Málaga Marathon 2026: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

11 to 13 December 2026 · ExpectedMálaga, Spain

Málaga Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Málaga.

Tours in Málaga Hotels for these dates

Airport to Port and city centre

Málaga airport (AGP) is 8 km from the centre: 12 minutes by Cercanías C1 train to María Zambrano and Centro-Alameda, or bus A. Taxis cost about 20 to 25 euros.

Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

Public transport directions to Port and city centre

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Soho and El Perchel	Street art district near the station.
Mid-range	Historic centre	Walk to the Alcazaba, the cathedral and the port.
Splurge	Malagueta beach	Seafront hotels by the bullring.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hotel Ibis Malaga Centro
Mid-range: Hotel Molina Lario
Splurge: Gran Hotel Miramar

Links search the nights from 10 December to 14 December. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 11 to 13 December 2026. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 9 December

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayAlcazaba and Gibralfaro tour Half day · Family
Moorish fortress and castle views.
EatEl Tintero Beach restaurant where waiters auction plates

Day before the race

Thursday 10 December

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingTapas tour Evening · Food · Nightlife
Sweet Málaga wine and fried fish.
EatEl Pimpi Sprawling wine bar by the Roman theatre

Race day

Friday 11 December

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointPaseo del Parque.
EatAtarazanas market Fried fish and oysters at the stalls

Recovery day

Monday 14 December

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingCatamaran trip Half day · Low walking · Family
Short sail along the coast, sometimes with dolphins.
Rain or heat backupCarmen Thyssen Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Alcazaba and Gibralfaro tour

Moorish fortress and castle views.

See times and prices

Half day · Low walking · Family

Catamaran trip

Short sail along the coast, sometimes with dolphins.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Alhambra day trip to Granada

Palaces and gardens with timed tickets.

See times and prices

Bioparc Fuengirola zoo.
Selwo Marina and Tivoli World in Benalmádena.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Food · Nightlife

Tapas tour

Sweet Málaga wine and fried fish.

See times and prices

Full day

Caminito del Rey hike

Boardwalk through a gorge, 1 hour from the city.

See times and prices

Full day

Ronda day trip

Bridge, bullring and white villages.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Alhambra day trip to Granada

Palaces and gardens with timed tickets.

See times and prices

After dark

Rooftop bars around the cathedral.

6 tours worth booking for Málaga Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Caminito del Rey hike	Full day	Everyone
Ronda day trip	Full day	Everyone
Alcazaba and Gibralfaro tour	Half day	Families
Catamaran trip	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Alhambra day trip to Granada	Full day	Families
Tapas tour	Evening	Food lovers, Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

El Pimpi Sprawling wine bar by the Roman theatre
Atarazanas market Fried fish and oysters at the stalls
Casa Lola Busy tapas bar
Antigua Casa de Guardia Wine from the barrel since 1840
El Tintero Beach restaurant where waiters auction plates

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Picasso Museum.
Centre Pompidou Málaga.
Carmen Thyssen Museum.

Getting around on event days

Cercanías trains run along the coast to Torremolinos and Fuengirola.
La Rosaleda stadium is a 20-minute walk from the centre.
Uber, Cabify and Free Now work in Spanish cities. Taxis are metered and reasonable.
Renfe high-speed AVE and Ouigo/Iryo trains link Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia and Zaragoza. Book early for event weekends.

Day trips from Málaga

Granada: 1.5 hours by bus or car
Ronda: 1 hour 45 minutes
Nerja: 1 hour

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Málaga Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Málaga Marathon 2026?

The next edition is 11 to 13 December 2026, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Port and city centre?

Málaga airport (AGP) is 8 km from the centre: 12 minutes by Cercanías C1 train to María Zambrano and Centro-Alameda, or bus A. Taxis cost about 20 to 25 euros. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

Where should I stay for Málaga Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is Historic centre: Walk to the Alcazaba, the cathedral and the port.

What else can we do around Málaga Marathon?

Good short outings in Málaga include Alcazaba and Gibralfaro tour, Catamaran trip. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Málaga Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Alhambra day trip to Granada, Alcazaba and Gibralfaro tour, Catamaran trip. Bioparc Fuengirola zoo.

How far is Port and city centre from Málaga centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Start and finish areas are on public transport; streets on the course close for the morning.

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