Old Town Discovery Walk, Málaga

After meeting your guide in Málaga's busy Plaza de la Marina and listening to a brief introduction to the city's history, the fun starts with a walk along the buzzy Larios Street, a pedestrian street replete with high-end retailers, bars, and restaurants. (If you're enjoying this outing in the morning from Monday to Saturday, you'll have the option to wander Atarazanas, the city's primary covered market—a great spot to dive into the region's local life and culture.) You'll make your way to Plaza de la Constitución, which has been a vital city meeting point since the time of the Moors.

Continue your walk to Plaza del Obispo, where your guide will point out impressive Baroque architecture, such as the 1762 Palacio Episcopal (now a museum) and a striking stone fountain dating back to 1785. The square is also home to the impressive Catedral de Málaga. As you soak up the Gothic-Renaissance architecture with its 17th-century choir stalls and carved statues of saints, you'll hear about the cathedral's fascinating history and how its links to the American War of Independence influenced the unusual one-tower design, lending the cathedral its nickname, La Manquita (the one-armed lady). 

Next, head up winding paths to Málaga's Alcazaba, a palace-fortress built in the 11th-century Moorish period on a hill above the city. Meander through its elegantly restored rooms and fountain-filled courtyards, pausing to enjoy sweeping views over the city, the ocean, and the rolling countryside. Finish by visiting the neighboring Teatro Romano, which is over 2,000 years old and was uncovered during excavations in 1951. Here, you'll learn about Málaga's relation to the broader Roman Empire, concluding your 2.5-hour walk around the city.