Málaga is a big, prosperous port town, yet it has a lot of romantic places where time has stood still.
Malaga was founded by the Phoenicians, who discovered the ideal Mediterrean port for trading. The Romans conquered the Iberian peninsula some 200 years before Christ. As a testament to this era you can visit the “Roman theatre”.
In the VIII century the “musulmanes”, the Arabs, conquered Andalusia and the country enjoyed a rich period of culture, development and peaceful harmony. The castle “Alcazaba” was constructed and connected with the Gibralfaro castle on top of the mountain, overlooking the city and the Mediterranean sea.
In this old town you will find kilometers of beaches, you can walk for miles along the Mediterranean sea, enjoying the very special light which inspired so many artists –one of which is Pablo Ruiz Picasso, a son of Málaga. You can visit his birth house here and enjoy the atmosphere at the “Plaza de la Merced”, where Picassos parents met and fell in love and where little Pablo drew his first “paloma” (dove).
If you are lucky to get a private apartment in the heart of the historical centre of Málaga you will enjoy authentic Spain. The surroundings are typical Spanish – not the imitated atmosphere of the touristy resorts. You have no need of taxis, everything is within walking distance. We recommend you have a walk up to the Gibralfaro castle – there is a bus service as well. The reward is a fantastic view of the sea, the port, the parks, the city, and the mountains.
Enjoy sunny Málaga with strolls around the gardens of the Alcazaba. Perhaps you would prefer a walk enjoying the balmy evening air and have a refreshing drink at one of the Chiringuitos (beach bars).
You can take a ride in a horse carriage, visit the Picasso Museum, the Roman Amphitheatre, the unique Cathedral which has only one tower finished – the other one is still incomplete -, many museums, the wonderful town park and the “Teatro Cervantes”, an old and established theatre with many international artists appearing there. Of course you want to do some shopping – you will find lots of wonderful little shops, and big shopping centers as well. Visit the picturesque fishermans area Pedregalejo with tiny old houses directly at the beach; here you will find excellent fish restaurants.
Regardless of season you must visit the Botanical gardens, not very far from town and only a short bus ride away.
You can enjoy nearly every kind of sport in and around Málaga: Golf, sailing, surfing, swimming, horse riding, jogging, hiking, cycling, paragliding, walking and much more. It will never be dull. Málaga has a lot to offer: Theatres, museums, markets, churches, concerts, bullfight, cinemas, discos, parks, pubs and cafés are waiting for you.
In Málaga you find an excellent variety of restaurants, typical Spanish ones, but international as well. For that little “bite between meals” we suggest a ”Tapa” in any of the many bars.
If you want to cook for yourself, there are markets with all varieties of fresh sea food, meat, vegetables and fruits in the city centre.
Málaga is very well connected – both national and internationally. Introduced a year ago is the high speed train “AVE” – this train goes every hour to Madrid. (only two and a half hours ride) Other trains connect you with Seville and Cordoba. Also, there are excellent bus connections to Granada, Algeciras, Nerja and many more places of interest. The local train takes you to Fuengirola, Benalmadena and Torremolinos. The bus and train station is within a walking distance from the city centre. Malaga has one of the best public bus services we have come across. For just 1€ you can travel anywhere within the city.
Special events are “Semana Santa” (Easter week) and the “Feria” in august.
So – get on a plane and come to sunny Málaga. Even in winter it is never that cold. Yes, it may rain occasionally in winter, but next day you’ll enjoy a blue sky again.
Saludos de Málaga,