
Malaga, cultural gem at the Costa del Sol
Reading Time: 7 minutes
Last updated: November 9, 2022
Cityscape: Malaga, Spain
Spain’s Costa del Sol is one of the most famous holiday destination in Europe, with divine beaches and beautiful landscapes, delicious food and interesting traditions. In the heart of Costa del Sol lives Malaga, a glorious seaside metropolis with more than 2,800 years of history and over 500,000 people calling it home today. It is a definitely more than just a stopover on cruising between adorable coastal towns, luxurious hotels and resorts. Malaga is reinventing itself. In past 15 years, Malaga has been diligently working in redefining itself and with amazing success it rose as the destination for lovers of art, history and culture, whilst still retaining flamboyant spirit of the city and its people. We can only wait to see how it will appear in next 15!
Orianna Couture gives you suggestion how to spend few amazing days at Malaga, experiencing couture lifestyle and enriching yourself. Here are our 8 ideas on how to spend your days in Malaga, Spain.
Roam the streets of Malaga
Start off the morning on the city’s most iconic street, Calle Larios, a lively and bustling pedestrianised shopping area. During the summer, a large parasols covers the entire Larios street to protect it from the sun, so you can still enjoy it even on hottest days. After checking out shopping area, get lost in side streets and alleys on your way to Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga. Cathedral is also known “La Manquita” (the one-armed lady) because construction stopped before the southern tower could be finished, leaving it asymmetrical.
Malaga also has 40 museums waiting for you to visit them. Most of them are located in the old quarters, so even on hot summer days, everything is in the walking reach. To visit Pablo Picaso museu follow the Calle San Agustín, behind the Cathedral. This beautiful street was originally called the Calle de los Caballeros (Street of the Knights), as many members of the nobility lived here. Its name changed to San Agustín at the end of the 16th century, when a convent with this name was built on the street.
While you are exploring the streets you try local coffee! There are many types of coffees in Málaga and each one has a unique name - un nublado, un cortado, etc.
Take a break at stunning gardens and green pockets
If you are visiting Malaga in the summer you will definitely need to take a break and refresh in some of beautiful green pockets and parks in Malaga. The most prominent is El Parque. This is Malaga's city park which runs alongside the "Paseo del Parque", was created at the end of the 19th century making use of land reclaimed from the sea. The park has a slight jungle vibe, containing beautiful tropical flowering trees and shrubs. Since Malaga was an important world trading centre, many of the unusual and exotic species were brought from overseas including Cuba.
Jardin de la Catedral is a small but lovely and tidy and very photogenic gardens next to the cathedral. And just outside of the Malaga, "Finca de la Concepcion" is another magnificent botanical garden.
Malaga has amazing nightlife
People in Malaga know how to really enjoy their nightlife that often goes on til dawn! The locals do not usually go to party before midnight, and it is normal to go home after dawn. Thanks to the pleasant climate that will accompany you and make your night more unforgettable, someone always party, from Monday to Sunday. Nightlife in Málaga offers all you need in one night: a good dinner and hitting the town.
At the historical center of Malaga, you will find many pubs and clubs scattered among small and winding pedestrian streets. People of all ages come here to party. There are great variety of bars offering cocktails at affordable and discounted prices, especially if you arrive early.
Eat fresh and tasty food at marketplace Mercado Ataranzas
The Mercado de Atarazanas is one of the iconic buildings in Malaga. The market dates back to the 14th century and was originally Moor shipyard, as the shoreline was much closer than today. It was in end of 1800s the project by architect Joaquín Rucoba was approved for the construction of a new central food market. While it is a market where locals do their food shopping, it is one of Málaga's most popular visitor sites because of its character and colour. And to make it even better, gastro tapas bars have risen in various corners of the market serving local specialities!
Try fish dishes or fruit selection, but be sure not to miss on goat cheese! And if it is made with milk from the local goat breed “cabra malagueña” it has to be amazing! Do not forget to stay hydrated, try some local Tinto de verano a refreshing combination of red wine and lemon soda. It will keep you cool even on July hottest days.
The Mercado de Atarazanas is opened on Monday to Saturday from 8 am. to 3 pm. On Mondays, the fish department is closed, since fisherman don’t go fishing on Sundays and therefore don’t have fresh fish this day.
Go to the beach
It is easy to relax in Malaga, since sun is shining approximately 300 days per year! The fabulous sandy beaches, which will welcome you with a warm temperature and crystal-clear waters. Between the port of Malaga and the beach of La Caleta, you will find the vast beach of La Malagueta, which is very popular in the city. Roughly 1,200 meters of dark sand stretch along the shore of La Malagueta Beach. And set along the affluent coastal neighborhood of the same name, Playa de La Caleta is skirted by villas and mansions.
And if you have some more time, relax and explore outskirts of Malaga, following the Costa del Sol and visit some of the most beautiful beaches at Mediterranean. Each of the beaches in Malaga has its own special charm. Along the Costa del Sol near Malaga there are little towns of Marbella, Fuengirola, Benalmádena, and Torremolinos to offer you so much more.
Immerse yourself in history
When walking alongside the city centre you can discover the oldest archaeological site in Málaga, a Roman theatre from the 1st century AD. There is also the Alcazaba, the Arabic fortified palace built at the foot of Mount Gibralfaro. The views from up there are breathtaking. Malaga Alcazaba is considered as one of the most beautiful Alcazabas that you can visit in Spain and the best-preserved Moorish fortress palace in Spain, so be sure to take hour or two and appreciate its beauty. Enjoy courtyards in the palace, the Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Orange Trees) and the Patio de la Alberca (Courtyard of the Pool). Together with the Castle of Gibralfaro and the Cathedral, the Alcazaba dominates the scene with one of the most beautiful views and most amazing sunsets!
Get inspired to reinvent yourself
Malaga has been experiencing a cultural upheaval in the past few years. From reputation as a playground for young adults; it became known as the capital of the Costa del Sol has been revived as a cultural destination with an exciting culinary scene. Enjoy Malaga's transformation and let it inspire your own development.
And to assure you, couture lifestyle is not demands too much money,but a mindset on enjoying life and appreciating beauty. Appreciation of beauty and excellence relates to the human tendency to feel powerful transcendent emotions when noticing beauty in the world. And you can do this both with substantial financial means but also without it. Popular attractions in Málaga such as La Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle as well as the Picasso Museum are free on Sundays a couple of hours before closing time. Málaga's Centre of Contemporary Art is also free throughout the week. Walking through beautiful parks and streets is free. And tasting amazing local food can be very affordable.
Open your heart and mind to surrounding world and work little every day in making it better.
Take a train and explore some more of Malaga
Although Malaga has to offer so much to everyone, there are also other towns and villages that are worth visiting during your time in Costa del Sol. Spend couple of days exploring Malaga's surroundings. If you hire a car or take the train, you'll be able to see some beautiful places, all relatively close to the city. Visit Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Frigiliana... and you will always find new experiences and things to discover.
Make sure you plan some time to explore more of the Costa del Sol and don't miss out on the incredible hidden gems around Málaga.
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