We are going to be in Malaga next April for a week in between archaeology tours. Since we're going to be there for a week we'd like to stay in an apartment rather than a hotel. Many of the hotels seemed to be booked already due to it being Easter Week(?), so I think we'll have to look at an apartment. We've been told we should stay somewhere near Alemeda Principal (the principal avenue) and the Paseo Parque. I've looked at VRBO and there seem to be lots of choices. It's just my husband and I and we are light sleepers, so we'd like someplace quiet. We are interested in a mid-priced place (hopefully much less than <$150 per day).
Does anyone have suggestions as to whether we are looking in the right area of Malaga, recommendations on places you've stayed before, etc. We won't have a car.

That's one of the main streets in Malaga, I'm very surprised you can find lots of apartments right on it or overlooking Paseo Parque. I thought it was mainly businesses and hotels along that route. It's certainly convenient being practically dead center, though. Calle Molina Lario runs off from it to go northwest, I guess, and is pedestrianized with modern stores on it, and that goes into the area where the Cathedral and some museums are. But you probably can see that if you have a map.

I'm surprised hotels are booked up 9 months in advance, but I checked the one I stayed at, and it also was booked (NH Malaga). I don't think it's just they won't book that far in advance (although I thought that could be part of your problem), as they do say they have a hotel in Marbella with vacancies. Easter is a big deal in Malaga (Holy Week), though.

I think you have a dilemma of wanting something very central because you don't have a car and wanting quiet. I'd look for something in the historic center, I guess, but not right on those streets. Maybe you are using the terms being near those streets loosely, because I just checked VRBO for next Easter and there wasn't a single apartment on Paseo Parque. There were some into the historic center, like this one which is very central but not on the main streets and also on the very top floor, which should be quieter. Someone even comments that it was quiet (although I know that can vary by person).
https://www.vrbo.com/819255ha#


I don't know Malaga well enough to name neighborhoods that would work for you.

Semana Santa/Esater week in Málaga is huge, devotion and fiesta hand in hand, the by far major celebration of the year, many, many tens of thousands of mostly Spanish visitors, no wonder hotels are sold out. The whole center of town is processions and celebrations for most of the week, from about noon until late night (an through all night into Good Friday).

Málaga is a fantastic town, I go here all the time, and Semana Santa could be a great experience, just be prepared:
http://www.andalucia.com/festival/easter/malaga.htm
http://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga-...s-of-holy-week

I suggest you stay a little out of the heart of town so you wouldn't be affected by processions and crowds 24/7. Perhaps around Málaga apartamentos: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mala...tos.en-gb.html

or around Hotel California towards laid back and local atmosphere El Palo and Pedregalejo to the east of the city center: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cali...aga.en-gb.html

I also like the very local atmosphere area around Hotel Zenit Málaga, at the top of C/Cristo de la Epidemia. Outside most of the Semana Santa processions, but at the same time only some 15 mins walking to central Plaza de la Merced: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/zenitmalaga.en-gb.html

"Málaga: Spain's best kept secret": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html

Lots of things happening in 3000 year old Málaga now, the new museum and arts center in Spain: https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-culture-spain

By the end of this year, the five star Gran Hotel Miramar from 1926 reopens. Also an excellent part of town to stay during Semana Santa: http://www.granhotelmiramarmalaga.co...-hotel-malaga/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s6t-9Rsl7s

Apartments for vacation rental,in Andalusia, have to be registered. Whatever you choose, from advice here, make sure it is registered. If not it could be closed down.

Thank you all for the great suggestions, especially about apartments needing to be registered. We'll have to go with the flow, so to speak, and enjoy the week. I'll expand my search to the areas mentioned. I had found some apts. near the Cathedral on pedestrian streets and also some near the Paseo Parque that looked interesting. What this tells me is that I need to lock in a place now rather than later.