Birthplace of the painter Picasso, the vibrant cosmopolitan city of Malaga is situated on the beautiful coastline of Andalusia. Blessed with sunshine and fantastic quality of life, Malaga provides lively nightlife, museums and exceptional seafood restaurants alongside wide boulevards, swaying palm trees and beautiful beaches. Besides, It is also the setting for religious processions which are part of Malaga’s Easter Week celebrations, declared as a Festival of Tourist Interest.
Enjoying a privileged geographical position, the coastal area is protected from the north winds by the mountains ensuring the highest average temperatures in Spain and over 300 days of sunshine per year.
The Moorish occupied Malaga until the mid-15th century, after which it became one of the most important merchant centre in the Iberian Peninsula. This illustrious past has left its imprint in the historic centre of Malaga, with the most significant testament to this heritage being the Alcazaba Arab citadel, a fortress dating back to 1065 that is now a fascinating archaeological venue that can be visited. The nearby castle called Gibralfaro, rebuilt by the Moorish, is also worth a visit because of its breathtaking panoramic views.
As well as being a cultural capital, Malaga is a great place to eat out. Locals love their food, and the bars and restaurants are where the real social life takes place. Tapas —small portions of many different dishes— are an Andalusian tradition and a quite inexpensive way to try a variety of local foods.
These days, Malaga prides itself on being a modern city. Larios Street is the heart of the commerce and it is the ideal location to start exploring the city being surrounded by attractive small streets, squares as well as the magnificent cathedral.
