Malaga is primarily associated with sunshine, beaches, and the winding streets of the old town. However, right next to the airport lies a place that might surprise you—a free aviation museum, perfect for both adults and children. It is one of those places that we often don’t include in our travel plans, but after visiting, it leaves a very good impression.
The free aviation museum by the airport is truly an unexpected place in Malaga. It is located right by the airport, making it convenient to visit whether you’ve just arrived, are about to depart, or have a longer layover. This time, we visited the museum—it was the first spot we explored during our spring holiday in Andalusia.
A Hidden Gem Near Malaga Airport
Free Entry and Guided Tours
The aviation museum by the airport in Malaga is one of those surprises many travelers don’t expect when visiting the city. The museum is free to visit – just be sure to check the opening hours.
Currently, the museum is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 20:00, and Wednesdays to Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00. It is closed on Mondays.
As soon as you enter, it’s clear this isn’t a “typical” museum with glass display cases. Here, everything is much more lively and accessible to visitors. On Saturdays and Tuesdays, free guided tours are also available, during which volunteer guides share many interesting facts and details about the exhibits. We arrived just in time for the 11 a.m. tour—one guide led in English, another in Spanish.
Conveniently, you can drive into the museum grounds and park for free. There are also restrooms available on site.
Experiences Kids Will Love
The biggest advantage of this museum is the opportunity not just to look, but to experience.
Our children especially enjoyed being able to sit in airplane cockpits, climb into old aircraft, and examine details up close.
This gives a totally different impression compared to ordinary museums, where exhibits are usually “untouchable.” Here, kids can feel like real pilots, which brings a lot of joy and excitement.
The museum features a variety of aviation-related exhibits:
- Historical airplanes
- Cockpits
- Old uniforms
- Navigation and control equipment
An interesting part of the museum is also the old air traffic control tower and the original Malaga airport terminal.
For younger children, there is a separate room with hands-on exhibits that you can touch and play with. Unfortunately, many of them were no longer working.
Flight Simulators
In the flight simulation hall, you can have an exciting adventure, as there are currently three simulators operating.
- “Soyuz” – a recreated model designed so visitors can experience what it’s like to orbit the Earth and return.
- “X WING” – a model from the famous “Star Wars” saga, where you can take the controls of a fighter ship. This is one of the first 3D flight simulation games.
- The VR flight simulator – an exciting experience where you can sit at an airplane’s controls and experience everything firsthand with virtual reality glasses. The latest hardware and software are used in this simulator, making you feel as if you’re really in the cockpit.
The flight simulation hall is very popular among visitors.
The aviation museum by Malaga airport is a surprising discovery that could become one of the highlights of your trip. It’s a place where history comes alive, and children can not only learn, but also have a lot of fun.
