Malaga

Malaga: A Destination for any Traveller

Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, is on the scenic Costa Del Sol in Spain. The region gets over 300 days of sunshine each year and is a very popular destination for vacations and holidays. A beautiful town, it teams with many popular attractions and a booming nightlife—the perfect spot for any traveller.
The beautiful Costa Del Sol lies along the southern coast of Spain and has been a popular tourist destination for many years. Malaga is the largest city in the area and is well known for being both a historic center—it’s one of the oldest cities in the world—and an exciting and modern town with a lot of things going for it.

Malaga Hotels
Whether you’re staying in the four star Ac Malaga Palacio, one of the best luxury hotels in the city, or a hostel like the Huelin Backpacker, which is just steps from the beach, the city is full of hotels, hostels, guesthouses and apartments for rent. Whether you want to stay in the city center, near the beach or by the airport, choices abound. One good option is the Parador de Malaga-Gibralfaro. It sits just above the city and has fabulous views, well appointed rooms and a superior restaurant.

Malaga Tours
Visitors are sure to enjoy their holiday wherever they stay, and are encouraged to start their adventure with a tour of the picturesque city. Tours are abundant and give a good feel for the city. You’ll see La Catedral de la Encarnación, which was built on the site of the city’s former mosque, and has both gothic and renaissance architectural characteristics. Most tours will also feature the Palacio Episcopal, formerly the Bishop’s Palace, a gigantic red building which now displays various art exhibits.
Tours of Malaga’s museums are also encouraged. The Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares, is fun for the whole family. The exhibits are about everyday life, and artifacts deal with farming, fishing and folklore. The Museo Picasso is probably Malaga’s most prestigious museum, and features primarily personal artwork that Picasso kept to himself or gave to family members. A site to go along with the museum is the Casa Natal de Picasso, the artist’s birthplace. Now a facility which exhibits various contemporary artwork, it does contain some personal items, as well.
Another site not to be missed is the Alcazaba, one of Malaga’s most well known sites. The Moorish fortress dates back to the 8th century, and Ferdinand and Isabella stayed here after conquering the city. The ruins are still lovely, and include a small museum as well as several beautiful plants.
Be sure to visit the Castillo de Gibralfaro, as well. In addition to a military museum, the crumbling castle offers some of the best views of the city. Stop in the Parador de Malaga-Gibralfaro for a delicious lunch while you’re in the area.
For the more adventurous, a reservation at the Banós Árabes is a fun way to appreciate the cultural history of the city. These steam rooms also offer specialist massages, available by appointment only.
If you’re interested in visiting the beach while you’re on the Costa del Sol, try Playa de la Malagueta. Near the city center, this beach is also close to several restaurants and bars and is fairly large.

Restaurants and Nightlife
In addition to sightseeing attractions, the city is teaming with incredible restaurants and an extremely lively nightlife.
For the budget conscious, it doesn’t get better than Logueno, a traditional tapas bar. With an incredible selection of both food and wine, plan on spending some time savoring the delectable meal you’ll enjoy here. For a taste of Moroccan fare, head to El Yamal, be sure to try the mint tea. Make reservations at Restaurante Antonio Martin, one of the city’s oldest restaurants, for a delicious splurge. The restaurant serves some of the freshest fish on the Costa del Sol. Other good restaurant choices include Antigua Casa de Guardia, Vino Mio or La Ménsula.
As far as nightlife goes, there are many options. With bars and clubs that don’t close until the sun is rising, there is a place for everyone in this city. For a fun crowd, try Calle de Bruselas or La Botelitta. Liceo was once a grand mansion and is now popular music bar with many different rooms. To dance until long after sunrise, head to Disco Kiu, and if you’re looking for the nightlife hotspot in the city center, try popular Paka Paya.

Malaga Shopping
A well-known shopping destination, the city is especially recognized for ceramics, shells, handicrafts and religious figurines. Start your journey by heading down Calle Larios, which has great shopping options and is known as the commercial heart of the city. El Corte Ingles, a major Spanish department store, has many good options, while the store Flamenka is known to carry anything and everything related to flamenco. Alfajar is a good choice for authentic ceramic works.
Of note, most shops in are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a two to three hour break for siesta around 2 p.m.

Malaga Holidays
There are several holidays in the city that are celebrated gleefully. During the week before Easter, or Semana Santa, most of Spain is slightly more reflective, but still a wonderful place to visit, with parades and celebrations going on throughout Holy Week. Feria de Malaga, in August, is the one of the biggest holidays in the city. Flamenco takes top billing during this large and joyous celebration.
October is spent remembering the city’s most famed son, Picasso. The festivities center on the man and his work.
Lastly, like most Spanish cities, Malaga celebrates the feast days of their patron saints. In this case the largest holidays are probably La Fiesta de San Juan and La Fiesta del Carmen.

The hotels are abundant, the restaurants are scrumptious, the nightclubs are overflowing and the attractions are fascinating. There are many reasons to travel to Malaga—all of them wonderful.