What to do in Malaga

Thought this may help give anyone visiting Malaga some ideas of what to do there. Hope it helps. I must add that these are just my personal thoughts - other posters no doubt will prefer to add alternatives that will give you more choice.

Malaga is a fascinating city, sadly often just used as an entrance to Spain via its airport or as a a gateway to other parts of Andalucía (most cruise passengers seem to go to Granada or Nerja rather than stay in port). I hope the following information may tempt some of you to have a look round Malaga and see for yourselves how much it has to offer if you know where to look.

P.S. Many of Malagas attractions have reduced admission rates for pensioners so, if you are eligible, take some form of ID showing your DOB.

PORT TO CITY CENTRE

It is a 1.5 km walk from the cruise terminal to the port gates so a shuttle bus is provided; it is 18 months since I last used this so I will check the current price and bus frequency when we dock there on 5th November and will post the up to date information when we get home. If you feel energetic and want to walk through the port you will pass the recently built 'Muelle Uno' ('Pier One') bar. restaurant and shops development that is a good place to break your journey. When you get to the port gates go straight across 2 roads (the second is Malagas main artery the Avenida Alameda Principal) and you will be in the heart of the old city.

SHOPPING

Malaga is a great place for a bit of retail therapy - the main shopping street is the pedestrianized Calle Larios. As well as all the well known international stores, and the big Spanish department store El Corte Ingles, the city is home to many artisan shops many of which specialise in local food produce, hand crafted Silverware and Flamenco clothing.

ARAB BATHS

Missed by most visitors to Malaga the Arab baths are a great place to unwind and be massaged by experts using centuries old techniques. http://www.malaga.hammanalandalus.com/es

MARKET

The Ataranzas indoor market, situated one road back from the Avenida Alameda Principal, is a fascinating mix of stalls selling local food produce - the display of fish, meat and fruit/vegetables is amazing. Recently refurbished, decoration of the markets rear wall revealed a spectacular stained glass window that is now a very attractive feature. The market also has several Tapas Bars where you can sample local Sea Food/Fish, Cheeses, Cooked Meats and Wines. The market is a great place to buy Herbs to take home and the delicious local Malaga Almonds should definitely be sampled. http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/ataranzas-market.htm

GIBRALFARO CASTLE, ALCAZABA + ROMAN THEATRE

Gibralfaro - Bus 34 from the Parque del Mar (park opposite the port) will take you right up the hill to the Gibralfaro Castle entrance.

http://www.malagaturismo.com/…/de…/castillo-de-gibralfaro/12 Soaring over the city, the 14th century castle was built to defend the citadel and provides spectacular views over Malaga bay and over the Bullring. After visiting the Castle walk back down the hill for less than 5 minutes and you will come to the entrance of the Parador Hotel - a really lovely place to stop for a Coffee break; you can get the bus back into the city centre from outside the Parador gates.

Alcazaba - Situated below the Gibralfaro Castle is the Alcazaba, a fascinating Moorish Citadel with many features similar to those found at the Alhambra in Granada (but without the crowds!). You can buy a reduced price joint entrance ticket for both Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba. http://www.malagaturismo.com/…/tourist-re…/detail/alcazaba/6

Roman Theatre Ruins and Dig - Situated at the base of the Alcazaba, visitors are now allowed to walk through the ongoing archaeological Dig to get a closer look at the ruins; no entrance charge.

CATHEDRAL

A truly spectacular building known as the One Armed Lady as only one tower was built - probably due to lack of funds but legend has it that money for the second tower was sent to rebel US forces to help them in their battle against the Brits in the War of Independence. Next to the Cathedral is the Bishops Palace Square which is a great place to sit and people watch. http://www.malagaturismo.com/…/tourist-…/detail/catedral/132

MUSEUMS

Malaga is home to far too many museums to list them all but these are my particular favourites:-

Picasso Museum - a great selection of paintings by Malagas most famous son plus family photos and personal items. The museum also has a second gallery with changing exhibitions such as the Dennis Hopper collection http://www.museopicassomalaga.org/en

