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Málaga
Málaga and its port as seen from Gibralfaro mountain.
Flag Coat of arms
Málaga
Coordinates: 36°43′10″N 4°25′12″W / 36.71944°N 4.42°W / 36.71944; -4.42
Country	Spain
Autonomous Community	Andalusia
Province	Málaga
Founded	7th century BC
Government
- Mayor	Francisco de la Torre Prados
Area
- City	395 km2 (152.5 sq mi)
- Urban	561.71 km2 (216.9 sq mi)
Elevation	11 m (36 ft)
Population (2008)
- City	566,447
- Density	1,434/km2 (3,714.2/sq mi)
- Urban	824,842
- Metro	1,091,228
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode	29001-29018
Calling code	+34 (Spain) 95 (Málaga)
Website	www.malaga.eu

Málaga (Phoenician: Malaka, Arabic: Mālaqah (مالقة)‎) is a city in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. It is the second most populous city of Andalusia, the sixth largest in Spain and 43rd-most populous municipality in the European Union, with a population of 566,447 in 2008. It is the 8th largest European city above the Mediterranean Sea and experiences the warmest winters of any European city with a population over 250,000, with a Mediterranean-Subtropical climate. It lies in southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun), about 100 km east of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Málaga, together with Rincon de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Alhaurin de la Torre create an urban area named Greater Málaga populated by 824,842 in 561.71 km² (density 1,468 hab / km²). The population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) is 1,091,228 (according to Plan de Ordenación del Territorio de la Aglomeración Urbana de Málaga), ranking it as the fifth largest metropolitan area in Spain.

The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabian and Christian epochs convert the historic center into an "Open Museum" displaying its rich history of more than 3,000 years. Málaga is the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso and was the port city for Spanish military leader Bernardo de Gálvez, who served as Louisiana Governor.

History

'Roman Treatre of Málaga', built by the times of Caesar Augustus.

The Phoenicians from Tyre founded the city here circa 770 BCE. The name Malaka is probably derived from the Phoenician word for "salt" because fish was salted near the harbour. (Cf. "salt" in other Semitic languages, e.g. Hebrew מלח mélaḥ or Arabic ملح malaḥ.

After a period of Carthaginian rule, Malaka became part of the Roman Empire. In its Roman stage, the city (Latin name, Malaca) shows a remarkable degree of development. Transformed into a confederated city, it was under a special law, the Lex Flavia Malacitana. A Roman theatre was built at this time.^[1]

In the 8th century AD, duríng the Muslim Arabic rule over Spain, the city became an important trade center. Málaga was first a possession of the Caliphate of Córdoba. After the fall of the Umayyad dynasty, it became the capital of a distinct kingdom, dependent on Granada. During this time, the city was called Mālaqah (Arabic مالقة).

The traveller Ibn Battuta, who passed through around 1325, characterised it as "one of the largest and most beautiful towns of Andalusia [uniting] the conveniences of both sea and land, and is abundantly supplied with foodstuffs and fruits". He praised its grapes, figs, and almonds; "its ruby-coloured Murcian pomegranates have no equal in the world." Another export good was "excellent gilded pottery". The town's mosque was large and beautiful, with "exceptionally tall orange trees" in its courtyard.^[2]

Málaga was one of the Iberian cities where Arab rule persisted the longest, having been part of the Emirate of Granada. While most other parts of the peninsula already succumbed to the reconquista, the medieval Christian Spanish struggled to drive the Muslim Arabs out. Málaga was conquered by Christian forces in 1487, five years before the fall of Granada.

Málaga circa 1836.

On 24 August 1704 the indecisive Battle of Velez-Málaga, the largest naval battle in the War of the Spanish Succession, took place in the sea south of Málaga.

Málaga underwent fierce bombing by Nationalist or Republican air forces and naval units during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The well-known British journalist and writer Arthur Koestler was captured by the Nationalist forces on their entry into Málaga, which formed the material for his book Spanish Testament.

The first chapters of Spanish Testament by Arthur Koestler include an eye-witness testimony of the 1937 fall of Málaga to Francisco Franco's armies during the Spanish Civil War.

