Is Málaga worth a few days, or just a stopover before the coast?

Two nights minimum, three if you can spare them. The old town is small enough to walk, and the Alcazaba, Roman theatre and Picasso museum all sit within ten minutes of each other. A second day covers the Gibralfaro climb and an afternoon on Malagueta beach. People who give it one night see the cathedral, queue for churros and leave thinking it is just an airport. If the trip is tight, cut a night on the coast before you cut one here. Full rundown in our things to do in Málaga guide.