The Spanish city of Malaga boasts a historical background as beautiful as its hills and beaches, and lies on the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean. The southernmost large city in Europe; this thriving travel destination is literally filled with a rich tapestry of attractions. Malaga is a popular tourist destination, there are many cheap flights to Malaga, which helps keep the holiday cost down. With something for everyone, here are 5 top attractions to encourage you pack your bags, and book your tickets today!
1. La Malagueta Beach
With glorious golden sand brought from the Sahara, and gentle winds blowing from the Mediterranean Sea, La Malagueta is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Although a beach may be somewhat cliché when it comes to a top attraction, Malaga is blessed with miles and miles of them, and the La Malagueta Beach is the perfect place to enjoy the excellent weather.
With an annual average of about 300 days of sunshine, taking advantage of this gorgeous attraction is the obvious first choice for any visitor. The beach spans 60 metres in width, and is 2,500 metres long, so there is an abundance of space to relax, soak up the sun and take in the sights.
2. Gibralfaro
The scenic walk up to this breathtaking site begins at our previous one; visitors can embark on their journey up the hill from the La Malagueta Beach.
Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the world; its history spans around 2,800 years! It is home to awe-inspiring archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian. Watching over the city and the sea atop Mount Gibralfaro, Gibralfaro castle is an incredible example of such monuments.
Since the foundation of the city, the mountain has been the site of fortifications. The castle itself was build at the beginning of the 14th century, and originally, it defended the city from the incursions of pirates! Its name comes from the Phoenician word for light, Jbel-Faro, meaning “Rock of Light”. If the Castle is something that captures your imagination, you may also enjoy the city’s Roman Theatre, and the nearby ‘Alcazaba’.
3. The Cathedral of Malaga
With a beautiful exterior in Renaissance style, The Cathedral of Malaga was constructed between 1528 and 1782, and its architectural grandeur truly is a marvel to behold. Its beauty however is not only skin deep, inside the sanctuary lies a series of grand artworks. Among them are the Gothic altarpiece of the Chapel of Santa Barbara and the 16th century tombs of the Chapel of San Francisco. Anyone with a taste for magnificence should waste no time in visiting this, our third, top attraction in Malaga.
4. Museo Picasso Malaga
Malaga is famously the birthplace of painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso. The Picasso Museum is the perfect place for lovers of art and culture to enjoy over 285 works donated by members of Picasso’s family.
Alongside the Museum’s role displaying the work of Picasso, it has also committed itself to relaunch the city’s cultural life, and to focus not only on tourism but on the local culture. The Museum hosts many guest exhibitions, so if the works of the great Picasso weren’t enough, there are even more enticing works from the world over to satisfy your appetite for art. Travellers to the ‘Museo Picasso Malaga’ may also wish to visit the official birthplace of Picasso, also within the city.
5. Atarazanas Market
Atarazanas is situated right in the heart of Malaga, and it is without a doubt a hub of life and cultural activity. For tourists looking for sights and attractions, the market is a place that is easy to miss, but definitely worth a visit. Atarazanas offers a fascinating, but hidden history.
Translated from its Arabic origins, Atarazanas literally means ‘a place where ships are repaired’, and this was its role before it became the thriving market that it is today. Having undergone much reconstruction and restoration, the present day market is open from Monday to Saturday, from 8 am to 2 pm.
Conclusion
The competition for a place in the top 5 has been a tough one; so many other amazing attractions are waiting to entice you into visiting the vibrant city of Malaga. The city is host to an abundance of annual cultural, religious and sporting events. Whether you’ll land in the Costa Del Sol Airport, dock in the city’s seaport, or arrive at the Málaga-María Zambrano Train Station via high-speed rail, the question isn’t how you will get to Malaga; the question is: when are you coming?
