Wondering if Malaga is a great place to visit in December, especially around Christmas? Here are my honest impressions after just returning from a family trip this week. We had the chance to explore the Christmas markets and decorations in Malaga with the kids, and I’ve put together the ultimate list of things not to miss in the city during the winter holidays this year. The post also includes plenty of recent photos, giving you a glimpse of how Malaga looks this Christmas 2025 – so consider it a bit of holiday inspiration!

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Is Malaga Worth Visiting in December & Around Christmas Time

Visiting Malaga in Winter

Malaga is one of Spain’s most popular winter destinations, especially trending during the Christmas holidays among international visitors looking for pleasant weather and a chance to experience Spain’s festive atmosphere.

In December 2025, we visited Malaga with the kids, and you can get a glimpse of how the city looks right now through my photos. Although I’ve visited Malaga a few times in winter (the last time was in February during a Southern Spain road trip), this was my first time experiencing it in December for the Christmas markets and holiday atmosphere.

With so much media hype calling Malaga one of the top European Christmas destinations, I was curious to see if it lived up to the buzz or if it was overhyped. Overall, my verdict on Malaga at Christmas might be a bit controversial – but you can judge for yourself! Check out my live videos from Malaga this December 2025 on my IG here.

How is Christmas celebrated in Malaga?

Malaga is renowned for having one of the most beautiful Christmas celebrations in Spain, alongside Madrid. The city comes alive with traditional nativity scenes, Christmas markets, festive performances, and a charming holiday light display along the main street, Calle Larios, at night.

The Christmas decorations in Malaga are typically set up in late November and remain until the Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day) on January 6th, so there’s plenty of time to soak up the festive vibes throughout the holiday season.

Where to stay in Malaga in December

For this December trip, I decided to stay outside the city to avoid the hassle of parking and driving, knowing that Malaga can get quite busy arou. Plus, I love Andalusia’s white villages, so I chose an apartment in Mijas, which seemed like a great idea at the time. However, it turned out that parking in Mijas was even more challenging than in Malaga. So, if you’re traveling by car and still want to enjoy the city, I’d recommend staying in a central location in Malaga with parking options: Mariposa Hotel, Madeinterranea Suites, Soho Boutique Castillo de Santa Catalina, Soho Boutique Equitativa, or Vincci Larios Diez.

Top Things to Do in Malaga in December

Whether you are planning to spend 2 days in Malaga or stay for a week, here’s the ultimate list of things to see and activities not to be missed during the Christmas holidays in Malaga:

1. Christmas Lights at Calle Larios

One of the highlights of Christmas in Malaga is the spectacular light display on Calle Larios, the city’s main shopping street. The lights are synchronized with Spanish Christmas songs, creating a magical atmosphere that enhances the festive spirit.

The Christmas light displays in Malaga are usually switched on in late November and continue until early January, making it the perfect time for a holiday visit. The lights stretch from Plaza de la Constitución to the end of Calle Larios, and many other streets in the city center are also decorated, adding to the enchanting atmosphere of Christmas Malaga.

2. Christmas Markets in Malaga

Malaga has two main Christmas markets worth visiting: Mercadillo del Paseo del Parque, a charming market featuring festive goods, local crafts, and seasonal treats, and Mercadillo del Muelle, with a lovely view of the port. During my visit to Malaga in December 2025, I was pleasantly surprised by the artisan products at Mercadillo del Paseo del Parque (although there were also plenty of cheap souvenirs and sweet stalls). Overall, I felt this market was a great spot to pick up Spanish food souvenirs.

However, after 15 years of living in Spain, I still can’t quite explain why Christmas markets here, just don’t feel as charming as those in Northern Europe. That’s just my personal opinion. In the photos below, you’ll see Mercadillo del Paseo del Parque in Malaga alongside one from a Christmas market in Cologne, Germany. While Christmas markets with palm trees have their own unique charm, I’ll let you judge the aesthetics for yourself.

3. Botanical Garden of Malaga

For fans of gardens in Spain, the beautiful Jardín Botánico in Malaga is a must-visit, especially during the holiday season when it’s illuminated with stunning Christmas light displays that cast a festive glow over the lush greenery. It’s a peaceful spot to enjoy holiday decorations in a natural setting, reminding me of Manantial de los Sueños we visited in Madrid last December.

However, during our visit to Malaga this December, we decided to skip the botanical garden and instead head to Museo de Belenes in Mollina, about 50 minutes from Malaga. This lesser-known Spanish museum was a perfect fit for diving into Spanish Christmas traditions and art. Some of the nativity scenes (or belenes) were absolutely spectacular.

To our surprise, the kids were so captivated by the museum that we had a hard time getting them to leave, as they eagerly explored all the figures and picked their favorite nativity scene.

4. Holiday foods in Malaga

Malaga has its own holiday treats! Don’t miss out on pestiños (fried dough pastries with honey) and borrachuelos malagueños (fried dough pastries filled with sweet pumpkin or aniseed).

However, traditional Spanish delights like turrones (made with almonds, honey, sugar, and egg whites) and polvorones (crumbly shortbread cookies typically flavored with almonds), as well as Roscón de Reyes (a round cake traditionally eaten on Epiphany), are also popular. The first two are considered some of the best Spanish food souvenirs.

