Spirit sailing from Malaga - Suggestions of what to do there

[campolady]

Thought this may help give anyone sailing from Malaga on Spirit this Summer some ideas of what to do if they have free time there.

 

 

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.

 

MALAGA PARK/PARQUE DE MALAGA/PARQUE ALAMEDA

Situated just across the road outside the port gates this park is an oasis in the city. Paraqueets, Tropical Trees, small childrens play area and peace + quiet make this a lovely place to relax.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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; small 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.

 

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.

 

Carmen Thyssen Museum - art gallery

 

Glass and Crystal Museum - a personal collection of exquisite crystalware

 

Motor Museum - one of the best motor museums that will fascinate car lovers of all ages

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

Edited March 6, 2016 by campolady

[GinoG]

Thanks for such a great guide to Malaga.

 

We should be arriving at Malaga airport at 11am on 12th June to board the Spirit for the Iberian Treasures cruise so should have time to visit the City before sailing late that evening and will certainly try to visit some of these places.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report.

[campolady]

Current shuttle fare train fare (from cruise terminal to the park) 3€. Will update if this rises after Easter - hich is a possibility!

Edited March 6, 2016 by campolady

[skioncruises]

Hello campolady

 

Have just printed off your information for Malaga. Absolutely brilliant. We will make good use of the info when we arrive on 28 April. We will be on the Dream on 5 April for the TA and Malaga will be our second last port before finishing in Palma.:D

 

Hope you are both keeping well and Ian's health is improving and letting you do more than this time last year.:)

[skioncruises]

Hello campolady

 

Have just printed off your information for Malaga. Absolutely brilliant. We will make good use of the info when we arrive on 28 April. We will be on the Dream on 5 April for the TA and Malaga will be our second last port before finishing in Palma.:D

 

Hope you are both keeping well and Ian's health is improving and letting you do more than this time last year.:)

[skioncruises]

Oops. Double post.:eek:

[Malch_uk]

Great info Campolady.

Wish we had known half of this when we did a day trip to Malaga from Amunecar last year.

Walked up to the castle from the gardens though. Nearly killed us!

[Sheila49]

Thank you campolady. Have saved this! [emoji4]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Ladylu]

Thanks for this great review. It will give us a good ideas for June when we go xx

[28SAC]

What a great post, full of very useful information.

We have visited Malaga recently and also last year but this year will be coming for the day on Discovery and this type of information was just what we were looking for.

Thanks for taking the rime to make people's visit special,

28SAC

[elmsliebev]

Great post! Malaga is wonderful, we spent 4 days there last September and loved the Glass & Crystal museum and also the Car Museum - the unusual thing there is that the cars are paired with Haute Couture of the same era so you get a Bugatti with a Worth gown, for example Best museum I've ever been to!

 

And the tiki bars on the beach sell wonderful freshly cooked sardines.

[scoochy12]

Thanks for the great information, saving it for our visit in June.

[campolady]

IMPORTANT: BUS TO GIBRALFARO CASTLE - Please note that the bus to Gibralfaro Castle is number 35 NOT 34 as originally posted.

[muffinman1]

Great information, but where do you start, it all sounds so good,maybe get captain to stY in port an extra day :D , we go the 25th September

Muffinman

[campolady]

MALAGAS NEW GASTRO FOOD MARKET

 

Near the Plaza Merced in the heart of Malaga, and only a short walk from the Picasso Museum, is a new Gastro Food market, the Mercado Merced http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/nov/01/mercado-merced-malaga-food-market-spain-foodie-traveller

 

Amongst the many food outlets is a Tapas stall operated by the Bodega Antigua Casa de Guardia whose main bar is one of the oldest in Malaga on the Alameda Principal. http://www.mercadomerced.com/antigua-casa-de-guardia/

 

 

http://www.mercadomerced.com/mercado-merced/

Edited May 17, 2016 by campolady