Málaga 

Málaga is a port city in Andalusia. It is de capital of the provence of the same name. The population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) was around 1 million as of 2005 estimates, ranking as the fifth largest metropolitan area in Spain and the second largest of Andalusia. Málaga is surrounded by mountains, lying in the southern base of the Axarquía hills, and two rivers, the Guadalmedina - the historic center is located on its left bank - and the Guadalhorce which flows west of the city into the Mediterranean. The inhabitants of Málaga city are known as “Malagueños” and in popular language as “boquerones” (anchovy). The city is candidate for “European Culture City 2016”. From Colmenar it just takes approximately a half hour drive (32 km) to reach the city.

Málaga, in the course of centuries, has had several rulers. Romans and Moors amongst others, who left their mark: the Roman theatre and Alcázaba, the Moorish Fortress. During the industrial revolution Málaga was the most important industrial town of Spain, even more important than Madrid and Barcelona and was given, in those days, the nickname “Factory city”. After the Spanish civil war a relatively stable period began. In the fifties and sixties the city underwent a big economical boom with the sudden rise of tourism. After the fall of the Franco regime, Málaga built itself up to become one of the economic centres of Spain and since the year 2000 has gained cultural and economic respect. The city has its own Picasso museum and a modern art museum. In economical respect Málaga is responsible for around half of the trade in Andalusia, and further growth is expected after the extension of the airport, the new connection through the high-speed rail to Madrid and the construction of the underground.

Sights to see in Malaga

  • Alcázaba: Moorish fortress with archeological museum and (remains of) Castillo de Gibralfaro with nice views of the city
    Catedral de la Encarnación: neoclassical cathedral
  • Mercado: market building for vegetables, fruit, meat and fish
  • El puerto: the port
  • Jardín de la Concepción: botanical garden
  • Iglesia Parroquil de Santiago
  • Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista: Castle of the Counts
  • Palacio Episcopal: Bishop's Palace
  • Plaza de Toros: bullring

Museums

  • Museo Picasso de Málaga: closed on Mondays (www.museopicassomalaga.org)
  • Museo Casa Natal Picasso: Museum of the Home of Picasso; open all day from Monday to Sunday  (www.fundacionpicasso.es)
  • Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga: museum of modern art; closed on Mondays (www.cacmalaga.org)
  • Museo de Artes Populares (ethnographic museum): closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays (www.museoartespopulares.com) 
  • Museo Catedralicio de Málaga (cathedral): Sundays closed, opening hours Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.
  • Museo Taurino Antonio Ordoñez (bullfights): closed in the afternoon after 1 p.m. and on weekends.

Going out

Málaga offers innumerable bars and restaurants, for example, in and around Plaza de la Merced. Spanish people have their dinner very late in the evening so most restaurants serve from 8.30 p.m. till midnight. El Pimpi, near the Cathedral, is the oldest bodega (wine bar) in the city and well worth a visit.