More than just a beach town, Málaga is a cultured modern city marked by drama, romance and centuries of fascinating history.
Located on Andalusia’s famous Costa del Sol, Málaga offers access to over 160 kilometres (100 miles) of coast. In hot spots like the upscale Marbella, you might find yourself rubbing elbows with such celebrities as Sean Connery and Rod Stewart.
Málaga is a sprawling port city, the sixth-largest metropolis in Spain. Despite all this development, Málaga’s Old Town retains a strong folkloric charm. Amble down its winding streets and look for traces of the many great civilisations that have left their mark on the town. Keep an eye out for the vast Málaga Cathedral, the ruined Málaga Amphitheatre and the Picasso Museum Málaga, which is dedicated to this city’s most famous artistic son. Picasso’s Birthplace (Casa Natal Picasso) is also worth a visit.
Stroll around the iconic Plaza de la Merced. Take a walk through time from the Moorish fortress Alcazaba to the nearby Gibralfaro Castle, where you can look out over the Alobran Sea towards Morocco. Málaga boasts more than 30 museums dedicated to art and history. It is also host to local festivals around Easter and in August.
Most of Málaga’s tourist destinations are accessible by metro bus. The historic centre is compact enough to explore on foot, giving you a chance to work off the marvellous local cuisine: favourite dishes include gazpacho (cold tomato soup), fried fish and paella.
Málaga is accessible from Madrid and Barcelona via high-speed train, and Málaga International Airport connects to major European cities.
The Costa del Sol certainly lives up to its name, especially throughout the summer months when the south of Spain can be particularly hot. Plan not to participate in any outdoor activities around the middle of the day. Relax instead, and then fill the hours until Málaga’s late dinner time by exploring the cultural sights of this historic Spanish city.
