Right at the base of the Alcazaba, this is Malaga’s oldest surviving structure — built in the 1st century BC during the reign of Emperor Augustus. It was in use for a few hundred years, then mostly forgotten. When the Moors arrived, they used stones from the theatre to help build the Alcazaba above it. For centuries, it was completely buried. It wasn’t rediscovered until the 1950s, when construction workers stumbled on it by accident. These days, it’s been partly restored and open to the public. You can walk around the site and even catch the occasional open-air performance in summer.

The monumental Masjid Nasional Al-Akbar is a spectacular modern mosque, one of the most imposing in Southeast Asia, let alone Indonesia itself. Access is open to visitors, and the top of one of its minarets offers spectacular views over the city (staff will guide you to the elevator on request).

Qinglong Temple, or the Temple of the Green Dragon, is a historic site known for its deep ties to both Chinese and Japanese Buddhism. Established during the Tang Dynasty, it gained further significance when the Japanese monk Kukai (founder of Shingon Buddhism) came to study here in the 9th century. The temple is also renowned for its stunning cherry blossoms, which are particularly spectacular during the annual festival held in March and April. With both Japanese and Chinese cherry blossom varieties, the temple grounds transform into a sea of pink and white flowers, attracting many visitors, especially in late March to early April, when the blossoms are at their peak.

Locals call it La Manquita — 'the one-armed lady' — because only one of its towers was ever finished. Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, the cathedral mixes Renaissance design with a Baroque front. It actually sits on the site of a former mosque, and you can still spot a few traces of that. There's a long-running rumour that money meant for the second tower went to support the American War of Independence — not confirmed, but it’s part of the local lore.