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August 14, 2017Malaga Costa del Sol Intl. Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on February 19, 2026
Malaga – Costa del Sol Airport (AGP/LEMG) is the main airport for tourists visiting the beaches around Malaga and also all vacation places down to Gibraltar. The airport is surrounded by several motorways, which makes it easy to get to the terminal. Also a commuter train is connecting Malaga main station with the airport. It is located 8 kms southwest from the city centre of Malaga and 5 kms north of Torremolinos. The forth busiest airport of Spain handled 19 million passengers in 2019.
Malaga Airport opened 1919 with one runway (13/31). Terminal 1 was opened in 1968 and is used today as GAT, Terminal 2 in 1991. The latest terminal extension was done in 2010 named Terminal 3. A second runway (12/30) was built and went into operations in 2012.
AGP is currently served on regular service by several European carriers like Alitalia, British, KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss or Turkish. Intercontinental services are offered by Delta (JFK) and Air Transat (YUL). In summer season from all over Europe charter services are flying into AGP. Busiest routes are to and from UK and Ireland, so British charter carriers can be seen all week long. From other European countries AGP is served by well known airlines from Scandinavia (e.g. SAS, Sunclass), Benelux (e.g. Brussels, Transavia, Correndon Dutch, TUI Belgium, Luxair), Germany (e.g. TUI, Eurowings), East Europe (e.g. Wizzair, Smart Wings). Some charter flights are operated by widebodies, e.g. TUI 767 + 787, Norwegian 787 and Aer Lingus 330. Norwegian, Ryanair and Vueling are operating a base in AGP offering flights to all over Europe.
Besides the regular visitors, there are many VIP flights. A lot of celebrities and nobleman spend their time in Marbella using AGP as a gate to Costa del Sol. So Gulfstream, Falcon, BBJ or even 727 are regular but unpredictable visitors.
Around the airport several spotting positions allowing views to the movements. The airport is surrounded by partly double fences, partly high fences and partly normal fences. Fortunately spotting can be easily done without a ladder as some postions are elevated or away from the fence.
Written by Hugo Lachnowicz, Marcus, Robert Hahn, Gaetan De Meyer, David Wooler and Mathijs Haest. Last change: February 2025 – Spots 13
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather | |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 13/31 | 3,200m Asphalt |
| 12/30 | 2,750m Asphalt |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 2 | Non Schengen (UK, Ireland) & non-EU |
| Terminal 3 | Flights from & to Schengen countries |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not necessary. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is necessary. Most of the positions cannot be reached by public transport, just Spot #1, #8 and #9 can be reached by bus (visit the mentioned spots for more information). The spots are far away from the terminal buildings. Bring your GPS as well as traffic routing sometimes is absolutely crazy. One-way roads, roundabouts, street closures can drive you mad… |
| Restrooms | Only in the terminal building or at restaurants. |
| Drinks/Food | Local restaurants, McDonald’s and Burger King are around the airport, but only reachable by car. |
| Hotels | Hotels and apartments can be found all around in the vacation places. |
| Season | High season is summer. Many airlines do not fly into AGP between October and April. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | Due to predominant winds runways 12 and 13 are preferred in summer. |
| 13/31 | During easterly winds, 13 is the main departure direction. During westerly winds, 31 ist the main arrival direction. |
| 12/30 | During easterly winds, 12 is the main arrival direction. During westerly winds 30 main departure direction. |
Observation Hill - 12 & 13 Landings and Line-Up
| WHERE | This is the most popular location and you can photograph all movements during eastern opersations. To get there pass the airport on N-340 through the tunnel direction “P3 – Larga Estancia”. Reaching the roundabout still follow “P3 – Larga Estancia”. Follow the road through another tunnel until you reach the next roundabout. Leave the roundabout at the dirt road. There you can choose your position which you prefer on the hill The place is 400 meters long and elevated above the fence (Spots 1A & B). To get closer to runway 12, cross the “closed” road and walk till you reach a shoulder by the roadside.
