Málaga’s position in the far south of Spain on the Alboran Sea has made it a hybrid city. Several empires, including the Romans, the Moors and the Christians, left the city with landmarks. Sometimes, as in the Moorish-Roman Alcazaba, the traditions mixed. Admire the diverse artefacts, enjoy the varied cuisine and check out the array of cultural institutions in this ancient metropolis.
Begin with a tour of the Old Town’s meandering streets. The Málaga Amphitheatre is the oldest structure in town, dating back to the first century B.C. Visit the Renaissance Málaga Cathedral for a glimpse of more recent history. Head east and climb the stairs to the top of the hill to reach Gibralfaro Castle. Look out over the city to the northwest and the Alboran Sea to the south.
Pablo Picasso, the world-famous painter and sculpture, was born and raised in Málaga. Visit Picasso’s Birthplace and the Picasso Museum Málaga, two Old Town museums that celebrate his legacy. There are more than 30 other museums in town dedicated to art and history.
Enjoy the regional cuisine of Málaga, including gazpacho, a tomato soup served cold adobo, a wine-marinated fish and pescaíto frito, fish freshly caught from nearby waters and fried.
Visit Málaga during a festival to see the city at its most lively. The Semana Santa at Easter and the Feria de Málaga in August are some of the city’s biggest annual festivals. Catch a bullfight at the antique Plaza de Toros around the time of a festival to see the 9,000-seat stadium at full capacity.
From Málaga, explore the 160 kilometres (100 miles) of Mediterranean coastline along Andalusia’s Costa del Sol. The beach bars, water sports and wide, sandy beaches of this stretch of coast attract celebrities from around the world, so keep an eye out for movie stars in sunglasses.
Fly into Málaga International Airport from all major European cities, or take a high-speed train from Madrid or Barcelona. Once you’re in Málaga, the compact city centre is easily explored on foot.