This blog post was originally posted on May 27, 2015 and was updated on July 27, 2017.
Did you know that there are more than 20 different museums in Malaga?!
Not only are there plenty of spots dedicated to hometown hero Pablo Picasso, but newer sites such as the Pompidou Center and the Russian Museum make it clear that Malaga is betting on culture and its museums to draw tourism both from Spain and abroad.
That being said, it can sometimes be difficult to choose which Malaga museums you’d like to visit when you have a limited amount of time. There's a lot to enjoy along the Costa del Sol, not the least of which is the beach and the food! So to help you decide where to visit, this list narrows down the best museums in Malaga so you can pick and choose according to your interests.
The Best Museums in Malaga
1. Carmen Thyssen Museum
The Carmen Thyssen Museum in Malaga is the sister museum to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection in Madrid. Found in the heart of historic Malaga, the building itself is beautiful, with a white interior patio filled with green plants that give the whole place a cooling effect on a hot summer's day. The gallery features 19th century works with a special focus on Andalusian paintings. Here, you'll see works by Joaquín Sorolla, Mariano Fortuny, Julio Romero de Torres, and Pablo Picasso among others. With all of these great names from the art world, it's no wonder why this is definitely one of the best museums in Malaga!
Address: Calle Compañía, 10
2. The Russian Museum
The Russian Museum in Malaga opened in 2015, and is the first international branch of the St. Petersburg-based museum. The museum is located in a newly refurbished building that was formerly a tobacco factory, and is now dedicated to a collection Russian art from the 16th to 20th centuries. Works featured include Wassily Kandinsky and Ilya Repin, among others. The same space is also home to the Automobile Museum, so with two very different museums under one roof, you can kill two birds with one stone.
Address: Avenida Sor Teresa Prat, 15
3. Center of Contemporary Art
The Center for Contemporary Art in Malaga (CAC) is is a free museum and cultural space offering rotating exhibits throughout the year. This is a great museum in Malaga if you only have a short amount of time, as the gallery is quite small and it is close to the happening SoHo area of the city. Aside from the gallery, throughout the year there are numerous things going on including talks, activities, and film festivals. It is a little off the beaten path, but still only steps from the Alameda (the main tree lined street just off Calle Larios).
Address: Calle Alemania, 2
4. Pompidou Centre
The multicolored cube at the end of Muelle Uno cannot be missed. Opened in spring of 2015, this is the first Pompidou Center outside of France. On display, you'll find a permanent collection of works from the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as rotating temporary exhibits. Some of the artists featured include Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Max Ernst, René Magritte and Alberto Guacometti, making it one of the must-see Malaga museums for any art lover!
Address: Muelle 1
5. The Picasso Museum of Málaga (MPM)
Why not save the most famous of them all for last? The Picasso Museum of Malaga, tucked away on a cobblestone side street, features 285 works by Malaga's own born and bred artist. The works range from his first academic studies through his last works in the 1970s, and it's small enough that you won't get tired, making it a good choice when you are short on time. Once you are done, there are lots of cafés around to grab a tea or coffee when you've finished seeing the art!
Address: Calle San Agustín, 8
Keep exploring: Check out one of these unique museums in Malaga
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Photo Credit: Haddhar
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