The 5 Most Essential Things to Do in Malaga in July

This blog post was originally posted on June 22, 2015 and was updated on June 28, 2018.

Summer in the south of Spain has always been something magical. The days are impossibly long (the sun doesn’t go down until at least 10 p.m.!) and the hot temperatures along with the proximity of the beach make everything more relaxed. Everyone seems to be in a better mood, and lingering on a terrace in the cool night air helps every day end on a high note. Ready to dive into Andalusian summer? Here's our list of the best things to do in Malaga in July!

Top Things to Do in Malaga in July

1. Enjoy a movie in the open air

Open Cinema in Malaga only gets bigger and better every year. Until mid-August, you can enjoy hundreds of different events, all totally free. There will be films for people with all sorts of taste, and plenty for kids as well! Family films are mostly displayed in the morning and you can see art-house films and original versions in the evening.

Sound good? Catch screenings at one of the three main beaches in Malaga (La Malagueta, La Misericordia and El Dedo), as well as a number of other venues around town.

There's so many fun activities going on in Malaga in July, and one must-do is catching a movie at Cine Abierto! — Is there any better place to enjoy a movie in the open air at the beach?

2. Watch a unique religious procession for the Virgin del Carmen

The Virgin del Carmen is the saint that protects fishermen. This makes the celebration especially important in Malaga, which has always been a fishing city. On July 16, the procession of the Virgin leaves from the Church of San Patricio and reaches the seashore, where she's taken out on a boat to bless the water. While the celebration itself is recognized throughout Spain, Malaga's way of commemorating it is completely unique. This is easily one of the most fascinating things to do in Malaga in July even if you're not religious.

3. Enjoy world class flamenco

Looking for an authentic flamenco experience in Malaga? Check out the Terral Flamenco Festival, which starts in late June and lasts until mid-August, to see world-class artists take the stage at the Cervantes Theater downtown. This is your chance to check out some of the most well-known names in modern flamenco, and one of the essential things to do in Malaga in July for music and dance fans.

Visiting Malaga in July? You can't miss the Terral Flamenco Festival! — Feel the passion of flamenco in Malaga this summer!

4. Have a walk at night at the botanical garden

In July and August the historical botanical garden of Malaga opens until late at night on Wednesdays and Thursdays for special dramatized visits. Two actors, who play a marquis and marquise, will show you the inner courtyard and the old library as well. You will enjoy lots of music and hear different stories about the family connected to the gardens.

If you're visiting Malaga in July, don't miss a night visit to the lovely botanical gardens! — Malaga's botanical gardens seem even more magical at night. Photo credit: Jose Manuel Mazintosh

5. Explore the neighborhood of Pedregalejo

Pedregalejo is one of Málaga’s oldest fishing neighborhoods, easily accessible from the city center by bus. The small houses are much more traditional and quaint than the larger modern apartment buildings of the downtown area, and you'll even see the traditional family homes with shared patios known as casas corralones. These seaside homes in Pedregalejo are simple and remind you of Malaga’s maritime roots. Make sure to enjoy an espeto (0r several!) and the sunset on the beach while you're there, too—enjoying seafood right by the water is easily one of the most relaxing things to do in Malaga in July.