Port city with 16 beaches you can fly to for £20 from Liverpool

A port city with 16 different beaches enjoys around 3000 hours of sunshine each year.

Situated on the Costa del Sol, Malaga provides a great city break combined with a trip to the seaside. The city's historic centre is home to churches and palaces, with a harbour on one side and mountains on the other.

Malaga's port is the oldest continuously-operated port in Spain and one of the oldest in the Mediterranean. Holidaymakers can fly to Malaga from Liverpool John Lennon Airport for £20 on May 13, with return flights from around £85.

Ryanair and easyJet both offer flights to Malaga from Liverpool, while Jet2 is set to offer a new route to the city in 2025.

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LJLA connects our city to destinations right across Europe. Among them are Europe's "wine" towns - Bergerac in France, Cork in Ireland, with its palm trees and Titanic links just over an hour away from Liverpool and Porto, Europe's 'number one city break' destination.

Here we take a look at what Malaga has to offer for tourists.

What are the best attractions Malaga?

When it comes to places to soak up the sun in Malaga you're spoilt for choice. The city boasts 16 different beaches including La Malagueta, La Misericordia, San Andrés, Campo de Golf / San Julián, El Palo and Pedregalejo.

Around a 20 minute walk from the old town, Playa de la Malagueta is the city's main beach. Take a walk along the promenade or soak up the sun on a sun lounger.

The sandy beach stretches for several kilometres east from the port and has plenty of restaurants. It also has a children's play area including a zipline and climbing frames.

If you're a seafood lover, head to the old fishing district of El Palo. Grilled sardines are one of Malaga’s famous dishes, which you can enjoy at restaurants in the village. Art enthusiasts should head to the unmissable Museo Picasso Málaga, based in the city where Picasso was born.

More than 200 works of different styles, materials and techniques used by the famous artist are included in the permanent exhibition. It also comprises of a selection of pieces from the private collections of two relatives, Christine Ruiz-Picasso and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso.

The Jardín Botánico Histórico La Concepción is a natural oasis of tropical and subtropical plants, waterfalls and sculptures. It contains more than one hundred and fifty years of history and is one of few gardens with subtropical plants that exist in Europe.

Located to north from the centre of Malaga, it's easily accessible by bus, look for line number 2 or 91 and then take a short walk. History buffs should visit Alcazaba - an 11th century palace and fortress built by the King Badis of Granada.

Situated on the slopes of the Gibralfaro mountain, the fortress offers incredible views of the city walls and part of Malaga's historic centre. The viewing point, which is free to visit, can be accessed from either Calle Cilla or Calle Mundo Nuevo.

What is the flight time from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Malaga?

Flights from Liverpool to Malaga with Ryanair and easyJet are regular throughout the year. The trip takes 2 hours and 55 minutes to 3 hours in total. The time zone is GMT + 1.

Is Malaga good for tourists?

Once you arrive in southern Spain, there is plenty to see across Andalucía. Whether it's the history of Granada and its magnificent Moorish Alhambra or the art galleries of Malaga, the region is well served for city breaks.

Meanwhile, the resorts of the nation's south coast provide stunning beaches and lively nightlife. The Liverpool John Lennon Airport destination guide says: "Whether you’re looking to visit Malaga itself, or are holidaying in nearby resorts such as Marbella or Estepona, the Costa del Sol is one of the most popular regions of Spain for tourists searching for some sunshine.

"Marbella is perfect for those looking for some glitz and glamour, while Fuengirola is a lively resort with amazing beaches and a stunning historic area hidden away if you’re after a more peaceful pace. Nerja, meanwhile, is the jewel of the Costa. It’s quintessentially Spanish, with a great nightlife."

At the time of writing, we found £20 single flights from Liverpool to Malaga on May 13 here or return flights from May 13-May 19 for £85 here.

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