Malaga is the principle city of Spain's Costa del Sol, with a population of over half a million, and is located on the Mediterranean sea at the foot of the Malaga mountains. Because it has one of Spain's largest international airports, it's often treated as a place to pass through on the way to more popular destinations, but this doesn't do justice to what is one of Andalucia's prettiest and most interesting cities.
Founded by the Phoenicians in around 770BC, and occupied by the Romans and then the Moors before becoming part of Christian Spain in 1487, its character has always been influenced by its role as an important Mediterranean port, and today Malaga still retains that cosmopolitan character, and a lively, buzzy feel. The blend of traditional historic charm, including narrow streets, a Roman amphitheatre, a Moorish palace-fortress and a Renaissance cathedral, with the modern redevelopment of the old harbour, and its beautiful parks and gardens, means there really is something for everyone. It's also an important cultural centre, with a number of excellent museums, including the one dedicated to its favourite son, Pablo Picasso.
For visitors of the city, the following neighbourhoods are of interest:
About a ten-minute walk from the Historic Centre, the Malagueta is Malaga’s principal beach, extending eastwards from the harbour, past the famous "sand sign" and along the coast road, with its romantic backdrop of palm trees and mountains, to the Baños del Carmen and further on to the old fishermen's quarter, Pedregalejos. Grab a bite to eat at one of the chiringuitos (beach bars) or hire a deckchair and parasol.
With the extension of the main commercial harbour into deeper water offshore, the old inner harbour became available for development as a tourist attraction. A new marina called Muelle Uno now lines the old quaysides, with shops and restaurants, including Michelin starred Restaurante José Carlos García, and outdoor seating areas. The whole area is a pleasant spot to have a meal and while away a few hours.
Mount Gibralfaro is a 130 m high hill, adjacent to the historic centre of Malaga to the north-east. At the foot of the hill are the Alcazaba fortress and the Roman amphitheatre. At the top is the Gibralfaro castle overlooking Málaga city and the Mediterranean Sea.
This is the area where you are likely to spend most of your time while in Malaga, so we have given it a page of its own (Historic centre).
The climate is "Mediterranean-subtropical", but because of its situation between the mountains and the sea, it has both the mildest winters of any major European city, and cooler summers than inland. Rainfall is modest, and mainly concentrated between November and February.
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