The gateway
to Costa del Sol
Most people travelling to Costa del Sol arrive at Malaga airport, and then they head to Marbella, Fuengirola, Torremolinos or Estepona etc. Very few know that Malaga City is a wonderful place to visit.
Culture, history and shopping
Malaga city has changed very much in the last 20 years. The opening of the Picasso Museum and the Center for Contemporary Art in 2003 was a starting point for what has been a surprising transformation. The capital of Costa del Sol now receives millions of tourists throughout the year. The recovery of the Roman Theater and the arrival of headquarters of important international cultural centres such as the Pompidou Center, the Carmen Thyssen Museum and a branch of the Russian State Museum of St. Petersburg has added attractions to the city.
The visit to the city centre, with essential landmarks such as the Cathedral, the Alcazaba, the Roman Theater or the small shopping streets surrounding Calle Larios, has been completed with these new high-level centres.
Malaga has become one of the great references in cultural and weekend tourism in Spain. Many Mediterranean cruises make a stop in Malaga to allow the tourists to discover the city.
What to see and do in Malaga
A great advantage when visiting Malaga is that all major tourist attractions are in the area known as the historic centre, where all the streets are pedestrian. This makes it a very comfortable and pleasant visit, where the bustling atmosphere on the terraces of the bars and restaurants in the area welcome the visitor.
The historic centre is located by the hill of Gibralfaro Castle and the Alcazaba to the east and the park and the promenade, to the south.
You can take a walk from the shopping street Calle Larios to Calle Alcazabilla, where you can visit the Roman Theater and Alcazaba. Among the buildings that you will see in the historic centre, highlights are the Archbishop’s Palace, the church of San Agustín, and the Mudejar tower of the church of Santiago.
Stroll along Larios Street
Larios street, which is the shopping area in the city centre, takes you from the Plaza de la Marina on the promenade to the Plaza de la Constitución, the main square of Malaga since the Middle Ages.
The square, Plaza de la Constitución, is one of the most charming spots of the city, From there you can reach Pasaje de las Chinitas, through this passage you reach some narrow alleys with many small bars with terraces.
Gibralfaro Castle
Gibralfaro Castle is one of the most important landmarks in Malaga. The castle offers unique panoramic views of Malaga. Its origins date back to the Phoenician era. It forms a fortified complex along with the Alcazaba, both monuments being joined by the walls that descend the hillside.
The Alcazaba and the Roman Theater
The Alcazaba is sometimes called the Alhambra of Malaga. It is a beautiful Arabic fortress from the eleventh century. To visit it you can take the lift in front of the City Hall, which will leave you right on the top of the fortification. Then you can walk down between the walls of the fortress to the exit through the Roman theatre. Along the way, you will be visiting an Arabic palace, as well as typical Andalusian garden areas. You can also sign up for a one and a half-hour guided tour to the Alcazaba and the theatre.
The Cathedral of Malaga
The Cathedral is another monument that you can visit in the historic centre of Malaga. The Cathedral has a very peculiar exterior aesthetic, a result of the period of architectural transition in the 16th century. Inside you find many artistic styles, from gothic to renaissance. You can sign up for a guided tour of the cathedral of Malaga and its surroundings.
Museums in Malaga
The great cultural development of the city in recent years is largely due to the opening of new museums, which has changed the image of the city completely. Popular visits are the Picasso museum, the Automobile Museum and the Carmen Thyssen museum. The Pompidou Center of Malaga, opened in 2013, being the first that the French institution located outside of Paris. If you like contemporary art, you may also be interested in visiting the CAC, Center of Contemporary Art of Malaga.
Where to eat – In the heart of Malaga
Malaga is offers a wide range of great restaurants and bars, but if you are there for only one day we can highly recommend El Pimpi, which is a real classic in the heart of Málaga. Opened in 1971, El Pimpi is situated inside an old 18th century Málaga mansion house and is one of the longest-standing bodega bars in Málaga, where you can enjoy local food & wines and, above all, the culture & traditions of southern Spain. El Pimpi offers a great selection of tapas, fish and traditional Spanish foods. The restaurant has a view over the Roman theater and The Alcazaba so it’s a perfect stop before or after visiting them.
The advantage of the restaurant itself is that it has two exits, so you can go through the entire restaurant and share the deep history that fills this phenomenal restaurant, you find photos and wine barrels that have been decorated with a lot of Spanish artists and their autographs.
Address:
Calle Granada, 62 y Calle Alcazabilla
29015 Málaga
Tel: +34 952 228 990 or +34 952 228 990
Quartiers Marbella Apartments top tip for visiting Malaga
To find a parking space in the centre of Malaga is almost impossible. Even public parking is quite hard to find. One option we do recommend is to park the car at Larios Shopping Centre or El Corte Ingles and take a short walk, 10 or 15 minutes, to Calle Larios.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO WAKE UP?
Choose between our three different layouts, classic or premium apartments. All apartments have large outdoor area with spectacular sea views and room for everyone.
2-bed apartment
CLASSIC OR PREMIUM
Well-planned two-bedroom apartments. Perfect for smaller families with children. Located on ground level and first floor.