Tourism on the adjacent Costa del Sol boosted the city's economy from the 1960s onwards.

The magnum opus of Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, "Malagueña", is named for the music of the Gypsies of this region of Spain.

Geography

Location

Málaga is located in southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) on the north coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It lies about 120 km north-east of the Strait of Gibraltar and Tarifa (the southernmost point of continental Europe), and about 150 km north of Africa, on a similar latitude (36°N) as Algiers in Algeria, Tunis in Tunisia, Aleppo in Syria, Mosul in Iraq, Tehran in Iran, Kunduz in Afghanistan and Fresno, California in the United States.

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean-Subtropical with mild winters and comfortable summers. Málaga enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of about 300 sunshine days and only about 50 days with precipitation annually. It is located on the coastline, the winds blowing from the Mediterranean Sea makes the heat manageable during the summer.^[3] It experiences the warmest winters of any European city with a population over 250,000 and over 100,000 jointly with two other cities from Andalusia: Almería and Algeciras.

Its average annual temperature is 18 °C (64 °F): 23 °C (73 °F) during the day and 13 °C (55 °F) at night. In the coldest month - January, the typically temperature ranges from 11 to 18 °C (52 to 64 °F) during the day, 4 to 12 °C (39 to 54 °F) at night and the average sea temperature is 15–16 °C (59–61 °F). In the warmest month - August, the typically temperature ranges from 26 to 32 °C (79 to 90 °F) during the day, above 20 °C (68 °F) at night and the average sea temperature is 23 °C (73 °F). Average number of days above 21 °C (70 °F) is 206, average number of days above 32 °C (90 °F) is 18 (3 in June, 6 in July, 6 in August and 3 in September). Average morning relative humidity: 79%, evening relative humidity: 57%.^[4] Average number of frost days is 0. Sunshine hours is till 2,815 per year, from 158 in December (5 hours of sunshine every day) to 338 in July (11 hours of sunshine every day).^[5] Rain occurs mainly in winter, the summers are generally dry season, with the summer temperatures lasting 8–9 months (from March/April to November). December, January and February are characterized by early-autumn/spring temperatures.

Cityscape

Neighborhoods

The old historic center of Málaga touches the harbour to the south and is surrounded by mountains to the north- Montes de Málaga (part of Baetic Cordillera), lying in the southern base of the Axarquía hills, and two rivers, the Guadalmedina - the historic center is located on its left bank - and the Guadalhorce, which flows west of the city into the Mediterranean.

Architecture

The oldest architectural remains in the city is the Roman theater which dates from the 1st century BCE, and that was fortuitously rediscovered in 1951.

View of the old Alcazaba over the roof of the Ayuntamiento.

The Moors left the dominating castle on mount Gibralfaro that is connected to the Alcazaba, the lower fortress and regal residence. Both constructions built during the Taifas period (11th century) and extended during the Nasrid period (13th and 14th centuries.). The Alcazaba stands on a hill within the city of Málaga. Originally, the Alcazaba monument defended the city from the incursions of pirates. Later, in the mid-11th century, it was completely rebuilt, by the Hammudid dynasty. Occupying the eastern hillside that rises from the sea and overlooks the city, the Alcazaba was surrounded by palms and pine trees.

Like many of the military fortifications that were constructed in Islamic Spain, the Alcazaba of Málaga featured a quadrangular plan. It was protected by an outer and inner wall, both supported by rectangular towers, between which a covered walkway led up the slope to the Gibralfaro. (This was the only exchange between the two sites.) Due to its rough and awkward hillside topography, corridors throughout the site provided a means of communications for administrative and defensive operations, also affording privacy to the palatial residential quarters. The entrance of the complex featured a grand tower that led into a sophisticated double bent entrance. After passing through several gates, open yards with beautiful gardens of pine and eucalyptus trees, and the inner wall through the Puerta de Granada, one finds the eleventh and fourteenth century governor's palace. It was organized around a central rectangular courtyard with a triple-arched gateway and some of the rooms have been preserved until today. An open eleventh century mirador (belvedere), to the south of this area, affords views of the gardens and sea below. Measuring 2.5 square meters, this small structure highlighted scalloped, five-lobed arches. To the north of this area were a waterwheel and Cyclopean well, penetrating forty meters below ground, a hammam, workshops and the monumental Puerta de la Torre del Homenaje, the northernmost point of the inner walls. Directly beyond was the passage to the Gibralfaro above.

