📍🌅 Malaga, miasto słońca i kultury. Odkryj jej urok i poznaj największe atrakcje

Andalusian capitals - Málaga

I have great feelings for Malaga because we lived here for a while and our Malagueñowas born here... 🙂 It is not a city that can be compared to the splendor of Barcelona, Madrid, Vienna or other metropolises, but it undoubtedly has its own original charm. It is hard to describe what it is like, but I will try 😉 It is charming, friendly, artistic and creative, tasty, noisy and colorful, and sometimes dirty - especially after the Feria de Malaga, the biggest public holiday in this city. It is full of artistic events, performances by local music groups, performances, flamenco shows, exhibitions. It offers wonderful delicacies in tapas bars and hot beaches with noisy chiringuitos. There is no way to get bored here, and if you don't have a special idea, it is best to start wandering the narrow streets, rich in various services and shops, you can always meet something or someone interesting.

There are more wealthy neighborhoods with beautiful villas such as El Limonar, others full of the artistic spirit, and murals such as Soho or Lagunillas - known as the real Malaga Soho, there is something for everyone. For us, Malaga will always remain a very special city...

Málaga is a charming city located between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the sunny coast of Costa del Solwhich means Sunshine Coast , and it's no surprise why. The weather in Málaga is generally mild and sunny, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year.

However, it's important to remember that even in Málaga, it rains sometimes. The rainiest months are typically autumn, winter, and early spring.

My friends ask me if I ever use an umbrella in Málaga. The answer is yes, I do. I've been caught in a few downpours, and I've learned to always be prepared for the possibility of rain.

Malaga, Miasto Słońca I Kultury. Odkryj Jej Urok I Poznaj Największe Atrakcje

A bit about the history of Málaga...

Málaga is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a history that dates back over 2800 years. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century BC, who named the settlement "Malaka".

At the time, the Iberian Peninsula was also being colonized by the Greeks. After the Second Punic War, the Greeks were defeated by the Romans in 202 BC. As a result, the southern part of the peninsula was ceded to the Romans.

This marked the beginning of a period of great prosperity for the city, which was now known as "Malacitanium". It became an important center of culture and trade, located on the route of the "Via Hercules" and later the "Via Augusta", which connected Cádiz with Barcelona and Rome.

The Romans
The Romans ruled Málaga for over 500 years, during which time they built many important structures, including the Alcazaba, a Moorish palace, and the Roman Theatre, which is still standing today.
The Roman Theater in Málaga is one of the oldest and best-preserved Roman theaters in Spain. It was built in the 1st century AD and was used for performances of plays, music, and other events. It was built on a hillside, with the stage located at the bottom and the audience seated on the hillside above.

The theater was originally much larger than it is today. It could accommodate up to 7,000 spectators. However, much of the theater was destroyed over the centuries, as it was used as a quarry for building materials. The place is also home to a small museum, which displays artifacts from the Roman period.

The Moors
In the 8th century AD, the Moors conquered Málaga and ruled the city for over 700 years. During this time, the city was greatly influenced by Islamic culture.
The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro are two important historical sites in Málaga. The Alcazaba is a Moorish palace that was built in the 11th century. It is located on a hilltop overlooking the city.
The Gibralfaro is a castle that was built in the 14th century. It is located next to the Alcazaba and was used to defend the palace.

The Reconquista
In 1487, Málaga was finally conquered by the Spanish Christians. This event marked the end of Islamic rule in the city.

Modern Málaga
Málaga is now a thriving modern city with a rich history and culture. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and world-class museums.

The impressive defensive walls encompassing the entire complex form the characteristic landscape of Malaga. The summit offers an impressive panorama of the second largest (after Seville), metropolis of Andalusia.

I recommend climbing up to the top of the Gibralfaro, even in the blazing heat, to reach the Mirador de Giblarfaro, where you can enjoy stunning views of the entire city of Málaga, including the bullring, the port, the center, and the cathedral. This is a great place to take picturesque photos, especially at sunset.

You can also climb up to the top of the Gibralfaro along Calle Mundo Nuevo. This is a more time-consuming option, but you can enjoy views of other parts of Málaga as you walk through the park. However, if you're short on time, it's better to climb the stairs.

Tourists usually visit the old part of Málaga – and rightly so. In the new neighborhoods, you won't find anything particularly interesting. You may see some nice murals, well-maintained parks, shopping centers, and other services, but these are not the kind of attractions that deserve special attention. There are also neighborhoods, like in any big city, that are frankly neglected and not particularly popular with other residents, such as Palma-Palmilla.

