Cathedral of Malaga Tickets and Tours

A visit toLa Manquitais one of the highlights among the best things to do in Malaga. This Renaissance temple, with Gothic and Baroque influences, is one of the most important architectural gems in Andalusia.

In this comprehensive guide, you will find all the latest information you need to organise your visit: from ticket prices, the best guided tours, discounts and opening times, to the most interesting corners of the cathedral and the best tips for making the most of your experience.

The most comprehensive option

Malaga Cathedral Guided Tour

A guided tour of Malaga Cathedral

This tour offers you the opportunity to explore one of the city's most iconic monuments for approximately 90 minutes, without wasting time in queues. A local guide will take you to the most interesting parts of the cathedral, such as the choir, the main chapel and the chapel of Santa Bárbara.

From €24 at Hellotickets

Visits to Malaga Cathedral offer you the opportunity to explore one of the city's most iconic monuments in small groups. With an average duration of 90 minutes, you will have enough time to explore both the interior of what was formerly the Aljama Mosque and its famous bell tower.

The tour usually begins by exploring the majestic central nave, where the impressive stained glass windows flood the space with natural light. Other highlights of this titanic cathedral include its domes, the Church of the Tabernacle, the Chapel of San Francisco, the Chapel of Santa Bárbara, the famous painting of the Beheading of Saint Paul by Enrique Simonet, and the Puerta del Perdón(Door of Forgiveness), the main attractions of the site.

Recommended if... you want to soak up the ancient history, art and architecture that define the city of Malaga.

The price of tickets to Malaga Cathedral varies depending on the areas you wish to visit. To access the interior of the cathedral and the museum, the standard price is around £10 per person. If you wish to add a visit to the terraces, the cost may increase.

There are different types of tickets for Malaga Cathedral.

• General ticket with access to the cathedral from £10 per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + VR experience from £15 per person.

The most common ticket is the general admission ticket, which includes access to the interior of the cathedral and the terrace. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or online, which is the only option that allows you to skip the queues.

Yes, some of the best tours in Malaga include admission to La Manquita. You can:

• Book a guided tour of Malaga Cathedral, ideal for those who want to focus on a single point of interest in the city, available from £16 per person.
• Book a guided tour of Malaga's historic centre and cathedral, which offers a walking tour through the heart of the city from £22 per person.
• Book a guided tour of the Cathedral, the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba of Malaga, for a tour of the three Marys of Malaga from £35 per person.
• Book a private half-day tour of Malaga with entrance to the cathedral for groups, ideal for large groups who want to combine an internal tour of the cathedral with live commentary, as well as a detailed walk through other places of interest such as the Plaza de la Merced, the Plaza Constitución, the Alcazaba and the remains of the Roman Theatre. This tour is available from £146 per person, but prices decrease according to the number of participants; for example, you and five friends would pay only £55 per person.

Important: all these guided tours are led by experts in the history of the monument and allow you to learn architectural, historical and artistic details that you might miss on a visit on your own. In addition, with any of the options , you can skip the queues to enter the cathedral, which significantly improves the experience.

Yes, Malaga Cathedral offers discounted tickets for certain groups, namely:

• General ticket with access to the cathedral for senior citizens, from £9 per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral for students, from £7 per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral for groups, from £7 per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) for senior citizens, from £13 per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) for students, from £10 per person.
• General ticket with accreditation to access the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) + the Diocese, from £5 per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral for residents of Malaga, free.

Conditions apply:

• For retirees: over 65 years old.
• For students: between 18 and 25 years old.
• For groups: more than 15 people.
• Residents: must provide proof of residence.

Carla's Tip

From Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and on Sundays, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., admission is free.

Yes, the cathedral also contributes to the reasons why Malaga has earned the grand title of Capital of the Sun as the best city in the world to live in, according to National Geographic, by encouraging visits to the temple at reduced prices.

• General admission with access to the cathedral for children under 12 is free.
• General admission ticket with access to the cathedral for young people aged 13 to 17 is available from £6 per person.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) for children under 12 is free.
• General ticket with access to the cathedral + Virtual Reality (VR) for young people aged 13 to 17, available from £9 per person.

Important: children are only allowed to enter when accompanied by an adult, so you can now plan your visit among the things to do in Malaga with children.

Whether you fancy a stop on your tour of avant-garde Malaga to discover the heart of the city, or you've set aside a couple of hours to learn more about La Manquita, buying tickets online saves you time, as you avoid the queues that often form at the ticket office, especially at weekends and during high season.

