The complete tourist guide to Malaga

The port city of Malaga is located in the southern part of Spain on the Costa del Sol coast in the region of Andalusia. It is surrounded by the Axarquía hills to the north, the rivers Guadalmedina and Guadalhorce, and the inviting waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Malaga weather is mild and equable due to its proximity to the sea and mountains. The mean annual temperature hovers at around 19°C. July and August are the warmest months and December and January, the coldest. Some rainfall is experienced in the winter months. There are several malaga flights throughout the day from most places in europe and the united states.

The population of Malaga is approximately 560,000. In addition to its Spanish heritage, the city’s culture and architecture also retains the influences of the Moorish kings who ruled here centuries ago. Malaga also has the distinction of being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.

Malaga is the perfect holiday destination with its many historical monuments, atmospheric little streets and delightful cafè culture and malaga attractions are second to none. There are many interesting shops, tapa bars, restaurants and Moorish tearooms in the bustling streets of the Calle Larios as well as some . If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle, you could head out to one of the many beautiful beaches to soak up the sun. The beautiful botanical gardens of Jardines de la Concepcion lie on the outskirts of the city and are another popular destination for those who enjoy the solitude of nature. There are several famous restaurants around this area as well and a visitor can indulge in some of the best foods in the city. Marbella is another location which is famous for being the place with the best nightclubs in Spain.

Malaga honours its most famous son, Pablo Picasso, at the Picasso Museum and the Plaza de la Merced, the birthplace of the famous artist. The Gibralfaro castle lies atop a hill and offers visitors a charming view of the entire city. Malaga is also well-connected to other cities like Sevilla, Granada Jaèn and other locations by road and rail. The colourful celebrations during Easter should not be missed. Malaga is also really famous for it’s many beaches – some of the best beaches in the world, you can read more on malaga beaches as well read on the other very famous tourist draw in this region – lovely golf courses along the costa del sol.

There are many attractions in Malaga – some of the top attractions are listed below:

La Alcazaba

The city’s most distinctive building, the 11th century Alcazaba sits in majestic splendour on the hillside overlooking the African coast.

La Alcazaba is a military fortress build by the Moors in the 11th century on the remains of a Romans fortress. The fortress lies on a hill top with good view over the town and the sea and originally consisted of 3 protecting walls (whereas 2 are still remaining), more than 100 towers and a superior part with a residential area including 3 palaces.

An important example of Moorish architecture, it has an impressive double wall and several imposing defensive towers its entrance staggered purposely for defensive purposes. Partially inspired by the Alhambra in Granada it contains three magnificent palaces and beautiful gardens with several ornate fountains. The Alcazaba also houses the Archaeological Museum, home of numerous Phoenician and Muslim finds.

The best preserved Alcazaba in Spain, and itself more impressive than the one at the Alhambra in Granada.

The gardens inside the Alcazaba are particularly vivid during April to July,, and are one of the main draws for the complex.

Gibralfaro, Malaga

The Gibralfaro Castle / Fortress is situated just next to La Alcazaba which it is connected to by ducts from two of its towers.

Originally the place where the Gibralfaro lies is tbhought to have hosted a lighthouse build by the Phoenicians. On the remains of this lighthouse a fortress was build by Abderramán III and was later reconstructed as a castle by Yasuf I in the 14th century.

You can buy a combined ticket for the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, but even though the sizes are connected it is not possible to walk from one to the other, and in fact a short bus journey is needed to get between them. The staff at the Alcazaba are very helpful, and will expain exactly where to get the bus from.

One of the highlights of the visit to the Gibralfaro is the incredible panoramic view of the city from the top.

The Picasso Museum at Malaga

The early years of the life of Pablo Ruiz Picasso are closely linked to the city of Malaga, where he was born in 1881. Family tradition also played a large part in shaping his essentially malagueño character. His life and works would later see him become the most famous native of Malaga of all.

This open, cosmopolitan city, birthplace of a unique artist and now a focal point for art and culture world wide, will always remember Picasso as its favourite, most eminent son.

