Malaga
 

Will be in Malaga around Sept 9 for 3 nights. I'm interested in staying in the old city. I traveled there in the mid 70s, but remember cobble stone streets and shops similar to Siena, Italy.
I would love to stay in a hotel in that area where I can walk around. I don't plan on renting a car if that's an option. Can you provide me some hotel names? I can go to hotel sites, but I won't be sure if they are located in what I'm envisioning. Help please thank you.

Wandy

I have not yet been to Malaga, but one thing you can do is search on Booking.com and utilize the map feature for hotels in Malaga. You can even utilize the filter feature to incorporate your budget and amenity desires within that map.

You can also do the same on other booking sites and Google maps You do not have to book through these sites, just gives you the "lay of the land." FYI, Google also has "street view" so you can see the environment around the hotel if that is more what you're looking for. I doubt the cobblestones have changed since the 70s..

Btw, most folks here will give recommendations based upon budget, if applicable.

A close friend keeps a holiday condo in Malaga and spends a lot of time there. I will ask her for hotel recs. Do you want restaurant recs as well?

We spent a year in a small town north of malaga and were regular visitors to the city. An apartment rather than hotel, but on the occasions we took long weekends there we stayed at iloft Premium Centro Historico available at https://www.booking.com/hotel/es/ilo...istorico.en-gb.
A really nice apartment and very close to the amazing Mercado de Atarazanas. Would definitely stay there again when we return

Thank you for your reply. I've traveled a lot and do use the hotel booking sites, but have found that particular recommendations for hotels or restaurants from Fodors members have provided awesome recommendations. I like the personal touch. I'm afraid that the memory I have of Malaga is different than what it is today therefore appreciate the personal recommendations. The maps are helpful of course.

Thank you. Yes restaurant recommendations are definitely welcomed. To be honest I haven't researched much of what to see in Malaga, especially since I don't plan on renting a car, but am starting my research now. I had planned on doing the Camino de Santiago on Sept. 1, but I have a conflict therefore am researching other areas to visit besides Barcelona, which is my primary destination.

We were in Malaga just this past Feb for 8 days and did not find any cobblestones in the streets. The entire old city section is pedestrian only and with smooth surfaces (see pics attached). I would suggests hotels near C Molina Lario.

the AC hotel Malaga palacio is a block from the Airbnb we stayed at. Super convenient and it has a nice rooftop bar for views.

Not sure what your interests are but here is my trip report from Feb 2026
https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/yk-teen-chasing-the-sun-in-costa-del-sol-malaga-feb-2026-tr-1734853/

casa Lola is a chain with several restaurants in the old city. Our tour guide recommended it and we ate there twice. I also highly recommend a tapas food tour with the Spain Sherpa Food tour.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3dc190e29.jpeg
C Molina Lario
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...50b71fd6d.jpeg
Typical pedestrian streets - no cobblestones
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9bad678f9.jpeg
Another typical pedestrian street

thank you for your reply. Oops guess my memory was wrong. Must have been another town.
I do remember the narrow walk ways and shops everywhere.