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

Malaga has over 40 museums, more per square kilometre than most cities in Spain.

It's not the kind of place you'd expect to be a museum city, but that's exactly what it's become. Picasso, Pompidou, classic cars, video games, aviation. The range is genuinely surprising.

I've lived here for almost four years and I still haven't been to every one. But I'm getting close.

These are the museums I recommend. My favourites for art, the ones my kids love, and a few that most visitors walk straight past. If you're planning things to do in Malaga, start here.

Best Art Museums in Malaga

Picasso Museum

This is the essential museum stop in Malaga. Located in a 16th-century palace on Calle San Agustin, just minutes from Picasso's birthplace (and my flat), it showcases more than 200 works spanning the artist's entire career. Ceramics, engravings, paintings, sculptures, plus rotating exhibitions.

Beneath the building, you can see archaeological remains through glass floors. Teens and curious kids do well here, and audio guides are available.

Admission is €12, but it's free on Sundays during the last two hours. The museum is on Calle San Agustin 8 in Malaga's Old Town. Book ahead in summer or you'll queue. museopicassomalaga.org

Carmen Thyssen Museum

Housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century palace on Calle Compania, the Carmen Thyssen focuses on 19th-century Spanish and Andalusian painting. Think costumbrismo, romantic landscapes, and works by Sorolla and Fortuny.

It's not tailored for kids, but it's well organised and genuinely interesting if you enjoy art history. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Admission is €11, free on Sundays after 4 pm. carmenthyssenmalaga.org

Malaga Museum (Museo de Malaga)

Set inside the grand neoclassical Customs Palace on Plaza de la Aduana, this is the largest museum in Andalusia. The upper floor has a rich collection of 19th and 20th century Spanish paintings. The ground floor covers Malaga's ancient past through Roman mosaics, Phoenician relics, and Islamic ceramics.

It's suitable for older children. There are interactive family exhibits and good signage throughout.

Free for EU citizens, €1.50 for everyone else. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. museosdeandalucia.es

Centre Pompidou Malaga

You'll spot the multicoloured glass Cube by Daniel Buren before you even get close. This is the only Centre Pompidou outside France, and it brings bold contemporary art to Malaga's waterfront at Muelle Uno.

Inside, the rotating exhibitions can be provocative. My daughter left feeling completely confused, so it's not for everyone. But there's a dedicated kids' space and Sunday family activities.

Even if you don't go inside, the Cube is worth a photo. Admission is €9, free on Sundays after 4 pm. centrepompidou-malaga.eu

Museo Jorge Rando

Spain's only museum dedicated to expressionism. This light-filled space on Calle Cruz del Molinillo explores the emotional world of Malaga-born artist Jorge Rando, alongside rotating international expressionist exhibits.

It's off the tourist track, free to enter, and worth the short walk from the centre. Best for older kids or art-interested teens. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. museojorgerando.org

Best Museums in Malaga for Kids

If you're visiting Malaga with kids, these are the ones that keep them entertained. No glazed-over eyes, no "can we go yet" on repeat.

The OXO Museum

A multi-level playground for gamers and nostalgia lovers. OXO covers the history of video games through retro consoles, arcade machines, collectibles, and immersive VR stations. Three stories, over 100 consoles, and 70 years of gaming evolution.

Kids and adults both get absorbed here. It's right on Plaza del Siglo, so you can combine it with a walk through the Old Town.

Admission is €15 for adults, €12 for children aged 6 to 13, and free for under 6s. Allow 1 to 2 hours. oxomuseo.com

The Imagination Museum

Hands-on exhibits, optical illusions, shadow rooms, visual puzzles, and 3D tricks. This quirky space in the Soho district is designed for interactive play and it's especially fun for kids aged 6 to 14.

It's lighthearted and great for photos. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours.

Admission is €10 for adults, €5 for children aged 6 to 14, free for under 6s. It's on Calle Martinez Campos 13. museoimaginacion.com

MIMMA (Interactive Music Museum)

A hands-on celebration of sound and rhythm. MIMMA lets visitors explore instruments from around the world and actually play many of them. The museum covers musical history with both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

It's a hit with families, music lovers, and anyone who prefers a "please touch" experience. On Calle Beatas 15 in the Old Town.