In 2003 the city of Pablo Picasso’s birth became home to the Museo Picasso Málaga—a new museum devoted to the most influential artist of the twentieth century. Picasso was born into the rich cultural heritage of Málaga, the beautiful Mediterranean port of Andalucia in southern Spain. Situated at geographical crossroads, Málaga has been an important city since before the days of ancient Rome, and the region was monumental in its impact on world culture. Picasso carried on this legacy and became an innovator of artistic styles and  techniques, changing the course of modern art.

The new museum has an extensive selection of works by the artist from the private collections of Christine Ruiz-Picasso, the widow of Picasso’s son Paul, and their son, Bernard. Their dedication to Picasso and his native city led to the creation of the Museo Picasso Málaga. The permanent collection is complemented with temporary exhibitions that underscore Picasso’s role in the art of the twentieth century.

Designed by Richard Gluckman of Gluckman Mayner Architects, with Isabel Cámara and Rafael Martín Delgado of Cámara/Martín Delgado Arquitectos and ARUP engineers, the museum unites traditional and contemporary architecture in a 89,350-square-foot museum complex. The Museo Picasso Málaga will be an international center for the arts, with large-scale galleries for temporary exhibitions, as well as an auditorium, education center, library and archives, restoration facilities, bookstore, and gift shop.

The Andalucian government has funded the construction of the museum entirely. Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso have worked closely with the President and the Minister of Culture of the Junta de Andalucia throughout the museum’s development. Carmen Giménez, an internationally recognized curator of modern art, is the Director of the Project Museo Picasso Málaga. The museum opened in October 2003.

The permanent collection captures the extraordinary vision of Picasso. More than 200 paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, and graphic works illuminate the entire breadth of his long and prolific career, from his first academic studies to his late paintings in the 1970s.

The collection encompasses his ground-breaking innovations and the wide range of styles, materials, and techniques that he embraced. Several of Picasso’s best-loved paintings will be on display at the Museo Picasso Málaga. Many of these works have not been exhibited widely, and some have never before been viewed publicly. All are the generous donation and long-term loan from the private collections of Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso.

Christine Ruiz-Picasso is the widow of Picasso’s eldest child, Paul, from his marriage to Olga Kokhlova; Bernard is the son of Christine and Paul. Their collections are not only private but personal: this is the art that Picasso gave to his family, and the art that he kept for himself, to be inherited after his death. The Museo Picasso Málaga will chart each stage in his development as an artist with a chronological display of works. Two separate galleries will show works on paper, and one room is devoted to sculpture and ceramics.

The Bull Ring at Gibralfaro

Although some consider bullfighting a politically incorrect activity, it still is very much a vital part of Spain and its rich culture. It is a testimony of one’s discipline, strength of will, training and courage. A matador’s graceful maneuvers are the products of extensive training- usually since childhood!

In a corrida (a bullfighting match, if you will) three matadors pit their skills with six bulls or toros. Each “fight” lasts for about a quarter of an hour. The matadors are the superstars in the corrida and are resplendent in their costumes – the traje de luces. This “suit of lights” is intricately designed – the silk jacket is painstakingly embroidered with gold, the tight trousers perfectly fitted to the matador. A bicorne hat completes the ensemble. The matador’s skill is measured by his bravery – his being calm and relaxed in the face of danger, his grace as he swings the cape and his ability to get as near as he could to the bull.

The bull is let out of the toril or bull pen and the bullfight begins. The bullfight is composed of three stages. First, the picadors, who ride on horses, carry lances that they are expected to plunge into the bull’s neck and flanks. A judge determines how long this is supposed to last. Then come the banderilleros, bearing sharpened and colorfully designed sticks – banderillas. The baderilleros must poke their sticks into the bull’s neck to prepare it and to lower its head.

Then, the matador begins the last act of the bullfight, or the faena. The bull has been weakened, but this is also the most dangerous time as the bull is not enraged and ready to kill. The matador faces this angry bull with only just his cape and his sword. The matador makes a number of maneuvers – intricate, ballet-like movements that display the grace and skill of the matador. Each maneuver draws excited cries from the crowd because of the dangers it poses to the matador. This goes on until at last the matador goes for the kill, stabbing the bull, right between the shoulder blades. However, if the matador is not carefully or skillful enough, it is the bull that gets lucky.

The Malagaueta Bullring is the most prominent in Malaga. It can seat 15,000 and is located right in the heart of the City Center. It also has a museum dedicated to bullfighting.

