What to Do in Malaga When It Rains: 18 Indoor Activities (2026)

Looking for things to do in Malaga when it rains? With over 300 days of sunshine a year, rain in Malaga is not something most visitors expect.

But when the clouds roll in, the city does not shut down. It just moves indoors.

After living here for years, we have discovered that rainy days can actually be some of the best for exploring. The crowds thin out, the museums feel more intimate, and you finally have an excuse to spend hours in cosy tapas bars.

Whether you are travelling with kids, looking for cultural experiences, or just want to stay dry while making the most of your holiday, these are the best indoor activities in Malaga.

Museums and Culture

1. Picasso Museum

The Picasso Museum is the essential museum stop in Malaga. Located in a 16th-century palace just minutes from Picasso's birthplace, the 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. The audio guide is excellent for understanding the context behind each piece.

• Address: Calle San Agustín 8
• Hours: 10am to 7pm (until 8pm in summer)
• Entry: 12 euros, free on Sundays during the last 2 hours
• Website: museopicassomalaga.org

2. Centre Pompidou Malaga

Set beneath the iconic multicoloured Cube on Malaga's waterfront at Muelle Uno, this outpost of Paris's Pompidou Centre brings cutting-edge contemporary art to the Costa del Sol. The rotating exhibitions feature bold and sometimes provocative works from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Sunday afternoons include family-friendly programmes with activities designed for children. Even if the art is not for everyone, the building itself is worth seeing.

• Address: Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, Muelle Uno
• Hours: 9:30am to 8pm (closed Tuesdays)
• Entry: 9 euros, free on Sundays after 4pm
• Website: centrepompidou-malaga.eu

3. Carmen Thyssen Museum

Housed in a beautifully restored 16th-century palace in the heart of the old town, the Carmen Thyssen Museum showcases 19th-century Spanish and Andalusian painting. The collection features works by Sorolla, Fortuny, and other masters, providing a vivid glimpse into life and culture in pre-modern Spain.

The costumbrismo paintings depicting traditional Spanish scenes are particularly fascinating.

• Address: Calle Compañía 10
• Hours: 10am to 8pm (closed Mondays)
• Entry: 11 euros, free on Sundays after 4pm
• Website: carmenthyssenmalaga.org

4. Malaga Cathedral

Known locally as La Manquita (the one-armed lady) due to its unfinished second tower, Malaga Cathedral is a Renaissance masterpiece worth exploring on a rainy day. The interior features soaring ceilings, intricate choir stalls, and impressive religious art.

The children's audio guide turns the visit into a scavenger hunt, which keeps younger visitors engaged. For an extra 5 euros, you can climb to the rooftop for panoramic views (weather permitting).

• Address: Calle Molina Lario 9
• Hours: 10am to 6pm (varies by season)
• Entry: 10 euros, children under 13 free
• Website: malagacatedral.com

5. Interactive Music Museum (MIMMA)

Unlike most museums with do not touch signs, MIMMA encourages visitors to pick up and play instruments from around the world. The red zones are the highlight, where you can try drums, keyboards, guitars, and exotic instruments.

It is a hit with families and anyone who prefers hands-on experiences.

• Address: Calle Beatas 15
• Hours: 10:30am to 7pm (closed Mondays)
• Entry: 6 euros, children under 6 free
• Website: musicaenaccion.com

6. OXO Video Game Museum

The OXO Video Game Museum is a three-storey celebration of gaming history right in the city centre. The lower

levels walk you through the evolution of video games, from retro consoles and chunky old computers to modern tech. Upstairs, it is all hands-on with rows of arcade machines, classic consoles, and VR stations.

The rooftop terrace has a restaurant with views over the city, perfect for parents who want a break while kids play.

• Address: Plaza del Siglo 2
• Hours: 11am to 9pm daily
• Entry: 15 euros adults, 12 euros children (6 to 13)
• Website: oxomuseo.com

7. Museum of Imagination

This quirky museum in the Soho district is packed with optical illusions, trick photography setups, and interactive exhibits. Kids can step into shadow rooms, gravity-defying spaces, and 3D illusions that make for great photos.

It is compact enough to cover in about an hour, making it an easy addition to a rainy afternoon.

• Address: Calle Martínez Campos 13, Soho
• Hours: 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm
• Entry: 10 euros adults, 5 euros children (6 to 14)
• Website: museoimaginacion.com

Food and Markets

8. Mercado Central Atarazanas

Malaga's central market is the perfect place to escape the rain and explore local flavours. The 19th-century iron and glass building houses dozens of stalls selling fresh seafood, cured meats, local cheeses, olives, and seasonal produce.

The tapas bars inside serve some of the freshest food in the city. Order fried fish, gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns), or a plate of jamón while watching the market bustle around you.

• Address: Calle Atarazanas 10
• Hours: 8am to 3pm (closed Sundays)
• Entry: Free
• Website: mercadomalaga.es

9. Churros at Casa Aranda

No rainy day in Malaga is complete without churros. Casa Aranda has been serving churros con chocolate since 1932 and remains the best spot in the city for this classic Spanish treat.

The thick, rich hot chocolate is meant for dunking.

Order a ración of churros (about 1.50 euros) and a cup of chocolate, then settle in at the counter and watch the rain through the window. It is a simple pleasure that locals have enjoyed for nearly a century.

• Address: Calle Herrería del Rey 3
• Hours: 8am to 1:30pm and 5pm to 8:30pm
• Price: Churros from 1.50 euros, chocolate from 2 euros

10. Spanish Cooking Class

A cooking class is one of the best ways to spend a rainy morning or afternoon. Several operators in Malaga offer hands-on classes where you learn to make paella, gazpacho, tortilla española, or regional specialities.

