Valencia and Malaga are two of the largest coastal cities in Spain, known for being major port cities and for having beautiful beaches. Both cities are truly worth visiting but which one is best? If you are trying to decide whether to visit Valencia or Malaga, this is the ultimate guide to help you decide which city to visit.
Table of Contents
Valencia or Malaga Overview
Valencia
Valencia is the 3rd largest city in Spain, with 800,000 people and a much larger metro area. It has one of the busiest ports in all of Europe and is the biggest in the Mediterranean. It is home to long, sandy beaches which makes it a destination for history buffs and beach lovers alike.
Today, Valencia is known for being the birthplace of the famous Spanish dish, paella. It is also home to The City of Arts and Sciences which is an area with impressive modern buildings. Valencia has hosted some of the largest festivals in Europe for centuries. It has one of the best parks in the country and has a nightlife to compete with other Spanish cities.
Malaga
Malaga is a major Mediterranean port city and the sixth-largest city in Spain, with over 570,000 people living there. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe, being founded in the 700s BC. There are visible Muslim, Jewish, and Christian influences throughout the city. One of Malaga’s biggest claims to fame is being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.
The city is has a mild climate throughout the year as well as many beaches in the area which makes it increasingly popular among tourists. Malaga is also home to many incredible structures, like the Alcazaba Fortress and the Roman Amphitheater.
Things to See
Valencia
The City of Arts and Sciences is an incredible part of Valencia, featuring some of the most iconic buildings in Spain.
Valencia Cathedral was opened in 1238 and is said to be home to the Holy Grail.
Torres de Quart is the remaining towers of the old city walls in Valencia.
Terraza L’Umbracle is a part of The City of Arts and Sciences.
America’s Cup Experience is an area in Valencia’s harbor where one of the biggest sailing races begins.
Malaga
The Alcazaba is a fortress overlooking the city that was built when the city was under Moorish rule.
The Roman Theatre is an ancient amphitheater built in the 1st century BC.
Gibralfaro is a hill with the Castle of Gibralfaro on top with beautiful vistas of the city.
La Malagueta Bullring opened in 1876 and holds just over 9000 people.
The Cathedral of Málaga is a large Roman Catholic church that was completed in 1782.
Food
Valencia
Easily the most famous food to come out of Valencia is paella. Because paella originated in Valencia, you can get arguably the best paella in the world here. Fideuà is a dish similar to paella but in noodle form and it originated in a town not far from Valencia. For dessert, one of the most popular foods to indulge in is bunyols which are similar to donut holes. Fartons are very popular snacks in Valencia and can be found in basically any of the cities bakeries.
Malaga
Being a major coastal city in Spain, you can expect some of Malaga’s most popular foods to revolve around seafood. One traditional dish that you may want to try in Malaga is Gazpachuelo Malagueño which is a soup that consists of potatoes and shrimp as well as other types of seafood in certain variations. Fritura Malagueña is fried fish made the “Malaga way” and is a must to try when you are here. Espeto are roasted sardines and is another local favorite. As for dessert or a snack, you should try Tarta Malagueña which is basically cake.
Getting Around
Valencia
The center of Valencia is quite compact and is great for walking but it is pretty far from the beach and The City of Arts and Sciences. One of the best ways to maneuver your way through the city is to rent a bike to ride through the Turia Riverbed Park, which runs the length of the city, and to explore the coast of Valencia. Buses, Trams, and the metro make up public transportation here. You may want to invest in the Valencia Card which gives you unlimited access to public transportation and gives you discounts throughout the city.
Malaga
The center of Malaga is a car-free zone which makes it quite easy to explore on foot. Many of the main sights in the city are near, or in, the city center. If you want to explore the outskirts of the city, public transportation here consists of a network of buses and the metro. You can also buy tickets to the hop on hop off bus that takes you to all of the city’s attractions with less to worry about. Malaga is also a great city to rent a bike and explore, especially the seaside areas of the city and the port.
Nightlife
Valencia
Valencia upholds the Spanish stereotype of having a great nightlife. Many of the nightclubs don’t even open until 1:00 AM! The historic center, especially Barrio del Carmen, is packed with bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs. One of the most interesting nightclubs in the city is Mya Club which is in the Arts District and is quite a unique place to party. High Cube is a nightclub on a big boat in the harbor and is extremely popular with university students. Overall, you won’t have a problem finding fun places to go for nightlife in Valencia.
Malaga
As with most Spanish cities, the nightlife in Malaga starts quite late in comparison to other places in Europe. There are many tapas bars throughout the city that serve as a “pregame” before the heavier drinking begins. The historic center and the area around the beach are two of the best area in Malaga to find nightlife. There are many clubs and discos to choose from in Malaga so just do a little research before you head to any random club. Many people like to travel to Marbella to experience their nightlife. Beach bars are also growing in popularity but most of them are found along to coast just to the south of the city.
Day Trips
Valencia
Sagunto is just 30km from Valencia. It is known for its Roman and Moorish influences and because Hannibal and his army fought for the city.
Peniscola is a beach town with an impressive fortress just to the north of Valencia.
Xativa is a small city known for its impressive Xativa Castle.
Malaga
Gibraltar has been a small British territory since 1713. It is less than 2 hours from Malaga.
Marbella is considered to be the Miami of Europe in other words, many wealthy people live here.
Nerja is known for its beaches and its caves.
These two cities sit in between the three major cities on the Iberian Peninsula. Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon are all worth visiting as well if you have the time to do so. If you visit Malaga you are not very far from Seville either!
Overall
Malaga and Valencia are two of the largest coastal cities in Spain. They are known for their beautiful beaches and for being major port cities. Valencia is a larger city with more of a Catalonian cultural vibe (even though it is not in Catalonia) and Malaga is in Andalusia and has more of an authentic Spanish feel.
If you are heading to or coming from Barcelona or the rest of Europe, Valencia would be the easier option for you. If you are going to or coming from Seville or Lisbon, Malaga would be much closer than Valencia. Nightlife is better in Valencia if that is important to you. The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is quite a spectacular place to visit which is part of the reason I would choose Valencia over Malaga.