A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus includes a magnetic recording medium including a recording layer in which at least two magnetic layers are layered on a non-magnetic substrate; and a magnetic head including a main magnetic pole for applying a recording magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to a recording face of the magnetic recording medium and a microwave generating element that generates a microwave magnetic field. The relationship between a thickness Ts of a magnetic layer having a lowest magnetic anisotropy energy among the at least two magnetic layers composing the recording layer of the magnetic recording medium, and a thickness Tt of the recording layer is Ts/Tt≦0.2. The microwave generating element applies the microwave magnetic field having a width broader than the width of the recording magnetic field generated by the main magnetic pole of the magnetic head to the magnetic recording medium.