The capital of Costa del Sol
Is the capital of the Costa del Sol. “Ciudad del Paraiso” – paradise city, so wrote Nobel laureate in literature Vicente Aleixandre about Malaga. A city that vibrates of life and fascinates with its mixture of ancient history folklore and modern culture. And it is easy to imagine paradise in this port city with nearly 3000 hours of sunshine per year and several kilometers of beach in the center of town. Many of the coastal visitors never come to the city center. Nevertheless, it is well worth making a trip there and enjoy the city sights.
Málaga may not be a beautiful city in itself, but the atmosphere is pleasant and the cultural it offers is great. Museums, the Cathedral, the fortress Gibralfaro and much more, it is impossible to make Málaga in one day if you want to see everything.
The climate in Malaga is more extrem comperad to the rest of the Costa del Sol. During the summer it is hot for those who are not used to it, and in the winter it is colder than in other coastal cities.
Malaga is a big city, with the municipality about 700 000 inhabitants is one of the largest in Spain. Well known is their August festival in the typical Andalusia style.
Málaga city center is a great place to stroll around, almost everything is within walking distance. Much of the sights are in or around the old part of town “Centro Antiguo”. The city’s rich heritage, since 900 years before Christ by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs, is visualizes itself any way you look. Malaga’s most famous inhabitant was born at the Plaza de la Merced in 1881, and Pablo Picasso’s life and work is still present in most places, and citizens of Malaga is proud of their son. Opening of the Museo Picasso in 2003 was a hit and has made the city grow culturally. Near to the museum visitors can find both the Roman theater and an Arab castle not far from the bullfighting ring. On the other side of the old town, the CAC with an international contemporary art. Adjacent to the Cathedral Plaza’s Episcopal with temporary exhibitions, often of high quality. Teatro Cervantes offers a wide range of concerts, dance and musicals.
Museo Picasso: This beautiful museum in the 15 th century Buena Vista Palace is a must for any visitor to Malaga, young or old. Thanks to the master’s son’s, wife Christine and grandson Bernard the museum have a collection of nearly 200 works. A stone´s throw, at Plaza de la Merced, is Picasso’s birthplace which is also open to the public. Price: € 6 for the permanent exhibition, € 4.5 for temporary exhibitions.
Address: Calle San Agustín 8
Phone: (34) 952 127600
www.museopicassomalaga.org
www.fundacionpicasso.es
Alcazaba och Gibralfaro: Are military forts from the period when the Arab´s rule. Inside the walls is a palace with beautiful gardens and spectacular views. The Roman theater just next door, built in the first century AD, recently restored and restored after many years of neglect.
Address: Calle Alcazabilla
Shopping: The shopping streets in Malaga for shoes and clothes particularly is Calle Larios and the parallel street, Calle Nueva. Shoes for example, Antonio Parriego and Nicolas you find on Calle Larios. You can also find the Spanish shops Mango, Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Pull and Bear. Zara is located on the side street Liborio García. At Centro Larios shopping center is in addition to clothing stores, there are cinemas and restaurants. Branded clothing Armani, Versace, Dolce Galbana you find in the department store El Corte Inglés. For those who are looking for a gift, a souvenir, or something good to eat, a visit to Mercado Central Atarazanas. Here it is meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, olives, nuts, spices, cheese and pork at reasonable prices. At Ultra Marinos Zoilo on Calle Granada you can buy typical sweet wine Málaga Dulce or Moscatel, Serrano ham, cheeses and sausages, raisins from the province and sweets such as “mantecados”, a kind of cakes that are eaten especially at Christmas. Anyone who wants a little more exclusive memory can buy a hand fan in any of the specialized shops on Calle Nueva.
Dining: In Malaga you will not have many restaurants with white tablecloths. This is a city full of informal bars packed with people and a wide selection of tapas. In Malaga they eat a lot of fish and shellfish, the so-called “chiringuitos” on the beach and the Paseo Marítimo in Pedregalejo.
Café de Paris: Exclusive restaurant with a Michelin star. Traditional ingredients prepared in a modern way. Expensive, but quality a feast for all senses. The owner and chef, the young Malagueños José Carlos García, has studied at La Cónsula and is considered one of Spain’s top three chefs.
Phone: +34 952 003588
www.rcafedeparis.com
Bodega El Pimpi: You have not been to Malaga if you have not been to El Pimpi, the most typical place in the city with photos of celebrities, and hundred posters on the walls. Here you can drink wine from the province and eat tapas in historical surroundings – in the 1700s the house was a nunnery. Once a month there flamenco performance. Address: Calle Granada 62
La Posada de Antonio: Hollywood star and Malaga-born Antonio Banderas restaurant. Traditional Spanish cuisine. Tapas and grilled meat in a friendly atmosphere. Address: Calle Granada 33 Phone: +34 952 217 069
Antigua Casa de la Guardia: Oldest Tapas bar in Malaga founded in 1840. At first glance, this appears to be an old, traditional bar with a few seasonal tapas available. However, its charm lies in the fact that it is filled with huge barrels of different types of sherry. You have to take chance and point at one, give it a try and then move on to the next barrel. The mixture of local Spanish and tourists give a cozy filling. The bar staff just keep a running tab chalked on the bar next to you. It’s only a small place but is a very popular starting point for the evening.
Address: Calle Alameda Principal 18
