Malaga Train Station luggage storage

About the station 

Malaga, though nowhere near as ubiquitous as Madrid and Barcelona, has quickly become a top travel destination in Spain. This coastal city blends the Mediterranean aspects of Barcelona and the culture of Valencia but packages it all in a manageable size and easygoing vibe. While there are certainly worthy nightclubs in Malaga, this city is ideal for a relaxing vacation spent between the beaches and the wonderful Centro Historico. 

With soft sandy stretches like Playa de la Malagueta and Playa de la Misericordia, you’ll have a few options for where you lay your beach towel down. There are also wonderful historic landmarks like Catedral de Malaga, and even a museum celebrating Pablo Picasso’s life and relationship to the city. It’s an easy place to visit and an easy place to get to via train.

Named after the famous Spanish writer, Malaga's main train station is called "Malaga-María Zambrano," which makes for a nice distinction when comparing it to the Málaga Centro-Alameda station for commuter lines. “Maria Zambrano” or “Malaga Station” are the two most common ways to refer to the primary transportation hub in the city. It’s situated just outside the center of the city but is only a short walk from Malaga’s glorious waterfront and travel hotspots. 

Malaga Station is where all of the high-speed AVE trains are routed through, connecting Malaga with other Spanish cities and the rest of Europe. Through Malaga-María Zambrano, you’ll have fast connections with Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, which makes the city an easy stop on a trip through Spain. The station also has connections to regional trains along with the local metro.

Can I leave my luggage at Malaga Train Station?

Unfortunately, Malaga train stations aren’t equipped with luggage lockers. With miles of beachfront and a historic city center to bring in tourists, there’s certainly a need. This would explain why luggage storage services are so prevalent in Malaga. So the best luggage storage Malaga Train Station has would be nearby facilities operated by a service. Luckily, there are plenty of locations nearby with Bounce. 

Can you store your luggage at train stations in Spain?

It entirely depends on the train station. Barcelona and Madrid’s larger transportation hubs will have a full suite of amenities, including luggage lockers. Train stations in smaller Spanish cities like Malaga might not have luggage storage services, especially if it’s an older or historic building. 

Are there two train stations in Malaga?

There are multiple train stations in Malaga, but the two main ones are Málaga-María Zambrano (the largest station serving long-distance, regional, and local), and Málaga Centro-Alameda (the commuter rail line). 

Where can I find luggage storage in Malaga? 

Some attractions might offer luggage storage services, but you’ll be out of luck at most of the historic landmarks and monuments. It’s much more advantageous to go with a luggage storage service with multiple locations. In Malaga and other Spanish cities, Bounce is easily the best option, with the most convenient locations and a whole suite of useful features. The Bounce mobile app makes it simple to find the nearest storage facility, and book online. All you’ll have to do is show the attendant your confirmation, and you’ll be off. Bounce also offers features like 24/7 customer support, and the BounceShield Guarantee makes things stress-free. 

Things to do near Malaga Train Station

Museo Picasso Málaga 

Before it became such a magnet for travelers, Malaga’s claim to fame was being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. To honor its most famous son, Malaga has set up a museum in the wonderful 17th-century Buenavista Palace. With an extensive collection of works donated by the artist’s grandchildren, you’ll find paintings from different eras of Picasso’s career, particularly his early sculptures and exploration of cubism. While the permanent collection alone is worth a visit, you’ll want to check ahead to see what temporary exhibit has been programmed, as traveling collections and spotlights of Picasso works make frequent stops at the Malaga Museum. 

Shop through Alameda Principal and the Mercado Atarazanas 

Two of the city’s most charming shopping destinations are just a short walk from Malaga-Maria Zambrano Station. The Alameda Principal is a bustling avenue lined with quaint shops and flower stalls. There won't be luxury designer stores or familiar brands, but that’s kind of the point. Steps away, you can visit Malaga’s primary market. While you may not have a full kitchen at your disposal, you can still stock up on artisanal products like olive oil and jarred goods. Even better, you can hit up the stalls selling cured meats and cheeses to put together an epic picnic. At the very least, it’s great to walk around and take in the scene. 

Catedral de Málaga 

Set on the site of a former mosque, the Catedral de Malaga was built in the 16th century long after the Reconquista, but these things take time, in fact, construction lasted over 200 years. Its large bell towers and attractive red sandstone are beautiful, but the most attractive part of the cathedral is the Patio de los Naranjos. This gorgeous and tranquil courtyard filled with orange trees is all that remains from the original mosque, and it was kept for a reason. You can take a tour of the interior for further context and to admire the fabulous cedar choir and aisles. The tour includes access to the rooftop for panoramic views of the waterfront and surrounding neighborhood.  

Airport travel from Malaga Train Station

A quick note on Malaga Airport, or Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport. Although many of the facilities are world-class, Malaga Airport doesn’t have particularly reliable luggage storage options onsite. Unless you’re in town on a short layover, you’ll have better luck storing your luggage near the city center. The airport is still highly accessible from the Malaga Train Station. 

• Train: This is by far the easiest method of transport, as the C1 Suburban line runs directly from the airport’s train station to Maria Zambrano. Trains run every 20 minutes, and the ride takes a little over 15 minutes and costs $6.
• Bus: If you really wanted to take the bus, it would have to the A Bus from the bus terminal at the airport to the Ayala stop, which is a five-minute walk from Malaga-Maria Zambrano Train Station. 
• Taxi and rideshare: This is much more expensive than the train, and only saves about three to five minutes at most. If you value privacy or need to get elsewhere in the city center, you can hail a taxi from the designated area at arrivals or call an Uber or Lyft. The ride takes about 15 minutes even without traffic, and will cost about $30 - $50. 

Getting around the city from Malaga Train Station

How to get from Malaga Train Station to The Alcazaba 

One of the cooler landmarks in Malaga, the Alcazaba is a remnant of the centuries-long Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. This fortification was built in the 11th century as a seat of governance for the Al-Andalus. Its distinctive features and eye-catching reddish brick are awesome to see from a distance, but even better to tour up close. To get to the Alcazaba from Malaga Train Station, you can take the C2 Bus from the nearby Explanada de la Estación stop (a three-minute walk) and get off at the Paseo del Parque stop. From there, it’s a short walk up the hill to the fortress. The whole trip takes about 18 minutes and costs $3. 

How to get from Malaga Train Station to Catedral de Malaga 

One of the central landmarks, Catedral de Malaga is easy to get to from just about anywhere. From Malaga Train Station, there’s a direct link to the Atarazanas stop via the L1 Metro. From there, it’s a five-minute walk to the cathedral. The whole trip takes about 15 minutes and costs $4. If you want to stretch your legs, it’s a highly scenic 24-minute walk. A taxi ride will only save you minutes, when compared to the Metro and will cost at least $20. 

How to get from Malaga Train Station to  Playa de la Malagueta 

From Málaga-María Zambrano Train Station, it’s a 34-minute walk. Although most of the way is through the Centro Historico and waterfront, that’s quite a hike. You can save time and energy by taking the #4 Bus in front of the station to the nearby Paseo del Parque - Plaza del Genera stop. From there, it’s a short walk to the beach, you can’t miss it! The bus takes 20 minutes and costs $3. 

Luggage storage near Malaga Train Station

If you’re spending your whole trip beach hopping or exploring the historic city center, you won’t want to be lugging bags around the whole time. While luggage storage isn’t always a given at train stations and museums, you know you can count on the best Malaga luggage storage facilities through Bounce. With dozens of locations throughout Malaga and other cities in Spain, you know you can rely on the creme de la creme of luggage storage.