Roman Theatre of Málaga

About Roman Theatre of Málaga

The theatre is set into the hillside below the Alcazaba on Calle Alcazabilla. Built in the early 1st century AD, under Augustus, it was used until the end of the 2nd century, then covered by fish-salting tanks and graves. It reappeared in 1951 during gardening outside the Casa de la Cultura, a 1940 building later demolished so the site could be dug. The Junta de Andalucía manages it.

Much of the cavea, the seating partly cut into the rock, survives, with the marble-paved orchestra and a stage given a new wooden floor. An interpretation centre displays finds. Under the glass pyramid in the street are tanks where garum fish sauce was made, and the Alcazaba's walls behind reuse stone from the theatre.

Entry is free and individuals need not book, though numbers are capped. It opens Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–18:00 and Sundays and holidays 10:00–16:00, last entry 30 minutes before closing; closed Mondays, 1 and 6 January, 1 May and 24, 25 and 31 December. Guided visits must be booked by phone or email. Allow 30–45 minutes. The visit stays close to street level, but the stone seating is steep and uneven.

Come in the morning before climbing to the Alcazaba, or after dark, when the floodlit ruins can be seen from the street. The site may close on orange or red heat-warning days in summer.

Roman Theatre of Málaga in pictures

What you’ll find

• Archaeological siteRuins visit (10:00–18:00)Ticket
• Free entryFree visit (10:00–18:00)Free
• Guided tourGuided tourBook
• Visitor centreVisitor information (10:00–18:00)Free

Nearby places to visit

The Alcazaba of Málaga (60 m) entrance is a few steps away on the same street, and the Málaga Museum (150 m) occupies the Palacio de la Aduana next to its lower walls. Málaga Cathedral (300 m) is reached through the lanes to the west, and the Flamenco Museum (300 m) and Interactive Music Museum (350 m) are in the old town nearby. Above, Gibralfaro Castle (600 m) can be reached by bus 35 or a steep walk, and the Plaza de la Merced, where Picasso was born, is at the top of Calle Alcazabilla.