This spot can be reached easily by bus, too. Take bus M135 which starts at the main bus hub in the city and exit at “Zapata” station. Then walk to the spot which is marked on the map. |
| WHAT | You can get aircraft landing on and lining up runway 13 from the south side (Spot 1A) and the landings for runway 12 (Spot 1B whilst C is closer). From Spot 1A, south side, aircraft taxiing on taxiway an are right in front of you. |
| TIME | Spot 1A is good in the summer from sunrise to 11:30. Line-up until 12:30. only For aircraft in line-up on the runway heat haze can get an issue. Spot 1B/C can be used in the late morning until afternoon all day long. Less heat at spot 1C. |
| MISC. | No shade, better stay in your car. Nothing around here, so bring what you need. Be careful with the bumps and stones on the dirt road. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Spot A/B: 220 mm for A320 on the runway, 80 mm on taxiway A. Spot C: 150 mm for a B737 / A320; 330 mm for a C56X; 100 mm for a B767-400 |
South Side (Spot 1A)
North Side (Spot 1B)
North Side (Spot 1C)
Terminal Access Road - Taxiway and Ramp
| WHERE | This is a nice location if you are at the airport terminal. Get out of the building on the departure level and walk northwards until you see an elevator and a staircase. This is the place to be. |
| WHAT | From here you can photograph planes vacating runway 12/30 and taxiing by or parking on the ramp. Runway photos can be made but heat distortion is a big issue. |
| TIME | Heat haze is an issues so we recommend to use it from late afternoon until sunset. |
| MISC. | Everything you need is just around the corner. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 300-400mm for a 737/A320, depends on the angle |
Museo Aeronautico de Malaga - 13/31 traffic
| WHERE |
On N-340 at the roundabout near San Miguel Brewery leave at the exit following the signs of “Aviación General/Museo” until the end, always leaving the San Miguel factory to your left. Parking in front of the museum or at Calle Aeroclub. Find out more about the museum here: https://www.aeroplaza.org/ |
| WHAT | Admission at the museum is free. You can find some aircraft in the backyard and also a terrace to watch the traffic on the airport. The GAT apron is right in front of you, but also landing aircraft on runway 31 or departure shots on runway 13 are possible. |
| TIME | During opening hours of museum. Shots on traffic for 13/31 until 11:30. |
| MISC. | Enjoy the museum, it’s definately worth a visit. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 320 mm for A320. At the museum you will need 40 mm for the convair. |
San Julian - 31 Final Approach
| WHERE | In the village of San Julian enter Calle Rimsky Korsakov and find a place where your view is not obstructed by trees or wires.The best place seems to be close to a sports ground. |
| WHAT | You can take shots of aircraft in final to runway 31. I haven’t been to the spot, as runway 31 was not in use. The info was given by a local spotter. |
| TIME | From sunrise to 11:30 in the summer. |
| MISC. | No shade, better stay in your car. Nothing around here, so bring what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Approximately 300 mm for A320 |
IKEA - 31 approach
| WHERE | The location is on the Ikea parking lot which is in between the motorway MA21 and MA20, next to the 31 approach. Use the exit “Parador del Golf” and drive to the northeastern corner of the ikea parking as marked on the map. |
| WHAT | Final approach on runway 31. |
| TIME | In the afternoon from 14:30 until 20:00 in the summer. |
| MISC. | Everything you need is at this area. Shopping Mall, Fast Food restaurants and toilets within the Ikea. There are some trees spending shadow. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Approximately 150 mm for A321 |
Churriana - 13/31 movements
| WHERE | Enter “Calle Pepe Mena” in the village of Churriana in your GPS. At the end of the road turn right to a small plateau where you can park your car directly at the airport fence. The area is elevated and pictures can be taken over the fence. |
| WHAT | You are close to the touch down point of runway 31. Take-offs on runway 13 are in front of you, but depending on the destination the aircraft may rotate already quite early. In this case they are too high for suitable pictures. |
| TIME | In the afternoon from 14:30 until 20:00 in the summer. |
| MISC. | There’s nothing at this spot, bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 180 mm for A320 |
Tree - 13/31 movements