Aside from La Malagueta bullring, which can seat 15,000, there are other bullrings to be found in the towns in the Malaga province.

Here is a list:

1. Algarrobo – Seats 3,000 and was opened at the end of the 19th century.
2. Antequera – This ancient bullring opened as early as 1848 and seats 8,200.
3. Benalauria – The bullring in this town can accommodate 5,000 viewers.
4. Benalmádena – This bullring can accommodate an audience of 3,600 and was opened in 1968.
5. Carratraca – With a seating capacity of 3,000 and was opened in 1878.
6. Coín – Can seat 4,000 avid bullfight fans.
7. Cortes de la Frontera – Can seat 1,000 spectators.
8. Estepona – Can accommodate 8,000, this bullring started its operations in 1972.
9. Fuengirola – This bullring opened its doors in 1962.
10. Gaucín – capacity 6.000 spectators.
11. Marbella – opened in 1964, capacity 9.500 spectators.
12. Nueva Andalucía – opened in 1968.
13. Plaza de Ronda – Seats 6,000 and was opened in 1785.
14. Torremolinos – Opened in 1968.
15. Vélez-Malaga – Can accommodate 5,000 and was opened in 1894.

The Cathedral

Malaga´s cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 on or near the site of a former mosque. While original plans had allowed for two towers, lack of funds resulted in the completion of only one, giving rise to the name by which the cathedral is affectionately referred to, La Manquita, loosely interpreted as ‘one armed woman’.

The interior has influences of the Renaissance and baroque styles. The notable 17th century choir stalls of mahogany and cedarwood were designed by Luis Ortiz. After his death the 40 finely carved statues of the saints behind each stall were completed by Pedro de Mena, one of Spain’s most celebrated wood-carvers of the time, who spent some years in Malaga. Some of the chapels leading off the aisles also contain works by Pedro de Mena and his tutor, Alonso Caro.

Adjoining the cathedral is the Iglesia del Sagrano. Founded in the 15th century on the site of a mosque, the church has an unusual rectangular shape, its Isabelline-Gothic portal is the only remaining part of the original structure which was rebuilt in 1714. The interior is richly decorated and its main altar features a magnificent 16th century retable.

Cathedral
Plaza del Obispo
29015 Málaga
Tlf: 95 221.59.17
Ticket: 1.8 Euro

Timetable:
Normal:
09:30 – 18:45
*Saturdays:
9:30 – 18:00
Sundays and Holidays:
Only services

Museum of the Cathedral
Molina Lario Street.
Tel: 952 22 84 91
Closed on Sundays and Holydays.
Mon-Fri, 10.00-18.45 h. Sat, 10.00-17.45 h.

Palace of Marques de Valdeflores

This Palace was constructed in the 18th century as an exhibition hall for the Malagueños but was later acquired by a noble family in 1895 for personal premises.In 1986 it was bought back by the government and today hosts different associations.

It preserves an austere entrance of white marble composed by pilasters that support a simple balcony; after the grating of the vestibule one finds a court that has preserved its series of arches from the 18th on columns of marble in three of its sides, and for the left side the stairs are opened by classic balustrade of white marble. In the top dependences some original roofs have remained, as well as chimneys and some spaces of interest.

The palace of the marqués de Valdeflores transports the visitor into the “exquisite” life of Malaga at the end of the 18th century and start of the 19th. This building, constructed in the 18th century, was made a guest house in the 19th (even stables where men could leave their mounts were installed) until around 1895 when the Countess of Albarede acquired the building, reforming and furnishing it as her family home.

It has three floors and a typical central patio surrounded by a gallery whose walls are decorated with Arab mosaics. Inside the palace are the eyecatching staircase and balustrade, both sculptured in Carrara marble.

During the restoration of the building, acquired in 1985 by the County Council, the decorated wooden ceilings were preserved and frescos, painted by Fernández Alvarado, were discovered in the room which had been the main dining hall.

Marqués de Valdeflores Palace
60 Carretería Street.
Tel: 952 06 02 32

Related articles

• Visit for Free Malaga´s Museums, Monuments, Churches and Parks (spain-travel.suite101.com)
• Sightseeing in Málaga (spain-travel.suite101.com)

Marbella Nightlife