Book Olympic Air Flights to Malaga

Sightseeing in Málaga

The most popular attraction in the town is the wonderful 11th-century Alcazaba fortress, situated next to the 2nd-century Roman amphitheatre. Built at the foot of Gibralfaro hill, the Alcazaba for centuries served as the government palace of the Moors of Málaga. You can admire the stunning view and the magnificent architecture, with 11 defensive towers, wonderful arches and passageways adorned with geometric Islamic motifs and beautiful gardens with ornate fountains. Climbing up to the fortress can take some time so it is a good idea to start in the morning.
Address: Calle Alcazabilla 2, 29012 Málaga, www.alcazaba-info.com

The hill overlooking Málaga is dominated by the magnificent Castillo de Gibralfaro (13th-14th century), the name of which derives from both Arabic and Greek and means “the rock of the lighthouse”. It is well worth visiting so that you can enjoy the panoramic view over the town and the harbour and take some great photographs. In the summer months you should climb up early in the morning or take the bus from the town centre and then go back down again on foot. Inside the castle there is a small bar where you can buy a cooling drink.

Málaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and so it is appropriate to stop briefly by the Museo Casa Natal, the house in which the great artist was born (Plaza de la Merced 15) before visiting the emblematic Museo de Picasso. In this museum, opened in 2003, you will be able to admire over 200 works from Picasso’s early period to the 1970s. It is housed in the 16th-century Palacio de Buenavista, in the town’s old Jewish district.
Address: Palacio de Buenavista, Calle San Agustín 8, 29015 Málaga, www.museopicassomalaga.org

Add the Museo Carmen Thyssen to your schedule. This fascinating art museum is housed in the wonderful 16th-century Palacio de Villalón. The exhibits include works by the old masters of Spanish and European painting (13th to 17th century), the romanticist and naturalist movements in Spain, as well as excellent works from the Spanish fin-de-siècle.
Address: Plaza Carmen Thyssen, Calle Compania 10, 29008 Málaga, www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org

The vast Málaga Cathedral with its baroque façade and the Gothic-Renaissance influences in its interior decoration, is one of the town’s most important buildings. Its construction began in the 16th century, on the site of the Aljama mosque, but it appears that it was not completed as there were also designs for the construction of two tall towers. Due to an absence of funds, only the north tower was built, which the locals call La Manquita (the One-Armed Lady). The best way to discover the Cathedral is to listen to the audio guide, which is available in several languages.
Address: Calle Molina Lario 9, 29015 Málaga.

Take a stroll through the Jardín Botánico La Concepción, 4 km north of central Málaga, for some wonderful fresh air. The gardens were created in 1855 by the Marquis and Marquess Loring and are an oasis of tropical and subtropical vegetation, with hundreds of exotic trees and plants, a lake and marvellous views over the town.
Address: Camino del Jardín Botánico 3, 29014 Málaga, www.laconcepcion.malaga.eu

If you love contemporary art, then visit the Centro de Arte Contamporáneo (CAC). The Centre of Contemporary Art is housed in the old wholesale market of Málaga and has particularly interesting permanent and temporary exhibitions. In the permanent exhibitions, you will see works by Louise Bourgeois, Olafur Eliasson, Damien Hirst, Juan Muñoz, Miquel Barceló, Santiago Sierra and others.
Address: Calle Alemania 2, 29001 Málaga, www.cacmalaga.eu

In 2015, the Centre Pompidou Málaga was opened, the Spanish annex of the Centre Pompidou, and will remain in Málaga until 2025. This new town landmark – distinguished by the multicoloured cube on its roof – has put its mark on the area of the new port. In its permanent collection, you will see works by Kader Attia, Francis Bacon, Frida Kahlo, Antonie Tàpies and others.
Address: Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, Muelle Uno, Málaga, www.centrepompidou-malaga.eu

Visit the alternative Soho neighbourhood, next to the River Guadalmedina, which has been transformed thanks to the MAUS movement. A group of inspired street artists in collaboration with the Málaga Arte Urbano en el Soho urban regeneration movement, has undertaken to revive a neighbourhood of Málaga that has been abandoned for decades. The walls of its seven-storey buildings have been adorned with lively murals, and the Barrio de las Artes is now a neighbourhood with ethnic restaurants, hipster cafés, galleries, art venues and street markets.