Walking through the city, you will immediately notice that there are many churches: Iglesia San Juan Bautista, Iglesia del Santo Cristo de la Salud, Iglesia de los Martires, Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Victoria, to name a few. In the central part of the old town, there is the true queen, Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, the Cathedral of Málaga. It was built in Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles over 250 years (1528-1783). The construction was eventually halted in 1782, and the second tower was never completed. It is because of this characteristic "stub" that the people of Málaga affectionately call their cathedral "La Manquita" - "The One-Armed Woman."

In front of the cathedral's main doors is Plaza del Obispo, with the imposing Palacio Episcopal building. Here you can relax and contemplate the view of the cathedral while enjoying tapas. Behind the cathedral, if you turn left onto Calle Santa María and then immediately left onto Calle San Agustín, you will reach one of the city's major cultural attractions, the Picasso Museum. Tourists often confuse the museum building with the house where little Picasso was born. That house is located in the vicinity of Plaza de la Merced, and its name is Museo Casa Natal de Picasso. It was there that one of the most outstanding artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso (born October 25, 1881), was born and spent his first year of life.

On the square, you can take a photo with the statue of the artist, which is located opposite the obelisk dedicated to the figure of José María de Torrijos. He was the commander of a rebellion against the absolutism of Ferdinand VII. In the crypt under the monolith, the remains of the commander and his 47 companions, who were executed on one of the Malaga beaches in December 1831, rest.

Heading from the Picasso Museum to the ruins of the amphitheater, it is worth stopping by the El Pimpi bar, where you can experience the wonderful Spanish atmosphere, enjoy tapas, and drink local wine.

From the center, you can walk through Paseo Parque (a place of rest, a green belt with beautiful flowers and exotic plants) to the port at Muelle Uno. There is usually a market for handmade items on Sundays, and there is always a lot going on there. Sometimes large cruise ships or military ships arrive, as the port is a naval base. Along the waterfront are shops, restaurants, children's playgrounds, and at the end, the charming lighthouse La Farola De Málaga with a two-hundred-year history. Along the beach, people sometimes gather around chiringuitos, which are bars with food and drinks on the beach.

Remember the siesta!

Eat when you see Spaniards starting to feast, around 3 pm traffic in restaurants dies down, only to return again around 7/20 pm.

From the port area, we can walk through Málaga's main thoroughfare, Calle Marques de Larios, to Plaza de la Constitución, the largest square in the heart of the old part of Málaga, and enjoy a coffee at one of the oldest cafes in the city, Cafe Central at the intersection of the main shopping street, Calle Larios, and Plaza de la Constitución de Málaga. There are really a lot of types of coffee, so El malagueño no pide un café con leche. “Pide un mitad o un mitad doble”. What these terms mean can be found on the azulejos that display the cafe's offerings.

And so you can wander the streets of Málaga for hours, looking into shops, galleries, cafes, and tapas bars. Near the center is Mercado Central Atarazanas, I highly recommend trying different types of olives. You can have a bite to eat, buy high-quality local products, drink the famous Málaga sweet wine (not too much - because it's strong!), or dare to taste fresh oysters served with champagne...

Miasto staje się szczególnie tłoczne i gwarne późnym wieczorem. Jeśli jesteś zdecydowana/y na jakiś tapas bar, zajmij sobie miejsce wcześniej, bo dopchanie się do tych lepiej zrecenzowanych, np. polecanych na różnorakich serwisach turystycznych, bęzie graniczyć z niemożliwością… Jeśli chcesz się poprzeciskać przez gwarny tłum i pokrzyczeć do kelnera, owszem to świetna okazja, tu trzeba GŁOŚNO wyrażać swoje oczekiwania 🙂 (Hiszpanie właśnie tak robią, przyzwyczaj się, że ktoś zza twojego ucha zakrzyknie – Cervesa y una ensaladilla rusa porfa!!!:), jeśli jednak chcesz spokojnie wybrać pozycję z menu i usiąść – przyjdź około 21, około 22/23, zwłaszcza w weekendy wszędzie zastaniesz tłum ludzi.

Malagueños usually start their evening out after 9 p.m. Concerts usually start at 10:30 p.m. or 11:30 p.m., and the nightlife lasts until the early hours of the morning.

Z miastem związana jest także inna słynna postać – Antonio Banderasa, który odwiedza swoje rodzinne strony z okazji różnych wydarzeń kulturalnych. W ostatnich latach sporo tutaj inwestuje w kulturę i gastronomię.

