Holiday information, facts, photos and video about Málaga
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Inhabitants
600000
Level above sea
11 meters
Nearest airport
Malaga
Distance to airport
8 km
Distance to beach
0 meters
Max. temperature
40 C
Min. temperature
8 C
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MalagaMalaga is Andalucía’s second largest city with 600,000 inhabitants and is located on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain. The locals are very friendly and extroverted people, which could have something to do with the great year-round weather, fabulous Mediterranean diet or simply because they live in a beautiful, cultural city by the sea.
The city has some 600,000 inhabitants and serves as both a busy port & industrial centre for southern Spain; it’s also the gateway to one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, the Costa del Sol. However, the city of Malaga itself is becoming increasing popular as a holiday destination. A place where you can enjoy beach, sea, sun and culture all rolled into one.
The narrow side streets and alleys form a maze crammed with tapas bars and bodegas - old fashioned wine shops brimming with casks including the local sweet wine which is similar to Port.
HistoryMalaga is rich with history dating back to 800bc and has over the centuries been marked by the Greeks, Romans and Arab Maurer. In recent years the city has expanded rapidly and is now a melting pot of nationalities with many foreigners residing in around the city on the famous Costa del Sol coastline.
Places to visitThe city is built around the port and has many Moorish hallmarks; in fact the two major landmarks are both Arabic structures: the Alcazaba – Arabic Fortress, which dates back to the 8th Century and the Gibralfaro Castle, a Moorish castle built by Yusef 1 of Granada in the 14th Century.
Calle Larios is the main street, where you will find the best shopping and a great choice of excellent cafés serving delicious coffee, served with a selection of pastries to die for.
Málaga’s cathedral, el Catedral de la Incarnación, was built around 1528 and completed around 1782, the grand gothic-style building was constructed on or near to the site of a former mosque-Moorish quarter. It has its own gardens and an impressive courtyard and boasts 15 separate chapels and 24 altars!
The Jardín Botánico La Concepción (Botanic Gardens) of Málaga, located on the outskirts of the city, is home to an enchanting open-air collection of tropical and sub-tropical flora and fauna; a living museum where over one thousand plant species from every continent grow in harmony.
Picasso’s MalagaMálaga was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and the city is extremely proud of this heritage, his influence evident throughout the city.
The Picasso Museum was a dream of the artist himself, to create a space in his home city to exhibit his works; that wish was realised by Picasso’s daughter-in-law and grandson. The museum houses over 230 works of art from Picasso’s collection, from his early academic work, through to his personal interpretation of the Classics, through to Cubism, ceramics and his re-working of some of the Old Masters.
BeachesThe great thing about visiting the city of Malaga is that you can combine a cultural city tour with a beach break and you don’t have to go out of the city to enjoy the beach. The province of Malaga is blessed with hundreds of kilometres of sandy beaches, but in the heart of Malaga there are the beaches of La Malagueta, El Palo and Pedregalejo.
Semana Santa (Easter)At Easter the city of Malaga comes alive for Semana Santa (Holy Week), the streets are filled with visitors and locals, until the early hours of the morning and the night air is filled with solemn music from the religious processions.
The Easter celebration in Malaga is one of the grandest in Spain and draws visitors from all over Spain and abroad, often to the extent that the city’s population swells to nearly double in size.
Feria time (Malaga Festival)The annual Málaga feria is an exhilarating street festival of flamenco, tapas and vino fino (sherry), which this year takes place from the 13th August through to Sunday 22 August. The feria (fair) commemorates the re-conquest of the city by Isabella and Ferdinand in 1487 and every year starts off with a spectacular firework display held in the park.
The festivities continue day and night; during the day, performances and activities take place at different points throughout the city, but the main concentration takes place around the historic city centre. At night, the ‘real de la feria’ (the feria proper) shifts to the Cortijo de Torres, just southwest of the centre, with over 200 Casetas (pavilions), with musicians and dancers performing for the crowds who come to party. The party starts at 9pm and carries on until dawn.
CuisineIf eating and drinking is high up on your holiday menu then you will love Malaga. The city is full to the brim of fabulous bars and restaurants, from Michelin rated restaurants, to local modest tapas bars – the food won’t be modest we promise you that!
The beaches are alsolined with Chiringuitos (beach bar) and eating a traditional plate of ‘espeto’ Sardines or Pescaíto Frito Malagueño – Fried Mixed Fish Malaga style or Paella is a traditional Sunday lunch here, all year round.
Malaga is also home to some superb tapas bars, for a truly Malageñan experience head to Bodega El Pimpi. Situated in the historic heart of Malaga, this famous tapas bar is an institution amongst both locals and tourists alike; with its huge vaulted ceilings, flagstone floors and enormous barrels which line the walls, many of which have been signed by famous writers and artists.
Getting a table is a challenge, but it’s worth it, and the menu isn’t extensive – tapas and montaditos (small toasted rolls with toppings or fillings) but what they do serve is well chosen and delicious.
ClimateMalaga like the rest of its counterparts on the Costa del Sol enjoys a sub-tropical Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and warm winters. Cooling breezes from the sea make the summer heat manageable, temperatures are an average of 32 ºC in summer.