Málaga’s Roman heritage is not immediately obvious. You can’t miss the Teatro Romano, but look hard enough and you’ll find other remains hidden away beneath the buildings of the historic centre. Together, they offer a picture of Roman Málaga, and of the subsequent civilisations that built over it.
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The Roman City Of Malaca
The Romans were not the first to settle here: the Phoenicians established a thriving port and trading hub during the 3rd century BCE. The Romans arrived a century later, absorbing the region into their empire and creating an important industrial and commercial centre.
The fish-salting industry in particular flourished in Malaca (as the town was known in the Roman era). The city expanded and saw the addition of grand civic buildings and a large aqueduct. However, the arrival of the Visigoths and later the Moors led to the building of new structures on top of the ancient sites, with the result that much of Roman Málaga is now hidden.
20th century building projects uncovered a number of archaeological sites, revealing a city that was both industrial and culturally sophisticated. Many of these sites are now accessible to the public.
Teatro Romano
Located in the heart of the city, at the foot of the Alcazaba fortress, the Teatro Romano is the most substantial Roman monument in Málaga. Remarkably, although it was known that Malaca had a theatre, the actual site was not discovered until 1951, when it was found during construction work for the new Casa de la Cultura (Culture House).
Today the site (which is free to visit) includes a small interpretation centre, with an introductory film explaining the theatre’s history and excavation. From here, you step out onto a viewing platform overlooking the stage and seating area. Much of the original structure survives, and you can still walk through one of the theatre entrances that would have been used in Roman times.
An alternative viewpoint is located just beside the entrance to the Alcazaba, giving a bird’s-eye view of the theatre. And just beside the theatre, on Calle Alcazabilla, a glass pyramid set into the road offers a glimpse of additional remains below street level.
Carmen Thyssen And The Garum Factory
One of Málaga’s most intriguing Roman ruins was discovered beneath the foundations of the Carmen Thyssen Museum in 2011. This is the remnants of a Roman factory dedicated to the production of garum, the fermented fish sauce that was a prized commodity throughout the empire. Excavations revealed salting vats, working areas, and associated living quarters, providing a vivid picture of daily life in Roman Málaga.
Visitors can explore the archaeological zone in the basement of the museum. It is an extensive space, and a reminder that the city’s prosperity was built not only on trade and civic life but also on the pungent, labour‑intensive business of fish processing.
(Note that you need to make sure that your entrance ticket includes the archaeological area as well as the museum.)
Roman Remains Beneath The Picasso Museum
Naturally, the Picasso Museum is primarily devoted to the works of Pablo Picasso, who was born in Málaga. However, it also has an archaeological area beneath its galleries, discovered during the renovation of the Buenavista Palace prior to its conversion to a museum.
Unlike the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the remains here are not just Roman: alongside fragments of a garum factory you will see both Phoenician and 16th century buildings. This is a good illustration of how the Roman city built upon the earlier Phoenician structure, and how it was in turn built over by later inhabitants.
Hotel Vincci Posada Del Patio
A more unusual place to engage with Roman Málaga is at the Hotel Vincci Posada del Patio. The hotel incorporates a preserved stretch of the city’s defensive walls in its basement. Most of these were part of the later Moorish medina, but walk around the corner and you’ll find a fragment of the Roman harbour wall. This is a rare remnant of the port infrastructure that once made Malaca such an important trading centre.
The remains are displayed along a walkway, and are freely accessible to visitors.
The Museum Of Málaga
The Museum of Málaga houses the city’s most extensive collection of Roman artefacts. The whole of the second floor is devoted to archaeology, with displays ranging from Neolithic and Phoenician material to the Roman period.
The Roman collection is particularly strong, featuring pottery, sculpture, inscriptions, and several impressive mosaics. Many of these items were part of the Casa-Loring collection, a private collection of artefacts unearthed in different parts of the province of Málaga.
Exploring Roman Málaga
- Some museums are closed on a Monday – check opening times in advance.
- Entry to the Teatro Romano is free.
- The Carmen Thyssen Museum limits the numbers of visitors at any one time. You will need to buy your ticket in advance and specify that you also want to visit the archaeological area.
- The Picasso Museum is very popular and you are strongly recommended to buy your ticket in advance, and to time your visit for the beginning or end of the day. Note that even with an advance ticket you are likely to have to queue to get in.
- The Hotel Vincci Posada del Patio welcomes respectful visitors.
- The Museum of Málaga is free to EU residents; there is a small charge for others.
- There are several other Roman sites along the eastern coast of Andalucia. Two of the best are Baelo Claudia and Carteia.
This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Malaga.