In addition, online sales platforms often offer promotions or discounts that are not available at the ticket office. Booking in advance also ensures that you can choose the time that suits you best for your visit and gives you the option of including other services, such as a guided tour or a virtual reality experience.

Malaga Cathedral is open Monday to Saturday, generally from 10:00 to 18:30, although opening hours may vary during religious holidays or special events.

On Sundays and public holidays, opening hours are reduced, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is advisable to check the official calendar before planning your visit to ensure that the opening hours are correct.

Important: during weekend mass, tourist visits are not permitted.

A visit to Malaga Cathedral usually takes between 70 and 90 minutes, depending on how much time you spend admiring the details of the interior and going up to the terrace.

If you plan to take a guided tour, it will probably take a little longer, as guided tours tend to be more detailed. What's more, Malaga is a surprising city and a visit to this temple opens the door to countless questions.

The best time to visit Malaga Cathedral is between April and June or September and October, when the weather is milder and there are fewer tourists. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, I recommend planning your visit early in the morning, just after opening, or in the last few hours before closing.

Malaga Cathedral is located in the heart of the city's historic centre, at Calle Molina Lario, 9. To get there, you can choose between:

• Bus: several city bus lines stop near the cathedral, such as lines 1, 3, 4 and 11. The closest stop is Alameda Principal.
• Metro: although the Malaga metro does not go directly to the historic centre, you can take lines 1 or 2 to El Perchel or La Marina station and walk about 10-15 minutes to the cathedral.
• Car: the road is the N40, but bear in mind that Malaga's historic centre has traffic restrictions, so it is advisable to park in a nearby car park, such as Calle Larios or Muelle Uno, and walk to the cathedral.

• The central nave: its height of almost 42 metres, the light provided by the stained glass windows and the beauty of the Corinthian columns that surround it are truly impressive.
• The choir stalls: considered a masterpiece of wood carving, Pedro Mena designed these 17th-century stalls as a sign of faith, and they are one of the cathedral's greatest treasures.
• The monumental organ: with more than 4,000 pipes, the Baroque organ is one of the cathedral's musical gems, and concerts are sometimes organised to allow visitors to enjoy its impressive sound.
• The Chapel of Santa Bárbara: this Renaissance altarpiece, a 16th-century masterpiece, depicts biblical scenes and figures of saints by the sculptor Nicolás Tiller and the painter Francisco de Ledesma. Also noteworthy is the carving of Santa Bárbara by Fernando Ortiz. It is the only remnant of the old mosque-cathedral and an example of Malaga's rich artistic heritage.

The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Malaga, better known as Malaga Cathedral, is the centrepiece of the 'Spanish paradise city' and is flanked by five places of interest that you can visit in 25 minutes from La Manquita by following this map. You can:

• Visit the Picasso Museum - Birthplace: just 300 metres from the cathedral, this museum is dedicated to Malaga's most famous son, Pablo Picasso. After purchasing your ticket to the Pablo Picasso Museum, you can admire the most complete collection of works by the award-winning Malaga-born artist.
• Visit the Roman Theatre: built in the 1st century BC under the rule of Augustus, it is one of the oldest remains in Malaga and a living testimony to the Roman presence in the city.
• Enter the Alcazaba: this palace-fortress of Muslim origin is one of the city's most important monuments.
• Visit the Museum of Malaga: located in the Palacio de la Aduana, this is one of the best museums in Malaga. It houses a valuable collection of art and archaeology, with more than 15,000 pieces ranging from the Phoenician era to the 20th century.
• Relax in Malaga Park. To finish off this short 1-day tour of Malaga, take a break in this large park just a few steps from the cathedral. With its lush vegetation and wide paths, it is the perfect place to lose yourself in the early morning.

• Buy your tickets online: Avoid long queues by buying your tickets online. You can also choose the best times to visit and add extras such as guided tours or access to the terraces.
• Wear comfortable shoes: a visit to the cathedral may include a climb up to the terrace, which involves walking up steep stairs with around 200 steps.
• Visit early or late in the day: to avoid the crowds, it is best to arrive at the cathedral as soon as it opens or shortly before closing time. You will have a more peaceful visit and be able to enjoy every corner at your own pace.
• Always consider the paid versions of the tickets: at least if you are planning the visit as a cultural activity, as this is the only way to access the audio guide for both adults and children, or if you have chosen to book a guided tour of Malaga Cathedral, the live commentary; otherwise you will miss out on these benefits.
• Respect the religious space: although it is an important tourist destination, the cathedral is still a place of worship. Remember to be respectful during your visit, keeping your voice down and wearing appropriate clothing, especially if there are religious celebrations in progress.