Málaga is a gateway city located on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain. It is the capital of Andalucía and is nestled between the Mediterranean sea and the Sierra Blanca mountains. Once considered a transit hub for the region, the city has seen a rebirth in the last decade, with the opening of new museums, restaurants and shops, and the revitalization of its port. There is even a vibrant street art initiative known as Málaga Arte Urbano Soho (MAUS) that features works by the world’s leading graffiti artists.
But Málaga is also one of the oldest cities in Spain and it has a rich history that dates back to the Romans. Visitors can explore the cobblestone streets of the old quarter, visit a Moorish fortress and a castle, and explore a 1st C. Roman theater.
A must see for visitors is the Cathedral of Málaga. It was built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and combines a Baroque style façade and a Renaissance style interior. Other must see sites include the Castle of Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba fortress, located on a hill within the city, and the Roman Amphitheater.
After taking in these sites, you can relax and take an evening stroll with the locals who crowd the popular pedestrian street, Marqúes de Larios. Do as many do and sit at an outdoor café, or do some shopping in the stores that line the busy streets of the historic city center.
Art lovers and fans of famed artist Pablo Picasso will find plenty to do in the city. Picasso was born in Málaga in 1861, and his birthplace is open to the public. In 2003, the King and Queen of Spain inaugurated the Picasso Museum, which is housed in the 16th C. Palacio de Buenavista. The impressive museum displays nearly 300 of the artist’s works which came from his heirs’ private collection. For more information on the museum:
- Palacio de Buenavista
- San Agustín, 8
- Málaga, Spain
- Phone: (952) 12 76 00
- Website: Museo Picasso Málaga
The Carmen Thyssen Málaga Museum was inaugurated in 2011 and houses 230 pieces from the baronesses’ personal collection of primarily 19th C. Spanish paintings. For more information:
- Plaza Carmen Thyssen (C/Compañía, 10)
- Málaga, Spain
- Phone: (902) 30 31 31
- Website: Carmen Thyssen Málaga
The latest addition to Málaga’s thriving art scene is the Pompidou Centre, which opened in 2015. Located on the port, this outpost of the Pompidou in Paris is one of the city’s most innovative and exciting museums, with works by Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon and Marc Chagall.
- Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, s/n – Muelle Uno
- Málaga, Spain
- Phone: (951) 92 62 00
- Website: Pompidou Centre Málaga
Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information, click here.
Photo credit: © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved.
For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.