This time of year, when it’s cold and wet almost all of the time, it’s tempting to look ahead to the summer and plan your next holiday. If you want to go in search of sun then Malaga in Spain might be the place you’re looking for.
Where Is It?
Malaga is a port on the south coast of Spain and is the sixth-biggest city in the country. When people think of Malaga, though, they don’t always think of it as a holiday destination. For many people, it’s simply the place to fly to if they’re heading to the beach resorts of the Costa del Sol. In recent years, however, investment has transformed the city, with museums, gourmet restaurants and a vibrant art scene to entice tourists from around the world.
How do you get there?
The fourth-busiest airport in Spain and the largest in the Costa del Sol is Malaga Airport, so if you’re flying, this is where you’ll arrive. Once you get there, you won’t be too far from the city, as it’s only a short drive from the airport. Making your own way into the city is simple, as you can hire cars from Malaga Airport. The car hire companies offer all sorts of vehicle models and sizes and for reasonable prices and then you’ll be free to explore Malaga’s immediate vicinity as well as the city centre. If you want to take public transport, there are buses and taxis and a train that goes directly to Terminal 3, with services every 20 minutes. Alternatively, Malaga is a port city, meaning cruise ships and ferries often stop there, if that’s your kind of holiday.
What is there to see?
There’s a lot to see in Malaga itself, especially for fans of art and culture. Malaga has managed to transform itself over the last few years. It’s home to more than 35 museums and has rebranded itself as the ‘City of Museums.’ There’s the Automobile Museum, full of vintage cars, and Collection of Saint Petersburg the Russian Museum, which is packed with Russian art. The artist Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, and the city’s proud of that fact. As well as visiting the Picasso Museum, and seeing more than 200 works of art, you can also make the pilgrimage to the Picasso Birthplace Museum, where he was born.
What is there to do?
If you’ve had your fill of art, you can head to the city’s beach or go shopping in the boutiques on the Marqués de Larios. For the best views, make the trek up to the Gibralfaro castle, which looks out over the city. The city’s lively at night, with countless restaurants and bars opening up all the time. As the city’s right on the coast, you’re guaranteed to find fantastic fresh seafood for bargain prices.
Although it’s one of Spain’s oldest cities, Malaga has been reborn. So if you’ve considered visiting in the past but thought against it, then give it another chance. It’s rich and heritage and looking to the future at the same time.
