The 18th-century Baroque Palacio del Conde Navas is found at the heart of the Málaga’s historic center. Once home to Spanish aristocrats and later a school, the palace fell into disuse in the late 20th century, but after decades of neglect it was restored between 2010 and 2013 and became the home of the city’s museum of music. MIMMA belongs to a new generation of ‘smart’ museums; it’s totally interactive and many of its instruments are available for visitors to play. With over 400 musical instruments on display from one of Europe’s biggest private collections, the museum examines the role of music in world culture down the centuries.
Children will love the chance to try out violins, guitars, drums or wacky instruments like didgeridoos from Australia and ancient Celtic bagpipes, and in the themed rooms, screens offer up information about the history of each instrument. Prototype instruments of the future can be discovered in MIMMA’s Living Lab and family-friendly workshops are held at weekends with the aim of introducing children to music at a young age. Be sure to catch the stirring flamenco performances each weekday at 1:30pm, and 2pm on Saturday (additional cost).