Catedral de la Encarnación (La Manquita)
A Renaissance cathedral begun in 1528 on the site of the former main mosque, with Gothic and Baroque touches. Málaga locals call it 'La Manquita' because its south tower was never finished; the north tower reaches 84 metres, the second tallest in Andalusia after the Giralda. Entrance: €6; with rooftop access: €10.
Why La Manquita is worth your time
The Cathedral of the Incarnation is the kind of monument that tells its own story just by looking at it: the south tower is missing. That is why the people of Malaga call it La Manquita, the one-armed lady. Construction began in 1528 on the site of the main mosque of the Nasrid medina (Malaga fell in 1487) and was not declared finished until 1782: more than 250 years of building that left a blend of early Gothic, a dominant Renaissance style by Diego de Siloe, Andres de Vandelvira and Hernan Ruiz II, and Baroque finishing touches. The completed north tower reaches 84 metres (92 to the weathervane), the second tallest in Andalusia after the Giralda. The best-documented legend holds that the south tower was left unfinished in 1782 because Charles III diverted the funds to support American colonists in their independence from England. Inside, do not miss the choir: Pedro de Mena, the Baroque sculptor from Malaga, carved 42 high-relief figures there, and the gestures and hands are the finest work he ever did. Two monumental organs with more than 4,000 pipes each complete the scene.
Tickets, opening hours and how to beat the queues
The general admission ticket is around 10-12 EUR, with an audio guide included in 10 languages; check the exact price at malagacatedral.com before you go, as it has gone up recently. Reduced rates apply for senior citizens, young people aged 13 to 17, students and groups of more than 15; children under 13, Malaga residents and people with disabilities enter free. If you only want to see the church without a guide, free access is available from 8:30 to 9:00 (Monday to Saturday) and until 9:30 on Sundays, though the cathedral is usually in liturgical use at that hour. Visiting hours change by season: in summer (Jun-Oct) it opens Monday to Friday until 20:00; in spring until 19:30; and in winter until 18:30. On Saturdays it closes at 18:00, and on Sundays it opens at 14:00. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing. Booking online costs the same as at the ticket desk, but saves you the queue in July, August and Holy Week. Important note: since early 2024 there are restoration works on the roof and roof terraces, and access to the terraces may not be available - call +34 825 765 165 to confirm before counting on it.
How to get there and insider tips
The cathedral sits in the heart of the historic centre pedestrian zone, at Calle Molina Lario 9, with the entrance on Calle Cister. Walking is the easiest option: about 10 minutes from the Alcazaba and about 5 from the Atarazanas Market. EMT buses 1, 19, 25, A and M-110 stop nearby (Alamos stop, around 3 minutes away). The metro (L1/L2) stops at Atarazanas, a 5-7-minute walk, and the tram stops at Paseo del Parque, about 5 minutes away. Leave the car out of the centre: if you have no choice, the Plaza de la Marina car park costs around 1.50 EUR/hour. Allow 45 to 60 minutes for the visit with the audio guide; if the roof terraces are open, add another hour (about 200 steps up a spiral staircase to the 50-metre level). Go first thing (10:30) or in the last hour of the afternoon to avoid the crowds; midday, from 12:00 to 15:00, is the busiest stretch. And if you do go up to the terraces, do it at sunset - the light over Malaga is something else.
Frequently asked questions
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