Most classes include a market visit (often to Atarazanas), followed by cooking and eating together. You leave with recipes and skills to recreate the dishes at home.

• Duration: 3 to 4 hours
• Price: 50 to 80 euros per person
• Book on: GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences

11. Tapas Tour

If cooking is not your thing, let someone else do the work.

Guided tapas tours take you to local bars that tourists rarely find on their own. A good guide explains the history behind each dish and helps you navigate the menu.

Most tours visit 3 to 4 bars and include tastings at each stop. You will try local specialities like fritura malaguena, berenjenas con miel, and regional wines.

• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Price: 40 to 70 euros per person (food and drinks included)
• Book on: GetYourGuide or Viator

Wellness and Relaxation

12. Hammam Al Andalus

The Hammam Al Andalus is the most relaxing way to spend a rainy afternoon in Malaga. This traditional Arab bath recreates the bathing rituals of Al-Andalus, with hot and cold pools, a steam room, and optional massages.

The candlelit interior and Moorish architecture make you forget about the weather outside entirely. Book in advance as slots fill up quickly, especially during peak season.

• Address: Plaza de los Mártires 5
• Hours: 10am to midnight daily
• Price: From 40 euros (90-minute session)
• Website: malaga.hammamalandalus.com

13. Hotel Spa Day

Several hotels in Malaga open their spa facilities to non-guests. A spa day is a luxurious way to wait out the rain, with access to pools, saunas, steam rooms, and treatment menus.

Popular options:

• Gran Hotel Miramar – Luxury beachfront spa with indoor pool. Day passes from 50 euros. granhotelmiramarmalaga.com
• Vincci Posada del Patio – Central location with rooftop pool and spa. Contact hotel for day pass availability. vinccihoteles.com

Call ahead to check availability and book treatments in advance.

Entertainment and Shopping

14. Escape Rooms

Malaga has several escape room venues offering challenges in English. These work well for groups of 2 to 6 people and are a fun way to spend a rainy hour.

Popular escape rooms:

• Fox in a Box – Bank heist and prison break themes. Calle Casapalma 4. foxinabox.es

• Enigmatium – Mystery and adventure rooms. Calle Comedias 9. enigmatiummalaga.com

• The Rombo Code – Various difficulty levels available. thrombocode.com

• Duration: 60 to 90 minutes

• Price: 15 to 25 euros per person (cheaper with larger groups)

15. Cine Albéniz

For a classic rainy day activity, catch a film at Malaga's historic arthouse cinema. Unlike multiplexes, this theatre shows independent films, Spanish cinema, and original version (V.O.) movies with subtitles.

The building itself is worth seeing, with its vintage charm and central location. Check the schedule online for English-language showings.

• Address: Calle Alcazabilla 4
• Price: Around 8 euros per ticket
• Website: cinealbenizyestereo.com

16. Shopping at Larios Centro

While Malaga is not known for shopping, the pedestrianised Calle Larios and surrounding streets offer plenty of options for a rainy afternoon.

Shopping options:

• Larios Centro – Main shopping centre with high-street brands and food court. Avenida de la Aurora. Open 10am to 10pm.
• El Corte Inglés – Department store with everything from fashion to gourmet food. Avenida de Andalucía. Open 10am to 9:30pm.
• Calle Nueva – Pedestrian street with Spanish fashion brands and local boutiques.

For something more local, explore the artisan shops around Plaza de la Constitución for handmade leather goods and ceramics.

Indoor Activities with Kids

17. Cliché Selfie Gallery

This colourful photo studio has over 25 themed sets designed for creative photos. From neon rooms to surreal dreamscapes, kids love posing in the different installations while parents snap away.

It is interactive, fun, and produces photos that are far more interesting than standard tourist shots.

• Address: Calle San Telmo 14
• Hours: 11am to 9pm daily
• Entry: 12 euros adults, 9 euros children (6 to 12)
• Website: clicheselfiemalaga.com

18. Indoor Soft Play and Bowling

For younger children, several indoor play centres offer soft play areas, ball pits, and climbing structures. These are lifesavers when kids need to burn off energy somewhere dry and safe.

Options for families:

• Megaocio – Bowling, arcade games, and play areas in Rosaleda shopping centre. Camino de la Térmica. megaocio.es
• Monkey Park – Indoor playground with trampolines and soft play. Good for toddlers and younger kids.

Check opening times before visiting, as some centres close between afternoon hours.

When Does It Rain in Malaga?

Malaga enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Rain is most common between October and March, with November being the wettest month on average.

Typical rainfall by season:

• Summer (June to August): Almost no rain. You can expect 0 to 2 rainy days per month.
• Autumn (September to November): Rain increases, with November averaging around 6 rainy days.
• Winter (December to February): The wettest season, but still mild. Expect 4 to 6 rainy days per month.
• Spring (March to May): Rain decreases through spring, with May usually dry.

Even during the wettest months, rain rarely lasts all day. Showers often pass within a few hours, so you can usually combine indoor and outdoor activities in the same day.

Tips for Rainy Days in Malaga

• Bring layers. When it rains, temperatures drop slightly. A light jacket or cardigan is useful for cooler museum interiors.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Wet cobblestones can be slippery, especially in the old town.
• Book museums in advance. Rainy days drive everyone indoors, so queues at popular museums grow longer.
• Embrace the tapas bars. There is no better time to linger over a long lunch than when the rain is falling outside.
• Check free admission times. Many museums offer free entry on Sunday afternoons, which is useful if rain has thrown off your budget.