Seen from a distance, Malaga seems to be an uninviting crush of bland apartment buildings and uniform high-rises. A closer look, however, reveals a number of interesting churches, great seafood restaurants and a host of affordable Malaga Spain hotels.

With a large international airport, Malaga is seen as an entry port for tourists vacationing on the Costa del Sol. These same tourists often over look the city on their way to beach-side resorts along the coast, yet in Malaga Spain hotels are easy to come by and offer a low cost alternative to many of the high end resorts.

Malaga's well-planned city center has many leafy boulevards and impressive monuments set against the beautiful, azure Mediterranean Sea. Though Torremolinos and Marbella cater to the main tourist crowds during the summer months, Malaga remains less crowded—though just as hot—and, therefore, a hotel in Malaga Spain is often cheaper and easier to find, especially at the last minute.

Spain Map

The cheapest Malaga accommodation are just south of Alameda Principal and Malaga's main square, the Plaza de la Constitucion. In this neighborhood the newly restored art-deco, Larios, is an excellent and centrally located Malaga Hotel. The highlight is the hotel's rooftop terrace with spectacular views of the cathedral.

If you are looking for a Malaga accommodation removed from the sometimes crowded downtown area, head to Parador de Malaga-Gibralfaro. In this section of Malaga hotels are much quieter affairs. Surrounded by pine trees and located on a hill top 3km above the city, the Parador has excellent views of Malaga and its harbor. Make sure you book rooms well in advance and bring your appetite for seafood as the restaurant serves calamari, shellfish and fresh fish.