The church of Santiago (St James) is a splendid manifestation of Gothic-Mudejar, the hybrid style that evolved after the reconquista incorporating elements from both Christian and Islamic tradition. Also from the period is the Iglesia del Sagrario, which was raised on the site of the old mosque immediately after the city fell to Christian troops. It boasts a richly ornamental portal in the Isabeline-Gothic style, unique in the city.

Cathedral of Málaga.

The Cathedral and the Episcopal palace were planned with renaissance ideals but fell short of funds and were finished in baroque style.

The Iglesia de la Victoria built in the late 17th century has a spectacular chapel in which the vertical volume is filled with elaborate baroque plasterwork.

Demographics

The province of Málaga has a population of 1,563,261 people, whilst the city only holds 566,447 according to the 2008 Census. Foreign nationalities have been significantly rising in Málaga, especially those from the UK who move for the pleasant weather. It is said that the majority of foreigners live by the coastline.^[8] An estimated 6 million tourists visit the city each year.^[9]

Economy

The most important business sectors in Málaga are tourism, construction, agriculture and technology services, but other sectors such as transportation and logistics are beginning to expand. The Technology Park of Andalusia (PTA), located in Málaga, has enjoyed significant growth since its inauguration in 1992 by H.M. the King of Spain. As of 2009, this high-tech, science and industrial park is home to 509 companies and employs over 13,600 people.

In line with the city’s strategic plan, the campaign “Málaga: Open for Business” is directed towards the international promotion of the city on all levels but fundamentally on a business level. The campaign has a special emphasis on new technologies as well as innovation and investigation in order to position the city as a reference and focal point for many global business initiatives and projects.^[10]

Culture and contemporary life

Annual cultural events

The Holy Week celebration and the August Málaga Fair ("Feria de Málaga") are two well-known festivals. During the celebration of the Feria de Málaga in August, the streets are transformed into symbols of Spanish culture and history, with sweet wine, tapas, and live flamenco shows filling the town. The day events consist of live music and dancing, while the night fair is moved to the Recinto Ferial, consisting of restaurants, clubs, and an entire fair ground with rides & games.

Religion

There is a wide spectrum of religions in Málaga. Most citizens declare themselves to be Catholics. One of the most beautiful churches is the "Santuario de la Virgen de la Victoria". Islam is also represented with the construction of a new mosque. The city has an important link to Islam as it was once controlled by Muslims for more than 700 years.^[11] Due to recent immigration, Islam is the second largest religion in the city.^[11] The Evangelicals also have a presence in Málaga. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is also a strong growing religion. The Jewish Community in Málaga is represented by its synagogue and the Jewish Association. There is a Hindu temple and a Buddhist stupa in Benalmadena, 12 miles from Málaga. This Buddhist stupa is the biggest in Europe.

Sports

"Jábega malagueña", is a traditional sport originated from Málaga.

Málaga is home to three major professional sports teams. These include:

• Málaga CF - football club plays in Primera División. Honours: UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2002, UEFA Cup: 2003 (Quarter-finals).
• CB Málaga - basketball club plays in SuperLiga ACB. Honours: Spanish Championship: 2006, runner-up: 1995, 2002; Spanish Cup: 2005, runner-up: 2009; Spanish Super-Cup: runner-up: 2006; Korać Cup: 2001, runner-up: 2000; Euroleague: third place: 2007
• Club Atlético Málaga - women's football club plays in Superliga Femenina, Honours: [[Spain Cup: 1998, runner-up: 1997; Spain Supercup: 1999

The city has four large sports facilities:

