Palmeral de las Sorpresas

The basics

The Palmeral de las Surpresas is a great place to stroll, watch Malaga’s ferries and cruise ships come and go, and escape the city’s urban bustle. Its highlight is its stunning pergola–a gleaming sinew of whalebone-like bars offering shade from the sun. Alongside are palm-filled squares with benches, children’s play areas, fountains, sculptures, and al-fresco bars and eateries, while at weekends and other occasions, the promenade hosts craft stalls and street entertainers.

Many visitors will find themselves naturally drawn to the Palmeral during their own explorations–the promenade offers a perfect break from sightseeing and Malaga’s beaches. Some Malaga tours also feature the Palmeral as a stop on their itineraries, including e-bike excursions, scavenger hunts, and photography tours that spotlight some of Malaga’s most photogenic spots.

Things to know before you go

• Admission to the Palmeral de las Sorpresas is free.

• The promenade is wheelchair-accessible, but some areas of the gardens are on multiple levels.

• Skateboards and rollerblades are prohibited on the walkway, and bikes are restricted to certain areas.

• Public restrooms are found at the promenade’s eastern end.

How to get there

The Palmeral traces Malaga’s Pier 2 (Muelle Dos) and Paseo del Parque, which lie between the city’s ferry port and cruise terminal. It’s easily reached on foot from Malaga Old Town–a roughly 10-minute stroll seaward along C. Molina Lario will get you here. Alternatively, numerous buses, including #3, #5, #7, #8, #10, #21 and #M-110 all have routes that pass nearby. Street parking is challenging, but you’ll find car parks near Plaza de la Marina and the lighthouse.

When to get there

The promenade is open 24 hours daily, so you can visit any time, any day. Come early in the morning to escape crowds, or in the evening when the walkway is illuminated, and locals take leisurely strolls to see the sunset and socialize at the waterside bars. Unsurprisingly, summer evenings are the busiest times, especially at weekends.

Attractions near the Palmeral de las Sorpresas

Combine a Palmeral walk with visits to some of its nearby waterside attractions. Make tracks for the multicolored Centre Pompidou Málaga at the promenade’s eastern end, where you can admire works by luminaries like Picasso and Magritte. From here, you can stroll the palm-fringed Plaza de Muelle Uno to Malaga’s whitewashed lighthouse, pausing for coffee at a waterfront café en route.