Best Museums in Malaga for Families, Kids, and Culture Lovers

Málaga might be famous for its beaches and sun, but did you know that it's home to more than 40 museums?

Malaga has reinvented itself as a haven for art lovers, history buffs, and curious minds of all ages. I've lived in Malaga for almost four years now, and I still haven't been to every one of them yet, but I am getting close!

These are the museums that I recommend. The best (well, my favourites), the kid favourites, and the overlooked!

Museums in Malaga Map

Top Museums in Malaga

The Carmen Thyssen Museum

Housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century palace, the Carmen Thyssen Museum showcases 19th-century Spanish and Andalusian painting, with an emphasis on costumbrismo and romantic landscapes.

The collection features works by Sorolla, Fortuny, and other masters, providing a vivid glimpse into life and culture in pre-modern Spain.

• Address: Calle Compañía 10, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1 to 2 hours

• Child-friendly: Moderately. It's not tailored for kids, but it's well-organised.

• Admission: €11; free Sundays after 4 pm

• Website: https://www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org/

Malaga Museum

Set in a grand neoclassical customs building, this is the largest museum in Andalusia, combining fine art and archaeology under one roof.

The upper floor houses a rich collection of 19th- and 20th-century Spanish paintings, while the ground floor showcases Málaga’s ancient past through Roman mosaics, Phoenician relics, and Islamic ceramics.

• Address: Plaza de la Aduana, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1.5 to 2 hours

• Child-friendly: Suitable for older children; there are interactive family exhibits and signage

• Admission: Free for EU citizens; €1.50 for others

• Website: https://www.museosdeandalucia.es/web/museodemalaga

Picasso Museum

Located in a 16th-century palace just minutes from Picasso’s birthplace (and my flat), this museum showcases more than 200 works spanning the artist’s entire career.

Expect to find ceramics, engravings, paintings, and sculptures, as well as rotating exhibitions and archaeological remains visible beneath the building.

It’s the essential museum stop in Malaga.

• Address: Calle San Agustín 8, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1 to 1.5 hours

• Child-friendly: Suitable for teens and curious kids; audio guides available

• Admission: €12; free Sundays during the last 2 hours

• Website: https://www.museopicassomalaga.org/en

Pompidou Center

Set beneath the iconic multicoloured Cube by Daniel Buren, this space in Paris’s Pompidou Centre brings cutting-edge contemporarMálaga's Málaga’s waterfront.

Inside, you’ll find bold and sometimes provocative works in rotating exhibitions, plus family-friendly programs on Sundays.

If you don't go inside, it's still a great spot to snap a photo.

This museum isn't for everyone, though. My daughter left feeling completely confused by the exhibits.

• Address: Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, Málaga (Muelle Uno)

• Length of Visit: 1 to 1.5 hours

• Child-friendly: there's even a dedicated kids’ space and Sunday activities.

• Admission: €9 full entry; free Sundays after 4pm

• Website: https://www.centrepompidou-malaga.eu

Museum of Popular Arts and Costumes

This often-overlooked museum provides a unique glimpse into Andalusian rural life through its collection of traditional clothing, crafts, and domestic tools.

Housed in a 17th-century inn, the exhibits range from carriages and fishing gear to folk art and religious icons. It’s a must for anyone curioMálaga's Málaga’s cultural roots.

• Address: Plaza Enrique García-Herrera 1, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1 to 1.5 hours

• Child-friendly: Yes – especially engaging for curious young visitors

• Admission: €4; free Tuesdays from 1 to 5 pm

• Website: Museo de Artes

Automobile and Fashion Museum

A surprising blend of vintage cars, haute couture, and visual storytelling, this museum takes you from the Belle Époque to the Jet Age.

Highlights include over 90 classic cars, 200 designer outfits from Dior to Chanel, and themed galleries that pair fashion trends with automotive history.

It’s way more interesting than I expected and well worth the short bus ride to this side of the city.

• Address: Av de Sor Teresa Prat 15, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1.5 to 2 hours

• Child-friendly: Absolutely

• Admission: €10 adults; €6 children (6–16); under 6s free

• Website: https://museoautomovilmoda.com/

The Best Museums in Malaga for Kids

The Imagination Museum

Designed for interactive play and optical illusion lovers, this quirky space features hands-on exhibits that trick the eye and engage the senses.

Kids can step into shadow rooms, visual puzzles, and 3D illusions, perfect for curious minds and great photo ops. It’s lighthearted, playful, and especially fun for families.

• Address: Calle Martínez Campos 13, Málaga (Soho district)

• Length of Visit: 1 to 1.5 hours

• Child-friendly: Very – geared toward children aged 6–14

• Admission: €10 adults; €5 children (6–14); under 6s free

• Website: https://www.museoimaginacion.com/en

The Interactive Museum( MIMMA )

A hands-on celebration of sound and rhythm, MIMMA allows visitors to explore instruments from around the world and actually play many of them.

The museum covers musical history and innovation with both permanent and temporary exhibitions. It’s a hit with families, music lovers, and anyone who prefers a “please touch” experience.