| WHERE | Either park at spot 5 and walk about 150 meters or park your car opposite in front of the gate (don’t block it). If you are 1,90 meters tall you can easily take pictures over the fence. It is also possible to climb into the tree or to bring a small ladder. |
| WHAT | All movements on runway 13/31 |
| TIME | During summer in the afternoon from 14:30 until 20:00. Aircrafts vacating runway 13 on taxiway E2 from 13:00 until 18:30. |
| MISC. | There’s nothing at this spot, bring with you what you need. At least you can spend the time in the shadow of a tree. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 180 mm for A320 on the runway, 250 mm for vacating A320 on taxiway E2. |
Farm – 13 Final Approach
| WHERE | At the corner Camino Puente del Rey and Camino de la Huertecillo enter a small dirt road, pass a farm on the right and drive slowly until you reach a closed gate. Park in front of the gate (space only for max. two cars). The farmer was smiling at us, so seems he is fine to see spotters here. |
| WHAT | Final approach of runway 13 |
| TIME | During summer in the afternoon from 14:30 until 20:00. |
| MISC. | Nothing here. Heat haze can be an issue.The dirt road is in lousy condition, so don’t break your car. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200 mm for A320 |
Puente del Rey - 13 Arrivals
| WHERE | Park your car at the bend in front of the dyke at Camino Puente del Rey. Climb up the dyke and move to the position you prefer. Parking on the dyke would be possible as well, but from time to time a tractor will require you to leave as there is only space for a tractor and nothing else.
This spot can be reached easily by bus, too. Take bus M135 which starts at the main bus hub in the city and exit at “Zapata” station. Then walk to the spot which is marked on the map. |
| WHAT | Afternoon and evening arrivals on runway 13. Depending on your position also line-ups to runway 13 are possible, but heat haze might destroy the picture. |
| TIME | During summer in the afternoon from 14:30 until 20:00. Line-up from 17:00 until sunset. |
| MISC. | Nothing here. Watch out for the rental cars moving around on Camino Puente del Rey. The rental car staff is driving like hell. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 180 to 330 mm for A320 depending where you prefer to stay. |
Pipe/Wall - Runway 12
| WHERE | The position is not reachable by car. Park near Camino del Rey and walk the dirt road about 1 km until you reach a bridge for tubes. Climb up the concrete bridge and the tube (Spot 10A). If you continue a few meters you can also climb up a brick wall to get an elevated view (Spot 10B)
This spot can be reached easily by bus, too. Take bus M135 which starts at the main bus hub in the city and exit at “Zapata” station. Then walk to the spot which is marked on the map. |
| WHAT | Final approach runway 12 |
| TIME | From sunrise till 11:00 in the summer. |
| MISC. | Nothing here. Take high sun protection with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Approximately 80 mm for A320 |
Taken from spot 10A – Pipe
Taken from spot 10B – Wall
Los Chopos - Runway 12 Landings
| WHERE | Enter “Calle Sup” in Los Chopos in your GPS. Drive through the whole village of Los Chopos to the end of the road where you reach a dirt road and turn left. Depending on your preferred angle and background, drive along the road and park your car. If you don´t turn left and stay at the end of the “Calle Sup” you don´t have the mountains as a background in your image and a shorter focal length. |
| WHAT | You can get aircraft landing on runway 12 only. |
| TIME | From sunrise till 11:00 in the summer. |
| MISC. | No shade, better stay in your car. Nothing around here, so bring what you need. Be careful with the bumps and stones on the dirt road. Sometimes horses can cross the road. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 320 mm for A320 (less if you stay at the first point, “Calle Sup”). |
Field - 13 departures
| WHERE | The spot is located close to spot 6 on an abandoned field. Instead of continuing down Calle Rigoberta Menchú towards spot 6, park between the 2 buildings on the road where there is a small field. Enter the field and walk until you find the space where the view is not obstructed. Spot is easily reached via public transport, just as spot 6. |
| WHAT | Departures runway 13 only. Best photos are with heavier aircraft, otherwise you will not get a background at all |
| TIME | From midday to sunset, in summer heat haze is a problem as the spot is located far from the runway. |
