Situated in the center of Spain’s Costa del Sol, Malaga is a charming Moorish town brimming with history and well-equipped to handle the large influx of tourists who come for the arts and culture, the history and the miles of sun-soaked beaches here on Spain’s most sought-after coastline.
Malaga first opened its vistas to the tourism trade in the 1960s and grew from there into a place as rich in tourist’s dollars as it is in art and history. With half a million locals, this is Andalusia’s second largest beach city with plenty of action happening right on the coast. The resorts host visitors from all over Europe (especially the UK) and the rest of world.
Culturally speaking, one of Malaga’s most prominent assets is its own Pablo Picasso, whose work is exhibited in local museums. The old town is a great place to take a leisurely walk and soak up the architecture and quaint houses whose individual histories span several centuries.
Highlights
La Alcazaba: this 9th century palace shows Moorish and Roman influences and enjoys a lovely view of the city and the sea.
Museo Picasso Malaga: Pablo Picasso’s museum features more than 200 works of his art in addition to a few family heirlooms; his family’s house is open for tours nearby.
Roman Theater: below La Alcazaba, the relatively large remains of this theater were—oddly enough—undiscovered until 1951.
Malaga Cathedral: the “one-armed” cathedral is a 16th century Renaissance structure built over the remains of an older mosque—nicknamed after its single spire (the second spire never materialized).
Malaga Bullfighting Ring: high on a hill above the coast, this arena still stages fights for crowds as large as 15,000.
Castillo de Gibralfaro: the remains of this Moorish castle sit above La Alcazaba and are even a little older than its more prominent neighbor.
Tivoli World: leave the world of history and enter a world of family entertainment featuring rides for children, staged performances and an on-site restaurant.