Museo Catedralicio part of the great work of art that constitutes the Cathedral of Málaga, is a must for visitors arriving in the capital of the Costa del Sol. A visit to the museum starts with a tour of the building and ends with viewing the paintings and sculptures of incalculable historic and artistic value.

A masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture, the Catedral de Málaga is a spectacular landmark that crowns the city's historic quarter. Construction for the church began in the 16th Century, and the ornate interiors largely date from this period while the 18th-century exteriors highlight a Baroque influence. The cathedral's original plan envisaged two bell towers, but due to the vast expenditure, only one was ever completed, leading to the nickname La Manquita, meaning lady with one arm. The church's 15 side chapels are richly adorned with religious art and beautiful paintings while the elaborately bedecked choir stalls can be largely attributed to sculptor Pedro de Mena. The 200-step staircase leads up to the bell tower which commands mesmerizing views across the city. The museum housed within the church is a repository of some of the most beautiful period art.

Without doubt, this is one of the best examples of monumental art in Málaga. Partially built over the site of an ancient mosque, the construction of this church was authorized on the same Papal bull of 1488 as that of the cathedral. The façade that faces Santa María Street was initially conceived as the façade for the cathedral. It is a magnificent example of Isabelline Gothic, the prevailing style during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs.

Iglesia de Santiago is one of four churches that the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, commissioned after having captured the city. Its outstanding feature is the Mudejar-style bell tower. Located in Granada Street, it is an example of the architecture of Málaga in the 17th and 18th centuries. A "must see" for all visitors to the center of Málaga, it is also close to such well-known local establishments as the Bodega El Pimpi (wine cellars).

An old Arab fortress that dominates the city from its vantage point on the hill above the Malaga Bay, La Alcazaba has now become a symbol of the modern city and an important tourist attraction. Sultan Badis, ruler of the Moorish province of Granada is credited for having it built in the 11th Century. It was declared a national heritage site in 1931 and extensive restoration work began the same year which was completed in 1947 turning back the clock and revealing the fortress's original splendor. Explorations around the site throw light on how even earlier Roman remains were incorporated into the Moorish building work, and there are attractive gardens covered in swathes of blooming bougainvillea and orange trees ripe with scented fruit where visitors can sit and rest.

Málaga's most famous son and world renowned artist Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born here. The house became a heritage site in 1983 and the Picasso Foundation took it over in 1998 to turn it into a research center. Nowadays, Museo-Casa Natal de Picasso houses some of Picasso's prints, ceramics and illustrated books along with 3500 pieces of contemporary art created by over 200 different artists. The foundation organizes regular exhibitions, conferences, and other events connected to its namesake as well as maintaining a library and research center. You can visit the exhibitions to see work by national and international artists in addition to the pieces created by the winner of the Picasso October award.

One of the few spaces available for contemporary art in Malaga, Museo del Patrimonio Municipal de Málaga opened in 1999, with three floors to house temporary exhibitions organized by the Town Hall's cultural department. Paintings, sculptures and photographs by national and international artists of the stature of Botero, Brikman and Guayasamín are exhibited. The minimalist and functional modern building was designed by architect Federico Orellana and stands close to both the Town Hall and the Plaza de Toros (bullring). Local couples getting married use the attractive fountain opposite as a backdrop for their wedding photos.

Museo Acuario Aula del Mar was opened in 1990 and has been educating the public about the area's rich marine ecology ever since. There are displays on sailing, fishing and archaeology as well as marine fauna and flora. A center for the protection of endangered marine species was set up in the museum in 1994 and you might get the chance to see a wounded turtle recovering.

A beautiful, landscaped garden, La Concepción is home to thousands of different plants, a plethora of birds and a wealth of cultural interests. The botanical garden sustains one of Spain's most diverse collections of palm trees and other subtropical species, as well as numerous exotic plants, arranged thematically across 23 hectares (57 acres). At its core lies a spectacular, historic garden of neoclassical design. Expanded over the years by its owners, the historical garden is replete with intriguing elements of landscape design, riddled with streams and babbling fountains in between greenhouses, waterfalls, and bridges. Interwoven seamlessly into the landscape are a number of architectural gems as well, such as the San Telmo aqueduct, La Casa Palacio, and the Loringian Museum. It opened to the public in June 1994 and is a special place that enchants with its myriad charms.