ABOUT THE CITY OF MALAGA IN ANDALUCIA:It sometimes seems that everyone who’s off to sunny Spain finishes up in Malaga, if only because they arrive at its busy international airport, entry point to the Costa del Sol – one of the planet’s most popular tourist destinations. With an excellent climate, beautiful Mediterranean beaches and pulsing nightlife, that’s perfectly understandable. But for those interested in such things, a closer look reveals that there was life before high-rise tourism.
Malaga has a long history of occupation and conquest – by Phoenicans, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and finally Christian Spain, also suffering damage in the Spanish Cival War. Its modern face is that of an intensely developed port city very much geared to commerce and servicing the needs of fun-loving tourists – a hub that has become a serious rival to Andalucia’s official capital, Seville.
Yet there are plenty of reminders of Malaga’s past. The old town behind the harbour has atmospheric little streets, squares and monuments, with a lively café coltureand excellent boutique shopping. The main square [Plaza de la Constitucion] is a focal point, as is the wonderful tree-lined Avenida and pedestrianized main street, Calle Marques de Larios. Cheek by Jowl is the imposing 11th century Moorish Alcazaba Fortress [now an archaeological museum], standing above a largely complete Roman Amphitheatre. On an adjoining hill the Moorish Gibralfaro Castle has sweeping city views. The imposing Baroque Cathedral is missing a bell tower, earning the nickname La Manquita [one-armed woman]. In honour of this and more, Malaga has bid to become a European Capital of Culture in 2016 – Viva Malaga!
Pablo Picasso [full name Pablo Diego Jose Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santisma Trinidad Clito Ruiz y Picasso] was born here in 1881, and his birthplace is now a museum.
LOCATION OF MALAGA:In south Spain on the Costa del Sol, on the Mediterranean coast and in the central part of the region of Andalucia. 700 miles southwest of Granada, 131 miles southeast of Seville, 112 miles south of Cordoba. Malaga's international airport lies 5 miles to the southwest.
SERVING AIRPORTS:Malaga [AGP]
Flight time from the UK: approximately 2 hours 50 minutes.
BEACHES IN MALAGA:The city has a long seafront and promenade sections. Several linked town beaches to the west of the river mouth, but a better option at Playa de las Acacias with golden sand 1.5 miles to the east.
SHOPPING IN MALAGA:Full range of shops, mostly in the old city centre, including department stores and boutiques. Leather goods; local handicrafts and ceramics are good buys.
EATING OUT IN MALAGA:Mostly Spanish, with some international options, including Italian and Chinese. Not a vast amount of English food, which is more likely to be offered by large hotel restaurants. Lots of fish, ham and seafood.
DON'T MISS IN MALAGA:- The atmospheric crypt
- and fine tombs at the Baroque Santuario de la Virgen de la Victoria Church.
- A trip into the interior
- to explore some of the villages that provide an authentic taste of traditional Andalucia, like Ojen [car hire is cheap].
- The official Malaga Bus Tour
- a trip lasting one and a half hours that takes in all the best local sights.
- The wonderful Botanical gardens [Jardines de la Conception]
- on the outskirts of the City.
- The colosseum-like circular bullring
- incongruously surrounded by modern high-rise blocks.
YOU SHOULD KNOW:Movie star Antonio Banderas, often turns up for the Semana Santa., the colourful holy week festival that he has been attending since childhood.
Disclaimer:
By its very nature much of the information in our travel guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with the relevant authorities. Corona Holidays [UK] Limited cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.
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