• Estadio La Rosaleda - football stadium, with a capacity of 28,963. One of the arenas of Primera División (for Málaga CF) and 1982 FIFA World Cup. Final of UEFA Intertoto Cup 2002.
• Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena - sports arena, with a capacity of max 14,000. It is home of CB Málaga and arena of Spanish Cup 2001, 2007; Spanish Super-Cup 2004, 2006;
• Estadio de Atletismo Ciudad de Málaga - atletico stadium, with a capacity of 7,500. One of the arenas of European Athletics Championships 2006; 2006 Vuelta a España; Spain Athletics Championships 2005
• Centro Acuático de Málaga (Málaga Aquatic Center) - water arena, with a capacity of 17,000. Arena of European Water Polo Championship 2008.

In city and neighbourhood, you can engage in many sports, for example: surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, swimming, diving, skydiving, paragliding, running, cycling, rowing, tennis and golf.

Tourism

"La Malagueta" beach

Málaga from the Parador

The city is a tourist destination, due mainly to its proximity to the Costa del Sol. Tourists also visit here to see the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. From Málaga, other cities like Seville, Córdoba, Granada, and Jaén can be reached by train, bus or car.

A popular walk leads up the hill to the Gibralfaro castle (a Parador), offering views over the city. The castle is next to the Alcazaba, which in turn is next to the inner city of Málaga. A walk takes the Paseo del Parque (a promenade that runs alongside a park with many palm trees and statue) to the harbour, finishing in Calle Larios the main commercial street of the city.

Sights in Málaga

Málaga

Castle of Gibralfaro

Málaga Civic Center

San Juan Bautista Church

Castle of Sohail.

• Castle of Gibralfaro.
• Castle of Sohail.
• Málaga Walls (Phoenician, Roman, Visigothic, Arab and Spanish remains of the defensive compounds of the city)
• Flavian Roman Theater
• Flavian Roman Amphitheatre (Underneath "Plaza de la Merced" Picasso's birthplace), under the former cinemas "Victoria", "Astoria" and "Andalucia").
• Alcazaba (Arabic for fortress)
• The cathedral, in the Græco-Roman style, on the site of an ancient Moorish mosque, was begun in 1528 and completed in 1719
• Harbour, one of the most important in Spain.
• Fundación Picasso and Picasso Birthplace Museum
• Museo del Patrimonio Municipal de Málaga
• Museo Picasso Málaga, located at the Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista
• Museo de Málaga at the Palacio de la Aduana
• CAC Málaga (museum of modern art)
• Museo Interactivo de la Música (MIMMA)
• Museo Municipal (city museum)
• Museo de Artes y Tradiciones Populares (Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions)
• Cathedral of the Encarnation (neoclasical)
• Palacio Episcopal (Bishop's Palace)
• Iglesia de San Juan Bautista (gothic)
• Iglesia del Sagrario (church)
• Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago (St James's church)
• Plaza de Toros (bullring)

The Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales takes place every year on 28 December during which Spain's April Fool Day is celebrated.^[12]

Fiestas de Carnaval event takes prior to the holy 40 days of Lent every February. People dressed in traditional costumes join the festivities, which include Flamenco dancing, and a parade. One more highlight of this festival is the stalls selling traditional pottery and artifacts.^[12]

Greater Málaga

• Castillo de Bezmiliana in Rincón de la Victoria
• Fuerte del Rincón de la Victoria
• Iglesia de San Sebastián in Alhaurín de la Torre
• Casa Refugio de Torrijos in Alhaurín de la Torre
• Castillo Sohail in Fuengirola

Transportation

Airport

The city is served by Málaga Airport (IATA: AGP, ICAO: LEMG), the one of the first and oldest still in operation in Spain. In 2008, it handled 12,813,472 passengers,^[13] making it the fourth busiest in Spain. It is the international airport of Andalusia accounting for 85 percent of its international traffic. The airport, connected to the Costa del Sol, has a daily link with twenty cities in Spain and over a hundred cities in Europe (mainly in United Kingdom, Central Europe and the Nordic countries but also the main cities of Eastern Europe: Moscow, Saint Petersburg , Budapest, Sofia, Warsaw, Riga or Bucharest), North Africa, Middle East (Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait) and Northern America (New York, Toronto and Montreal).

