18.9 C
MALAGA
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Malaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol, located on the coast and surrounded by mountains. It has a population greater than 600,000 with fast urban and economic growth. It is a beautiful city with many parks and well kept beaches. As one of Spain’s largest cities, Malaga has always played a prominent role in national affairs. As one of Europe’s premier tourist destinations – capital of the Costa del Sol/Costa del Golf – its international status rivals that of Madrid and Barcelona.

Malaga City
Malaga City

The city enjoys one of the most pleasant climates in the world, has major transport links to Europe’s other capitals and to northern Africa, and offers superb tourist amenities and attractions and a wide diversity of hotel accommodation. An impressive new centre for fiestas and exhibitions, the Palacio de Ferias y Exposiciones, was opened in March 2003. More information on the city’s transport links can be found here.

Of Phoenician origin around 1100 BC, Malaga later aquired great importance in the Greek and Roman eras as a commercial and fishing city. Phoenician remains abound in the area and Roman archaeological remains such as the Teatro Romano can be explored. Later still, the Arab occupation left an attractive and interesting urban structure with an historical city centre containing a labyrinyh of narrow streets enclosed by a city wall.

Malaga was the birth place of Pablo Picasso. The city houses two museums dedicated to his life and work. The collection of the Pablo Picasso Foundation is to be found within the house where he was born. The Picasso Museum is housed within the Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista.

Malaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol, located on the coast and surrounded by mountains. It has a population greater than 600,000 with fast urban and economic growth. It is a beautiful city with many parks and well kept beaches. As one of Spain’s largest cities, Malaga has always played a prominent role in national affairs. As one of Europe’s premier tourist destinations – capital of the Costa del Sol/Costa del Golf – its international status rivals that of Madrid and Barcelona.

Malaga City
Malaga City

The city enjoys one of the most pleasant climates in the world, has major transport links to Europe’s other capitals and to northern Africa, and offers superb tourist amenities and attractions and a wide diversity of hotel accommodation. An impressive new centre for fiestas and exhibitions, the Palacio de Ferias y Exposiciones, was opened in March 2003.

Of Phoenician origin around 1100 BC, Malaga later aquired great importance in the Greek and Roman eras as a commercial and fishing city. Phoenician remains abound in the area and Roman archaeological remains such as the Teatro Romano can be explored. Later still, the Arab occupation left an attractive and interesting urban structure with an historical city centre containing a labyrinyh of narrow streets enclosed by a city wall.

Malaga was the birth place of Pablo Picasso. The city houses two museums dedicated to his life and work. The collection of the Pablo Picasso Foundation is to be found within the house where he was born. The Picasso Museum is housed within the Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista.

Cultural Sites of Malaga City

The map and key to facilities below are a guide to just some of the...

Walking In Malaga City

Park at the underground marina car park under the port both marked on the map....

Botanical Gardens Malaga (La Concepción)

Open: 1st April-20th June from 10.00h to 18.30h 21st June-10th September...

Malaga Beaches

The map and key to facilities above are a quick guide to just some of...

Exploring Malaga

For most visitors and many foreign residents, Málaga is simply an airport - a place...

Malaga Fiestas

Whilst every village and town in Andalucia rocks with fiestas several times a year, some of those held in Malaga are worthy of special note;
World Dance – held every May. For one Saturday night the port area is turned into a massive dance venue with more than 100,000 people enjoying live international dance music.
Feria de Malaga – this annual nine day August fair is launched by a huge fireworks display on the opening Friday. From late morning until about 19.00h, celebrations overwhelm the city centre with music and dancing in the packed streets and bars, whilst horses and riders in costume parade around the streets. At night the action switches to the very large feria site at Cortijo de Torres, 4 kilometres south-west of the centre. Here there are fairground rides and a lot more music and dancing with live groups performing rock, pop, reggae, flamenco and other music until dawn.
Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales – held every 28th December, thousands gather at Puerto de la Torre at the north-west of the city to dance and listen to a grand gathering of verdiales groups. This is an exhilarating type of folk music and dance, unique to the Malaga area, but sounding similar to Celtic/Gypsy music.

Sightseeing in Malaga:

Alcazaba & Roman theatreThe Alcazaba (Arab for ‘walled city’) built in 1057 by the Granada taifa ruler Badis. It has double walls and numerous defensive towers and is deemed to be one of the most important military constructions of its era. Of the three palaces inside, one is an original Badis construction and the other two were restored in the 1930s. Open Mondays-Saturdays from 9.30h to 19.00h with free entrance. There is an Archaeological Museum housed within.
Gibralfaro Castle (Castillo de Gibralfaro) is situated above the Alcazaba and is connected by a path at the eastern end of the Alcazaba. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries by the Muslim King Yusuf, on the site of a Phoenician lighthouse known as Yabal-Faruk, and an older Muslim castle built by Abdar-Rahman I who was an 8th century Cordoban emir.
Chapel of the Port (Capilla del Puerto) – built in the 18th century in honour of the Immaculate Conception.
Consulate House (Casa del Consulado), of 18th century neo-classical style.
The Cathedral (Catedral), first begun in 1528, on the site of a former Muslim mosque. The facade is 18th century Baroque whilst the inside is both late Gothic and Renaissance. There are numerous paintings and sculptures housed within. The cathedral is known locally as La Manquita (the one-armed) as the eastern tower was never completed. Money allocated for the 2nd tower was given instead to the campaign against the British in the American War of Independence. The Cathedral Museum is located inside.
The Bishop’s Palace (Palacio Episcopal) is found opposite the Cathedral. Actually two palaces, one 16th century and the other 18th century, the latter having one of the most impressive facades in the city. Inside there is a beautiful patio and imperial staircase. the building is now used for art exhibitions.
Convent of San Agustin (Convento de San Agustin), dated from the 16th century.
Church of Santos Mártires (Iglesia de los Santos Mártires), built in 1491 by order of the catholic Monarchs. Restored in the 18th century in Baroque style.
Church of Santiago (Iglesia de Santiago) – 16th century with a Mudejar tower.
Church of Santo Cristo de la Salud (Iglesia del Santo Cristo de la Salud) has a circular floor plan and spectactular dome. It housed the School of Fine Arts where Picasso once studied.
Palace of Aduana (Palacio de la Aduana) – designed by Manuel Marin Rodriguez and constructed in the 18th century in neo-classical style. The inner patio and stairways with marble balustrading are impressive.
Parish Church of the Sagrario (Parroquia del Sagrario) – has late Gothic doorway. It was the first Christian temple following the conquest of Malaga after Moorish occupation.
Roman Theatre (Teatro Romano) – located at the foot of the Alcazaba.
Parque de Malaga – 30,000 square metres in the middle of the city where numerous species of tropical plants grow.

Useful Numbers For Malaga:

Ambulance: 952 303 034
Carlos Haya Hospital: 952 390 400
Civil Hospital: 952 307 700
Hospital Clinico: 952 649 400
Emergency Doctor: 061
Local Police: 952 126 500
Guardia Civil: 952 391 900
National Police: 952 046 200
Emergency Police: 091
Fire Brigade: 952 306 060
Taxis: 952 327 950
Bus Station: 952 227 300
Railway Station: 952 360 202
Tourist Office: 952 213 445
Water Supply: 952 135 013
Marina: 952 216 311
Port Authority: 952 125 000
Town Council: 952 135 000
University: 952 131 000