• Address: Calle Beatas 15, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1 to 1.5 hours

• Child-friendly: Very

• Admission: €6 adults; free for children under 6

• Website: https://www.musicaenaccion.com

The OXO Musuem

A multi-level playground for gamers and nostalgia lovers, OXO explores the history of video games through retro consoles, arcade machines, collectables, and immersive VR stations.

With over 70 years of gaming evolution on display, spanning three stories and featuring more than 100 consoles, it’s a high-energy museum that both kids and adults will love.

• Address: Plaza del Siglo 2, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1 to 2 hours

• Child-friendly: Absolutely – designed with interactive zones for all ages

• Admission: €15 adults; €12 children (6–13); under 6s free

• Website: https://www.oxomuseo.com

Cliche Gallery

A colourful, camera-ready space in the heart of Málaga, Cliche is part art installation, part interactive photo studio.

With over 25 themed sets, from surreal dreamscapes to neon rooms, it’s designed for playful selfies and creative shoots. Great for families, friends, or solo travellers looking to spice up their photo roll.

• Address: Calle San Telmo 14, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1 to 1.5 hours

• Child-friendly: Yes – fun, interactive sets for all ages

• Admission: €12 adults; €9 children (6–12); under 6s free

• Website: https://www.clicheselfiemalaga.com/en

Overlooked Museums

The Aeronautical Museum

Tucked beside Málaga Airport, this under-the-radar museum offers a hands-on look at the history of aviation in Spain.

Kids and adults can climb into cockpits, explore vintage aircraft, and learn about how airports and planes operate.

It’s surprisingly expansive, educational, and totally free. It's a great pre- or post-flight detour.

• Address: Av. Comandante García Morato, Málaga Airport

• Length of Visit: 1 to 1.5 hours

• Child-friendly: Very, it has interactive exhibits and plane access

• Admission: Free

• Website: https://www.aeroplaza.org

The Glass and Crystal Museum

Housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century mansion, this privately run museum showcases over 1,000 glass pieces from Phoenician antiquities to Art Nouveau vases.

Guided tours weave the collection into a story of European art, furniture, and decorative traditions. It’s intimate, elegant, and unexpectedly fascinating.

• Address: Plazuela Santísimo Cristo de la Sangre 2, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1 to 1.5 hours

• Child-friendly: Nope, this one will put them to sleep

• Admission: €7

• Website: https://www.museovidrioycristalmalaga.com

Museo Jorge Rando

Spain’s only museum dedicated to expressionism, this light-filled space explores the emotional world of Málaga-born artist Jorge Rando.

His bold, philosophical works, alongside rotating exhibits from international expressionists, invite quiet reflection. It’s off the tourist track, free to enter, and worth the detour.

• Address: Calle Cruz del Molinillo 12, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 45 minutes to 1 hour

• Child-friendly: Not particularly – best for older kids or art-interested teens

• Admission: Free

• Website: https://www.museojorgerando.org

Malaga CF Stadium

Football fans will love this behind-the-scenes look at La Rosaleda Stadium, home of Málaga Club de Fútbol.

The museum showcases over 100 years of club history with trophies, jerseys, and memorabilia. Tours include access to the locker rooms, pitch, and press zone.

• Address: Estadio La Rosaleda, Paseo de Martiricos s/n, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 1 to 1.5 hours

• Child-friendly: Yes – especially engaging for young football fans

• Admission: €10 adults; €5 children under 14

• Website: https://www.malagacf.com/en/museum

Malaga Wine Museum

Located in a charming 18th-century palace, this museum showcases the region’s rich wine-making tradition with antique tools, historic labels, and a distinct local flair.

The visit concludes with a guided tasting of two Málaga wines, making it both informative and enjoyable.

• Address: Plaza de los Viñeros 1, Málaga

• Length of Visit: 45 minutes to 1 hour

• Child-friendly: Not ideal – best suited for adults

• Admission: €6 (includes wine tasting)

• Website: https://www.museovinomalaga.com

What Day are Museums Free in Malaga

Many of Málaga’s museums offer free admission during specific times each week, making it easier to experience the city’s rich culture on a budget. Here’s a quick guide:

• Picasso Museum – Free Sundays during the last 2 hours of opening

• Carmen Thyssen Museum – Free Sundays from 4 pm until close

• Centre Pompidou Málaga – Free Sundays from 4 pm

• Malaga Museum (Museo de Málaga) – Always free for EU citizens

• CAC Málaga (Contemporary Art Centre) – Always free

• Jorge Rando Museum – Always free

• Aeronautical Museum – Always free

• Revello de Toro Museum – Free every Sunday

• Museum of Popular Arts and Costumes – Free Tuesdays from 1–5 pm

• Glass and Crystal Museum – No regular free hours (guided only)

For more free museums and other attractions, check out my guide to free things to do in Malaga.

Is the Malaga Museum Worth Visiting

Totally, and not just for history buffs.

It's one of the largest museums in Spain. It doesn't feel overwhelming. If you're into architecture, the 18th-century Customs Palace alone is worth a look.

Conclusion on Museums in Malaga

Málaga’s museum scene is anything but one-note.

From Picasso to planes, glassware to gaming, there is a vast array of options, and most spots are walkable, affordable, and surprisingly immersive.