Best Ice Cream Shops in Malaga: Where Locals Actually Go

With over 300 days of sunshine, you'll find heladerias on almost every corner in Malaga.

But not all are created equal.

Some have been perfecting their craft for over a century, while others are quietly making some of the best artisan gelato in Spain.

This guide covers the nine best ice cream shops in Malaga, from the city centre to the beach. We'll also explain what helado de Malaga actually is, because yes, this city has its own signature flavour.

The Best Ice Cream Shops in Malaga

1. Casa Mira (The Historic Institution)

Casa Mira is Malaga's most famous heladeria, and for good reason. This family-run business has been serving ice cream since 1890, making it one of the oldest in Spain.

Detail	Information
Founded	1890
Location	Calle Compas de la Victoria 1 (+ 3 other locations including Calle Larios)
Known for	Turron ice cream, blanco y negro
Price range	€2-4
Queue	Often long, especially summer

Severino Mira arrived in Malaga from Alicante with donkeys carrying homemade turron (Spanish nougat). The sales were so successful that he brought his entire family.

Since turron is traditionally a Christmas sweet, the Miras needed something to sell year-round. Using snow brought from the Sierra de las Nieves mountains, they produced Malaga's first ice cream.

Their signature turron flavour is rich almond nougat, the recipe unchanged since 1890. The blanco y negro is crushed iced coffee served with turron ice cream, and their helado de Malaga is a solid version of the local specialty.

Casa Mira uses a ticketing system during busy periods. Grab a token when you arrive, then browse the flavours while you wait. Visit before noon to avoid the longest queues.

2. Heladeria Inma (The Local Favourite)

This is where Malaguenos go for serious ice cream. Heladeria Inma has been operating since 1972 and is known for its exceptional nut-based flavours.

Detail	Information
Founded	1972
Location	Calle Moreti 15 (Carretera de Cadiz area, west of centre)
Known for	Pistachio, pine nut, premium ingredients
Price range	€2-4
Queue	Famous for long queues

Inma sources ingredients obsessively. Their pistachio comes from Sicily, their pine nuts from Valladolid. The result is intensely flavoured ice cream that tastes like the real ingredient, not a synthetic approximation.

The pine nut with caramel is their most celebrated flavour. The pistachio is made with Sicilian pistachios, bright green and intensely nutty. Any nut-based flavour here is worth trying.

Heladeria Inma is about 2km west of the historic centre. It's worth the trip, but consider combining it with a visit to Huelin beach or the CAC Malaga contemporary art centre.

3. Kalua (Best Variety)

If you want choice, Kalua delivers. With over 40 flavours made in-house with natural ingredients, there's something for everyone.

Detail	Information
Location	Plaza de Uncibay 8 (city centre)
Known for	40+ flavours, Death by Chocolate
Also serves	Slushies, smoothies, milkshakes, desserts
Price range	€2-4

The Death by Chocolate is for serious chocolate lovers. Their strawberry sorbet is fresh and fruity, perfect in summer. They also rotate creative seasonal specials regularly.

The central location in Plaza de Uncibay makes it easy to stop by while exploring the Old Town shopping streets.

4. YUMMY (Best for Dietary Restrictions)

Everything at YUMMY is gluten-free and vegan. Yes, even the cones.

Detail	Information
Location	Calle Molina Lario 6 (near the Cathedral)
Known for	100% vegan, 100% gluten-free
Also serves	Cinnamon rolls, empanadas, cakes
Price range	€3-5

The pistachio is impressively creamy despite being dairy-free. Their Kinder Bueno take on the chocolate bar is popular, and the strawberry is simple and refreshing.

YUMMY is one of the few places in Malaga where people with coeliac disease or dairy allergies can eat without worry. The staff are knowledgeable about allergens.

5. Conico (Best Location)

For ice cream with a view, Conico at Muelle Uno is hard to beat. Sit on the waterfront terrace and watch the yachts while you eat.

Detail	Information
Location	Muelle Uno (near the Mariner's Chapel)
Known for	Waterfront views, creative flavours
Best time	Sunset
Price range	€3-5

Try the mango and cheese (unusual but it works) or the pomegranate yogurt for something refreshing with a tart finish.

The ice cream is good (part of a quality chain), but the location is the real draw. Perfect for an evening stroll along the port. If you're after more sunset spots in Malaga, the port area is one of our favourites.

6. Helados Cremades Pedregalejo (Best Beachside)

Combine your ice cream with a walk along Pedregalejo's chiringuito-lined promenade.

Detail	Information
Location	Calle Cenacheros 34, Pedregalejo
Known for	Beachfront setting, authentic Malaga ice cream
Also serves	Horchata, leche merengada, coffee, pancakes
Price range	€2-4

Their helado de Malaga is made properly with local sweet wine and raisins. The horchata (traditional tiger nut drink) is perfect for hot days.

This is an excellent stop after eating espetos at one of the nearby beach restaurants. If you're looking for more food recommendations, check our where to eat in Malaga guide.

7. Heladeria Mardels (Best for Families)

With unusual flavour combinations and excellent dietary options, Mardels is popular with families.

