Malaga, Andalucian and passionate... Spain's fifth-largest urban centre is in the south of the country and enjoys one of the most pleasant climates in Europe. Like Andalucia, Malaga portrays the richness of a land that has been heavily influenced by both Arab and Christian cultures. Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and the surrounding area has many tourist attractions from the hugely popular Costa del Sol to its well-preserved hinterland.
Ideally located between Cadiz, Cordoba and Grenada, Malaga, is the main port for the south of Spain and the perfect gateway to Andalucia. Founded by the Phoenicians who named it Malaka, the town was a trading centre for the whole Mediterranean, and traces of the long Arab presence there are still evident. Taken over by the Catholic kings in 1487, it lost its influence before becoming an important industrial centre in the 19th century. Malaga today is a major tourist destination thanks to the Costa del Sol and one of the best climates in Europe: it is not unusual to find temperatures of 20°C in winter! The beautiful Costa del Sol, just a few kilometres from the town, draws tourists to its shores all year round. But Malaga also has its own beaches in the centre of town.
This unique Andalucian city has a concentration of remarkable monuments on the west bank of the Rio Guadalmedina, such as the Cathedral of the Incarnation, built on the site of the grand mosque in the 16th century, and the Plaza Mayor with its Charles V fountain. Malaga is also known for the Picasso Museum, with more than 200 works of art. The house where the great artist was born is also open to the public. To take in the whole city you must go up to Alcazaba, an impressive Moorish fortress built in the 11th century and where you will find Gibralfaro Castle.
In the countryside inland from Malaga, the Vega fertile is a true land of plenty with oranges, bananas, figs and grapes, and is well worth a visit, as are the El Torcal Nature Reserve, the Garganta del Chorro gorges and the Archez minaret. Back in Malaga, you can take a gentle stroll through La Concepción botanical gardens, an incredible tropical collection surrounded by sun-bleached rocks.
For a comprehensive guide to this destination, visit spain.info
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