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When people think of holiday destinations in sunny Spain, they often recall names like Madrid, Barcelona, Cadiz, and Ibiza. These places are iconic, with history, culture, and good food. Malaga is rarely mentioned among the great Spanish retreats. That is a mistake because Malaga has it all: brilliant tourist attractions, long stretches of sunny beaches, and a treasure trove of rich, culturally diverse monuments.
Located By The Sea and Under The Sun
Malaga is a coastal city on the shores of the tranquil Mediterranean. It is situated about 100 kilometres up the coast from the English territory of Gibraltar. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous region of Andalusia, which hugs Spain’s southern coast. It is a part of that section of the coastline known as the Costa del Sol or the coast of the sun. Yet, it is more frequently used as a jumping-off point for excursions to other beach destinations that are situated around the coast.
Brimming With Great Attractions
Malaga is more than deserving of its fair share of attention. From the sun to the food to the music, any visitor will never get bored in Malaga.
It’s Beach Day Every Day
It is no coincidence that Malaga’s biggest draw is its beaches. Not only are they great, with lots of sand and beautiful, warm water. The weather makes it even better. As far south as the entire continent of Europe gets, Malaga is sunny and bright practically year-round. That is why this stretch of coast has the nickname, Costa del Sol. Visitors from other parts of Europe were stunned by the sight of sunny skies in all seasons, no matter how cold other places were.
There is great variety among the many beaches as well. A full week would not be enough to sample all the beaches there are to choose from. There are popular urban beaches close to the city with tons of fun and enjoyable water activities. There are other more isolated beaches that are virtually cut off from the outside world. These are some distance from the city centre, allowing you to discover a sense of peace free from the hubbub.
Live the Life of the Party
The beach scene is also home to myriad seafront clubs, which are active nearly 24/7. Like music? Then you are in luck. Local DJs and artists are one of the main draws in this area. Malaga’s music is well known. There is a huge variety of sounds guests can enjoy, and there are plenty of nightclubs to savour as well. Hotels right next to the beaches mean you will never stray too far. Although in a city like Malaga, there is so much to see and do that sticking to the beaches will make you miss a lot.
Art, History, And Culture To Satisfy Any Connoisseur
The hometown of Pablo Picasso, Malaga is a city as soaked in art as it is in sunlight. There is a museum dedicated to the painter, and it is just one of the nearly 40 museums in Malaga. If you visit Malaga, expect to see paintings, sculptures, and other artworks in the numerous galleries and exhibitions. From hipster to mainstream to art deco and every genre in between. Some have described Malaga as the most contemporary and international metropolis in Spain.
There are art collections that only contain works from the 20th and 21st centuries. Others are solely focused on pieces of art from the postmodern era. Some collections contain works of art from all around the world, some of which deal with frightening or unsettling subjects. Due to the abundance of available workshops, seminars, courses, and conferences, both tourists and locals enjoy the grand artistic atmosphere.
With a history dating back nearly 3,000 years, Malaga is among the oldest cities in existence. It has witnessed the rise and fall of at least four great empires, and many more rulers and dynasties in-between. The archaeological remains and monuments herald the kingdoms of ancient Phoenicia and Rome, followed by the Moors and finally the Christian rule.
The Food Is As Good As You Imagine
For good reason, Mediterranean cuisine is held in very high regard. Coffee has been mastered into an art form in Malaga, with many types of coffee available in numerous restaurants. The sea provides cod, sardines, and anchovies, while tomatoes, almonds, oranges, and, of course, olives are plentiful in most dishes.
How To Commute When On Holiday In Malaga
Like most European cities, Malaga has a very well-defined and well-maintained public transit system. Travelling both inside and outside the city is simple in Malaga thanks to the public transportation system.
The best neighbourhoods are located in the city centre, and the rest of the city is well connected by metro, train, bus, bicycle, and taxi. There are rental services in the city as well, but only a few car hire malaga airport services.
The city centre is pedestrian-friendly. The majority of locals and guests ride the buses. The metro offers some alternate stops after it arrives at the city’s core. Two Malaga suburban train lines also have connections to adjacent towns.