Málaga´s Port was ruled by Visigoths (except Byzantine rule between 552-620) after Carthaginian and Roman rule.

Seaport

The Port of Málaga is the city's seaport, operating continuously at least since 600 B.C.

High-speed train

The main rail station is Málaga María Zambrano which is connected with Madrid Atocha by Talgo 200. On 24 December 2007, the high-speed train AVE came into service, reducing travel time to Madrid to just two and a half hours (see also Cordoba-Málaga high-speed rail line). The city has two commuter train lines Cercanías and a metro system is under construction.

Roads and highways

The A45 road leads north to Antequera and Cordoba. The Autovía A-7 parallels the N-340 road, both leading to Cadiz to the west through the Costa del Sol Occidental and Barcelona to the east through the Costa del Sol Oriental.

Empresa Malagueña de Transportes´^[14] buses are the main form of transport around the city. Málaga's bus station is connected with the city by the bus line number 4, although it is only ten minutes walk to the Alameda from there.

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Málaga is twinned with:

Notable births

Antonio Banderas and Pablo Picasso

• Pablo Picasso, artist
• Antonio Banderas, actor
• José Puyet, artist^[17]
• Amparo Muñoz, Miss Universe 1974
• José Moreno Carbonero, painter
• Juan García Postigo, Mister World 2007
• Miguel Ángel Jiménez, professional golfer
• Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, Prime Minister of Alfonso XII
• Marqués de Salamanca, banker and politician
• José Luís Heredia, boxing champion of Europe 1979
• Daniel Pacheco, Liverpool F.C Striker

See also

Map of Málaga province, centered Málaga urban area (Málaga, Rincón de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola), density >1000/km2.

• Costa del Sol
• Nerja, town and tourism site 50 km (31.07 mi) east of the city of Málaga
• The city of Marbella, in the Province of Málaga

Pablo Puyol,26.12.1975,famous actor and singer

References

• The Alhambra From the Ninth Century to Yusuf I (1354). vol. 1. Saqi Books, 1997.
• Guia Viva, Andalucia, Anaya Touring Club, April 2001.
• This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.

External links

• Málaga travel guide from Wikitravel
• Málaga images
• Málaga’s bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2016
• University of Málaga
• Malaga Tourism
• Montes de Málaga Natural Park (Spanish)
• Málaga.diwiki.org Periódico digital (Spanish)

Coordinates: 36°43′N 4°25′W / 36.717°N 4.417°W / 36.717; -4.417

From Wikitravel

For other places with the same name, see Malaga (disambiguation).

Looking south out over the Malaga city centre, with the cathedral of Malaga in center, July 2007.

The cathedral of Malaga, November 2008.

Málaga is a large city in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia. Situated along the Mediterranean, it has a temperate climate and is also the birthplace of the artist Picasso. You can see the entire city in a couple of days, including a variety of activities such as the beach, hiking, architectural sites, art museums, shopping and cuisine. More laid back than Madrid or Barcelona, Malaga offers a relaxing yet enriching reprieve on any European city tour.

Get in

By bus

The bus station is right next to the train station, a km or so west of the centre.

By train

The train station is right next to the bus station, a km or so west of the centre. There is fast connections from Madrid and Barcelona. Málaga is easily accessible by train from nearby tourist towns of Torremolinos and Fuengirola.

By car

The A-7 E-15 motorway runs along the coast to from Gibraltar to Almeria and through Murcia and on.

The A-45 motorway runs from Cordoba to Malaga.

By plane

Málaga has the third biggest international airport (AGP) in Spain, which many budget airlines fly to. From there you can get a train, a bus or a taxi into town, or hire a car. A taxi to the city center will cost about €15. Bus no. 19 costs €1.10 (correct in July 2009) and is very convenient, running every 30 minutes and stopping at Alameda Principal and Paseo del Parque, where most of the local buses that serve the city stop as well. The route map for bus 19 can be seen on the web at http://www.emtmalaga.es/portal/page/portal/EMT/Recorrido%20ampliado?idLinea=19. The stop names are shown on an electronic display inside the bus so you can tell when to get off.

