| 1. Moorish Old Town |
No visit to Malaga is complete without a leisurely stroll through the Moorish Old Town. Its charming narrow lanes lined with graceful architecture, typical of that of North Africa, are home to tapas bars with bags of character and traditional bodegas which have been owned by the families for generations. Where better to enjoy the history of old Spain and be able to break one’s journey through history with a quiet drink and a plate of traditional nibbles.
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| 2. Beach Promenades |
Of an evening time when the heat of the city simmers in the setting of the sun, join the locals for their promenades along the back of Malaga’s beaches taking in the cooling breezes of the Mediterranean. Here, people watching is the main pastime whilst you sip ice cold Moscatel and smile at the lovers hand in hand, families enjoying time together and local young people just ‘hanging out’
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| 3. Eating out in Malaga |
For internationally renowned food Malaga city centre and the beach suburbs seem unlikely places to try but Malaga has an upmarket heart and for fresh fish cooked to perfection in mouth watering traditional dishes, the El Palo district can’t be bettered. If dining in the manifold contemporary restaurants of the city, you can end your perfect evening with entertainment or dancing in the live music or flamenco dance clubs.
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| 4. Festival Time |
Springtime brings the fiestas associated with Shrove Tuesday and the start of Lent. Colourful street parades attended by thousands of sightseers bring the city alive before the sombre season of Lent. Traditional food for the time of year is prepared and cooked as the procession passes. The next day, when sore heads are being nursed life returns to normal for 40 days before carnival explodes once more in the moving religious festival of Easter.
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| 5. The Hilltop Castle – Gibralfaro |
Gibralfaro, which comes from the Arabic, Jbel-Faro which means rock of light is an ancient castle set high above the city of Malaga and affording stunning views out over the city. Its origins have been traced to Phoenician times and the current castle was built on the Phoenician remains. To help preserve the castle and the mound, a forest of pine and eucalyptus trees were planted five years ago, stabilising the soil of the mound.
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| 6. Alcazaba |
The Alcazaba is a Moorish citadel and palace, perhaps the poorer relation to the Alhambra but no less stunning, parts of which date back to the beginning of the Arab conquest in the 8th century. The 11th century palace now houses an archaeology museum. Next to the site is a restored Roman theatre from which many stones were taken to help build the Alcazaba, still one of the best preserved citadels in Spain.
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| 7. Picasso Museum |
The great Picasso, one of the world’s most famous and easily recognisable artists was born in the Plaza de la Merced in the old centre of Malaga. Today, the Picasso Museum is housed in the beautiful Palacio de Buenavista and is home to a fascinating collection of over 200 works by undeniably one of the 20th century’s most famous and prolific artists. If the art bug bites you then head for more at the Museo de Bellas Artes.
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| 8. Malaga Cathedral |
A stunning building, renaissance but with a baroque façade, Malaga Cathedral, at 84 metres high, is the second highest religious building in Andalusia after Seville Cathedral. It is unusual in having an unfinished South tower which has led to many rumours over where the funding went to that should have seen it finished. The cathedral has been given the nickname ‘La Manquita'
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| 9. Atanzaras Market |
There’s nothing better or healthier than freshly harvested fruit and vegetables, freshly caught fish and naturally bred meat and all these can be found in abundance at Atanzaras Market. Join the locals as they do their weekly shop whilst marvelling at the beautiful stained glass window. Retire with your purchases to the park or beach, sure in the knowledge that the oranges or peaches were probably picked just that morning.
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| 10. Malaga Park |
The city can be hot for most of the year and especially so in July and August. If you can’t escape the city, do as the locals do and head for the park. Beautifully landscaped with many secret trails to follow, the park was designed with fountains, ponds and waterfalls to take some of the sting out of the summer heat. Whilst relaxing in its cooling atmosphere, marvel at the statues placed to complement nature.
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