Malaga
The coastal city of Malaga in Andalucia on Spain’s Mediterranean coast is one of the most popular beach destinations in Europe. With direct flights from many European cities and about 300 days of sunshine a year, Malaga is an ideal long weekend break for those looking to escape the cold and rain.
Of course, the city has a lot of historical and cultural sites, great food and easily accessible sandy beaches, as well as plenty of charming shops and boutiques.
Beaches in Malaga
The main city beach is Playa de la Malagueta. Playa Malagueta is situated near the city’s centre and is easily accessible. The beach is approximately 1km long and has fine dark brown sand. It is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The beach also has several beach bars-chiringuitos- and a few restaurants. Additionally, there is a promenade that runs along the beachfront.
It’s not the best beach in the area, and most beach bars and restaurants have a mix of poor service and low-quality/high-priced food.
Playa de La Misericordia, on the other side of the marina, is a better swimming beach with more of a local feel and better places to eat and drink.
Playa de Pedregalejo and El Palo are traditional fishermen’s neighbourhoods in Malaga and are good beaches to enjoy espetos- grilled sardines- that taste best from May to October. Pedregalejo is also popular with younger Spanish people for nightlife in the holidays.
Playa del Campo de Golf is a beach that attracts kite surfers and, as its name suggests, golfers!
Malaga Marina
The marina in Malaga- IGY Málaga Marina- is a dedicated superyacht marina that boasts 33 berths for superyachts. However, for visitors, the main attraction are the bars and restaurants and of course the Centre Pompidou Malaga.
Malaga City
The city of Malaga was founded by the Phoenicians in 1000 B.C. and is one of the oldest cities in the world so there’s plenty to keep culture and history lovers occupied.
Here are some highlights:
El Mercado Central de Atarazanas- There are plenty of good markets in Malaga, this is our favourite, for the food of course, and the beautiful stained-glass window depicting historical highlights of the city.
The Cathedral of Málaga- This Roman Catholic church is considered to be one of the finest examples of Baroque-Renaissance architecture in Spain.
The city of Picasso- Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born in Malaga and his home on Plaza Merced is now a museum. You can also see a statue in the square and visit the Museo Picasso Málaga near the cathedral.
Calle Larios- The pedestrianised Calle Marqués de Larios is the main shopping street in Malaga. If you are here from the end of November it is also where you can enjoy the famous Málaga Christmas Light Show.
Restaurants in Malaga
For great views of Malaga and the coastline, visit the Hotel Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro for lunch or a sunset dinner.
La Terraza Hotel Vincci Larios Diez has a nice rooftop bar with good food and drinks and a great view of the cathedral in the city centre.
On the beach, at Playa de la Misericordia, our favourite chiringuitos were Litoral Pacífico and Chiringuito Escribano. A fantastic waterfront location restaurant on Playa de Pedregalejo is El Balneario – Baños del Carmen, be aware of the prices of what you order as the price for ‘specials’ can be exorbitant.
Waterfront on the Marina is Cambara, a large bar/ restaurant with friendly service, great cocktails, first-class tacos, and beef ribs!
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