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Things To See And Do In Malaga
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T he city of Malaga, situated in the vastly popular Costa del Sol region of Spain, in the heart of the
province of Andalusia, is a superb holiday destination that attracts a little under one million visitors per
year. T he wealth of historic culture and tradition, mixed with some beautif ul architecture, and the warm
Mediterranean climate, all serve to make Malaga one of the most sought af ter holiday destinations in
Europe.
Whether you simply want to languish in the glorious warm sunshine, enjoying some of the best beaches
to be f ound anywhere in Spain; or you pref er to sample the eclectic mixture of the sights and sounds of
what is af ter all one of the most beautif ul provinces of Spain, you’ll f ind something to suit all tastes.
Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the most f ascinating and beautif ul attractions you should put of
your list of places to visit.
T he Pablo Picasso Museum
Pablo Picasso is one of Malaga’s most f amous sons, and it is only f itting that there should be a museum
here in the city of his birth, (Museo Picasso), to celebrate the lif e and art of one of the world’s most
inf luential artists. Situated in the Plaza de la Merced at number 15, Museo Picasso is open f rom Monday
to Saturday between the hours of 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM. It is open all day long, not closing f or siesta like
so many other tourist attractions. With an entrance f ee of just 11 Euro’s per adult, (disabled people,
children, and students get in f ree), it represents great value f or money, and gives you a wonderf ul
opportunity to examine many of his works created between 1931 and 1971, as well as of f erings f rom
200 other artists totalling over 3,500 various works of art.
More inf ormation at http://www.bcn.cat/museupicasso/en/
2. Andalusia has a great tradition f or wonderf ul art, and nowhere will you f ind a better venue to view some
of its best examples, than at the Carmen T hyssen Museum. Baroness Carmen T hyssen is a
celebrated art collector, and the 200 works of art on permanent display in her museum in the exquisite
Palacio de Villalon, (a gorgeous 16th Century palace), are all f rom the Baroness’s personal collection.
T his museum is open f rom Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, although on Friday and
Saturday nights it closes later, at 9:00 PM.Normal adult admission is 6 Euros per head with a reduced f ee
of 3.5 Euros f or the disabled, children under the age of 5, the unemployed and students below the age
of 26. It’s a wonderf ul opportunity to see some great works of art f rom Spanish artists including Sorolla,
Torres, Z uloaga, and Z urbaran.
More inf ormation can be f ound at http://www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org/en
3. Spain is actually the most mountainous country in Europe, so it will come as no surprise to f ind that
Malaga has its own mountain range, a mere 14 kilometres f rom the city – T he Montes de Malaga. T he
mountains provide a f abulous backdrop to the city, and are covered in the most beautif ul Pine f orests.
T he area is a natural Park and provides a wonderf ul day out f or the f amily. T here are plenty of great
hiking treks, all very well signposted, and a host of excellent f acilities including camping grounds, some
splendid picnic areas with views to die f or, and some excellent local restaurants. T he local wildlif e
includes wild boar, (considered a great gastronomic delicacy here inSpain– especially with their natural
diet of acorns, which gives their meat a unique f lavour), rabbits, a handsome f ox population, as well as
badgers, and some iconic birdlif e including the booted eagles, and soaring buzzards.
T he area around Malaga is indeed rich in natural parks, and the Natural Reserve Park– El Torcal, has
some stunning scenery by way of its unique limestone f ormations. Less than 45 minutes drive f rom the
city, El Torcal is world f amous with Trekkers the world over, especially the treks leading to the Las
Ventanillas (T he Windows), which, at 1,200M, af f ord a never to be f orgotten view of the Malaga Valley.
Check out Spain Holiday’s Montes de Malaga post f or more inf o at http://www.spain-
holiday.com/blog/montes-de-malaga-malaga-mountains.php
4. T he Malaga Fair is another of this wonderf ul city’s major tourist attractions. It takes place in August
every year and celebrates the retaking of the city by Isabella and Ferdinand back in the 15th Century. With
some stunning costumes to be seen, a great display of Flamenco music and dancing, and some of the
f inest drinking Sherry to be f ound anywhere in the world, T he Malaga Fair is a treat f or anyone, young or
old. Of course Spain loves its f irework displays, and they need hardly any excuse to set the crackers
banging and the rockets whizzing. Needless to say the Fair opens and ends with a magnif icent display.
It’s a street party to end all street parties, and is a sumptuous f east of Andalusian culture and heritage
at its very best. T he partying goes on until dawn f or 10 days and nights, and is an experience not to be
missed!
In 2012, the Malaga will take place between 10th – 19th August.
5. But if you get tired af ter of all of the revelry, the CAC Malaga of f ers a new experience f or lovers of
contemporary art. It’s a great example of allowing exciting new art trends to get a public airing, and
celebrates the f un and f reedom loving attitude of the citizens of this unique city. One of its main
purposes is to encourage local artists to showcase their talent and express themselves. But although it
does encourage local artists, its main purpose is to be a ref erence point f or the international art
community at large. Located close to the middle of Malaga City, between the Avenida del Comandante
Benítez, and the Calle Alemani, the CAC Malaga is the brainchild, and is f unded by the City Council. It
hosts an extremely wide range of events which are constantly changing, so whenever you are planning to
come to Malaga, take some time out to pay it a visit. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 10:00 AM to 8
PM between June and September, and f or the rest of the year (excepting Christmas and New Year’s day)
10:00 14:00/17:00 to 21:00 – respecting the tradition of the national siesta. Admission is f ree!
Further inf ormation can be f ound at http://cacmalaga.org/
6. For those of you that enjoy sightseeing, Castillo Gibralfaro (T he Rock of Light – so named af ter the
lighthouse once built on the site by the Pheonicians), is a must. It’s a 400 f oot climb to reach the castle,
but when you get there the view is truly magnif icent! T he panorama across the city f rom various vantage
points along the walls, takes in all of the major tourist sites in the city. For those with challenged mobility,
or those simply too tired to take on the climb, a bus service is available. Tickets to enter the f ortress are
2 Euros per head, but you can buy a combined ticket f or 3.50 Euros which also covers entrance to
another beautif ul castle – Alzabara. In summer the opening hours are 09:00 to 20:30, and out of summer
09:00 to 18:00.
Further inf ormation can be f ound at http://www.andalucia.com/cities/malaga/gibralf aro.htm
7. For lovers of the Spanish social scene Bodega El Pimpi embodies all that is best in traditional eating
and drinking. T he ambiance is amazing; a veritable rabbit’s warren of small bar rooms and surprising,
hidden patios. T he decor simply has to be seen to be f ully appreciated, complete with its huge vaulted
ceilings and the dozens of wine barrels, (many signed by f amous celebrities) lining the walls. It’s a great
gathering place f or all nationalities, where you can enjoy a choice of tapas dishes to accompany your
wine or beer; and on the last Monday night of the month, they have a Flamenco evening.
http://www.bodegabarelpimpi.com/launch_eng.html
8. All in all, Malaga is great place to go. T here is so much to see and do that you’ll need to spend at least a
couple of days taking in the sights, sounds and atmosphere. It’s a city, the memory of which, will be with
you f orever. Enjoy!
Many thanks to the f ollowing f or some of the images in this post, Picasso Museum, El Torcal, CAC
Malaga, Castillo Gibralf aro.
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