Malaga City Guide

As a major centre of sun, sea and surf based tourism, and coupled with its proximity to two of the world’s historical heavyweights, Cordoba and Granada, Malaga’s long, rich and varied history is often overlooked in favour of its image as the capital of a vibrant, world renowned leisure playground, belying the rich historic legacy of one of the world’s oldest cities.

The Alcazaba, Malaga

Even in the bronze age in the 8th century BC, the Phoenicians were attracted by its natural harbour and its rich deposits of silver and copper, founding the city of Malaka; which was later to become an important centre in each of the succeeding civilizations, Carthaginian, Roman, and Islamic. So, in between all the fun of the sun, sand, sea and surf, beach activities, festivals and ferias, tapas, sangria and flamenco, you might be able to fit in some tours of Malaga’s rich culture and heritage.

Malaga Attractions

Roman Theatre

The ruins of the Roman theatre which was built during the 1st century AD during the Empire of Augustus, and used until the 3rd century AD, lie in the western part of the city, at the foot of the Alcazaba Fortress.

Alcazaba Fortress

Situated on a hilltop near the centre of the city, this huge Moorish palace fortress, residence of the city’s Moslem rulers was built in 1100 AD over a Roman fort, overlooking the harbour.

Gibralfaro Castle

Moslem fortress built in the 14th century AD to defend the Alcazaba. The castle was built over a Phoenician lighthouse on the site of the original city. Situated above the Alcazaba and connected to by a path to its eastern end.

Hotels

Molina Lario

The Molina Lario is a 4 star contemporary design hotel with 103 rooms and a rooftop swimming pool.

Room Mate Larios

The Art Deco Room Mate Larios is a 4 star boutique hotel with 41 rooms located on Marqués de Lariosn in the centre of Malaga.

Room Mate Lola

The Room Mate Lola is a 4 star boutique design hotel with 50 rooms located on Casas de Campos in the commercial centre of Malaga.

Malaga Cathedral

Near the Alcazaba, and built over the site of a mosque between 1528 and 1782, the Catholic Cathedral is built in both Renaissance and Baroque styles. There a 13 side chapels each dedicated to a particular saint, all with impressive artwork.

Pablo Picasso Museum

Malaga is the birthplace of the greatest artist of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso, so it is befitting that one of the only three museums worldwide dedicated exclusively to the artist be in his city of birth. The museum has 285 works of art covering a wide range of styles, materials and techniques, spanning his long career from his student beginnings to the works of his later years.

Malaga Weather

Blessed with 330 days of sunshine per year, Malaga’s climate is Mediterranean sub-tropical with long warm dry summers with average maximums of 25.5ºC in August, and very mild short winters averaging minimums of 11.9ºC in January, making Malaga’s winters the warmest in Europe. Precipitation falls mainly during the winter months, with 50% of the total rain received, falling between the months of November to January. Watersports may be enjoyed throughout the year as the average yearly sea temperature is 18ºC, rising to 24ºC during August.

Malaga Beaches

Malaga’s beaches are about a lot more than just sun, sand, sea and surf. Malaga’s beaches are also about a zest and Spanish passion for life; about “chiringuitos” or beach bars where you can indulge in a variety of local tapas, summer wine and sangria; about leisurely strolls or “paseo”, so popular with the locals, along the wide, modern, lively seafront promenades lined with a diverse and fabulous choice of seafront restaurants, shops and ice-cream stalls; Malaga’s beaches are also about “pescaito frito” freshly caught fish and seafood, salted and deep fried in the local liquid gold, in true “Malagueño”style; fresh, tasty and crispy as you will only eat in Malaga, washed down with an ice cold beer, while sitting under a shady parasol just metres from the cool and shimmering waters of the blue Mediterranean.

With its wonderful weather, Malaga’s beaches are ideal for year round enjoyment of every type of water sport imaginable. Beaches in Malaga range from sandy beaches to secluded pebbly beaches but most of them are high quality, clean and unpolluted, boasting blue flag classification. Mentioned below is just a small sample of the urban beaches. If you like less crowded beaches, there is no shortage of these along the 150 kilometres stretch of Costa del Sol, with just a short drive from the city centre.

La Malagueta is not only the most popular beach in Malaga, being a favourite with locals, it is also quite possibly the best of the Malaga beaches, with a 2 kilometre stretch of golden sandy beach. The beach is very conveniently located close to the city centre. It is bounded by the “Paseo Maritimo” or promenade, lined with bars, restaurants and cafes. As the most popular and busy beach, it is well appointed with facilities such as showers, access for the disabled, parasols and sun beds. It offers a wide array of activities and is watched by lifeguards as well as frequent police patrols.

Las Acacias/Pedregalejo is another popular 1.2 km. stretch of beach also close to the city centre and the promenade. This wide sandy beach is divided into sheltered coves by rocky embankments and enjoys the same type of facilities and patrol as La Malagueta. It is at the chiringuitos along Pedregalejo that you may go on the “sardine route”.

El Palo: although this is also busy urban beach located at the easternmost entry to the city, it has a totally distinct character than the city centre main promenade beaches. As until quite recently this neighbourhood of fishermen still maintained its traditional way of life, it still enjoys an essentially fishing village atmosphere. It is here that you’ll sample the best “pescaito frito”. At El Palo, you may tour the chiringuitos for the “anchovy route”. Each summer, on the 16th of July, locals at El Palo still celebrate the “Virgen Del Carmen” when they take a statue of Our Lady Patroness of Fishermen; out to sea on a boat followed by the town’s fishing fleet for blessing to be followed by a full day’s festivities.

Photo Credits:
Malaga Panorama by Romtomtom
Malaga Alcazaba by Allie Caulfield
Malaga Cathedral by beamillion

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