Renting a car at Málaga's airport is relatively cheap, but it is advisable to book in advance.

By boat

There is a ferry route between Malaga and Melilla in North Africa. Book early.

Looking up at the tower of Malaga cathedral, July 2007.

• Castillo de Gibralfaro and Alcazaba. Moorish castles which are interesting to see, the former giving the visitor an incredible view of the city and neighbouring suburbs. Together, these two attractions will cost an adult about €3. If you only have time for one, make it the easier to access and more decorated Alcazaba; the Castillo is a hefty hike up the mountain (or take bus number 35). Free Sunday afternoons after 2PM, Closed on Mondays.

• Interactive Museum of Music. Has one of the largest collections of musical instruments in Europe.

• Picasso's birthplace, Plaza de la Merced, City Centre with loads of objects and some paintings that the most famous artist of the 20th century created during his childhood. Entrance €1.

• Picasso Museum Maximum cost €8. Exclusive paintings, and exhibitions. Check the opening times stated by its website, which are sometimes 'economical with the truth.'

• Centro de Arte Contemporáneo located in a former wholesale trade market, it houses a good collection of works of art and installations. Guided visits. Free entrance. Closed on Mondays.

• Catedral de Malaga. This is located right in the heart of the city centre and is well worth visiting. It costs €3.50 to enter. Opening times: Mon-Fri 10AM-5:30PM, Sat 10AM-5PM, Closed on Sundays and Holidays.

• Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta, Paseo de Reding. Malaga's bullring. Opening times: 10AM-1PM and 5-8PM, closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.  edit

• La Conception Botanical & Historical Garden (Botanical Garden), Camino del Jardín Botánico, nº 3 - 29014 Málaga, ☎ +34 95 225-2148, [1]. 9:30AM - 8:30PM. Botanical and historical garden located in Malaga city. €4 is the basic price, but there are also guided visits and special prices for children. Beautiful contrast into the city from this garden and worth a visit. 4€.   edit

Do

Cycle. Hire a bicycle or take a bicycle tour.

• Bike2Malaga, (c/Victoria 15 court yard (Victoria Street) just few meters from Picasso birth place.), ☎ +34 650 677 063, [2]. bicycle rental, maps, information  edit
• Malaga Bike Tour: Tiny back streets and pass through hidden plazas that most visitors never get to see.The cost of the approximately 4-hour tour is 23 €. reservations: tel: (+34) 606 978 513, email: info@malagabiketours.eu, [3].

Rock Climb. There is lots of great rock climbing in and around Malaga. The amazing El Chorro gorge is 50 minutes drive to the North West and this also features the 'Kings Walkway' - an amazing pathway suspended high above the gorge. There is also Via Ferrata and rock climbing at El Torcal near Antequerra.

Beaches: The nearest beach to the centre is La Malagueta - this is fine for a day's sunbathing although quieter and prettier beaches can be found further east. It can be a nice (if rather long!) walk along the waterfront to reach these beaches, otherwise you could get a bus from near the bull ring in the direction of El Palo (e.g. line 33).

Malaga during the holiday season

• Librería de Idiomas, on the Plaza de la Merced. A valuable resource, offering textbooks and dictionaries for learning just about any European language you could desire.

• The market is north of the Alamada Principal and is well worth a visit.

• Cafetería Córdoba 7, Situated in street Córdoba, nº 7 in Málaga center, between the Port and Alameda Principal. Offers traditional and typical andalucian dishes, including soups, salads, meats and fishes or sandwiches, cakes, croissants or baguettes. Star dishes include: Gazpacho andaluz, Paella, Porra Antequerana, Rabo de Toro, Croquetas caseras, and many more. Breakfasts and meals with inexpensive prices.

• Along the coast there are dozens of restaurants and chiringuitos (beach restaurants) where you can have fish, seafood, paella, sangria, etc. One of the most famous chiringuitos is El Tintero, at the east end, where there is no menu: the waiters sing out what they are carrying and they leave you a plate at your signal. From time to time, one of them offers to give you the bill.

