Antigua Casa de Guardia
Malaga's oldest tavern, serving local wines and vermouths from barrels since 1840 in a vibrant, traditional setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Antigua Casa de Guardia
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Malaga's oldest tavern, serving local wines and vermouths from barrels since 1840 in a vibrant, traditional setting.
"An absolute must-do in Malaga for a truly authentic and buzzing Spanish bar experience!"
Arrive Early for a Spot
To avoid crowds and secure a good standing spot, it's best to visit early, especially on weekdays.
Try 'Medio' Glasses
Ask for smaller 'medio' glasses to sample a wider variety of wines without overindulging.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Tapas Bar / Wine Bar
Price
$
Phone
+34 952 21 46 80
Address
Alameda Principal, 18, Distrito Centro, 29005 Málaga, Spain
Website
antiguacasadeguardia.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Wine Straight from the Cask
Experience a unique tradition of sampling local wines and vermouths directly from the barrels lining the walls.
Authentic Old-School Atmosphere
Immerse yourself in Malaga's oldest tavern, a historic spot with a lively, authentic Spanish vibe.
Social & Friendly Vibe
This bustling bar is a great place to mingle with locals and fellow travelers over drinks.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early for a Spot
To avoid crowds and secure a good standing spot, it's best to visit early, especially on weekdays.
Try 'Medio' Glasses
Ask for smaller 'medio' glasses to sample a wider variety of wines without overindulging.
Cash is King
Consider paying with cash, as your bill is conveniently chalked up on the bar.
Weekday Evenings are Best
For a more relaxed experience, aim for weekdays around 5 PM to avoid peak crowds.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early for a Spot
To avoid crowds and secure a good standing spot, it's best to visit early, especially on weekdays.
Try 'Medio' Glasses
Ask for smaller 'medio' glasses to sample a wider variety of wines without overindulging.
Cash is King
Consider paying with cash, as your bill is conveniently chalked up on the bar.
Weekday Evenings are Best
For a more relaxed experience, aim for weekdays around 5 PM to avoid peak crowds.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Antigua Casa de Guardia is celebrated for its authentic, historic atmosphere and the unique experience of tasting wines directly from barrels. While some find the sweet wines not to be the absolute best, the overall vibe and traditional chalked-up bar tabs make it a must-visit. It's appreciated for its affordability and the lively social environment it fosters.
"No food for us however the experience was great. Our taxi driver suggested this spot as a unique Malaga experience. The wine, especially a 3 part blend they made for me was great and I'm not really a wine drinker. The space was tight and air warm but we still had conversations with 2 couples on their own holiday. It's a "should do" event for sure."
Scott Harm
"A fantastic place we visit every time we go to Malaga. Highly recommend for an authentic experience. You can stand at the bar and pay as you order or run a tab which is chalked on the bar."
Wendy Sayers
"A great place to visit, the tavern is a good experience to try.
All wines were served from large barrels, waiters would write the cost using chalk on the table. Cheap wine, tried red and white. All were flavourful and you could taste the difference."
Sarit Shah
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The main draw is its historic ambiance and the unique experience of tasting local wines and vermouths served directly from the barrels that line the walls.
Yes, they offer a small selection of tapas, particularly cold shellfish, to accompany the drinks.
Your order is chalked directly onto the bar surface, providing a classic and old-fashioned way to track your tab.
Visiting on weekdays around 5 PM is recommended for a less crowded experience. Arrive early to secure a good spot.
The bar is primarily standing room only, with only a few high tables available. It's an experience best enjoyed standing.
They specialize in local sweet wines, sherries, and vermouths, all tapped directly from barrels.
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The Antigua Casa Guardia is known as the oldest tavern in Málaga, dating back to the late 19th century. The bar attracts a healthy mix of locals and tourists through its intrinsic Spanish authenticity as well as its cozy and quaint interior. The pub serves a range of local and international beers, spirits and vintages and provides the perfect atmosphere for guests to sit back and relax while taking in the Spanish lifestyle.
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Kick off the evening with a little tumbler of sweet Malaga wine – the moscatel is a good one to start with – at Antigua Casa de Guardia on the Alameda Principal, then cross into Soho for dinner at La Antxoeta. Book ahead as the exquisite creative cuisine and a buzzy vibe makes it very popular. Pop into Café de Estraperlo for a gin and tonic or head up to the roof terrace of the RoomMate Valeria hotel next door.
