Malaga

Malaga is the second city of southern Spain (after Seville), and a coastal resort of the region of Andalucia. The city’s airport and proximity to other famous Costa del Sol resorts such as Marbella make it no surprise that charter flights from in and around Europe use Malaga as a gateway to sun, sand and sea, which Malaga can offer in abundance. Temperatures rarely drop below 30°C in the summer, explaining Malaga’s unrelenting popularity. At the peak of the season Malaga is packed, but a more secluded spot is only ever a short drive away, further down the Costa del Sol.

Attractions

The Moors occupied the Malaga until the mid fifteenth century, until the completion of the Spanish Reconquista. Its was around this time that Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain ordered an old mosque to be demolished, and a magnificent cathedral was commissioned in its place. The cathedral still stands today, and because it took over two hundred years to build, it has some excellent examples of renaissance, baroque and gothic architecture, making it a popular tourist attraction. Also worth visiting is the Roman Theatre, which despite its size was not discovered until 1951, and the Malagueta Bullring, which was built in 1874, with a capacity for 15,000.

In the centre of the city is the beautiful Alameda Gardens, and just outside Malaga on the way to Antequera you can find the extensive La Concepcion Botanical Gardens, which host over three thousand plants. Established in the 1850’s the garden was originally privately owned, and has only been open to the public since 1994.

Outside of Malaga city it is possible to explore the rest of the sprawling Costa del Sol. The infamous N-340 highway from Málaga to Estepona has become a fast, safe six-lane road (before the European Union pumped money into the region it was the most dangerous highway in Spain). The N-340 makes it possible for the avid golfer to explore the world class courses, of which there are plenty. In fact, the Costa del Sol is better for its golf that its beaches, to the extent that it is often dubbed the ‘Costa del Golf’. The best resorts are Los Monteros in Marbella, which has the leading course, Parador Nacional del Golf situated between Malaga and Torremolinos, and Hotel Atalaya Park in Estepona. To find out more you can pick up a copy of Costa Golf at any news stand.

Shopping

The Calle Marques de Larios is the city's best shopping street, and the variety of shops here should settle most desires and suit most pockets. If you're looking for something more unusual, try Malaga Central Market (Atarazanas), it is quite a spectacle.

Nightlife and Eating Out

As well as being a cultural centre, Malaga also has a great night life with a number of excellent restaurants. More traditional cuisine is available at tapas bars, where small portions of many different dishes are served. It is an Andalusian tradition and an inexpensive way to try a variety of local food. The best known local fare in Malaga is pescaito frito, which is an assortment of fried fish, including small sardines and red mullet at one of the many old fashioned bodegas in town.

Malaga is always closed for the siesta period, so this is a perfect time for a long relaxing lunch. In the heart of Malaga, only a short walk from the tourist office, is El Chinitas, one of the most established restaurants in town. The place is often filled with local residents, which is a good sign. The menu changes, but often includes pescaito frito, grilled red mullet, shrimp cocktail, grilled sirloin, or shellfish soup. The service is both fast and attentive.

Tourist Information

Oficina Municipal Alameda Principal, 23 29012 Tel. +34 95 216 061 Fax. +34 95 227 907 www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga

Airport

Malaga Airport has regular flights to most major cities and is located just 10 minutes drive from Malaga city centre, and is within 30 minutes by car from most other popular resorts on the coast.