Detail	Information
Locations	Avenida Imperio Argentina; Avenida Simon Bolivar 15 (near football stadium)
Known for	Creative combinations, dietary options
Special diets	Gluten-free, sugar-free, lactose-free available
Price range	€2-4

The Emperador is their standout: white chocolate, vanilla, Nutella, and chocolate chips. They also have good sugar-free options for those watching their intake. If you're visiting Malaga with little ones, our Malaga with kids guide has more family-friendly recommendations.

8. Martonela (Best Toppings)

Martonela lets you customise with fresh fruits, nuts, and biscuits on top.

Detail	Information
Location	Calle Granada 60 (city centre)
Known for	Customisable toppings, creamy texture
Also serves	Smoothies, slushies, pancakes, waffles
Price range	€3-5

Popular with younger crowds and tourists exploring the shopping streets near Calle Granada.

9. Heladeria Bajocero (Worth the Trip)

If you have a car or fancy a cycling adventure, Bajocero offers something different: a semi-rural location on the edge of the Montes de Malaga.

Detail	Information
Location	Camino de Colmenar 23 (north of city)
Known for	Local ingredients, mountain setting
Special diets	Vegan and gluten-free options
Price range	€2-4

Their avocado ice cream is made with locally grown avocados from eastern Malaga province. The gold caramel with white chocolate is rich and indulgent, and the banana split with dulce de leche is for serious appetites.

Quick Comparison

Shop	Best For	Location	Must-Try
Casa Mira	History & tradition	City centre (Calle Larios)	Turron
Heladeria Inma	Premium nut flavours	West Malaga	Pine nut with caramel
Kalua	Variety (40+ flavours)	Plaza Uncibay	Death by Chocolate
YUMMY	Vegan & gluten-free	Near Cathedral	Pistachio
Conico	Views & atmosphere	Muelle Uno	Any, for the location
Cremades Pedregalejo	Beach setting	Pedregalejo	Helado de Malaga
Mardels	Families, dietary needs	Near stadium	Emperador
Martonela	Custom toppings	Calle Granada	Build your own
Bajocero	Adventure, local produce	Mountain edge	Avocado

What Is Malaga Ice Cream?

If you see "Helado de Malaga" on a menu anywhere in Spain or Europe, you're looking at the city's signature flavour. It's not named after the city arbitrarily. This is a distinctive ice cream with a specific recipe that originated right here.

The base is cream and egg yolk, enriched with honey and brown sugar. The key ingredient is raisins soaked in sweet Malaga wine until they're plump with flavour. When folded into the ice cream, they create little pockets of boozy sweetness. Some versions include toasted almonds.

Think of it as rum and raisin's Spanish cousin. More refined, less obviously alcoholic, with the distinct character of Malaga wine.

Almost every heladeria offers helado de Malaga, but for an authentic version made with proper local wine and raisins, try Helados Cremades in Pedregalejo or Casa Mira.

Is Malaga Ice Cream the Same as Rum and Raisin?

No, although they're often confused. Helado de Malaga uses sweet Malaga wine (a fortified wine made from Pedro Ximenez and Moscatel grapes), which gives it notes of honey, dried fruit, and caramel. Rum and raisin uses, well, rum. The flavour profiles are genuinely different.

Outside Spain, many ice cream shops sell a version labelled "Malaga" that uses rum or generic sweet wine with Turkish raisins. It's a distant relative at best. The real thing, made with proper Malaga wine and local raisins, has a depth of flavour that the imitations lack.

Can You Make Helado de Malaga at Home?

Yes, if you can get the right wine. You'll need Malaga sweet wine (available online or in Spanish specialty shops), quality raisins, and time to soak them properly (overnight minimum).

Malaga wine is a fortified sweet wine made from Pedro Ximenez and Moscatel grapes. It has notes of honey, dried fruit, and caramel. Without it, you're just making rum and raisin. If you're curious about the wine itself, our Malaga wine guide covers the different varieties and where to buy them.

How Much Does Ice Cream Cost in Malaga?

Expect to pay €2-4 for a standard cone or cup with one or two scoops at most heladerias. Premium shops like YUMMY and Conico charge €3-5, partly because of their ingredients, partly because of their locations.

Casa Mira and most traditional heladerias sit at the lower end. Even the priciest places are reasonable compared to what you'd pay in northern Europe.

Best Times to Get Ice Cream in Malaga

Season	What to Expect
Summer (June-Sept)	Long queues everywhere, especially evenings
Spring/Autumn	Shorter queues, full flavour selection
Winter	Quiet, some seasonal flavours unavailable
Any evening	Locals eat ice cream late, often after 9pm

Spaniards eat ice cream year-round, not just in summer. Don't be surprised to see locals with cones in January. The best shops stay busy all year. For more on what to expect season by season, our best time to visit Malaga guide breaks it all down.

Tips for Getting the Best Ice Cream in Malaga

Try helado de Malaga at least once. It's the city's signature and you won't find a better version anywhere else.

For the best experience, visit Casa Mira for history and Inma for pure quality. Go before noon to avoid the longest queues at both.

If you have dietary restrictions, YUMMY (fully vegan and gluten-free, including cones) and Mardels (gluten-free, sugar-free, and lactose-free options) are your best bets.

Combine your Pedregalejo ice cream stop with a walk along the beach and espetos at one of the chiringuitos. It's what locals do on summer evenings.

If you're exploring the centre, our Malaga Old Town guide and best coffee shops in Malaga will help you plan the rest of your food crawl.