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Around the corner from the Mercado de Atarazanas, this is Málaga's oldest bar, founded in 1840. Málaga wines and finos flow straight from the barrel, and the walls are lined with sepia photos of old Málaga—including some of Picasso. Wash your wine down with plates of cheese, shrimp, or cold cuts.
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In the Alameda Principal you have CASA DEL GUARDIA, a traditional tavern you simply cannot miss, for a drink of our local sweet wines. Beware, it goes fast to the head. Only food there are cold shellfish.
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This has always been, for me, the other place in Málaga to stop for a drink – a long thin room with a long thin bar where you pick from the sweet wines, sherries and vermouths in the barrels behind. They keep a running tab on your bar in chalk and as barely anything you can drink tops two Euros you do feel it’s rude not to stay for another, and another. It’s standing room only, with only a few high tables, so settling in for a prolonged session is probably beyond most people, but to stand there sipping from your copa and watching the bar staff, all of whom feel like they’ve been doing this for years, is a quintessential Málaga experience.
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Before you head out to enjoy a crawl among these best tapas bars in Malaga, you’ll want to start things off with a local aperitif. Our pick: Antigua Casa de Guardia, Malaga’s oldest wine bar, which serves the region’s typical sweet wine straight from the barrel (one of the 24 barrels that line the wall behind the bar, to be exact). To accompany your wine, they serve a small but respectable selection of seafood tapas that always hit the spot.
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For other iconic bars in the city center, consider Antigua Casa de Guardia or Restaurante El Chinitas. About a 15-minute walk from Alcazaba, you’ll find numerous trendy restaurants in the artistic neighborhood of Soho. One popular spot is Mamuchis, where owners Marcel and Leiticia aim to recreate a cozy “mama’s kitchen” vibe, serving up healthy sharing plates inspired by their global travels, such as courgette burgers and dim sum.
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To start the evening off, this one is a must - especially if you want to sample the best wines in Malaga. Try different varieties of wine served in small chupito glasses – don’t worry, you won’t lose count as the waiter will write your bill on the table with chalk!. Antigua Casa de Guardia is one of Malaga’s oldest bars, established in 1840 and is well worth the visit for the unique experience that it provides.
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In addition to all the above, the historic center of Malaga offers us an infinite number of terraces, bars and restaurants where we can offer the visitor the best of Malaga’s gastronomy, examples of which are the famous El Pimpi tavern, Casa Guardia or the Refectorium restaurant. As well as in the Muelle Uno area, where you can enjoy a five-star dinner on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
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Antigua Casa Guardia is one of the most iconic bars in the city and features a traditional experience and rich history you can enjoy among its delicious brews. The bar dates back to 1840, and it was eventually given a royal warrant from Queen Isabel II to provide wine. Here, you'll find a long bar that you're expected to stand at if you're looking to enjoy some drinks with friends.
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For one of the more classic things to do at night, a dining experience at the Antigua Casa de Guardia must form part of your itinerary. Stepping into this tavern is like walking into a time machine; its decor takes you back to the late eighteen-hundreds when it was first established. Its selection of dishes and wines offers the perfect fusion of past and present.
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Considered to be the oldest tavern in Malaga, Antigua Casa de Guardia has remained an iconic landmark of the city ever since its opening in 1840. The restaurant is kept in perfect condition, which historians will appreciate. On top of this, they also boast to have one of the best selections of Spanish wine, which will surely appease the connoisseur spirit in you.
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Actually this is also one of the oldest taverns in Malaga, and we consider it a classical place to eat out of the city. This is a perfect place for those who like wine as they can try some of the best wines of the country. So yeah, we highly recommend Antigua Casa de Guardia as a place to eat out, or even if it’s just to have a beer or a glass of delicious wine.
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Also in the province of Malaga are the wine museums of Ronda and Ojén, the Eco-museum and Pressing Plant of Torrijos and the museums in the bodegas of Dimobe (Moclinejo) and Antigua Casa de Guardia (Olías). Cordoba's wines are well represented by the Mosto Winery and Museum in Moriles and the museum of the Toro Albalá Bodegas in Aguilar de la Frontera.
