Malaga - Spain

Our next stop was Málaga, the gateway to southern Spain and the Costa del Sol; the birthplace of painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso and actor Antonio Banderas.  It is a hectic city of nearly 600,000 people.  Boasting one of the best climates in Europe, Málaga is now one of Spain’s hottest cultural, gastronomic and leisure destinations.  The port and beach area, with its Michelin star restaurants, cocktail bars, fashion boutiques, and beaches are all coming together to offer its visitors destination of excellence.

The City Centre of Malaga



Malaga - view from the Castle

Málaga lies on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.  It is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain.  There is an impressive number of places and monuments to visit, including the 11th-century Alcazaba fort and the Picasso Museum.  The old city is a haven for gourmets with countless taverns and bistros, each with good food and great wines.

Entry to the Picasso Museum

 Information Plaque

Picasso's Birth Place

Málaga's history spans about 2,800 years.  It was founded by the Phoenicians as Malaka about 770 BC.  From 218 BC it was ruled by the Romans.  After the fall of the empire it was under Islamic domination for 800 years.  In 1487 it again came under Christian rule.

Moorish Garden and Bitter Orange Trees

The Architecture - apartments...

Malaga Architecture

Our daytime visit started with the bullfighting ring and its museum.  I neither condemn nor condone this kind of entertainment and the cruelty it inflicts on the animals.  I simply look at it as one of the country’s traditions and went there to get a better appreciation of what the Corrida is all about.  As such, the museum was a very informative part of my stay in Málaga.  The costumes and the folklore that go with this practice were fascinating.  We then took a walk around, marvelling at all the sights, the sounds and the smells of this incredibly beautiful and friendly city.

The Makaga Bull Fighting Ring - Spain

The costume on display

The Bull Fighter's Traditional Costume



Leisurely Promenade in Malaga

One of many decorated balconies in Malaga - Spain

Decorated Balcony in Malaga

One of the many “Must See” places is the Alcazaba; a Moorish fortress set high on a hill overlooking the city.  We reached that place with the city tour bus, which drops visitors off and picks them up at various points right through the day.  On the way, the bus passed by of Málaga’s trendy suburbs with each house more elegant than the next one.  The breath-taking views from the ancient walled fortress that look out across the city and out to the Mediterranean Sea certainly made this visit extra special.

The Alcazaba Fortress

 The fortress and gardens..


The Gardens Inside the Fortress

Málaga’s Renaissance Cathedral has a dominating presence in the heart of the old town.  Construction started in 1528 after the city was conquered by Ferdinand and Isabella, and finished in 1782.

The Malaga Cathedral

 The Malaga Cathedral -  view from the side


Another view of the Cathedral

At night time, the city takes on a new look.  Lights everywhere, streets bustling with music, exuberant people everywhere and an infectious sense of “Joie de Vivre” wherever we went.  We spotted a restaurant where Flamenco was performed at night and decided it would be the place to have dinner and enjoy a taste of what Southern Spain entertainment is all about.  We weren’t disappointed.  The food was superb and the show a true reflection of the passion and fire that runs in the veins of the people from this most remarkable place.

Malaga Centre by night

 The city colours.


Business building in Malaga

The Flamenco Restaurant and dancer...

The Flamenco Restaurant's interior

 The Flamenco troupe on stage...

The Flamenco Troupe

 The passionate and fiery dance...

Strength, timing and the passion of Flamenco...

The Flamenco Dancer

 The beauty of the dancer


The passion of the Flamenco

Málaga is now one of the foremost gastronomical destinations in Spain.  From humble tapas to high class restaurants, it is worth visiting the city, just to savour its food scene, much of which using the smaller fish (anchovies, mullet, mackerel) as well as shellfish and on typical recipes such as gazpacho.

Fresh Clams and Lemon Juice

More glorious food...

Grilled Prawns and Sea Salt

There are 15 beaches within Malaga’s city limits.  The beaches are clean, family-friendly and accessible, with restaurant and bars offering everything from traditional Pescaito Malagueño (fried mixed fish), to Moroccan-style couscous and mint tea.

One of the beaches in Malaga

The beaches

The view of the beach from our Restaurant

We had a memorable lunch at a restaurant overlooking the beach.  Between the food and the view, we could have stayed there for ages; it was simply perfect.

Our Restaurant by the beach

Delicious food

Vinegar battered fish pieces

Along with Malaga's emerging food scene, there is a wine tradition that dates back to the Phoenicians.  Best known for its sweet wines made from the Moscatel and Pedro Ximenez grape varieties; one mustn't go home without visiting one of Malaga's traditional wine bodegas.