Carmen Thyssen Museum - art gallery http://www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org/en

Glass and Crystal Museum - a personal collection of exquisite crystalware http://www.museovidrioycristalmalaga.com

Motor Museum - one of the best motor museums that will fascinate car lovers of all ages http://www.museoautomovilmalaga.com

TAPAS BARS

Malaga is a Foodies paradise. You are spoiled for choice of high class restaurants but, for us, Tapas is the only way to go. Definitely try the local speciality 'Fritura Malaguena' which is a delicious mix of deep fried small fish. Just follow locals into a bar and you won't go far wrong; to get a good feel of the citys bar culture and atmosphere people visiting for the first time may enjoy:

El Pimpi - Accessed down a ginnel off Calle Granada or from immediately opposite the Roman Amphitheatre ruins, El Pimpi is one of the best known bars in Malaga where you can sample local Wines, Hams, Cheeses etc. http://www.elpimpi.com/en

Bodega Antigua Casa de Guardia - this bar can be accessed either off the main street Avenida Alameda Principal or from opposite the Indoor Market. A Malaga institution (gets packed at lunchtime so visit around noon) it is rumoured to be the oldest bar in the city and was once the prison house. Numerous casks house all varieties of the famous Malaga Wines (fortified wines similar to Sherry) plus wines from other parts of Spain. As you select each glass your running total is chalked up in front of you on the old wooden bar. Good seafood Tapas served too. http://www.casadeguardia.com

Cafeteria Axarquia - A basic café just up from the Casa Antigua de Guardia on the Avenida Alameda Principal. Don't be put off by appearances, the Tapas and Seafood here are excellent (quality and price).

Bar El Jardin - Situated at the rear of the Cathedral (on the left hand side if you face the Cathedral), this is an Art Deco bar/restaurant that serves great Tapas (best Tortilla anywhere IMO). Although slightly dearer than other Tapas Bars, the decor and food make it a place that we never miss when visiting Malaga. http://www.eljardinmalaga.com

Port Bar - If you don't want to walk into the city centre there is a bar in the main port/ferry building (opposite the entrance to the port) that is a popular watering hold for local workers - not the most elegant of bars but they offer a good choice of Tapas. This place is a lot cheaper than the bars you will find in the Muelle Uno development within the port grounds.

CHURROS

Churros are deep fried Donut-like fingers served with very thick Hot Chocolate or Coffee (dunking is compulsory lol!) can be found in many of Malagas traditional bars but Casa Aranda is a Churros institution visited by people from all over the world. http://www.casa-aranda.net

BEACHES

If walking around a city isn't your thing, Malaga has several beaches close to the city centre. The best known is La Malagueta Beach about 5 minutes walk from the port entrance - the beach is especially popular with locals and is fringed with some good Chiringuitos (beach bar/restaurants)..

HOHO BUS

The sightseeing tour bus stops immediately outside the port gates and takes you all around the city including a trip up to Gibralfaro Castle. http://www.malagatours.net/…/Hop-On-Hop-Off-City-Bus-Tour-i…

Thank You!

We'll be in Malaga in two weeks; these tips are much appreciated.

:cool::D:);)

Thank You!

 

We'll be in Malaga in two weeks; these tips are much appreciated.

:cool::D:);)

I also appreciate these ideas.

Sinny, we will miss you by a few days. We're on Vision, leaving from BCN on the 30th.

What an informative post (thank you) which will certainly help anyone planning to stay in the immediate Malaga area. But we prefer to think of the Port of Malaga as an excellent entry point for a large region of southern Spain. There are many options within the region stretching as far as Ronda and Granada (with the amazing and very popular Ahlhambra and Generalife). With a rental car we can think of many other places we enjoy in this part of Spain.

Hank

I also appreciate these ideas.

 

Sinny, we will miss you by a few days. We're on Vision, leaving from BCN on the 30th.

Oh NO. Bad luck if I ever had any :(

Hope you have a great cruise!

Oh NO. Bad luck if I ever had any :(

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

No, I think I am the one with the bad luck!