• The most typical thing to eat in Malaga is espetos, sardines squewered on a bamboo stick and grilled over a fire (typically driftwood); and pescaíto frito: all types of deep-fried fish from anchovies to squid. A speciality of Andalucia is fish (most commonly dogfish "cazon", although sometimes other fish such as tuna, "atun") marinated in a garlic and vinegar preparation - look on the menu for "Cazon en adobo". Try also the coquinas (small clams cooked in white wine). Simply delicious!

Jamon is a regional specialty, and is an aged, smoked ham, from acorn-fed pork, similar to prosciutto.

• Do not forget to visit the restaurants, there are Nouvelle Cuisine Restaurants, Asian, Vegetarian, etc. A famous one is actor Antonio Banderas' La posada de Antonio where the typical dishes from his hometown are served at inexpensive prices.

• Famous sweet Malaga wine can be tasted in popular pubs in the city center, like the famous old La Casa del Guardia (Avenue Alameda Principal) or the very typical El Pimpi where everyone, from celebrities to local teens meet.

• Restaurante Gallego Candamil. Cuarteles 15. Tel.:+34 95 232-3907. On the street leading from the train station to the centre, this Galician restaurant is very popular with the locals. This is understandable when you see the great range of quality tapas at fantastic prices, e.g. tapa of empanada €1.25, glass of cider €1.15.

• A Casa Gallega. Fernán Núñez 2. Tel.: +34 95 204-2332. Another Galician haunt a little further towards, although still outside, the center, this one does not have any menu but relies on the clientele knowing what they want. Good empanada, pimientos de Padrón. Atmospheric.

• Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro, Castillo de Gibralfaro, Tel.: +34 95 222-1902, [4]. Some report being disappointed by the restaurant at the Parador. The food was sub par, but the service by contrast was exemplary, together with all the nice little free appetizers, aperitifs, etc. Wine list tended towards the expensive but with the excellent idea of a monthly wine choice 'balancing quality and value', for example a very palatable Ribera del Duero Crianza at €10. Set menu €27 pp (plus VAT). Fantastic view of the city, especially from the terrace.

• Las Garrafas. Calle Méndez Núñez 6. Tel.: +34 95 222-3589. Winery and "taperia". Typical Málaga cuisine in a large and clean locale. Delicious and reasonably-priced food. Especially recommended are the mouth-watering "albondigones," large meatballs served alongside french fries.

Drink

Malaga nightlife will make you think that nobody sleeps in this town even during the work week! However, it is especially busy from Thursday to Sunday, where people buy their drinks in the supermarkets and have them at night in controlled areas known as "botellodromos" in the city center, before going into the clubs:

• Metropol, Cosa Nostra, Vaticano, Andén (big busy Latin club)
• Velvet Club (aka Sonic, plays metal, hardcore, punk) [not open Sundays]
• Nyx, Urbano, Village Green (Rock, Indie, etc).
• White, Abyssinia, Bar El Sound (Rap, Hip Hop, R&B)
• Paradise/Punto G, Warhol (gay)
• ChillHouse ( house-dance music)

• El Pimpi, Calle Granada (Around the corner from the Picasso Museum). Famous for its sweet yet strong local wine. Tapas and other bites.  edit

• There are several nice Moroccan-style tea houses in town, serving an amazing variety of teas in addition to other interesting non-alcoholic drinks.

Learn

Spanish: Take an intensive Spanish course at Málaga University [5] and put it into practice at one of the city's many exciting bars.

Salsa: Many bars and discos in Málaga offer free Salsa classes, such as The Sound in the center and The Swan in the trendy suburb town of Pedregalejo.

There are basically two good locations for tourist lodging in town: At the beach, or in or near the pedestrian zone in the center. The cheapest beds are found in the red light district between the center and the port.

