I know how hard it can be to find good restaurants, clean toilets, free activities, unique gifts, and hotels when traveling for races. That's why I created the Málaga Marathon Guide. And the best part? It's FREE!
The Málaga Half and Full Marathons are amazing races for runners looking to experience the warm Mediterranean Sun while running in December. The early morning start also means that you will be running during the beautiful golden hour. Along with a flat course and sea side views, expect solid crowds around the halfway mark.
Bib Pick-Up Dates and Times:
Friday, December 13th from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday 14 December from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- There is no bib pick-up on the morning of the race. I would suggest planning to arrive by Friday at the latest. That way if you do have a flight delay, you can still pick-up your bib on Saturday.
- Google Maps shows many breakfast cafes open on race day, but in reality, many of these are closed on Sundays. Pick-up your breakfast at the store the night before.
- Despite the early start, the sun will come out and heat the course up. Hydrate well and wear sunscreen.
- The half marathon and full marathon start at the same time and the half is the first 13.1 miles of the marathon course.
If you want to learn more about what to expect on the half marathon course, I wrote about my experience running it in 2023. You can read my full review below:
I stopped here to carbo load before my race, and loved it. The portions were generous and the food was amazing. They also have vegan options, and an emphasis on healthy ingredients.
My recommendation for breakfast on race day is always to stop at a grocery store the day before. But if you forgot to do that, Julieta Coffee is a nice stop. There will be lots of other runners there, so make sure you add time appropriately.
This is a great spot for traditional brunch or tapas. A bit away from the city center – but not far! This restaurant is a great choice if you want to avoid tourists while having traditional foods.
If you want to embark on your carbo loading, I highly recommend this restaurant. It has great options available for runners who want to have some authentic Italian pasta before race day.
The central market is filled with food stands for visitors to stop and grab some freshly cooked fish. My recommendation when selecting a stand is to find the crowds. The best stands will be crowded by locals, so look for crowds and listen for Spanish.
Due to the connections between Spain and Mexico, there are some great Mexican options in the city. This one was my favorite, with low prices and quality food. I ordered a wide array of items and enjoyed everything.
If you want to celebrate your race with some ice cream, I highly recommend this location. I wish I had found it earlier in my trip, as the gelato was just so rich and creamy.
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What To Do In Málaga
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One of the most popular things to do in Málaga is to visit the Alcazaba. The old fortress turned neighborhood, turned museum, is beautiful to wander around and just get lost.
Up the hill from the Alcazaba, is the old Castillo. It offers stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains, plus a look into the history of the region. If you visit both locations on the same day you can buy a combination pass for reduced entry. I would also suggest taking public transit to the top, as the walk up is 100% hill and can tire your legs.
The Mediterranean in December is the perfect temperature to help give your legs a nice cold plunge before (or after) the race. The beach also is loaded with beautifully smooth sea glass if you like to collect.
I loved the Museum for two reasons. One, the entrance fee was only a couple of euros. I love low cost art. The second reason is that with my ticket I was able to return throughout the day and use their bathroom. Very helpful when I was increasing my hydration. They also have a gorgeous courtyard, and seating on the second floor that overlooks the space.
One of the tallest Cathedrals in Spain, this is a beautiful piece of architecture to explore. In addition, this is a great spot to sit and rest your legs in the city.
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Christmas Markets and Light Shows
This being a December race means that you will be able to experience Málaga at its prettiest. While the Christmas Markets aren’t amazing compared to Northern Europe, the lights are. At the top of the hour after dark the main roadway lights up with a beautiful music and light display. There are also other displays on the side of the Málaga Cathedral. Take an evening strolling around to really enjoy it all.
Bathrooms in Málaga
One of the most important aspects of preparing for a marathon or half is hydration. While there aren’t many free bathrooms in Málaga, there is one at Muelle Uno, another in El Corte Ingles, and if you go to the Málaga Museum, you can return throughout the day and use their bathroom.
If you want to stay in a hostel, but don’t want to worry about sleep, this is a great choice. The post hostel offers a small room with a queen sized mattress and space to put your things on a tiny desk. Each group of 8 pods shares a small bathrooms setup with toilets and showers. I love pod hostels for races, as they allow me a guaranteed quiet nights sleep, while also saving money.
This hotel is both close to the race start/finish and the old section while staying in a quiet area of town. A great boutique option for people who want to prioritize their sleep.
If you are looking for a beachside 5-star hotel, this is your place. Relax in luxury at this hotel while staying close to the start/finish. It will take a slightly longer walk to reach the old city, but your journey to the expo for bib pick up will be a breeze.
This authentic fan shop offers a variety of fans for every price range. If you are traveling with kids this is a great stop as they have cheaper options for little kids to have, as well as upscale hand painted options for decoration.
If you are looking for hand painted fans that have a more modern flair, check out the stands set up along the pier of Muelle Uno. These fans have a wide variety of hand painted designed beyond the classic flowers.
Do you know the story of the Caganer? This is a figurine included in Nativity sets across Spain that symbolizes fertility and is considered good luck. Why fertility? Because the figurine is fertilizing the ground as he takes a poo. That’s right, in Spain it is common to have a figurine that depicts a man with his pants down taking a poo. If you want to buy your own figurine to take home and check out this store.
As you walk along the markets of the Paseo, you will see many of them are also selling parts of a nativity scene. They will also carry statues of the Caganer.
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Bathrooms in Málaga
One of the most important aspects of preparing for a marathon or half is hydration. While there aren’t many free bathrooms in Málaga, there is one at Muelle Uno, another in El Corte Ingles, and if you go to the Málaga Museum, you can return throughout the day and use their bathroom.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this, if you have any more questions please feel free to reach out to sadie@jetsettingrunner.com for help.
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I'm Sadie, a travel advisor for runners. Through running a half marathon every month of 2023 in a new country, I rediscovered my love of running. I also experienced just how many differences there are between traveling for pleasure and to run.
Now I help fellow runners plan dreamy vacations to Europe for races - either solo, with their support crew, or their running club.
I also create useful free guides for runners planning half or full marathons across Europe.
At the end of the day life is about making memories, and running a marathon next to the Eiffel Tower is a great way to do that. Book a call today to chat about your next race.
