Malaga is a port city in Andalusia, southern Spain. It is actually situated on the Costa del Sol coastline of the Mediterranean sea, and therefore a popular tourist destination for many British holidaymakers.

Malaga promises sun, sea and sand, and it delivers all three. The climate is hot all year round, and many Brits opt to spend the winter months in this area. Escaping the dismal English weather means that holidaymakers can recharge their batteries in this charming city. Malaga is a bustling city where you can shop ‘til you drop in the famous El Corte Ingles department store, or one of the many shopping malls or market places.

The city is the birthplace of the world famous artist, Pablo Picasso, and his work is featured in many galleries. The 16th Century Museum of Fine Arts holds many notable Picasso paintings. Picasso was born in the Plaza Merced, which is open to the public, here one can see the life and works of this famous artist. As Malaga has Moorish roots, many historical sites can be found, the fortress of La Alcazaba, for example, dates back to 1065. The Castillo de Gibralfaro, stands above Alcazaba, here there is a magnificent view of the town and bay.

Malaga cathedral is large, although it has a somewhat sombre interior, mainly due to its Renaissance and Baroque style. Several small churches are open for exploration, make sure that you visit the chapel of Santuario de la Victoria.

The heart of Malaga is found north of the Alameda Principal. Entering the Old Town, one is met with a labyrinth of Medieval narrow streets, many of which are now pedestrianised, making it safer and easier to explore. The focal point of the Old Town is the cathedral near to the Paseo del Parque. There are plenty of opportunities for shopping, as the Calle Marques de Larios is the main shopping artery of the town. The narrow streets and small squares are surrounded by shops, where one can happily browse for hours.

The price of eating out in Malaga is extremely variable. Malaga is famous for it’s tapas bars, after all, it is a way of life in Spain, so popping into one of the local eateries is a must. The lively atmosphere provided by local people is excellent. The choice of tapas available can range from olives, almonds and cured ham to tortilla slices, vegetable dishes and a huge variety of seafood dishes, of which, most are laced with garlic. These tapas bars are open for most of the day, so whatever time hunger strikes, there’s always a local bar to acquaint. Walk along the Rutas del Tapeo, (tapas route), and indulge yourself whilst taking in the local atmosphere.

There are several attractive parks and gardens dotted around the town, El Parque is the city’s major park, built in the 19th Century from land reclaimed from the sea. This park contains many exotic and unusual tropical flowering trees and shrubs. It is open daily, and admission is free. The Senda Bird Park has tropical gardens and exotic birdlife, it’s quite expensive to get in, but a good day could be spent here.

The nearest beach to the centre of Malaga is La Malagueta, this beach is actually manmade, with sand from the Sahara desert. This beach can get quite busy, with being centrally located, but other smaller, prettier beaches can be found further eastwards. If you are interested in fishing activities, try La Misericordia Beach, the warm waters provide an ideal haven for many species of fish. Just drop your line in, and take pot luck!

Malaga has an exceptional road and motorway structure, making it a good base for exploring. Hire a car for the day and visit the nearby towns and villages. Discover small restaurants nestling in the hills, and experience the true taste of Andalusia. It is advisable to pre-book a hire car though, as many people are often disappointed that the best cars are already took in peak-periods.

Things to see in Malaga

There are many things to see and do around Malaga. There are plenty of Moorish castles, the Castillo de Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba are both well worth a visit. The views of the city and it’s surrounding suburbs are spectacular. The Interactive Museum of Music has one of the largest collections of musical instruments in the world, and of course, there is Pablo Picasso’s birthplace, the Plaza de la Merced in the City Centre.

Other places of interest worth a visit in Malaga include:

• Gibralfaro Castle
• Malaga Walls
• Flavian Roman Amphitheatre - Underneath the Plaza de la Merced
• Alcazaba
• The Harbour - one of the most important in Spain.
• The Picasso Foundation - Native Home Museum of Picasso
• CAC Malaga - the museum of modern art
• The interactive Museum of Music
• Museo Municipal - the city museum
• The Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions
• Cathedral of the Encarnation
• Bishop's Palace
• Iglesia del Sagrario (church)
• Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago (St James's church)
• Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista
• Plaza de Toros (bullring)

Malaga is serviced by the third biggest international airport (AGP) in Spain, numerous budget airlines fly into and out of Malaga daily, bargain package holiday deals can be purchased through many top tour operators, including First Choice, Airtours, Thomas Cook and Thomson. Flights take just under 3 hours from Manchester, and the time difference is +1hr GMT. Bargain flights and late-deal package holidays are available all year round, departing from most UK airports including, Manchester, London, Liverpool, Cardiff and East Midlands.