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History buffs and wine lovers absolutely can’t miss visiting the Antigua Casa de Guardia, as it’s been considered one of the best bars in Malaga by locals since it opened in 1840. This down-to-earth Spanish tavern features an interesting and unique interior. Upon entering you’ll see long rows of wooden barrels that hold lots of local wine.
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Antigua Casa de Guardia: Step back in time at Málaga’s oldest wine bar, where you can sample local wines straight from the barrel. Prices here are super budget-friendly, with most wines costing around €1-2 per glass. The rustic, no-frills vibe adds to the charm, and the bartenders will even tally up your tab with chalk on the bar counter.
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Whether you are a wine enthusiast or simply curious about Malaga’s winemaking heritage, a visit to Antigua Casa de Guardia is a must. It offers a glimpse into the past and an opportunity to savour some of the finest wines that Andalucía has to offer. Located on a tiny side street between the Alameda and the central market, it’s one […]
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But if you want to do a deep dive into the winemakers of Malaga, you can head to Antigua Casa de Guardia to learn about the unique process of local producers. This winery has been operating for almost 200 years, and it’s still in the family!. You can take a tasting course and meet with the vintners for a fun but educational evening.
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As the oldest wine bar in the city, Antigua Casa de Guardia (Alameda Principal, 18) is also one of the most beloved historic bars in Malaga. Don't expect anything fancy here, but the no-frills atmosphere is part of the charm. There are no tables or chairs—simply an assortment of large wooden barrels and the bar itself.
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Founded in 1840, this is the oldest tavern in the city and a symbol of the region’s winemaking history. Its barrels, from which sweet and dry wines are drawn, transport visitors to another era. In addition to sampling wine straight from the cask, you can enjoy simple yet tasty tapas that round off the experience.
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Over recent years the demand for craft beer has boomed and in Málaga, there is no exception. The most famous locally known one is Victoria beer but there are more and more brands, quickly gaining popularity among local beer drinkers. In Spanish, a craft beer is called 'cerveza artesana' if you should ask for it.
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Antigua Casa de Guardia is a famous bodega y taberna (english: ) in Malaga. It exists since the 19th century and is named by the royal kingdom of Isabel the second. They mainly serve Pedro Ximénez, a white Spanish wine grape variety, and produce a varietal wine with an intensely sweet, dark, dessert sherry.
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Although the central wine shop known as Casa de Guardia, on the Alameda Principal in Málaga, is much better known, its winery is also a good attraction for learning about the winemaking history of the province. In fact, it is the oldest in Málaga. Its wines are made in the Málaga neighbourhood of Olías.
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This authentic venue lives up to its name and ranks among the oldest establishments in the city. Founded in 1840, little has changed inside since although vermouth has joined the Malaga sweet wines on offer. The vino here is served on tap from giant barrels and your tab chalked up on the counter.
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This is one of the oldest taverns in Malaga and dates back to the nineteenth century. It is well known for its sherry-like wines and fresh seafood Tapas. The interior of the bar is made with old-style furnishings, black and white photographs and the huge beer barrels give the place a cosy look.
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As mentioned in the introduction of this guide, this bar is among the two bars that are famous for their wines in Malaga. Although several wine bars exist now, this one is still a tourist favourite. When you book a tourist guide, you can expect this place to be included in pub crawls.
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We promptly set off for our first stop at Malaga’s oldest tavern, Antigua Casa de Guardia. The unassuming bar, which you could easily miss if you didn’t know it was there, was bustling with people. We enjoyed a sweet Moscatel wine and a very salty tapa, which were amazingly paired.
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One of the oldest wine bars in Malaga, Antigua Casa de Guardia, established in 1840, is a must-visit. This historic spot offers an extensive selection of traditional sweet wines from the region, served straight from the barrel. Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5dXriEJQgWBzWuti7
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Established in 1840, Antigua Casa de Guardia is Málaga’s oldest tavern. If you love wines, add this to the top of your list because his bar serves a variety of local sweet wines straight from the barrel. This is also one of those few spots visited equally by tourists and locals!
