MALAGA

Malaga is one of the oldest towns in the world, Phoenician, 8th century.  It also has one of the oldest ports and is one of the principal cruise ship terminals in Spain.  It is the second largest city in Andalucía and the birthplace of Picasso.

With over 600.000 inhabitants it is the capital of the Costa del Sol. Malaga tourist attractions make it one of Spain´s most visited cities. Mainly because of its climate with an average of 300 days of sunshine. The new international airport is the 3rd largest airport in the country. The city welcomes over 700.000 tourists a year through the port alone and more than 100 daily flights are coming in with people visiting the city and tourist resorts outside the capital.

There is so many things to see in Malaga as it is full of culture with wonderful Georgian architecture.  It is home to several museum including the Picasso Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, CACC, Crystal and Glass Museum and the famous Automobile Museum housing the best collection of vintage to modern cars.

Recently opened The Cube (a younger sibling of the Pompidou centre.), a branch of the St. Petersburg State Russian Museum and the Roman amphitheatre situated below the Alcazaba fortress and 14C Moorish Castle.

Indeed the tapas bars are full of Spanish paintings of Bull fighters, Sevillana dancers with their castañuelas and Spanish classical paintings as well! Many places are tiled with tasteful colour and images which are hand painted!

The atmosphere at night is to die for. Everyone walking around looking at their very inexpensive yet excellent shops full of lovely clothes. They have a huge selection of shoes at bargain prices and have one of the best art paint shops in the South.

As for their market, the Marcado Central de Atranzas is just outstanding! The vegetables are fresh and there are also some very unusual ones they sell that one can’t buy anywhere else. Their nuts and olives and goodies are superb with all kinds of spices, chilli etc. All very fresh and crisp. Their bars are full of character and Pil Pil is always worth a try or having some Jamon Iberico and Cava or a good sweet Malakhanian sherry. They have a very old Bodega in Malaga with huge barrels where you can taste all their excellent Sherries and Muscatel wines. Delicious they are too.

A stroll down Calle Larios is essential where you can enjoy the lovely shops, bars and restaurants

They have a fabulous Theatre called Teatro Cervantes where you can enjoy world class productions of operas, ballets, Spanish Flamenco Dancers and Singers. The choice is immense and they are always full, so you have to book well in advance! The Cathedral there is amazing and a must see in the very centre of town.

There are marvellous hotels which have fantastic views over Malaga. Also the Corte Ingles has a spectacular bar on its roof where you have a great view and can have delicious cocktails as well as peruse their Gourmet Experience shop and nearby boutiques, bars and restaurants selling both expensive and reasonably priced wines, champagnes and Cavas – not to mention Sherries! Malaga is also famous for their sweet wines.  One could go on and on about Malaga as there is something different and wonderful tucked away at every street crevice! Lastly everyone has to go to Malaga to see the Christmas lights which are always spectacular! This year they start from the 27th November.