Malaga city

Malaga is the second city of Andalucía and capital of the Costa del Sol, forming a natural divide between its western and eastern sections. The town has an attractive setting, crowned by the old Moorish castle which stands atop the Gibralfaro Hill, holding a commanding view of Malaga's harbor and the wide sweep of the bay. The backing of the Montes de Malaga mountain range provides shelter from the wind, ensuring a pleasant Mediterranean climate which is particularly agreeable from autumn through to spring.  

These days, however, since mass tourism took off along the coast, Malaga has tended to serve primarily as a gateway to the region. It has a lot more to offer than meets the eye, however. Exploring its old haunts and churches, sampling the local bars and restaurants will bring you home to something of the real flavor of Andalucía.

Malaga has, by and large, retained its own personality over the years, remaining relatively untouched by the tourist boom along the coast. In the early 19th century Malaga found favour with the British who started coming here to take advantage of its mild Mediterranean winters. The town later suffered a long period of decline but is now enjoying a revival.

It is well worth spending some time to explore the town. Off the Alameda Principal, Malaga's main avenue, attractively shaded by palms and lined with flower stalls and kiosks, is the old town. Here you will find yourself in another world of narrow streets with traditional bars and bodegas exuding a decidedly local flavor.

Major sights include the cathedral, a number of churches each with its own distinctive style and a few museums. This is all contained within a small area and can easily be covered on foot. A highlight is a visit to the Alcazaba  and Castillo de Gibralfaro , which offer magnificent views of the town and bay. For good seafood restaurants head for the beach suburbs of EI Palo or Pedregalejo, east of the town. A good way to visit the town is by the electric train which runs half hourly between Fuengirola and Malaga, making stops at Torremolinos and other centers en route.

CITY CENTRE

The heart of Malaga is found north of the Alameda Principal, Malaga's main avenue, and east of the Rio Guadalmedina, which separates the old town from the new. As soon as you turn off the Alameda you will enter a labyrinthine medieval world of narrow, twisting roads. There is much to be enjoyed here, increasingly so the more you find your bearings. The centre is small and many streets are pedestrianised, so that exploring on foot is both enjoyable and viable.

Another way in which to enjoy a little tour around town is by horse drawn carriage, a good option if you are tired or feeling the heat. You will see these lined up by the cathedral, in the Paseo del Parque and various other points around the town. While the cathedral is a focal point from which to start exploring, the main artery of the city centre is the busy shopping street, Calle Marques de Larios, which leads from the Alameda Principal north to the Plaza de la Constitucion. On either side are old, narrow streets, alleyways and tiny squares where you can happily browse for hours. Within this area are a number of churches and a few museums, all within close range. You will also discover some delightfully picturesque little streets lined with gaily coloured houses and shops.

Malaga is famed for its tapas bars. For some local atmosphere try one of the so-called rutas del tapeo (tapas routel which cover the area west of Calle Marques de Larios, centering around Calle Nueva.