Malaga Spain
Malaga is a Mediterranean port city in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, the capital of the Costa del Sol and birthplace of Pablo Picasso. The city has reinvented itself over the past decade with a strong contemporary art scene anchored by the Centre Pompidou Malaga, the Picasso Museum, and the Carmen Thyssen Museum, alongside its traditional draws of warm climate, beaches, and tapas culture. Malaga Costa del Sol Airport is one of Spain’s busiest airports with extensive low-cost European connectivity, about 20 minutes from the city center by train. Malaga is the gateway to the Costa del Sol resort strip and to the historic cities of Granada, Cordoba, and Seville by direct high-speed rail.
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Picasso Museum - The world’s largest single-collection Picasso museum, in the artist’s birthplace city.
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Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castles - Moorish fortress complex above the historic centre with panoramic views over the port and old town.
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Centre Pompidou Malaga - The colorful glass cube on the port is the only Pompidou outside France and rotates strong contemporary exhibitions.
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Day trip to the Alhambra in Granada - The Moorish palace complex is about 1h30m by direct bus or 1h45m by train.
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Costa del Sol beaches - The resort towns of Torremolinos, Benalmadena, and Marbella are short Cercanias rides west of the city.
Malaga Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is the fourth-busiest airport in Spain, with extensive low-cost European connectivity from Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, and others, plus several long-haul connections via Madrid. The Cercanias C-1 commuter train runs every 20 minutes from the airport to Malaga Maria Zambrano station and the central Malaga-Centro station, taking about 12 minutes for around 2 EUR. Taxis to the city center are about 15-20 minutes for 25-30 EUR.
The historic centre of Malaga is compact and walkable, with the cathedral, Picasso Museum, and Alcazaba fortress within easy distance. The Cercanias commuter rail connects the city centre, the airport, and the Costa del Sol resort towns including Torremolinos. The Malaga Metro is short but useful for some hotels. The AVE high-speed train at Maria Zambrano station reaches Cordoba in under an hour and Seville in about 2 hours.
Malaga has one of the mildest climates in Europe, with around 320 sunny days a year. Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) are ideal for conferences, with daytime highs around 22-26C. October, when MODELS is held, is among the best times to visit with warm sea temperatures and lower crowds than the summer peak.
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1 upcoming conference in Malaga
Our picks in Malaga
A curated selection of hotels chosen for location, value, and fit for conference travellers.
AC Hotel Malaga Palacio by Marriott
Calle Cortina del Muelle 1, 29015 Malaga, Spain
Four-star Marriott directly beside Malaga Cathedral with a rooftop pool and bar offering panoramic views of the port - well-suited for MODELS...
Gran Hotel Miramar Malaga
Paseo de Reding 22, 29016 Malaga, Spain
Restored historic five-star beachfront grand hotel from 1926, with a spa, two pools, and direct beach access - best for MODELS attendees...
Holiday Inn Express Malaga Airport
Avenida Velazquez 26, 29004 Malaga, Spain
Three-star Holiday Inn Express between Malaga and the airport with complimentary breakfast - a reliable mid-range pick for MODELS attendees who want...
Vincci Seleccion Posada del Patio
Pasillo de Santa Isabel 7, 29005 Malaga, Spain
Five-star boutique design hotel built around preserved 13th-century city walls on the edge of the Soho district - best for MODELS attendees...
Hotel Yit Ciudad de Malaga
Marquesa de Moya 8, 29017 Malaga, Spain
Three-star value hotel in the El Palo district east of the centre near the Pedregalejo beachfront - a budget choice for MODELS...
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