Where to Stay in Malaga for Nightlife (Detailed Neighborhood Guide)

Where should I stay in Malaga for nightlife?

• THE Best Nightlife Area: Centro Histórico
• Runner Up: La Merced
• Best for Beach Parties: La Malagueta

So, here are the districts you need to be in Malaga if you want to party. Keep reading if you want to know more about them, and get hotel recommendations 👇

If you want to check all top accommodations right now, then check this full review guide of the best hotels you can find in Malaga, including in the party districts.

Experience the Lively Malaga Nightlife!

Malaga is the biggest city on the Costa del Sol and the perfect combination of the chill southern atmosphere with the Mediterranean glam. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy a varied nightlife, from quiet and elegant bars where you can enjoy good wine, to vibrant night clubs open all night long.

You’ll find a wide range of party options: there are plenty of bars, clubs, discotheques and beach clubs for all tastes and ages. You’ll be discovering new spots every night!

Another advantage of the nightlife in Malaga is that you’ll always meet lots of people either locals or foreigners, especially in the summer season!

Nightlife in Malaga starts around 10pm with good tapas and drinks. Before 11pm, the atmosphere is quite calm. In Spain, it’s pretty common to go out around midnight after a late night dinner, especially during the weekends. So if you want to experience the real nightlife in Malaga, you shouldn’t start the night too early.

Also, you won’t have to worry about the dress code, most of the time you can enter bars and nightclubs in a casual outfit. You don’t need to tip waiters either. You come as you are and you’ll be ready to have a great nightlife experience in Malaga!

Now, let me introduce the best neighborhoods in Malaga where you’ll have the best parties ever!

Pros & Cons of Each Neighborhood for Nightlife

There are many different neighborhoods in Malaga where you can party, all with different atmospheres. This list will help you choose the best for you, according to your party style.

Let’s discover the pros and cons of Malaga’s best districts for nightlife!

THE Best Nightlife Area: Centro Histórico

The Centro Historico is the historical center of Malaga. In this small medieval part of the city, you can find lots of street art and most of the tourist attractions you must visit on your trip to Malaga. It’s a charming place to discover the heritage and the rich history of the city.

Centro Historico is also the best nightlife area of Malaga. This neighborhood is providing many options of tapas restaurants, bars and nightclubs. You’ll meet lots of people from everywhere coming to party.

If you’re looking for hotspots in the historic center, I recommend going to Malafama, a bar where you can meet many locals, as well as the Anden at Plaza Uncibay which is one of the biggest and most famous clubs in town.

Where to Stay in the Old Town

Here are 3 recommendations of accommodation in the Old Town: the ultimate best accommodation, a luxury hotel and a budget accommodation.

In any case, I guarantee you’ll have a perfect stay, whatever your choice!

⭐️ Best Hotel: Madeinterranea Suites

Madeinterranea Suites is very well located in the heart of the city within walking distance of most of the sightseeing attractions and close to many shops and restaurants. The staff is really helpful and the rooms are all really comfortable. Definitely the best option!

💎 Luxury Choice: Palacio Solecio, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World

In the heart of Malaga, this place is perfectly located within walking distance of La Malagueta Beach. It’s very well-equipped and the rooms are comfy and well decorated. You’ll also have many amenities such as a modern fitness center and a bar.

💰 Budget Pick: Apartamentos Marques De La Merced

This apartment is really well located right in Malaga center, well equipped, comfortable and quiet. Thanks to the hosts and their good advice, you’ll have a wonderful stay.

Not satisfied with this hotel selection? No worries, I have more hotels in the Centro Historico you might like in this post.  

Runner Up: La Merced

La Merced is a lively district in Malaga city center where you’ll find a nice street market, perfect to taste delicious local food. The Plaza de la Merced is the place where Picasso was born, so you can also find some historical facts and sights there.

Very close to the Centro Historico, La Merced is the 2nd best choice to enjoy nightlife in Malaga. Once you’ve been to the restaurant, you should definitely try the famous streets of Calle Carreteria and Calle Alamo where you’ll find plenty of bars and nightclubs.

