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Seafront Promenade, Malaga © Costa del Sol Tourist Board

Overview
The lively city of Malaga, on the coast about 80 miles (129km) southeast of Seville, is the gateway to Spain's popular Costa del Sol holiday resort region. The city was also the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and features several galleries displaying his work. Most notable is the 16th-century Museum of Fine Arts, alongside the Cathedral. Picasso's birthplace in Plaza Merced is open to the public and showcases his life and works. Like most Andalusian cities, the holiday retreat of Malaga has Moorish roots and its illustrious past has left an imprint on the historic centre, particularly around the fortress of La Alcazaba, dating from 1065, which is now an archaeological museum. The Moorish castle nearby is used as a state hotel. The city's famous botanical garden, sited on the Calle Alameda, dates from the days when the Malaga area was a popular winter holiday resort for the rich and famous, and is also worth a visit.

Shopping
Calle Marques de Larios is the main shopping avenue with plenty of swanky boutiques and galleries, while small, family-run shops can be found on the side streets. Local specialty goods include leather bags and shoes, embroidery, iron work and ceramics. El Corte Ingles, on Avenida de Andalucía, is a multi-story department store stocking everything under one roof. The best food market in town is the eclectic Atarazana, open daily until 2pm.

Restaurants
Malaga has top-rated restaurants to enjoy while on holiday in this Spanish resort town. Among some of the most highly recommended restaurants in Malaga are Clandestino, La Paloma, El Campanario de Ignacio and El Tintero.

• Adolfo's is great - affordable, good food, friendly service. : Serena...See More Tips  |  Add Tip

 

Nightlife
Malaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol and has the varied, high-quality nightlife to match. Tourists in Malaga need only take their pick from the varied Malaga nightlife scene, which is centred around nightclubs, tapas bars and traditional flamenco performances. Some of the best bars and clubs can be found around Plaza del Merced and Plaza Uncibay, while the areas of Malagueta and Pedragalejo have lively beach bars in summer. A good collection of laid-back bars line Calle Granada and Plaza del Vado del Maestre just off Calle Calderería. For all night Flamenco dancing, tourists and locals alike head to Avenida de los Guindos and Calle Las Lazcano. Malaga also has several theatres, dance troupes and even a resident philharmonic orchestra.

Activities
This area of Spain has been dubbed the "Costa del Golf" due to its 39 courses; year-round sunny weather and low course fees makes a round or two a great option. Bullfights are held during season at the Plaza de la Malagueta. A range of worthy activities beckon from off-shore: scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing are all popular in the warm waters. Beachside tour operators can arrange equipment rental and instruction. The more adventurous tourists in Malaga can take short daytrips to the beautiful beach of Nerja or Motril, while the town of Ronda will provide you with ample opportunity for the perfect holiday pictures of Spain. For those who need a break from the beaches but don't want to venture too far from Malaga, the Museo Picasso Malaga provides for an afternoon well spent; while the Alcazaba on Plaza de Aduana is a walk back in time as it dates back to the towns Moorish roots as well as the early Christian settlers.

Negatives
Malaga's city can be busy and expensive and the beach is unfortunately located next to the main road.

Nearby Attractions

Granada and the Alhambra

Granada, a high altitude city of romance and folklore, boasts one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, the Alhambra palace-fortress. Built by the Nasrid rulers in the 14th century the Alhambra is the most important and spectacular piece of Moorish architecture in...  see full details