Bon Voyage on your cruise too. Hope you post some pictures and your very entertaining comments.:)

Campolady, thanks for all the info you posted..very helpful. I'm interested in buying a few small decorative tiles while in Malaga the end of the month. Can you advise the best places to find those?

Campolady....thanks so much for taking the time to do all that writing about Malaga. We will be there next year but I am researching now as I would prefer to do "on our own" tours if possible. I don't want to be on a bus for 2 hours and have to fight huge crowds. It sounds like a lovely city with lots to see that sounds so interesting. I know we will stay in town. Thanks again.

What great information - thanks so much campolady.

I have a question. Can you please advise where the port bus drops you and how to get from there to the railway station. We would like to catch a train from the port and want to know the easiest way to do that.

Many thanks

What great information - thanks so much campolady.

 

I have a question. Can you please advise where the port bus drops you and how to get from there to the railway station. We would like to catch a train from the port and want to know the easiest way to do that.

 

Many thanks

Where do you want to catch a train to?

The nearest train station to the port is Alameda Central some 10 minutes walk from the port gates which is a hassle if you have luggage. This station is just the terminus of the Cercania local line from Malaga to Fuengirola but does stop at the main Malaga station to change lines. The main station in Malaga is Maria Zambrano which is just one stop along from Alameda Central or a 20 minute walk from the port.

To reach Alameda Central Station you need to cross the road from opposite the port and head straight ahead for the next road that is the Alameda Principal - the main road running through Malaga. Stay on the port side of the Alameda Principal and turn left. Walk for about 5 minutes up a gentle incline and the station is a few meters back from the road on the left (it is easy to miss the station entrance as the concourse is underground and there is only a small entrance visible so keep your eyes peeled).

If you are travelling from Maria Zambrano, or either station with luggage, I would suggest that you take a taxi from the cruise terminal.

Campolady....thanks so much for taking the time to do all that writing about Malaga. We will be there next year but I am researching now as I would prefer to do "on our own" tours if possible. I don't want to be on a bus for 2 hours and have to fight huge crowds. It sounds like a lovely city with lots to see that sounds so interesting. I know we will stay in town. Thanks again.

So glad to be of help cormike1.

Campolady, thanks for all the info you posted..very helpful. I'm interested in buying a few small decorative tiles while in Malaga the end of the month. Can you advise the best places to find those?

Sorry for the delay in replying cknic - I have been away for a week and have only just seen your post.

I don't know of any specialist tile shops in Malaga centre but some of the souvenir shops stock a small range of tiles - some are tacky tourist style (with Bulls or Flamenco dancers!!!) but others are lovely in traditional local patterns - the best areas to look are around Calle Granada and Calle Santa Maria in the area around the Cathedral.

However, I have made enquiries for you and have found out that there is a Ceramica - tile supplier - open to the public a very short train ride outside Malaga in the retail park by El Pinillo station (close to Torremolinos). They apparently have a showroom with a vast variety of tiles. You would get the train from the Alameda Central station - see my reply to Bobals recent post for directions to the station from the port.

Hope this helps.

Where do you want to catch a train to?

 

.

If the weather is nice we want to spend some time on the beach at Los Alamos (this will be a port of call rather than debarkation port) so your explanation to Alameda is for the right train line and is perfect. Many thanks :D

If the weather is nice we want to spend some time on the beach at Los Alamos (this will be a port of call rather than debarkation port) so your explanation to Alameda is for the right train line and is perfect. Many thanks :D

A very quick journey from Malaga to Los Alamos - the fare is 1.80 Euros per person each way; ticket offices are often unmanned so have some change handy to use the ticket machine (very simple to use touch screen format). Don't know when you wil be there but, even out of season, if the weather is nice some of the beachfront Chiringuitos should be open there if you fancy a meal - superb Fish!

Sorry for the delay in replying cknic - I have been away for a week and have only just seen your post.

 

I don't know of any specialist tile shops in Malaga centre but some of the souvenir shops stock a small range of tiles - some are tacky tourist style (with Bulls or Flamenco dancers!!!) but others are lovely in traditional local patterns - the best areas to look are around Calle Granada and Calle Santa Maria in the area around the Cathedral.