In this area right in between the Old Town and La Merced, you’ll definitely find a place you like. I recommend you try El Microteatro, a small theatre where you can watch a theater show in miniature while drinking!

Where to Stay in La Merced

If you’ve chosen La Merced for your stay in Malaga, here are some accommodations I definitely recommend.

⭐️ Best Hotel: Casa de las Mercedes

Casa de las Mercedes is a charming hotel in La Merced. You’ll be close to many shops and restaurants. Beautifully decorated, this place provides very spacious and comfortable rooms. This is the perfect place to relax after a night outside.

💎 Luxury Choice: Hotel Palacete de Alamos

Hotel Palacete de Alamos is a gorgeous place where you’ll be received by a very friendly staff. The rooms are comfy with big size beds, all well equipped. The breakfast is of good quality products and offers many options. This is definitely another must of this place.

💰 Budget Pick: Apartamentos Marques De La Merced

Very close to the Picasso Museum, this place is very well located in the city center. Close to many shops and restaurants, you’ll also have the possibility to enjoy good amenities such as a kitchen fully equipped, which is really convenient. The rooms are very clean and comfortable. This is a great value for money!

Best for Beach Parties: La Malagueta

Located in the east of the city center, La Malagueta has been an old industrial and fishing district. Today, it’s the modern part of Malaga where you can find the trendiest shops, bars and clubs.

La Malagueta is a very good place to party, especially if you’re looking for a cool place with mostly young people. There are a wide range of lovely restaurants where you can have a delicious dinner before partying.

Right on the beach, La Malagueta is also a nice place to enjoy a walk along the coast, to spend the day lying on the beach or to have a wild beach party. By the way, La Malagueta Beach is the most popular beach in the city.

I definitely recommend Camden Town Pub for nice beers and the Velvet Club Málaga if you want to have fun in a nightclub.

Where to Stay in La Malagueta

If you’ve chosen La Malagueta for your stay in Malaga, here are the best accommodations I can recommend.

⭐️ Best Hotel: Exclusive Malaga Skyline

Exclusive Malaga Skyline is very well located close to many shops and restaurants. In this gorgeous hotel, you’ll love the terrace with a stunning city view. The rooms are all very clean and comfortable and the staff is always helpful.

💎 Luxury Choice: Gran Hotel Miramar

In this luxurious Malaga hotel, you’ll enjoy a beautiful location in front of the sea and close to all facilities. The staff is highly qualified and they’ll give you good advice. You’ll love to relax in the comfortable rooms while having your breakfast, which is actually really delicious.

💰 Budget Pick: Hotel Eliseos

Very well located, Hotel Eliseos is really convenient to discover the city. This lovely hotel offers a beautiful view of the city and comfortable and clean rooms. The staff is really welcoming and serves a good breakfast. This is definitely a great value for money.

For more beach hotel options, you need to check this post of the best hotels on the beach in Malaga.

Other Hotels in Malaga

Couldn’t find the right hotel for you on this post? Or, you’d like to see more options before making your choice, just in case?

Then don’t go, I have other posts that will definitely will be useful to you: 

Looking for the very best overall hotels in Malaga? Then check directly this post 👉 The 19 Absolute Best Hotels in Malaga 

If you want to know more about Malaga’s different districts to choose your hotel, go there 👉 The Best Area Where to Stay in Malaga

And finally, if you’re looking for specific types of hotels, you can find other awesome pieces below:

• The Best Beach Hotels in Malaga
• The Best Hotels in Malaga City Center
• The Best Luxury Hotels in Malaga
• The Best Hotels with Pool in Malaga
• The Best Family Hotels in Malaga

I hope you could’ve found your Malaga home through these guides. Don’t hesitate to comment below if this is the case, I would be very pleased to read your feedback!

Final Thoughts

As said above, the best place to stay in Malaga for nightlife is definitely the Centro Historico. There, you’ll have the chance to experiment the Spanish way of partying with highly rated bars and clubs. You’ll love staying there!