| MISC. | No ladder is required. Supermarkets and bars in the nearby village. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Around 350 mm for a B737 and 200 mm for a A330-200 |
Wall - 12 Landings + 30 Departures + Ramp/Taxiway L
| WHERE | Follow the same way as to reach spot #1, but once reaching the roundabout outside of the tunnel, instead of turning right towards the end of runway 12/13, turn left. Here you will see plenty of “no parking” zones, however in reality they will be occupied and you can park there without much worry as no one really seems to care. There are some obstacles which will compromise some of your photos, so my advice is to walk around a bit and find your sweet spot. You can reach this spot by bus the same way as you would in spot 1, just hop off in the Terminal de Carga bus stop. Ladder is not required, but I recommend using one as that way you will fully clear the fence from the bottom of your photos. Note that bizjets taking off from RWY 30 will normally be high at this point. |
| WHAT | Runway 12 landings / 30 take-offs, Taxiway L. |
| TIME | Midday to sunset. Heathaze is a problem in summer if the plane hasn’t lifted off by this point. |
| MISC. | Nothing nearby. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Around 180mm for an A320. |
Visited Spot 2 a few weeks ago, indeed does struggle with heat haze but a nice location regardless. One thing I witnessed though is that if an aircraft parked on Stand 82, this will block the view of all aircraft vacating the runway from the viewable taxiway, and there were two aircraft that parked there on my visit. This spot will likely become obsolete in a couple of years too as there are plans to extend the terminal across the apron.
Málaga Airport landside has Burger King, Pret A Manger and several other places to eat. These re expensive and there are cheaper options on the vending machines that are scattered in and around the airport. There was also a sticker on one of the terminal doors in arrivals that states “The Necessary documentation will be required to access and remain in the airport”, although I would imagine this would be to mostly stop people who sleep and use the airport as a hotel in during the night hours as Aena brought in these rules in 2025.
The arrivals floor outside also now has large taxi areas for both Bolt and Uber. I didn’t use them but you may be able to use them to take you to some of the spotting locations, although you d need to have your Passport or equivalent to travel in taxis as this is the law in Spain.
Hi.
I will visit Malaga and I will one afternoon free. What is the best place during afternoon to take some photos and what is the easiest way to get there please?
Thanx.
Hi there, I’m a Málaga spotter and there’s just a few things I’d like to mention;
a) At spot #5 there is now a barricade to the gravel car park so no cars can get through, there is a little outlet from the main road where you can stand, however, security is quite active in this area with a camera on the white building next to the military area.
b) There is also another spot that shows great views for Runway 12 arrivals in the afternoon to sunset, I have a few pictures if you are interested in using them.
Overall though, a very good report covering Málaga’s spotting locations!
Hi Alex,
as a local spotter can you confirm the robberies?
Can you send me the GPS for the parking #5 please and for the new location please use this form if possible:
https://www.spotterguide.net/missing-photos-location/
Thanks
Julian
Hi.
I will visit Malaga and I will have one afternoon free. What is the best place during afternoon to take some photos and what is the easiest way to get there please?
Thanx.
Yesterday, 31th of July, I met a Portugees couple who warned me that at spot #5 where I was at that moment people been robbed. Another Portugees Spotters his bag with camera was stolen. So If you stand at spot #5 please be aware of this.
Area around IKEA Car Park good for landing shots on 31 from early afternoon,
Can you provide us some photos please.
-Julian
Hi Julian, spot #8 should read runway 12 arrivals not runway 31 arrivals. Regards, Gary
sorry my mistake. This is for 13 arrivals. Not sure whether traffic arrives on runway 12 further north.
Fixed. Thanks Gary!
-Julian
Hello! I visited malaga last week and had a lot of pictures from spot #3!
If you want pictures a could send you a few 🙂
Hi, yes that would be nice. Our mail is support@spotterguide.net
Thanks
Julian