How To Get From Málaga Train Station To The Historic Centre

The main train station in Malaga is called Malaga Maria Zambrano. The train station serves most of the intercity and high-speed AVE trains from destinations such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Granada. In this article, I will explain all the different ways to get from Malaga train station to the historic centre of Malaga. The distance from Malaga train station to the historic centre of Malaga is about 1.5 km to 2 km, this depends on which part of the city centre you are staying.

Travel Options From Málaga Train Station To The Historic Centre

As you would expect, there are several options to get from Malaga train station to the historic centre of the city. Each option will offer different costs, quickness, and affordability. To add some complexity to these options, it is important to remember one thing. The historic centre of Malaga is pedestrianised, so access is limited. It may be an idea to book a hotel close to a main road if you plan to arrive by taxi or bus. This will save hauling your bags by foot to the inner parts of Malaga’s old town.

Malaga Train Station To The Historic Centre By Metro

The Malaga metro system is a recent addition to the city. The metro station that serves Malaga train station is called El Perchel. From this metro station, you would need to take line 1 to Atarazanas station. The metro station, Atarazanas, is 1 minute from the bottom of Calle Larios and opposite the Soho district of Malaga. It is the closest metro station to the historic centre of Malaga.

Here is an idea of some distances from Atarazanas metro station to some of the old town’s famous landmarks. The Malaga cathedral is about 350 meters or a 3-minute walk. The Soho district is about 50 meters away and under a minute walk. The Roman theatre I would say an 8-minute walk or 450 meters. Plaza de la Merced is about 500 meters and just under a 10-minute walk.

Compared to other European cities metro systems, the Malaga metro is limited. With just one station that serves the historic centre, it all depends on how close your accommodation is to Atarazanas metro station. If you have a trolley suitcase, getting to most of the old town of Malaga shouldn’t be too difficult. As I stated before, the area is pedestrianized and flat.

Taking A Taxi From Málaga Train Station To The Old Town

This would be my preferred way of getting from Malaga train station to the historic centre. There are a few reasons for this, it will be comfortable, quick and get you as close as possible to your accommodation. Furthermore, there is some limited access to the old town of Malaga for taxis. If you want to get as close as possible to your accommodation, taking a taxi is your best option.

You will find the taxi rank directly outside Maria Zambrano train station. There are usually plenty waiting, and you can expect to pay under 10 Euros fare. Another point to remember is that you can fit three or four people in a taxi. So, the 10 Euros taxi fare would work out at just 2.50 Euros each, based on four people. This is the best option if you are not on a tight budget.

Taking A Bus From Malaga Train Station To The Historic Centre

This option would cost about the same as the metro. There are two main bus routes that will get you from Malaga train station to the old town. These are the line 1 and line C2, journey time is about 12 minutes. The line 1 will pass along Avenida Alameda, Plaza de la Marina and Paseo del Parque, serving Calle Larios and the Alcazaba areas respectively. The C2 will follow the same route but also stop at Plaza de la Merced, which is towards the top of the historic centre.

The advantages of taking the bus to the historic centre of Malaga is that you can view the city as you travel through Malaga. Furthermore, it is a cheap way to travel to the old town of Malaga. The disadvantage is, you would need to know where you are getting off and how to proceed to your accommodation.

Walking From Malaga Train Station To The Historic Centre

Of course, walking from the train station to Malaga old town can be done. It is about 2.5 kilometers and would take around 25 minutes. You would need to know where you are going or understand GPS navigation from your phone. Unless you have lost your wallet or are on a really tight budget, I would not personally recommend it. If you arrive at Malaga with very light luggage, it could be an enjoyable way to view the city.

If you do attempt to walk from Malaga train station to the historic centre, remember one thing. It can get very hot during the day for many months of the year. Temperatures in Malaga can be between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius in the peak of summer. Before setting off, make sure you have plenty of water and sun protection.

Conclusion

Due to the limited metro lines that serve Malaga, it is not as easy to get around as other cities. However, once you arrive at the historic centre of Malaga, most of the attractions are near to each other. Knowing Malaga as I do, I would say taking a taxi to the historic centre would be the best option. I also bet you would get change from a 10 Euro note. The other option would be by metro line 1, a quick and easy way to arrive close to Calle Larios, Soho and Plaza de la Marina.