Retro Málaga: A High-Octane Guide to Southern Spain’s Premier Classic Car Show

If, like us, you have a weakness for the scent of aged leather, the gleam of perfectly polished chrome, and the roar of a vintage engine, then there is only one place to be every January: Retro Málaga.

As the most important classic car event in Andalucia and a true highlight of the Southern Spanish event calendar, Retro Málaga isn’t just a show, it’s a celebration of automotive history. So, you know that TA-DAH.TV just had to be there!

But, honestly, even if you aren’t a “car person,” the sheer beauty of these marvellous machines is enough to make anyone a fan.

Catch all the engine-revving action in our exclusive tour of the latest edition below!

What is the Retro Málaga?

If you’ve been following our Travel Channel for a while, you’ll know we love our auto events – from the Geneva International Motorshow to the NEC Classic Motor Show to the wild Sotogrande GP.

But Retro Málaga is a giant, shiny time machine of an event! Every year, over 15,000 enthusiasts descend on the sun-soaked city to celebrate everything on wheels. It’s a wonderful mix of museum-quality masterpieces and “passion projects” that people have spent years tinkering with in their garages.

It’s also the ultimate “treasure hunt.” We spent ages exploring the stalls, it’s a total heaven for spare parts where you can find anything from a tiny vintage badge to a whole new engine. We even spotted some gorgeous Vespas that made us want to ride off into the golden Málaga sunset… Sorry, we drifted off there for a second.

But, there’s more going on in this incredible space than the stunning motors. Even the venue itself is an attention-grabber!

What is the Palacio de Congresos y Ferias?

The show takes over the Palacio de Congresos y Ferias (FYCMA), and it is a huge space. It’s one of those cool, modern buildings that merges gorgeous architecture with engaging spaces, which all helps make Málaga feel so vibrant.

If the venue looks familiar, it might be because it also hosted the very first Andalucia BIG Festival! From rock concerts to classic cars, this place knows how to throw a party. Plus, it’s super easy to get to, which is perfect when you’ve got a busy day of car-spotting ahead.

So, What Quality Classic Cars Did We See?

Oh, where do we even start? The lineup this year was absolutely “chef’s kiss.” Here are the ones we’re still dreaming about:

1961 Aston Martin DB4: A true show-stopper in spectacular condition. With its Italian-designed bodywork, it’s got that effortless 007 elegance that never goes out of style.

• 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL: The epitome of mid-century cool, a car that looks just as good today as it did on the road 60 years ago.
• Mercedes-Benz 200 Series Family: We saw a beautiful collection of the 200 series, including the 220S, 250SW, and 280SE. The 250SE with its dark blue interior was definitely one of our faves.
• Moroccan Marvels Stealing the Spotlight: A big shout-out to the Moroccan contingent, who dazzled with their menagerie of immense motors, including the gorgeous Chevrolet Corvette C1 and a stunning 1959 Peugeot Sedan 403 designed by Pininfarina. A collection every bit as elegant as the stunning Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh.
• De Lorenzo Prototype: A futuristic, hand-built supercar that looks like something out of a 007 film.
• 1970 Volkswagen T2 (The Winner): Luis Linares’s incredible restoration, which deservedly took home the “Concurso de Elegancia” award.

Who is Luis Linares and Volkstuning?

If you want a Volkswagen restored to “better than new” condition, you go to Luis Linares. Based in Estepona, his workshop, Volkstuning, is legendary among V-Dub fans.

Luis is a bit of a magician. He found that winning 1970 T2 in the Arizona desert. Because the air there is so dry, the car was perfectly preserved, no rust, just lots of dust!

But what’s his secret to winning? Apparently, getting your engine so clean you could “eat your dinner off it”. We believe him!

About Xuan de Lorenzo: Creator of the De Lorenzo Prototype

One of the most inspiring people we met was Xuan de Lorenzo. You wouldn’t know it by looking at the motoring masterpiece he created, but he’s actually a musician and a physiotherapist!

Xuan had a dream (literally!) of building his own car. So, he spent six years and about 20,000 hours in his garage making it happen. He didn’t have an engineering degree; he just watched a lot of YouTube tutorials and got to work.

The result is the De Lorenzo, a hand-built supercar made of metal and pure persistence. Talk about goals!

About the Automobile and Fashion Museum

You can’t talk about cars in Málaga without mentioning the Museo Automovilístico y de la Moda.

This world-class museum, located in the historic “Tabacalera” building, usually brings a stunning list of “toys” to Retro Málaga.

One of the most unique museums in the world, the team here pairs a collection of nearly 100 luxury vintage cars (including Rolls-Royces, Ferraris, and Bentleys) with high-fashion displays from the likes of Chanel, Dior, and Prada.

Whether you love the delights of the catwalk or the race track, this museum is perfect for you – quirky, stylish, and very “Málaga.”

Incidentally, if you do love yourself some haute couture, then slide on over to our Fashion Channel for all the very latest from the world of gorgeous garmentary events.

Other Things to Do in Málaga

Málaga is having a huge moment right now! It’s actually the most visited city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona.

When you know about the breadth of things to do here, coupled with the fact that most major airlines fly down to the Costa del Sol, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular!

Once you’ve finished at the car show, there is so much to see:

• The Picasso Museum: Celebrating the city’s most famous son in a beautiful palace.
• The Alcazaba & Roman Theatre: Walk through centuries of history with stunning views over the port.
• Muelle Uno: A modern waterfront area perfect for shopping and dining by the yachts.
• Gastronomy: Don’t leave without trying the “Espetos” (sardine skewers) at a beachside Chiringuito.
• Caminito del Rey: Thrillseekers looking to raise their pulse while in Malaga might like to check out one of the world’s scariest pathways. The Caminito del Rey is a 7km+ hiking trail complete with hanging bridges and suspended walkways over a staggering drop.

Alternatively, if you want to see more of the stunning Costa del Sol (and why wouldn’t you) then why not extend your stay and spend 24 hours in Seville, like we did! Highly recommend it!

Head to Our Travel Channel for More Engine-Revving Fun

Whether you’re a gearhead or just love a bit of vintage glamour, Retro Málaga is such a fantastic way to spend a weekend.

It’s all about the stories behind the cars and the amazing people who keep them running. We had a blast, and we hope our guide helps you plan your own visit!

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