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Malaga – where culture, history and beautiful beaches are combined
The city of Malaga is the ‘capital’ of the Costa del Sol in southern Spain. While there are beautiful beaches to enjoy, Malaga is more than a holiday resort. A busy port city, Malaga has a long history with Phoenicians, Romans and Moors all having called Malaga home. The most famous son of Malaga is the artist Picasso, although having been born there he only actually lived there for 10 of his nearly 100-year life. Another famous Boquerón , or anchovy, as people born in Malaga are known, is the actor Antonio Banderas who always returns at Easter for the processions.
Shop till you drop
One of the most expensive places to rent a premises in Spain, the elegant shopping street of Calle Larios is where you will find the popular international brands alongside Spanish high street favourites. Local shops can be found in the side-streets running off this area, along with a number of good-value hotels. Make sure you stay in a city centre hotel if you don’t want to carry all your bargains too far. If you prefer to browse around an outdoor market rather than shops, there are stalls by the marina every Sunday. When you want to get out of the baking sun, try the Larios shopping centre, about a 20-minute walk from the city centre. There is a choice of shops from designer to budget brands, along with a supermarket and food court. If you have not chosen one of the hotels near Malaga airport, so have time to spend before checking in for your flight home, Plaza Mayor near the airport is an outdoor shopping centre with well-known shops and a good choice of places to eat.
History from the Romans to today
Looking down over the modern city of Malaga are two hilltop castles. The palace of the Alcazaba was built when this part of Spain was ruled by the Moors. Although there is now a lift, you can enjoy walking up to the top through the gardens with fountains. The other castle, Gibralfaro, overlooks the city from a wooded hilltop. While only the fortifications remain, there are stunning views to be had. At the entrance to the Alcazaba are the remains of a Roman theatre which is open to sit and rest at, or where you can enjoy a quick photo opportunity. In recent history, Malaga was an industrial city. Many of those factory buildings have now been restored and put to new use but their chimneys can still be seen, with several lying along the length of the beach. With history all around, and a good choice of hotels in Malaga, you will never be far from something to catch your eye.
Foodie heaven
Eating out is a very important part of life in Malaga, so you will really be spoilt for choice. Malaga has local cafes, a fabulous food market, traditional tapas bars and fine-dining restaurants. Many hotels have bars and restaurants too. Look out for those up on the rooftop with city views. On a morning, you can enjoy the local speciality: freshly fried churros. Churros are made from a mixture similar to a donut, and they are served in lengths to be enjoyed either dipped into sugar or a thick and gloopy hot chocolate. If you love your coffee, you won’t be alone here as people are very picky about the amount of milk to coffee. Each variation has its own name, including a ‘stained coffee’ called a manchado where the milk is only lightly coloured with a little coffee. For tapas, anchovies are very popular, whether pickled or fried whole. You will be able to tell the locals from visitors as they tend to eat the anchovy head and all, and go out to eat as late as 10 pm.
Picasso and more in the museums
There are museums all around Malaga, maybe just around the corner from your hotel. Centrally located, the Picasso Museum has a good collection of his work, including his ceramics, as well as works by a contemporary artist, Torres-García. The museum is popular, so go early, or go on a Sunday afternoon after 4pm when entrance is free. Modern art can be found at the Pompidou Centre, a striking, brightly coloured glass cube building by the marina. Housed in an elegant building which was once a cigar factory, about five kilometres from Malaga centre, the Museo Automovilístico de Málaga, an automobile museum home to a collection of immaculate restored vintage and modern vehicles. But the museum is not just of interest to car fans, as there are beautiful antique fashion collections on display too. Just next door, the collection of the Russian Museum displays Russian art spanning several centuries. If relaxation, rather than culture, is more your thing while you are on holiday, perhaps you could always visit the Museum of Gin.