Malaga is a key destination in Andalucia – not only is it the birthplace of the famous painter Pablo Picasso, but it has a raft of incredibly beautiful monuments like the Alcazaba, the Cathedral and the Roman Theatre.
Its cultural agenda includes the famous Semana Santa de Malaga (Malaga’s Holy Week), which has been declared a Festivity of International Cultural Interest. During the week of this festival, the demand for hotels in Malaga considerably increases with tourists from all over the country flocking to the city.
There’s much more to Malaga than just the city, though – the rest of the province offers a coastline of about 160 kilometres long in which you’ll find a series of beautiful beaches and ports. The nearby city of Marbella is very attractive, well-known for its glamorous ambience and for being the European capital of golf.
For those more adventurous, there are magnificent routes that lead to the beautiful architecture of the province’s whitewashed villages, as well as the old quarters of cities such as Ronda. Plus, Malaga hosts more than 15 protected natural parks.
Malaga city
The city of Malaga, located picturesquely in a bay on Spain’s southernmost coast and surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation and the mountains, is the capital of the province and one of the oldest Mediterranean ports. From the nearby hill, on which is settled an old Moorish fortress, there are fantastic views over the city and the bay.
A few kilometres inland, in the Guadalhorce valley, there are lush meadows where oranges, figs, bananas, sugar cane and cotton are grown. Meanwhile along the coast some of the most popular holiday resorts of the Costa del Sol await.
Since the Middle Ages, the city of Malaga was known for its excellent raisins and wines. In more recent times, the area’s mild climate has made the city the capital of the Costa del Sol, one of the most popular destinations for last-minute trips to Spain, where a week’s holiday with half-board can be as little as €300.
Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and boasts a great museum of the works of this famous painter. In total there are around 20 museums located in the historic centre, which can be reached comfortably on foot. Museums aside, there’s plenty to be said for enjoying a walk through the old city, whose terraces and shops extend out from the main thoroughfares of the Alameda Park and Calle Larios.
In Malaga you can combine a relaxed visit to an increasingly attractive Mediterranean city with a growing supply of culture and museums and the traditional excellent gastronomy, entertainment and nightlife – as well, of course, as plenty of nearby beaches and bustling beach bars.
While many of the resorts along the Costa del Sol often receive a large number of visitors concentrated during the summer months, Malaga city is perfect for a city break throughout the year. What’s more, just a few kilometres away from the city there are countless fantastic natural spaces with plenty of hiking trails and charming white villages for day trips.