5. Festival de las Linternas

Held at Parque del Oeste of Malaga, this lantern festival is inspired by Chinese New Year and features a stunning display of colorful lanterns, creating an enchanting atmosphere for all ages. This festival lasts a bit longer, so you can enjoy it not only in December but throughout most of the winter in Malaga, from November 30 to February 15.

6. The Three Kings Parade (Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos)

The Cabalgata de Reyes on January 5th is one of the biggest celebrations in Spain over the Christmas holidays. While the largest parade takes place in the Spanish capital of Madrid, Malaga’s celebration also features elaborate floats, costumes, and performances, marking the arrival of the Three Kings and the conclusion of the Christmas season. You can check out last year’s parade in Malaga on Youtube here.

7. Nativity Scenes

Nativity scenes, or Belenes, are a deeply cherished Spanish tradition during the Christmas holidays. Belenes often depict the nativity story in stunning detail, with some even featuring artsy figures, animals, and moving elements, making them an enchanting part of the festive experience in Spain.

In Malaga, these scenes are displayed at various key locations around the city, with must-see spots typically including the Cathedral and the City Hall (Ayuntamiento). Many smaller churches throughout the Malaga province also set up their own nativity scenes, adding to the spiritual ambiance as you explore the region during the holiday season.

As I’ve already mentioned, we were pleasantly surprised by our visit to the Museo de Belenes (Nativity Scene Museum), located about 65 km from Malaga. The museum features over 100 nativity scenes from around the world, spread across a vast 5,000-square-meter exhibition space.

Weather in Malaga During Christmas

While most of Europe experiences cold temperatures in December, Malaga enjoys a much milder winter. Daytime temperatures typically range from 12°C to 18°C (54°F to 64°F), making it an ideal destination to enjoy winter sunshine.

During our visit to Malaga this December 2025, it was around 16°C in the evening. While I put on Christmas sweaters for myself and the kids purely for the festive mood, most people were wearing light jackets. With the sweaters, we didn’t actually need jackets, though later in the evening my kids put theirs on – mostly just to avoid carrying them around.

While it can get a bit chilly in the evenings, the sunny days in Malaga during December are fantastic, which is a huge contrast to many popular European Christmas destinations, where you can’t leave the house without a hat and gloves.

Malaga in December with Kids

Overall, Malaga is a fantastic Christmas destination to visit with kids, mainly due to its wonderful weather. With freezing temperatures in most of Northern Europe, you don’t have to bundle up the little ones too much. And when they start running around the playground, getting all sweaty, it can be tricky to manage layers. So, while I do want to take my kids to the Swiss Christmas markets one day, I admit that Malaga is much more comfortable for a family visit in December.

Southern Spain or Southern Portugal for Christmas?

However, on this very same December trip, we also visited the Algarve in Southern Portugal, and surprisingly, when it came to the little ones, it surpassed Malaga for us. My kids actually ended up enjoying the Christmas vibes in the Algarve much more than in Malaga. I didn’t expect that at all!

While Malaga obviously had flashier decorations, the Algarve’s local authorities really nailed the family-friendly atmosphere. They set up small Christmas markets with free carousels, Santa’s houses where kids could take photos and receive coloring book gifts, and ice skating rinks with free gear. The rides were all smaller carousels suited for kids aged 2-8, but they were all free and not crowded, so my kids didn’t want to leave.

So, if I were choosing purely for the weather, the decorations, or if I were traveling solo or as a couple, I’d pick the Christmas atmosphere in Malaga, Southern Spain. But if you ask my kids where they’d want to return to, they’d say the Christmas markets in the Algarve, Southern Portugal without a second thought!

Is Malaga a Good Place to Visit at Christmas? My Honest Opinion

Malaga is definitely worth visiting in December and during Christmas, especially for those seeking great weather and all the things Spain is known for – like delicious tapas, festive celebrations, and unique landmarks. However, I must admit that when it comes to Christmas decorations and markets, I personally prefer Northern Europe. There’s something about the markets there that just feels more cozy and authentic compared to those here in Spain.

In my honest opinion, while Malaga and Madrid are among the best-decorated Spanish cities for the winter holidays, they still fall behind European Christmas markets in places like Germany, Switzerland, France, or even the classic “Home Alone” vibe of New York. That said, the weather in Malaga is definitely a huge plus for family travelers or anyone from colder parts of the world looking for some winter sun.

So, if you’re not primarily seeking the traditional Christmas market aesthetics, hot mulled wine, gingerbread scents, and winter wonderland vibes, then Malaga is a fantastic place to visit in December and around Christmas. It has its own charm, with great decorations and plenty to enjoy – just in a much milder, sunnier setting.

Read more about visiting Spain in winter

• Is it worth visiting Spain in Winter? (read it)
• An Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Pyrenees in Winter (read it)
• Skiing in Spain: Our Baqueira Beret Family Getaway (read it)
• Where to Enjoy Snow in Spain with Kids (read it)
• Best Spanish Christmas Songs To Enjoy Over Holidays (read it)
• Madrid in December: Top Places to Get into Christmas Spirit (read it)
• A Romantic Weekend in Andorra in February (read it)

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