like empanadas, cheese and vermouth.
Modern & Al Fresco Dining
Kraken Centro: Situated in the beautiful Plaza de las Flores, this sophisticated venue features a fantastic terrace preparing highly imaginative, modern takes on local seafood dishes and local desserts.
L’experience: Perfect for an al fresco lunch, this restaurant overlooks Plaza del Obispo and offers stunning, direct views of the landmark cathedral. It is ideal for shared plates, Mediterranean mains, and gourmet burgers.
Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian
Malaga’s historic centre boasts an exceptional selection of strictly plant-based and highly veg-friendly eateries, perfectly positioned right between the major museums participating in World Tourism Day.
Meet Vegano: A fantastic fully vegan spot hidden in the winding streets of the centre, known for creative, upscale plant-based comfort food with beautiful presentations. It is intimate and highly rated for dinner or a late lunch.
REVIV CAFÉ: Located extremely close to the Museo Carmen Thyssen, this 100% vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free organic café is the ultimate choice for a healthy afternoon brunch or sweet treat between exhibits.
Restaurante Vegetariano Cañadú: Perfectly located right on Plaza de la Merced (steps away from Picasso’s Birthplace), this local staple features a large, sunny terrace and specializes in hearty, traditional vegetarian and vegan versions of Spanish classics.
BYOKO Strachan: Just 40 metres off the famous Calle Larios, this ultra-chic, farm-to-table “Km 0” restaurant offers an expansive menu dedicated to local organic produce with clearly labelled vegan, vegetarian, and allergy-safe selections. Note: They operate strictly by order of arrival and do not take reservations.
Activities this day in other towns of Malaga province
Towns across Malaga province celebrate alongside the capital city with a unique cultural programming.
World Tourism Day in Nerja
Throughout the three-day weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), the centrally located Plaza de España hosts the Mercado de Sabores (Market of Flavours). There will be food stalls where visitors can sample sweet wines from the Axarquía region, local raisin products or artisanal pastries.
Weekend evenings are enlivened by free open-air concerts performed by national bands in the same square.
Furthermore, the municipality frequently hosts specialized guided tours of its historic centre and the iconic Balcón de Europa. It is also a fantastic time to check for special access to the famous nearby Nerja Caves.
World Tourism Day in Benalmadena
Bil-Bil, an Arab-style castle right by the beach, has become a hub for celebrations. It hosts live open-air musical performances on its grounds, opening its doors to the public from noon until midnight.
World Tourism Day in Fuengirola
Open House at Sohail Castle. The 10th-century medieval fortress, located near the river mouth, is holding an open house event with free admission for all visitors over the weekend.
World Tourism Day in Marbella
Sign up for free guided walking tours. You can discover the 8th-century Arab medina, the Plaza de los Naranjos, the Church of the Incarnation and the walls of the medieval castle. You can book a spot through local pplatforms, such as the Marbella Free Tour.
A free concert illuminated exclusively by candlelight will take place at Plaza del Santo Cristo at 9 pm.
World Tourism Day in Estepona
Visits to the Estepona Orchid House: The spectacular botanical garden – famous for its glass domes and collection of over 5,000 orchid species – is offering special access and tours designed to showcase tropical flora during the weekend of September 27. Reservations and time slots are coordinated at the main entrance of the Estepona Orchid House.
World Tourism Day in Antequera
Famous for its UNESCO World Heritage megalithic structures, Antequera marks this occasion with various free initiatives and guided tours designed to showcase its impressive historical and cultural heritage.
The Antequera Dolmens Archaeological Site is organizing a special themed visit featuring immersive experiences and an exhibition, running from 11 am to 1 pm. The activity is completely free, with capacity limited to 30 people and advance reservation required.
Iconic monuments – such as the Alcazaba Monumental Complex and the Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María – typically open their doors or offer special guided tours for visitors.
The El Torcal de Antequera natural area usually joins the festivities with guided hiking tours to explore its famous karst formations.