What to eat in Malaga

The choice is vast, as Málaga, like other Spanish cities, offers a wonderful Mediterranean cuisine. In restaurants, we will find dishes characteristic of the region and stand out in the Spanish menu.

El pescaíto frito - a very common dish in Andalusia is fried fish and squid, coated in breadcrumbs.
Las migas - crusts of hard bread in tomato sauce with garlic, olive oil, radishes, and olives.
El ajoblanco - a type of cold soup made from almonds, garlic, vinegar, oil, water and grapes.
Almejas a la malagueña - mussels in a marinade with onions, garlic and parsley, cooked in white wine
Berza malagueña - is a combination of pork, sausage, cabbage, peas, white beans in a tomato and paprika sauce
Ensalada malagueña - is very typical of the region, and very common in tapas bars, the ingredients are potatoes, oil, cod pieces, and orange.

These are just some of the dishes from the local cuisine. Churros, which are dipped in hot chocolate, are characteristic of the cuisine of Andalusia and all of Spain. They taste a bit like doughnuts, they are sweet, fatty, and delicious. So let's forget about the calories, because in this case, there are too many of them to worry about. We will burn them while sightseeing. The best churros in the center of Málaga can be found at Casa Aranda.

Very popular dishes that can be found in almost every restaurant in Málaga are, of course, the Spanish paella, pronounced paeja, and the cold soup gazpacho.

When in Málaga, you definitely have to try Malaga wine (and don't forget to try Malaga-flavored ice cream). One place to visit is the Antigua Casa de Guardia, which is located on one of the most important streets in the city, Alameda Principal. You stand at the bar, order wine, and the bartender scribbles your order on the counter in chalk. He then pours you a glass of wine directly from a wooden barrel. I highly recommend it! You can also order tapas.

Tapas in Malaga

The offer is rich, the number of bars is enormous. We are constantly discovering new ones, so the list is sure to grow:

La Taberna del Pintxo - Staff pop up from time to time with a new type of tapas, usually in the form of small sandwiches
KGB - good tapas with cool design
Bar Orellana - super tasty
Casa Lola varied and tasty
El Tapeo de Cervantes - recommendable
El Pimpi - typical Spanish bar with nice decor
Los Gatos - they have delicious beer, the food is also good
Chiringuito Tropicana – chiringuito on paseo maritimo
La Campana Playa – chiringuito on paseo maritimo
Taberna Trillo
Cortijo de Pepe
Taberna Uvedoble
Refectorium Catedral

An interesting option to catch your breath and enjoy the views from above are the terraces. There are several in the city:

Piscina Lounge, Hotel Molina Lario
Terraza de la Alcazaba, Alcazaba Premium Hostel
Chinitas Lounge, Chinitas Urban Hostel
Terraza Áurea, Salles Hotel
La Terraza de San Juan, Premium Hotel
La Terraza de Larios, Room Mate Larios
Oasis Lounge Bar, Oasis Backpackers Hostel
Terraza Room Mate Valeria

Culture in Malaga

CAC Málaga, Centro de Arte Contemporáneo - Modern art gallery. The exhibitions can be seen for free, for those who like this type of attraction, the item is worth a visit
Centre Pompidou Malaga - art gallery, located in the harbour. Another item for those who enjoy contemporary art
Picasso Museum
Museo Interactivo de la Música - interactive music museum, fun, you can test your talents by playing different instruments
Museo Carmen Thyssen - fine art collections and exhibitions

There are many interesting places to visit in Málaga, for everyone's taste. There are museums of cars, crystal, wine, and imagination, as well as small galleries, jazz clubs, hipster restaurants, cafes, arthouse cinemas, flamenco bars, theaters, and places where local artists meet, such as LA POLIVALENTE.

How to get there?

Málaga Airport is one of the largest airports in Spain. The fastest way to get from the airport to the city center is by train. After picking up your luggage, follow the arrows to the station, which is located in front of the main exit. Tickets can be purchased from the machines located in front of the platform.

TAXI or UBER are good options
Málaga is a well-connected city. On the website [link] , you can find information on public transportation providers in Málaga, including schedules, stops, and other useful information. I do not recommend renting a bicycle if you are only interested in visiting the usually crowded old town.

Parking in the city of Málaga is not easy. If you know where to go, it is not a problem, but almost always you have to use paid options. A helpful application that shows the nearest parking lots in Málaga is: