Practical Guide of the Province of Malaga

Population – 566 477 persons

Superface – 395 square kilometers

Length of the coast – 15 kilometers

Málaga was founded by the Phoenicians in about 1100 AC, and was called Malaka then. In the course if its history it belonged to the Phoenicians, then to Romans, then to the Arabs, and finally, in 1487 was conquered by the tropes of the kings of Castilla and joined its territories, now called Spain.

Modern Málaga doesn´t look the same as it looked during its conquers, but there are several untouched buildings of those times: the Muslim fortress Alcazaba and the palace of Gibralfaro constructed in the XIVth century under the govern of Yusuf I are among them. Apart from its historic value, Gibralfaro is also famous by the views to the bay of Málaga and the center of the city that open from its top.

Above these two monuments the reconstructed ruins of the Roman theater can be found, and in several steps from the theater, in the famous bodega El Pimpi you can taste the sweet vine of Málaga. Not far from there the square of Merced is situated. There is the building where Pablo Picasso was born and a museum that contains a good collection of his works: paintings, sculptures and ceramics there.

The cathedral of Málaga is called “La Manquita” that means “one-armed”. It’s called this way because one of its towers has not been finished. During the working days the cathedral is opened for visiting, but on Sundays it is reserved for the mass.

Close to the Principal Avenue one can spend some lazy moments in the municipal botanic garden, called Paseo del Parque, one of the favorite places of the locals. The garden counts with plants from five continents, and it is there different fairs open their pavilions and they sell caramelized apples and roasted chestnuts.

It is very interesting to go to the central market in the early morning. The market, El Mercado de Atarazanas, has been reconstructed from a ship wharf, and is a classic example of mudejar architecture. Having seen all the fruits, fishes and seafood and enjoyed the exceptional ambient of the market, it’s worth having breakfast in the nearest coffee-shop, called Casa Aranda. There they serve churros (Spanish doughnuts) with hot chocolate or coffee in traditional glasses.

There is a very nice pedestrian street in Málaga, calle Larios, where can be met street musicians, people-statues and many people walking about. This street leads to the central square of the city, la Plaza de la Constitición, where apart from the traditional fountain one can see metal pages of the newspapers speaking on the Spanish Constitution.

For those who are fond of shopping, el Corte Inglés, an immense shopping center opens its doors six days a week and offers a good choice of design clothes.

The transport of Málaga is well developed. There are two lines of local trains, a train station from where the AVE, the rapid train in only two hours and a half gets to Madrid, and many other national directions start. There are also about thirty bus lines, to inside and outside the city, and the metro is being constructed.

It is no doubt, that Málaga is one of the most interesting and comfortable places to stay in.

Photos of Málaga>>>

Cinemas in Málaga
Theaters in Málaga
Museums and exhibitions in Málaga