Excursions from Málaga

Explore the magical Costa del Sol and discover the famous cosmopolitan resort of Marbella, the idyllic Nerja with the spectacular Balcón de Europa and the mysterious caves, the beautiful mountain village of Frigiliana, with its narrow ascending lanes and whitewashed houses in the Arabic quarter of Mudéjar.

Since you are in Málaga, this is an ideal opportunity to visit Granada and the famous Alhambra palace, the most spectacular example of Islamic architecture in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Go on a day trip to medieval Antequera, just 45 km north of Málaga. Here you will be able to admire its intriguing architecture, elegant churches and rare megalithic minuments, the so-called dolmens, which are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Antequera is the ideal gateway for walkers who wish to discover the unusual geology of the El Torcal natural reserve.

Shopping

The main pedestrianised shopping street in Málaga is the Calle Marqués de Larios, which stretches along the central Alameda Principal avenue as far as Plaza de la Constitución, with large Spanish chains and international brands.

In Calle San Juan and Calle Nueva streets you will find a large number of shops selling clothes, accessories and great local souvenirs. It is definitely a good idea to buy Andalusian ceramics, embroideries, olive oil and the regional sweet wine (vino dulce).

For more specialist shopping, head for Muelle Uno (Quay One) in the new port as well as the artsy boutique of Soho.

For fresh local food products, visit the historic Mercado Central Atarazanas, the covered food market housed in the 14th-century Moorish shipyard. Notice the stained glass in the central market window, with depictions of emblematic buildings of Málaga.

Eating in Málaga

As a seaside town, Málaga is famous for its seafood. Try the delicious fresh fish and shellfish, which are in plentiful supply, in the popular marisquerias (seafood restaurants) and Chiringuitos (small outdoor coastal restaurants) frequented by the locals, especially those in the coastal suburbs of El Palo and Pedregalejo.

Some of the local dishes that it is recommended you sample in the tapas bars of Málaga include: Fritura malaguena (variety of deep-fried seafood); Espetos de Sardinas (sardines on a skewer); ajoblanco (cold creamy garlic soup with almonds and grapes), porra antequerana (a thick gazpacho soup); gazpachuelo Malagueno (fish soup); ensalada malagueno (salad with cod, olives and boiled egg); boquerones en vinagre (anchovies marinated in vinegar); and Gambas al Pil-Pil (garlic shrimps).

The nightlife of Málaga

In Málaga, the town’s vibrancy extends into the night.

The traditional Botellón (drinking in the street at night) takes place in specially controlled areas (botellódromo) and is usually followed by going to a club to dance until dawn. The most popular places for clubbing are to be found in the historic centre, between Plaza de la Merced and Plaza Uncibay, in SoHo and along the coastal zone, from the neighbourhood of Malagueta to the beaches of the suburb of Pedregalejo.

If you would like to sip cocktails in a beautiful environment with excellent views, then a good choice is the rooftop bars of the luxury hotels in the area around the castle.

Getting from the airport to Málaga

Málaga Costa del Sol Airport is one of the busiest airports in Spain, used by visitors to the popular resorts of the Costa del Sol.

The airport is located 8 kilometres southwest of the centre of Málaga. The town can be reached by train, bus or taxi. The local C1 train (Fuengirola Málaga - Centro/Alameda) connects the airport (Terminal 3) with the town centre every 20 minutes, from 6.44 to 12.54, with a journey time of 12 minutes. Bus Express A (Aeropuerto-Centro Ciudad) connects the airport with the centre of town, making 10 stops at all the central points of Málaga. Buses depart every 20-25 minutes, from 7.00 to 24.00. It is also possible to get to Málaga from the airport by car.

Book your flight for Málaga at the Olympic Air site and land in one of Europe’s most magical coastal towns, where the Arabic and Andalusian cultures mingle under the Mediterranean sun, creating a unique blend.