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Antigua Casa de Guardia opened its doors for the first time back in 1840, and it is really something special. Anonymous from the outside, but impressive and unique on the inside. There's barrels filled with Spanish goodies, all kinds of wine and sherry, lined up behind the bar.
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Antigua Casa de Guardia is allegedly the oldest bar in the city, serving predominantly Málaga wines, but also a small selection of spirits and beer. The tab is chalked up on the bar top as you go, and all wines are poured directly from the barrels into little tumblers.
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Antigua Casa del Guardia is a very special place in our list of typical restaurants in Malaga. More than a restaurant, it is a tavern very famous for serving different varieties of sweet wine. The bar was founded in 1840 by a malagueñan winemaker, Don José de Guardia.
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The Antigua Casa de Guardia is Málaga’s oldest winery and tavern. Founded in 1840, this tavern still has that old-time charm. Sample a variety of local wines and snack on tapas at this traditional place is worth a stop for any time who likes wine or vermouth.
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A post shared by Antigua Casa de Guardia (@antiguacasadeguardia). Antigua Casa de Guardia is a gem and precisely the kind of place we look for as visitors!. The tavern has been around Malaga since 1840, and stepping into it feels like traveling back in time.
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You can't really come to Malaga without stepping into this evocative old bar which dates back to the 1840s. Tiny glasses of wine are poured direct from the barrel. If you're standing up at the bar your bill will be chalked up on the counter in front of you.
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Traditionally, Malaga wine is sweet – one of the best places to try the different degrees of sweetness is at Antigua Casa de Guardia on the Alameda Principal – but the recent revival of grape growing means that Malaga wine now comes red, white and fizzy.
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This is one of the oldest wine bars in Málaga and as you might expect upon entering, the wine selection here is one of the best around. The wine served from these barrels is a sweet wine typical of these region of Spain. It makes for a great aperitif.
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Established in 1840, Antigua Casa de Guardia is the oldest wine bar in Málaga. This charming spot offers a glimpse into the city’s rich history with its extensive selection of locally-produced sweet and dry wines, served straight from the barrel.
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And Antigua Casa de Guardia is certainly that: An amazing spot to visit when spending 2 days in Malaga or more. Like many hotspots, it’s become a little touristy over time, but it certainly hasn’t lost its charm or the locals that frequent it.
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Supposedly a haunt of Picasso himself, Antigua Casa de Guardia is Málaga’s oldest and most famous bar, opened in 1840. It’s a small, no-nonsense tavern lined with wine barrels and serving up old-school tapas along a standing-room-only bar.
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Vibe: -Old-school wine bar dating back to 1840, offering a glimpse into Málaga’s past. Highlights – Local wines straight from the barrel and a simple, rustic menu. Must-Try – Dry and sweet Málaga wines paired with cured meats and cheeses.
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12._ Antigua Casa de Guardia_ is the place to try the beloved Malaga sweet wine. It is one of the oldest bars in the city and is full of locals. People come here for their early afternoon aperitif to open their appetite before lunch.
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Chuck some fresh, meaty sardines onto a skewer and grill them over an open flame (ideally a pit of coals on a Malaga beach) and you have one cracking dish!. Locals go nuts for these massive sardines, and you probably will too!
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Then try the Antigua Casa de Guardia: the oldest taverna in Malaga. The tiny bar consists of just a row of wooden benches, but this bar has been serving since it was opened by Jose de Guardia in 1840.
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Stand at the bar and sample some of the most delicious sweet and dry fortified wines from the barrels at Malaga’s oldest tavern. Address: Alameda Principal, 18, 29005 Málaga.
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Finally, we visited Casa de Guardia Malaga for some delicious Moscatel wines, trying this wine is a must to really appreciate the sweet wine produced in this region.
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Antigua Casa de Guardia (the Old Guard House) is an old-school taverna offering a great selection of local Málaga wines, sherries, and vermouths.
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Casa de Guardia on the Alameda, the oldest bar in Malaga, specialises in Malaga wines served directly from the barrels lining the walls.
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Step back in time at this historic tavern that offers wooden barrels of sweet wines along with some tapas to share.
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Sip on a bit of history at Antigua Casa de Guardia, the city’s oldest wine bar, which was founded in 1840.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit