Malaga Museums

Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, one of the world's foremost art collectors, now has her own eponymous museum in Malaga, which opened in March 2011. The paintings are from her personal collection, amassed over the past 30 years.

Located in an area known as Soho de Málaga, on the banks of the normally dry Guadalmedina river, is the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo. This exciting modern art museum is housed in the former wholesale market building which has a vast warehouse space of some 2,400 metres. The CAC Málaga was officially opened on 17 February 2003 by her Royal Highness Infanta Cristina and in its first decade has established itself as one of the most important contemporary art museums in Europe.

The Museo de Málaga, which was actually constituted in 1973, opened on 12 December 2016 in the impressive Palacio de la Aduana. It has brought together the former Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes (Provincial Museum of Fine Arts) and Museo Arqueológico Provincial. Málaga now joins Almería, Cádiz, Huelva and Jaén in having a "provincial museum" in their respective capital cities; while Seville, Córdoba and Granada have separate fine arts and archaeological museums.

The museum houses 100 pieces dating from the 15th to 20th centuries specially selected for Málaga, as well as two temporary exhibitions each year. The works come from the Russian State Museum's collection in St Petersburg covering every period of Russian art. This is the first museum to house paintings from the museum in Russia.

Opened on 28 March 2015, the Pop-Up Pompidou is housed in El Cubo, a cuboid glass structure in Malaga port, and buildings next to it. It received 76 thousand visitors in the first three months. The 6000m2 centre has 80 works, with two or three annual exhibitions lasting 3-6 months during the next five years.

The Málaga Airport Museum is worth a visit whether you love airplanes, airports, local history or simply getting a glimpse inside a project 100% made-in-Málaga by a group of passionate, "Friends of the Museum" who are always dreaming up new exhibits and restoring new artifacts for display.

The Térmica officially opened its doors on the 18th January 2013 and is an addition to Malaga's cultural scene. Described as a "cultural epicenter", the Térmica is a central public creative space where local residents and visitors can learn and exchange creative ideas.

This religious museum is housed in the Casa de Hermandad (House of Brotherhood) and boasts impressive exhibitions of the processional thrones and canopies. There are also two further exhibition rooms that display objects and robes of the Brotherhood, and other processional accessories.

Located in the heart of the historical artistic district of Málaga, this religious museum showcases the thrones and other processional accessories, such as crucifixes, of the Cofradía de Estudiantes (Brotherhood of Students). There is also a room for religious teachings.

A museum showcasing the history of and objects relating to the Cofradía de la Esperanza (Brotherhood of Hope). On display are the processional accessories and thrones of the Brotherhood, as well as the magnificent 400 m² mural by Rodriguez-Acosta, the "Retablo de la Pasión.

Run by the Peña Juan Breva, a foundation for those associated to Flamenco in Malaga, houses an impressive collection of over 5000 pieces. Included in this is a collection of more than 2500 records of Flamenco music dating back to the 19th century, one of the most important collections of its kind in Spain.

Located in the area of La Victoria just 500 metres away from the Plaza de Merced, the Basiclica of Santa Maria is one of the oldest in the city, with origins dating back to the year 1487.

Located inside the former Hospital of San Julian, the Museo de la Semana Santa invites visitors to explore behind-the-scenes of a Holy Week procession in Málaga. There are several rooms showcasing processional robes and thrones, as well as fine art and music related to the Semana Santa.

A museum showcasing objects and assets of the Brotherhood of Christ La Expiración. Don't miss the room dedicated to processional items and devotional offerings.

Inaugurated in 2002, the MIMMA is located in the historic centre of Malaga and houses one of Europe's most comprehensive private collections of musical instruments. The collection is compiled of over 400 instruments from different periods, countries and cultures.

With a tour guided in either Spanish or English, guests will be able to explore the entire stadium and, in the pioneering museum, experience the history of football in Málaga over the last century. Starting in the reception of the stadium, the tour will take visitors to the VIP area and its panoramic viewing point, allowing for some great photos of the playing field.

The Málaga Airport Museum (El Museo Nacional de Aeropuertos y Transporte Aéreo) is worth a visit whether you love airplanes, airports, local history or simply getting a glimpse inside a project 100% made-in-Málaga by a group of passionate, "Friends of the Museum" who are always dreaming up new exhibits and restoring new artifacts for display.

Religious art, paintings, sculpture & manuscripts housed in the former Cathedral Chapter Room. The cathedral museum is part of the visit to the cathedral. It consists of two rooms of Religious art, paintings, sculpture & manuscripts and carved figures. There are also a number of gold and silver chalacis. A Perspex model of the cathedral is also presented.

La Malagueta itself was built in 1874, by the architect Joaquín Rucoba. The first fight took place on 11th June 1876, and the matadors who fought were Rafael Molina, Antonio Carmona, Luque El Gordito, and Manuel Rodriguez. A century later in 1976 the site was declared an Historic Artistic Monument, and in 1981, it was declared an Official Site of Cultural Interest.

Whether you like wine, archaeology or cars; you’re interested in glass, contemporary art or 19th century painting, you’re sure to find at least one museum which will interest you in the city. Most visitors to Malaga go to the Picasso museum and his birth house, as the painter is the most famous son of the city. There is also a first rate art museum now which focuses on Andalucian art – the Museo Carmen Thyssen.