Málaga Cathedral

About Málaga Cathedral

Málaga's cathedral stands on the site of the main mosque, where the Catholic Monarchs ordered a church after taking the city in 1487. Building began in 1528 to plans involving Diego de Siloé and stopped in 1782 with the south tower unfinished, hence the nickname La Manquita, 'the one-armed lady'. The north tower rises 84 metres. It became a national monument in 1931.

Inside, three naves and an ambulatory rise to vaults among the highest of any Spanish cathedral, ringed by chapels with Baroque altarpieces. Highlights are the choir, with 42 carved figures by Pedro de Mena, the twin organs built by Julián de la Orden in 1779–1781 and the main chapel. An audio guide is included.

Entry is €10 (over-65s €9, students 18–25 €7, ages 13–17 €6; under-12s free with an adult). Tickets are sold at the door and online, with no timed slots. Hours are 10:00–20:00 Monday to Friday, 10:00–18:00 Saturday and 14:00–18:00 Sunday, last entry 45 minutes before closing; worshippers enter free 08:30–09:00. The roof tour, up a 200-step stair, is suspended until the new roof is finished, expected mid-2027. Allow an hour.

Weekday mornings just after 10:00 are quietest. Dress modestly: very short shorts or skirts and see-through or low-cut clothing are not allowed. Access may be limited during services and in Holy Week.

Málaga Cathedral in pictures

What you’ll find

• Audio guideAudio guide (10:00–20:00)Buy
• Free entryFree visit (08:30–09:00)Free
• Guided tourGuided tourBook
• Monument visitSelf-guided visit (€6–€10, 10:00–20:00)Ticket
• Religious servicesMassFree

Nearby places to visit

The Roman Theatre of Málaga (300 m) and the Alcazaba of Málaga (300 m) are a few minutes' walk east along Calle Císter, with the Málaga Museum (250 m) in the Palacio de la Aduana between them. The Málaga Holy Week Museum (400 m) explains the processions that pass the cathedral each spring, and the Interactive Music Museum (350 m) is close by. Calle Larios, the main shopping street, starts two blocks to the west, and Gibralfaro Castle (900 m) looks down on the old town from its hill to the east.