Costa del Sol in a long weekend - old-town tapas, a Moorish hilltop fortress and a city beach, for about £190 each.
Can you do Malaga in a weekend from Manchester?
Yes - a direct three-hour flight lands you on the Costa del Sol by late Friday, two days covers the old town, the Alcazaba and an afternoon on the beach, and the weekend comes to about £190 per person for two sharing.
Malaga has quietly become one of Spain's best city breaks: a walkable old town of marble streets and tapas bars, a Moorish fortress on the hill, world-class art, and a proper city beach - all in one compact, sun-drenched package. Fly out Friday evening, spend Saturday between the Alcazaba, the Picasso museum and the sand, and still have a full Sunday before the evening flight home.
This weekend has been and gone.
The plan below still stands - the itinerary, the places and the restaurants are all as good as they were. What you cannot use are the prices and the booking links: they are what we found for 24-26 July 2026, captured 18 June 2026. See what Manchester to Malaga costs now →
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Flights, hotel, the hour-by-hour plan, where to eat and the real per-person total. Free with an account - just your email, no password.
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What it costs
The per-person total, broken down: flights, hotel and airport transfers.
The weekend, hour by hour
Friday night to Sunday afternoon, planned out.
The flights
Times, airline and price for both legs.
Where to stay
The hotel, the area, and what the two nights come to.
What to see
Six places worth your time, with a map of the walk between them.
Where to eat
Where locals actually eat, away from the tourist strip.