Admission is €6 for adults, free for children under 6. musicaenaccion.com

Cliche Gallery

Part art installation, part interactive photo studio. Cliche has 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 wanting something different. On Calle San Telmo 14.

Admission is €12 for adults, €9 for children aged 6 to 12, free for under 6s. clicheselfiemalaga.com

Hidden Gem Museums in Malaga

These are the museums that most visitors miss. They're some of my favourites.

Automobile and Fashion Museum

A surprising blend of vintage cars, haute couture, and visual storytelling. 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. On Avenida de Sor Teresa Prat 15.

Admission is €10 for adults, €6 for children aged 6 to 16, free for under 6s. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. museoautomovilmoda.com

The Aeronautical Museum

Tucked beside Malaga 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 work.

It's surprisingly big, educational, and completely free. A great stop before or after your flight.

On Avenida Comandante Garcia Morato, next to the airport terminal. aeroplaza.org

Museum of Popular Arts and Costumes

A glimpse into Andalusian rural life through 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.

Engaging for curious young visitors. On Plaza Enrique Garcia-Herrera 1.

Admission is €4, free on Tuesdays from 1 to 5 pm. visita.malaga.eu

Glass and Crystal Museum

A privately run museum in a beautifully restored 18th-century mansion showcasing 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. Not one for kids, though. This one will put them to sleep.

Admission is €7. On Plazuela Santisimo Cristo de la Sangre 2. museovidrioycristalmalaga.com

Malaga Wine Museum

Located in a charming 18th-century palace on Plaza de los Vineros, this museum showcases the region's wine-making tradition with antique tools, historic labels, and local character. The visit finishes with a guided tasting of two Malaga wines.

Best for adults. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. If you're interested in Malaga wine, this is a good starting point.

Admission is €6, which includes the tasting. museovinomalaga.com

Malaga CF Stadium Museum

Football fans will love this behind-the-scenes look at La Rosaleda Stadium, home of Malaga Club de Futbol. The museum covers over 100 years of club history with trophies, jerseys, and memorabilia. Tours include access to the locker rooms, pitch, and press zone.

Especially good for young football fans. On Paseo de Martiricos.

Admission is €10 for adults, €5 for children under 14. malagacf.com

Are Museums in Malaga Free on Sundays?

Most of them, yes. Sunday is the best day to visit museums in Malaga on a budget. Here's when each one opens its doors for free:

• Picasso Museum, free during the last 2 hours of opening
• Carmen Thyssen Museum, free from 4 pm until close
• Centre Pompidou Malaga, free from 4 pm
• Revello de Toro Museum, free all day Sunday
• Malaga Museum (Museo de Malaga), always free for EU citizens
• CAC Malaga (Contemporary Art Centre), always free
• Jorge Rando Museum, always free
• Aeronautical Museum, always free
• Museum of Popular Arts and Costumes, free on Tuesdays from 1 to 5 pm (not Sundays)
• Glass and Crystal Museum, no regular free hours (guided tours only)

For more ways to save, check out free things to do in Malaga.

How Many Museums Does Malaga Have?

Over 40, depending on how you count galleries and exhibition spaces. The city officially markets itself as the "City of Museums", and for a place this size, the density is remarkable.

You won't get through them all in a single trip. If you have 2 to 3 days, pick one from each section above and you'll get a good mix of art, history, and something unexpected. If it rains, even better. Museums are one of the best things to do in Malaga when it rains.

Is the Malaga Museum Worth Visiting?

Yes, and not just for history buffs.

It's one of the largest museums in Spain and completely free for EU citizens. But it doesn't feel overwhelming. The archaeology section on the ground floor is genuinely impressive, with Phoenician and Roman artefacts dug up around the city. If you're into architecture, the 18th-century Customs Palace alone is worth a look.

Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. It's right on Plaza de la Aduana, next to the Alcazaba.