• Picasso's Corner, San Juan de Letrán, 9, ☎ +34 95 221-2287, [6]. Right in the historic district. Bar and lounge, food and disco shows!  edit
• Hostel La Palma, Calle Martinez 7, 29005 Malaga, ☎ +34 95 222-6772. Run by a friendly lady, this cheap and cheerful place has rooms starting from €20 Euros.  edit

• Pension Costa Rica, Calle Córdoba 5, E-29001 Málaga, ☎ +34 95 221-3577. Very primitive and in the middle of the red light district, but it seems to be one of the cheapest available. From €20 Euros.  edit

• Down Town Hostel, Pasaje de Clemens 11, ☎ +34 952 223 292, [7]. checkin: 01.00; checkout: 11.00. Just under the alcazaba, in a quiet street. Not too far from the beach, close to the city center. Free wifi, nice people, nice rooftop. 16-20.  edit

• Hotel Santa Rosa, Carretera Málaga-Almería 125. Torrox Costa El Morche, Malaga 29793, ☎ +34952530790, [8]. checkin: 12 p.m; checkout: 6 p.m. Hotel Santa Rosa is a small but welcoming hotel situated on the sea front 45-98 €. (36.7358628,-3.9811844) edit

• Malaga Hotel, Acacias de Guadalmar, 153 - 29004 Malaga, ☎ +34 95 217-6061 (info@malagahotelpicasso.com, fax: +34 9521756552), [9]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 12PM.
  Malaga Hotel is on Guadalmar beach and is close to the airport, Torremolinos, Plaza Mayor Malaga, Golf. Charming 3 star hotel with garden, swimming pool, jacuzzi, restaurant. Boardwalk with beach restaurants (chiringuitos). 60 - 119.  edit

• Silken Puerta Málaga, Héroe de Sostoa 17, ☎ +34 93 280-2988, [10]. Very stylish four-star from the Silken chain, opposite the main train station. Beautifully decorated rooms and bathrooms, with great attention to detail. Good discounted rates in winter (€56-69+VAT).  edit

• Oficentro Suites, C/ Tomas Heredia, 8. CP-29001. MALAGA (Near City Center), ☎ 952213447 (info@oficentro-suites.es), [11]. The apartment is fully furnished and cleaning is done weekly. The contact person is Jose.  edit

• Hostal Alameda, Street Casas de campos, 3 (corner street Cordoba,9) (Next to the harbor, a short walk from Alameda Principal (sur) stop on the no. 19 bus.), ☎ +34 95 222-2099 (info@hotelalamedamalaga.com), [12]. Economic budget, centrally situated in Málaga center, between historical center and the Port. All rooms have private bathrooms, television and air-conditioning or heating. The hotel is on the eighth floor of a building shared with other businesses and you will need to use the buzzer (well labelled) to speak to reception so they can let you in. (Reception is manned 24 hours a day.) From 55 euros. (36.7164,-4.4218) edit

• NH Málaga, Avenida Río Guadalmedina, ☎ +34 95 207-1323, [13]. Situated in the historic and commercial center of Malaga, next to the 'Puente de la Esperanza' and a short stroll from the 'Museo de la Expiración'. Its excellent location makes it easy to enjoy Malaga's unique personality.  edit

• Hotel del Pintor, Álamos 27, ☎ +34 95 206-0980, [14]. Opened in 2005, the Hotel del Pintor is a small urban hotel that combines design and technology with personalized attention. Central location in the historic center, near Picasso's birthplace. €74-121.  edit

• Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro, Castillo de Gibralfaro, ☎ +34 95 222-1902, [15]. Fantastic location with spectacular views (best on 3rd floor) over the city. Sitting area and balcony. 135 euros +VAT, breakfast €11.  edit

• Hotel Monte Málaga, [16]. 4 star luxury hotel with good infrastructure. On the seafront, a few minutes walk from the Picasso Museum and very close to the recently opened AVE High Speed Railway Station.  edit

Get out

Malaga has exceptional road and motorway links, making it an unrivaled base for exploring the nearby villages and towns. Wonderful drives inland reveal the real gems of this region, with small restaurants nestling in the hills where you can experience a truly authentic taste of Andalucia.

There are also several tourist holiday resorts within reach: Torremolinos, Nerja, Marbella