Living in Málaga means beach mornings, tapas at lunch, galleries after work and a sea breeze most evenings. The centre stacks history, culture and nightlife into walkable streets, while the east strings together sandy bays and old fishing enclaves with a slower pace. Head uphill for leafy residential pockets with bigger homes, or look west for longer beaches, better value and quick access to the airport and tech hubs.
As of August 2025, property prices in Málaga averaged around €3,549 per m², while rent prices in Málaga averaged €15.5 per m², meaning an 80 m² flat typically comes in at about €1,240 per month. Picking the best area to live in Malaga comes down to how close you want to be to the sand, how much space you need and how you feel about summer crowds.
Centro Histórico & Soho
Picture sunlit plazas, church spires and cafe terraces in the old town, with Soho’s street art and the CAC Málaga just across the river. Culture is nonstop: Teatro Cervantes, Museo Picasso Málaga, and Teatro del Soho CaixaBank for big-name productions. Day-to-day, it’s the easiest area for car-free living, with everything on foot and the train at María Zambrano a stroll away. Coworking is strong in Soho and the centre, popular with remote workers and creatives.
- Housing: period apartments in historic buildings (high ceilings, balconies, occasional lack of lift), plus mid-century blocks in Soho with better layouts.
- Prices: in the Old Town, property averages €5,454 per m² and rent €18.9 per m².
- Nearby Martiricos – La Roca currently tops Málaga’s rental charts at about €25 per m², with apartments starting from roughly €1,400 per month.
Find flats and houses for sale in Malaga's city centre and properties for rent.
Find flats and houses for sale in Soho and properties for rent.
Pedregalejo & El Palo
Former fishing neighbourhoods east of the centre, stitched together by a relaxed paseo marítimo of chiringuitos grilling espeto sardines. Mornings mean paddleboarding in Pedregalejo, sunset walks past the colourful boats in El Palo. There are language schools dotted along the seafront and a growing remote-worker scene using cafes and small cowork hubs. Buses run frequently to the centre.
- Housing: low-rise apartments, some renovated fishermen’s cottages close to the sand, and larger family homes terraced up the hill.
- Prices: in Pedregalejo, property goes for an average of 4,303 per m², and rent averages about €18.4 per m².
Find flats and houses for sale in El Palo and properties for rent
Find properties for sale in Pedregalejo and for rent.
El Limonar & Cerrado de Calderón
Leafy and residential on the east-side hills, with quick access to the beaches below. You’ll find quiet streets, larger homes, and outlooks towards Monte San Antón and the bay. It’s a favourite with families thanks to a cluster of international and bilingual schools on this side of town (British and French options), with more choices in nearby Rincón de la Victoria. Many residents commute to the centre or work from home.
- Housing: villas and townhouses, often with gardens or small pools, plus gated communities and modern low-rise blocks.
- Prices: typically higher than average for Málaga’s east, reflecting space and school catchments.
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La Malagueta
Beach life with city convenience. Playa de La Malagueta is on your doorstep, Muelle Uno brings waterfront dining and shopping, and the colourful Centre Pompidou Málaga anchors the promenade. Parque de Málaga offers shady walks under palm trees. You’ve got a handful of coworking options within a short walk in the centre and around the port, plus easy access to buses in all directions.
- Housing: seafront high-rises with terraces and views, plus portside and park-facing flats that are the premium end.
- Prices: La Malagueta is the most expensive area in the city, with property prices around €6,955 per m².
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Teatinos
Modern, practical and good value relative to the centre and east. Built around the university, Teatinos has parks, big supermarkets, sports centres and a straightforward grid layout. Metro Line 1 runs to the historic centre, and road links are easy for airport and tech-park commutes. You’ll find student-friendly cafes, study hubs and several coworking spaces serving the university and start-up crowd.
- Housing: newer-build apartments with lifts, garages and community pools; good-sized three-beds are common.
- Prices: generally more affordable than the centre/east for similar space.
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Huelin & Carretera de Cádiz
West-side living with long, sandy stretches like Playa de la Misericordia, revamped Parque de Huelin and the family-friendly Parque del Oeste. The area is handy for María Zambrano station, the airport road and the coastal train. Everyday life is easy here, with markets, local tapas bars and a couple of practical coworking spots near the seafront and station. The beach promenade is buzzing on weekends but calmer than the centre in high summer.
- Housing: mid-rise apartments from the 60s–90s and newer infill, often larger floor plans and better value for money.
- Prices: still below East Side premiums and popular with buyers and renters looking for space and quick transport.
Find flats and houses for sale in Huelin and properties for rent.
Find flats and houses for sale in Carretera de Cádiz and properties for rent.
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