The city of Malaga, situated in the vastly popular Costa del Sol region of Spain, in the heart of the province of Andalusia, is a superb holiday destination that attracts a little under one million visitors per year. The wealth of historic culture and tradition, mixed with some beautiful architecture, and the warm Mediterranean climate, all serve to make Malaga one of the most sought after holiday destinations in Europe.
Whether you simply want to languish in the glorious warm sunshine, enjoying some of the best beaches to be found anywhere in Spain; or you prefer to sample the eclectic mixture of the sights and sounds of what is after all one of the most beautiful provinces of Spain, you’ll find something to suit all tastes. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the most fascinating and beautiful attractions you should put of your list of places to visit.
The Pablo Picasso Museum
Pablo Picasso is one of Malaga’s most famous sons, and it is only fitting that there should be a museum here in the city of his birth, (Museo Picasso), to celebrate the life and art of one of the world’s most influential artists. Situated in the Plaza de la Merced at number 15, Museo Picasso is open from Monday to Saturday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM. It is open all day long, not closing for siesta like so many other tourist attractions. With an entrance fee of just 11 Euro’s per adult, (disabled people, children, and students get in free), it represents great value for money, and gives you a wonderful opportunity to examine many of his works created between 1931 and 1971, as well as offerings from 200 other artists totalling over 3,500 various works of art.
More information at http://www.bcn.cat/museupicasso/en/
Andalusia has a great tradition for wonderful art, and nowhere will you find a better venue to view some of its best examples, than at the Carmen Thyssen Museum. Baroness Carmen Thyssen is a celebrated art collector, and the 200 works of art on permanent display in her museum in the exquisite Palacio de Villalon, (a gorgeous 16th Century palace), are all from the Baroness’s personal collection. This museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, although on Friday and Saturday nights it closes later, at 9:00 PM.Normal adult admission is 6 Euros per head with a reduced fee of 3.5 Euros for the disabled, children under the age of 5, the unemployed and students below the age of 26. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see some great works of art from Spanish artists including Sorolla, Torres, Zuloaga, and Zurbaran.
More information can be found at http://www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org/en
Spain is actually the most mountainous country in Europe, so it will come as no surprise to find that Malaga has its own mountain range, a mere 14 kilometres from the city – The Montes de Malaga. The mountains provide a fabulous backdrop to the city, and are covered in the most beautiful Pine forests. The area is a natural Park and provides a wonderful day out for the family. There are plenty of great hiking treks, all very well signposted, and a host of excellent facilities including camping grounds, some splendid picnic areas with views to die for, and some excellent local restaurants. The local wildlife includes wild boar, (considered a great gastronomic delicacy here inSpain– especially with their natural diet of acorns, which gives their meat a unique flavour), rabbits, a handsome fox population, as well as badgers, and some iconic birdlife including the booted eagles, and soaring buzzards.
The area around Malaga is indeed rich in natural parks, and the Natural Reserve Park– El Torcal, has some stunning scenery by way of its unique limestone formations. Less than 45 minutes drive from the city, El Torcal is world famous with Trekkers the world over, especially the treks leading to the Las Ventanillas (The Windows), which, at 1,200M, afford a never to be forgotten view of the Malaga Valley.
Check out Spain Holiday’s Montes de Malaga post for more info at http://www.spain-holiday.com/blog/montes-de-malaga-malaga-mountains.php
The Malaga Fair is another of this wonderful city’s major tourist attractions. It takes place in August every year and celebrates the retaking of the city by Isabella and Ferdinand back in the 15th Century. With some stunning costumes to be seen, a great display of Flamenco music and dancing, and some of the finest drinking Sherry to be found anywhere in the world, The Malaga Fair is a treat for anyone, young or old. Of course Spain loves its firework displays, and they need hardly any excuse to set the crackers banging and the rockets whizzing. Needless to say the Fair opens and ends with a magnificent display. It’s a street party to end all street parties, and is a sumptuous feast of Andalusian culture and heritage at its very best. The partying goes on until dawn for 10 days and nights, and is an experience not to be missed!
In 2012, the Malaga will take place between 10th - 19th August.
But if you get tired after of all of the revelry, the CAC Malaga offers a new experience for lovers of contemporary art. It’s a great example of allowing exciting new art trends to get a public airing, and celebrates the fun and freedom loving attitude of the citizens of this unique city. One of its main purposes is to encourage local artists to showcase their talent and express themselves. But although it does encourage local artists, its main purpose is to be a reference point for the international art community at large. Located close to the middle of Malaga City, between the Avenida del Comandante Benítez, and the Calle Alemani, the CAC Malaga is the brainchild, and is funded by the City Council. It hosts an extremely wide range of events which are constantly changing, so whenever you are planning to come to Malaga, take some time out to pay it a visit. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 10:00 AM to 8 PM between June and September, and for the rest of the year (excepting Christmas and New Year’s day) 10:00 14:00/17:00 to 21:00 – respecting the tradition of the national siesta. Admission is free!
Further information can be found at http://cacmalaga.org/
For those of you that enjoy sightseeing, Castillo Gibralfaro (The Rock of Light – so named after the lighthouse once built on the site by the Pheonicians), is a must. It’s a 400 foot climb to reach the castle, but when you get there the view is truly magnificent! The panorama across the city from various vantage points along the walls, takes in all of the major tourist sites in the city. For those with challenged mobility, or those simply too tired to take on the climb, a bus service is available. Tickets to enter the fortress are 2 Euros per head, but you can buy a combined ticket for 3.50 Euros which also covers entrance to another beautiful castle – Alzabara. In summer the opening hours are 09:00 to 20:30, and out of summer 09:00 to 18:00.
Further information can be found at http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/gibralfaro.htm
For lovers of the Spanish social scene Bodega El Pimpi embodies all that is best in traditional eating and drinking. The ambiance is amazing; a veritable rabbit’s warren of small bar rooms and surprising, hidden patios. The decor simply has to be seen to be fully appreciated, complete with its huge vaulted ceilings and the dozens of wine barrels, (many signed by famous celebrities) lining the walls. It’s a great gathering place for all nationalities, where you can enjoy a choice of tapas dishes to accompany your wine or beer; and on the last Monday night of the month, they have a Flamenco evening.
http://www.bodegabarelpimpi.com/launch_eng.html
All in all, Malaga is great place to go. There is so much to see and do that you’ll need to spend at least a couple of days taking in the sights, sounds and atmosphere. It’s a city, the memory of which, will be with you forever. Enjoy!
Many thanks to the following for some of the images in this post, Picasso Museum, El Torcal, CAC Malaga, Castillo Gibralfaro.
