Travel to Malaga, Spain ( Pt.2 )
Málaga, a fabulous Mediterranean city, located on Costa del Sol, Spain, is a great choice for your next travel destination. The city blends in a wonderful way its ancients Moorish past with contemporary ambience, rich culture, relaxing seafront area and pleasant climate.
Málaga offers a great variety of things to do and see.
here is Part 2, which presents the rest of the attractions and places you should visit.
Discover the ancient, historic sites of Málaga:
The Roman Theatre (Teatro Romano)
Located at the foot of the famous Alcazaba fortress, Malaga's Roman Theatre is the oldest historic monument of the city and one of the few remaining Roman ruins in Andalucia.
It was built in the time of Augustus in the 1st century BC and it was in use until the 3rd century AD.
After that, it was left to ruin for centuries, until the Moors settled in Andalucia in the 8th century.
Much of its construction material such as stones, columns and carved stones were later used by the Moors for building the Alcazaba.
In modern days, the theatre was rediscovered in 1951 and is now open throughout the year for visitors. In summer, it is used for open-air performances. It seats 220 spectators.
The site is accompanied by the Centro de Interpretación (visitors centre) which gives information about the history of the ruins and its subsequent excavation.
Alcazaba Fortress
Málaga's most important landmark is closely related to the ancient history of the town and is a must-visit attraction.
The Alcazaba is a Moorish palace and fortification, built by the Hammudid dynasty in the early 11th century on the ruins of a Roman bastion, and it is probably the most important military fortification remaining from the Hispanic-Arabic period.
It is also the best-preserved Moorish fortress palace in Spain and one of the two Moorish fortresses in the city, the other being the Castillo de Gibralfaro, situated above.
The Fortress is perched on the hillside of the mount of Gibralfaro, offering breathtaking views over the city, port and Mediterranean sea. It is also a great place for panoramic views over the Roman Theatre.
Alcazaba's original purpose was as a defence against pirates, thanks to its high strategic position.
The Fortress consists of 110 main towers and some smaller ones, with the Torre del Homenaje, Torre de la Vela and the Arco de Cristo being the most impressive ones.
Visitors can also see and enjoy relaxing gardens with fountains and beautiful ornaments of Muslim architecture.
Adjacent is a small archaeological museum, exhibiting Roman antiques, a collection of pottery, Moorish ceramics and other artefacts found on the site.
Gibralfaro Castle (Castillo de Gibralfaro)
Standing above the Alcazaba, high on the Mount Gibralfaro hilltop, the Gibralfaro Castle is the second Moorish fortress in Malaga, dating back to the 10th century.
Although now mostly in ruins, the castle is a significant ancient site known for its remarkable history and splendid panoramic vistas.
It was built in the 10th century on a former Phoenician enclosure and lighthouse by Abd-al-Rahman III, the Caliph of Cordoba and later in the 14th century enlarged by Yusef the First, the Sultan of Granada, who also added the double wall down to the Alcazaba that you see today.
The history of the castle is also related to its three-month siege by theCatholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.
You can reach Gibralfaro Castle either by walking up the steep hill following a cobbled path that starts from Alcazaba's entrance at Plaza Aduana, or you can get a car, taxi, bus No35 or even hop-on hop-off bus.
If you decide to walk up the hill, bear in mind that it takes at least 20 min walking up steep and at some places slippery cobbles, and in summer it gets quite hot. So, take water with you and wear suitable shoes. On the positive note, you will enjoy amazing views along the way.
Málaga's Port, Promenade and La Malagueta Beach
Being a coastal city on the Mediterranean, Málaga boasts a fabulous and very pleasant area to explore around its port.
Don't miss to take a relaxing walk along Malaga's promenade and enjoy beautiful sea views. You can also stop at some of the many cafes and restaurants and indulge in a delicious seafood meal. You must try espetos, a typical Málaga dish made with delicious sardines.
Walking along the promenade you will find the tropical "Palm Garden of Surprises" and Pompidou Centre - Málaga’s version to the famous Parisian gallery, topped with a giant, multi-colored cube.
Continue your walk through Paseo del Muelle Uno, a lively area lined with bars and restaurants where you can have lunch or dinner.
Then, you may head to Malaga's most famous beach, Malagueta beach, which is a short walking distance from the port. This beach is a local favorite and is packed with families during the summer. The 1.2km beach has a very good infrastructure with restaurants, bars, children’s playgrounds, shops, etc.
La Calle Larios & Plaza de la Constitución
La Calle Larios is the elegantly beautiful shopping street of Málaga filled with designer stores as well as high street shops.
The street ends in Plaza de la Constitución, previously known as the Plaza Mayor ("Main town square"). The whole area is pedestrianized, ideal for walks, shopping and dining at some of the many tapas bars.
Plaza de la Merced
One of the Málaga’s central squares, on which Pablo Picasso was born in 1881. Here you can find Picasso Birthplace Museum on 15 Plaza de la Merced.
More about Picasso in Malaga:
The square is also lined with bars and restaurants, making it a lively place to hang out.
Dine at La Bodega El Pimpi
La Bodega El Pimpi is possibly the most emblematic restaurant and wine cellar in Málaga, that offers local wines and delicious cuisine typical for the city.
Located in a historic house in the Old town, overlooking the Roman theatre, this place is highly recommended to visit. It is a favorite meeting point for locals and visitors. The restaurant impresses with an authentic interior and photos of artists and celebrities who have passed through here - the Picasso family, the Duchess of Alba, Carmen Thyssen and Antonio Banderas, to name a few.
Malaga's Museums
Apart from the world-famous Picasso museum, Málaga offers plenty more options for art lovers.
Malaga's Museum ( Museo de Malaga ) was opened in December 2016 in the impressive Palacio de la Aduana ( a former Customs House of Malaga ). It has brought together the former Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes (Provincial Museum of Fine Arts) and Museo Arqueológico Provincial.
The Museum houses a real treasure trove of artworks and archaeological finds.
The 18,000 square meter museum has eight rooms, the first five dedicated to archaeology and the other three to fine arts. There are just over 2,000 pieces in the fine arts collection and more than 15,000 in the archaeology collection.
Thyssen Museum is a remarkable museum that shows a collection of 285 works of different genres of Spanish painting of the nineteenth century.
The Museum of Glass & Crystal ( Museo del Vidrio y Cristal) is an intriguing little museum that displays a large collection of antique glassware that spans several thousand years.
There are pieces from a range of ancient civilizations: Phoenicians, Romans, Ancient Greeks and Egyptians.
You can also visit the Museum of Arts and Popular Customs, which is housed in the "Meson de la Victoria", a former 17th-century inn, now attractively restored. The museum is on two floors and was created to give an insight into the past ways and customs of the people of the region.
The Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico de la Concepción)
Located outside the city, in the quarter of "La Concepción", about a 15-minute bus ride from the center, the gardens date from the mid-19th century and are one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe.
You will enjoy seeing over 49 hectares of tropical forest and 23 hectares of botanical gardens, trees from five continents and incredibly pretty flora and fauna.
For those who don't have the time to go outside the city, Málaga has a beautiful park in the city with palm trees and little walkways, which is the best place to cool down on a hot summer day.