 

However, I have made enquiries for you and have found out that there is a Ceramica - tile supplier - open to the public a very short train ride outside Malaga in the retail park by El Pinillo station (close to Torremolinos). They apparently have a showroom with a vast variety of tiles. You would get the train from the Alameda Central station - see my reply to Bobals recent post for directions to the station from the port.

 

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

It certainly does! Thank you so much.

One more question for you....Is it advisable to purchase entry tickets to Alcazaba and the Castle ahead of time? the Cathedral? I think there will be many ships in port next Tuesday.

It certainly does! Thank you so much.

One more question for you....Is it advisable to purchase entry tickets to Alcazaba and the Castle ahead of time? the Cathedral? I think there will be many ships in port next Tuesday.

To be honest I didn't know that you could pre-purchase entry tickets! It may be a good idea to do so as the 27th is a very busy day in Malaga port.

Thank you so much for the information. Do you know if Casa Aranda is open during "winter"? We went to a couple churro places in Alicante today and they were closed for the season.

Thank you so much for the information. Do you know if Casa Aranda is open during "winter"? We went to a couple churro places in Alicante today and they were closed for the season.

Casa Aranda is a Malaga institution and mainly used by locals so is open all year. http://www.visitcostadelsol.com/food-and-drink/casa-aranda-p62121

Any good horchata places?

Campolady thank you for the great post.

Can you beach comb for sea glass, pretty rocks, other interesting finds at any of the beaches and one beach better than any others? Need low tide? We will be visiting May 2016.

Thanks,

Sightcrr

Campolady thank you for the great post.

 

Can you beach comb for sea glass, pretty rocks, other interesting finds at any of the beaches and one beach better than any others? Need low tide? We will be visiting May 2016.

Thanks,

Sightcrr

The sea isn't very tidal round here so not a great area to seek treasures although there are some lovely shells easily found, Sorry, I know that isn't a greatly helpful answer.

HI all!

campolady ~ thanks so much for all your helpful info.:D I've decided to explore Malaga instead of visiting the Alhambra which will save me time & money. Sounds like there's so much to do right there.

Are any flowers in bloom there towards Christmas?

I see you have been on Thomson Dream a few times so I guess you love it. I'm going on it in 2016 for the 1st time on the Pride of Panama itinerary & really looking forward to it.

Thanks again.

~ Jo ~ :)

Campolady thanks for the additional info. Many of the large bodies of water I am use to have large tides. Pacific northwest, Alaska and even London you had to know about tides. I was surprised to learn after more digging that the med has less than a few cm of tide change and is even considered non-tidal for navigation of vessels. One nice looking beach I was reading about wasn't even a beach until the early 1990's when they brought in sand from somewhere else. Not much good beachcombing in a beach like that and for sure no buried treasure.

Take Care, Sightcrr

HI all!

 

campolady ~ thanks so much for all your helpful info.:D I've decided to explore Malaga instead of visiting the Alhambra which will save me time & money. Sounds like there's so much to do right there.

 

Are any flowers in bloom there towards Christmas?

 

I see you have been on Thomson Dream a few times so I guess you love it. I'm going on it in 2016 for the 1st time on the Pride of Panama itinerary & really looking forward to it.

 

Thanks again.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

Hi retiring soon

There is so much to see in Malaga so I think you are making a good decision.

The Poinsettia plants will all be in bloom towards Christmas plus the Bird of Paradise plants. Also the stunning Christmas lights (known as one of the best displays in Europe) will be on plus the Christmas market stalls at the far side of the park opposite the port gates.

Yes, we have really enjoyed all our trips on the Thomson Dream and I am sure that you will have a great time on her. Sadly she is sailing from Corfu when she returns from the Caribbean and there are no flights to Greece from Malaga so we won't be able to go on her in 2016, but we do have the Thomson Spirit sailing from Malaga for the first time and intend to make good use of that.

Thank you for all the great information. Does bus #34 have a stop at the castle or do we need to get off at a different stop and walk from there?