ON THE SHORES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA: MALAGA

On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea there is a wonderful city, called Malaga. A cosmopolitan place, which is frequently visited by tourists, who come to the city enchanted by its wide cultural offer that increasingly resembles other great and famous Spanish cities, such as Madrid or Barcelona. Although, the beautiful natural landscape, which on sunny days, most part of the year, invites you to stroll through the central streets, full of small cafes, where you can try a shadow with a smurf, (“sombra con un pitufo”) or rest by the sea after having “un espeto”. Malaga: the city of anchovies (“los boquerones”), is fascinating!

SOME OF THE HUNDREDS OF ATTRACTIONS THAT YOU MUST NOT MISS IN MALAGA

HIKING IN THE MALAGA MOUNTAINS

• 

• 

• 

I have always liked the most about this beautiful city is its location on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and at the same time the proximity of the mountains. You can’t ask for more to feel the happines. I love to bathe in the sea on hot summer days and appreciate the mountains that are drawn across the other part of the city. The Montes de Malaga  Natural Park, declared as such since 1989, is full of different routes in which you have the opportunity to appreciate the typical fauna and flora of the area. Among the trees predominate: holm oaks, cork oaks with reddish bark, chestnut trees, whose fruit is eaten in the autumn months and in fact, the city is populated with stalls where the rich hot chestnuts are sold, or the carob, the sweetness of its fruit resembles chocolate. With regard to the fauna, if you are lucky you could perhaps see a red fox that comes out at dusk to feed, wild boars or chameleons, a protected species. The Park has three main trails: Pocopán, Torrijos and Contadoras.

A DAY ON THE BEACH: EL PALO AND PEÑÓN DEL CUERVO

In my opinion an excellent idea to enjoy Malaga is spending a day at the beach. One of my favorite areas has always been the old Palo neighborhood, located to the east of the city, which is easily reached by urban bus or by bike, since the path next to the sea is completely straight and it is impossible to get lost. The neighborhood has always been like an independent city within the city of Malaga, the residents of the area rather than malagueños are paleños (from el Palo). It is a typical neighborhood, formerly of fishermen, in which even today it is possible to appreciate the typical fishermen’s houses, nowadays renovated and painted with colors. If you come to Palo Beach, do not bring a sandwich, you must try the traditional food of the chiringuitos, the beach restaurants, which include the famous espetos, grilled sardines. They are delicious and the prices are cheap, adapted to local people. The best time to have an espeto is during the months without the letter “r” in its name in Spanish language, that is, during the summer season. Don’t miss it!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Also if you want to explore the city more, heading east, behind the Puerto Deportivo del Palo, you will find a wonderful area: Peñón del Cuervo. A wild beach with a barbecue area where you can spend a day with your family or friends. The name comes from a rock formation that divides the beach into two parts. A place of unusual beauty in the city of Malaga that nevertheless hides a shocking history from the time of the Spanish Civil War. After the entry of the national troops into the city in 1937, many civilians who supported the Republican government fled to Almeria along the N-340 road, close to the area. Thousands died in the bombings in their attempt to escape. There were almost 5,000 dead. On the Peñón del Cuervo you can see a plaque commemorating the Malaga citizens who lost their lives during the massacre.

GOLDEN HOUR IN MALAGA

Malaga is an extraordinary city and nothing better than to appreciate its uniqueness at sunset, since the views will leave you speechless, at the golden hour the city is just magical. There are several places from where you have the opportunity to contemplate the city wrapped in golden light. One of them in the Viewpoint of the Castle Gibralfaro, which you should also visit. It is a castle built in the 14th century in order to protect the Alcazaba, another medieval Muslim castle. Remember that the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages between 711 and 1492 was under Muslim domination. The Viewpoint is located high above the castle and it is ideal to go up on foot, since it is the best way to know the essence from this Andalusian city, but if your thing is not to walk too much, you can take bus line 35.

• 

• 

• 

The sunset from the Mount Victoria is another great option to enjoy beautiful views. Its name is due to the proximity of one of the most important churches in the city: Sanctuary of Nurstra Señora de la Victoria, which houses the image of Santa María de la Victoria, patron saint of the city. Even the typical beer of the city is called Victoria. The best way to access the Mount Victoria is to start from the central and well-known square of the city, the Plaza de la Merced, where the house of the famous Spanish cubist painter, Pablo Ruiz Picasso, is located. From Pl. de la Merced, continue along Conde Urdeña Street and you will arrive in about 15 minutes.

• 

• 

• 

The Baños del Carmen are another idyllic place to enjoy the sunset in Malaga. It is an old spa, built in 1920 for the use and enjoyment of the gentry. At present the spa is in a rather abandoned state, however, this fact gives it even more a unique and inspiring character. While enjoying a romantic evening in Los Baños del Carmen, where there is currently a restaurant with a terrace, sipping a good Spanish wine, you can contemplate the beautiful Malaga sunset. Isn’t that a perfect date plan for you?

A WALK IN THE CITY

One of the most beautiful areas to take the walk is the Port of Malaga. Refurbished, not so long ago, it is an excellent place to enjoy the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea while having a drink in one of the trendy restaurants. From the Port you have the possibility to appreciate some of the most outstanding monuments of the city, such as the Cathedral Basilica of the Encarnación in Malaga, built under the orders of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabel and Fernando, after the Christian conquest of 1487 that ended the Muslim dominance on these lands. The Cathedral is a synthesis of architectural styles, in which the Renaissance prevails, although it is also possible to appreciate the late Gothic. On the other hand, if you are interested in art in the Port, you can visit the Pompidou contemporary art museum, whose entrance on Sundays from 4:00 p.m. is free.

Another of the places that I really like to walk around are: Alameda Avenue, full of flower stalls and Larios Street, whose name comes from the famous Malaga bourgeois from the late 19th century. The famous downtown street is designed by the Malaga architect Eduardo Strachan, who was inspired by the trends of the Chicago School for his designs. The buildings with curved corners sought symmetry and also allowed the breeze from the port to enter and purify the air in the city, which was quite polluted at that time of the Industrial Revolution, due to the proximity of the factories. To rest a rare, nothing better than stopping in a typical tavern nearby the Antigua Casa de Guardia, founded in 1840, whose design is still inspired by the bygone era. In this tavern you have the excellent opportunity to savor the sweet Malaga wine, which is served in small glasses and the bill is marked with chalk on the bar.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Finally, an area with a bohemian charm is the Las Lagunillas neighborhood, located near the central streets of the city. It is an old neighborhood of humble condition, whose buildings are in disrepair, however, there are hundreds of graffiti that decorate this part of the city and that leave visitors speechless. Also during Holy Week in Malaga, so important for its citizens, numerous processions pass through its streets, giving the neighborhood a lot of life.

• 

• 

• 

TIPS:

• If you come more days it would be great if you can hike in the Caminito del Rey or along the Chillar river, but the latter is for summer.
• In Malaga there is a typical restaurant: El Pimpi, frequently visited by celebrities, many of them come during the Malaga Film Festival, held in April.
• The Malaga Fair is spectacular and it’s celebrated in the middle of August. I really like the Day Fair in the city center, don’t miss it.
• If you are interested in modern and contemporary art, there are always exhibitions, concerts or cultural events at La Térmica or at the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo. Tickets are free.

• 

• 

• 

•