Malaga has clearly become trendy. Its wonderful climate, urban quality and good street atmosphere have made it a very attractive city for tourists and people who are considering living there.
Those qualities can be seen in places like Muelle Uno. The old quay leading to the Malaga lighthouse is today a modern open-air shopping and leisure centre where you can enjoy shopping and good food on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
- Malaga’s Muelle Uno
- Restaurants at Muelle Uno
- Shopping at Muelle Uno
- Things to see nearby
- Where to stay in Malaga
Malaga’s Muelle Uno
Muelle Uno is an open-air shopping area located in the port of Malaga that houses shops, restaurants and leisure activities. It is located on Paseo del Muelle Uno, which runs behind La Malagueta beach, from Malaga Park to the Malaga lighthouse.
This area on the shores of the Mediterranean has become a leisure spot for locals and tourists alike, where they can stroll peacefully by the sea while enjoying a spot of shopping or a drink in one of the many establishments.
Nevertheless, beyond the shopping area, the history of Muelle Uno is closely linked to the origins of the port of Malaga as it houses, at the end of the promenade, the famous Malaga lighthouse. This small lighthouse was put into operation in 1817 and illuminated the entrance to the city’s port at a time when there was still no beacon to guide ships.
Today, the Malaga lighthouse continues to play an identical role in the same place, but it no longer marks the limits of the port, which is now done by the long breakwater of the cruise terminal that protects the entire Malaga harbour.
Restaurants at Muelle Uno
The leisure activities at Muelle Uno include a large selection of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy an aperitif, lunch, dinner or drinks in the evening.
All along the promenade to the lighthouse you will find numerous gastronomic proposals ranging from traditional chain restaurants to other more specific businesses. All of them have an outdoor terrace at the foot of the promenade, making it a pleasant place to have a drink.
Among the variety of restaurants at Muelle Uno there are tapas and snacks, cafés and breakfasts, fast food chains and international cuisine, ranging from Italian to Latin American restaurants. There are also specialised places such as wine bars and cocktail bars.
We highlight the following restaurants at Muelle Uno:
- Restaurante José Carlos García: the only Michelin star in Malaga. It uses local produce from the Atarazanas market to create a unique tasting menu.
- Restaurante Cambara: the young chef Diego René manages this restaurant and reinterprets some of the most traditional local dishes at average prices.
- Marisquería Godoy: a renowned seafood restaurant in the port of Malaga with the best selection of fresh fish and seafood.
- Gorki Selección: numerous gourmet tapas and good wines for a different kind of snack.
Shopping at Muelle Uno
Muelle Uno is also a good place to shop while strolling along the waterfront. There are around twenty fashion and accessory stores, some of them from well-known brands.
You should also check Muelle Uno’s programme schedule since there are many activities related to shopping and gastronomy and an endless number of events for families.
Things to see nearby
Its location in the heart of the port and next to the iconic La Malagueta beach mean that Muelle Uno is a place that anyone visiting Malaga will pass through.
One of the attractions nearby is the Malaga Pompidou Centre, the first branch of the Parisian art museum outside France. It is a good opportunity to enjoy modern art, with a permanent collection that includes artists such as Frida Kahlo, Magritte, Miró, Tápies and the eternal Pablo Picasso who was born in Malaga.
Next to the Pompidou Centre begins Malaga Park, the city’s historic green area inaugurated in 1897 to open up the city to the sea. It has botanical specimens from the five continents plus monuments and sculptural ensembles dedicated to illustrious figures.
In the La Malagueta district you will also find the La Malagueta bullring, built in the Neo-Mudejar style between 1874 and 1876, with a current capacity of 9,000 people and declared a Cultural Heritage Site.
Practically next to the bullring is the Municipal Heritage Museum (Mupam), which houses around 4,000 pieces from the Malaga City Council’s collection.
Right behind the Mupam is one of the jewels of Malaga, Gibralfaro, the hill where the city was founded and later the Islamic citadel and the castle that defended it were built. It is a wonderful place to discover this historical treasure and admire the city’s beautiful views.
Where to stay in Malaga
Malaga is a city with many attractions, a great Mediterranean capital, and modern and comfortable for visitors. The Barceló Málaga hotel is precisely the avant-garde proposal of Barceló Hotels in the city of Malaga that is modern and overlooks the Mediterranean.
This four-star hotel has 221 rooms designed under the B-Room concept with types ranging from comfortable deluxe rooms to spacious suites and family rooms, ideal for groups of up to five members.
Nevertheless, the hotel has a further surprise. Considered to be one of the most Instagrammable hotels in Europe, it has an amazing guest slide down from the first floor to the lobby. On the eighth floor it hides the B-Heaven Relax & Ambience area, a rooftop with pool and bar with some of the best views of Malaga.
