Some of my favorite moments from walking around Málaga—from churches and fortresses to street art, quiet alleys, playful shop displays, and more. The city was bustling with tourists, although I tried to avoid them in my shots.

Not pictured: the refreshing air from being right next to the sea.

Facade of the Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón in Málaga, featuring three ornate Neo-Gothic spires, pointed arches, pinnacles, and a large rose window above the entrance. Warm light enhances the pale stone against a clear blue sky.Spanish poem handwritten in white chalk on a rough beige wall in Málaga, reading: “Extrañarte es como intentar respirar bajo el agua y esta noche estoy durmiendo bajo el fondo del océano,” expressing intense longing and emotional isolation.View of the stepped brick walls of the Alcazaba of Málaga descending toward the city. Tourists stand atop the fortress, with the modern port and container cranes visible beyond, under a deep blue sky.Twilight scene on Calle Carretería, a narrow uphill street lined with scooters, pedestrians, and traditional buildings with balconies and lit lanterns, capturing the peaceful evening atmosphere in the historic center.Elevated view of La Manquita, the unfinished bell tower of Málaga Cathedral, standing above red-tiled rooftops and modern buildings. In the background, the blue silhouette of Andalusian mountains stretches across the horizon.Fortified towers and walls of the Alcazaba seen from a landscaped path below, bordered by palm trees and lush greenery. Visitors walk along the path on a bright, sunny day, approaching the ancient fortress.Quiet alleyway in Málaga’s old town lined with elegant 19th-century buildings in pastel tones. Sunlight reflects off polished stone pavement, and a person sits in a recessed doorway, adding a sense of calm and solitude.Crowded street scene with the cathedral towering between rows of historic apartment buildings. Open balconies, shop signs, and a partly cloudy sky frame the Gothic-Renaissance cathedral.Decorated balconies in Málaga’s city center, featuring maroon velvet fabric with gold tassels and a Spanish flag with a detailed coat of arms hanging from a wrought-iron bar.Storefront display of colorful graphic prints on postcards or posters. Designs include: Einstein riding a bike with atoms as wheels; a Málaga city collage; jamón ibérico with “Just eat it”; Snoopy saying “I’m not old, I’m classic”; beer chemical formula; Málaga del Sol design; a paddle tennis joke chart; and “Chicken Game: Don’t look at the chicken” with a cartoon bird labeled “Game Over.”