I made this discovery after a short flight from Santiago de Compostela catapulted me onto one of Europe’s favourite vacation destinations – Malaga, the capital of the Costa del Sol.
I can understand why Malaga is a hot favourite. It is impossible not to immediately immerse yourself in the beauty of this city’s sun-drenched beaches framed by palm trees.
Malagueta Beach can be found next to Spain’s oldest yacht club, the Real Club Mediterraneo de Malaga. It is probably one of the most-visited Blue Flag beaches in the southern region of Spain. In fact, six million visitors a year, and locals alike enjoy the sandy beach and warm Mediterranean weather. Although it has always been a sought-after tourist destination, the city’s keepers have pivoted their focus more towards promoting art and culture to develop tourism even more.
As the birthplace of the very famous painter Pablo Picasso, art and culture continue to play a significant role in the marketing of this pulsing city with its half million inhabitants.
Malaga, with its countless museums, historical buildings, and recreation centers is indeed an art lover’s paradise.
The Picasso Museum permanently hosts 285 of Picasso’s
2500 works. The Carmen Thyssen Museum and the glass-cubed Pompidou – the latter home to more than 900 original pieces of art–are also very popular.
Pablo Picasso, although known as a womaniser and cheater (he proclaimed that the many women he surrounded himself with were his source of artistic inspiration), was also one of the most prolific artists of all times. He was born talented and followed in his father’s footsteps, who was also a painter. Not only did he exhibit his work at the tender age of 13 but sadly his father also introduced him to brothels at this young age. Some of his earliest works were regarded as pornographic and were not well received by his austere Catholic surroundings.
Whether the city got its name from the Arabic word malqa (a meeting place) or the Phoenician word malac, which means salt, this 3000-year-old city has undeniable charisma and charm. Occupied by the Arabs for 800 years and the Spanish since 1487, Malaga is modern and traditional at the same time. The city boasts architectural masterpieces, tons of history in the old part of town, superb food, and glorious Mediterranean weather.
The almost stately Alcazaba fortress is built on the slopes of the Gibrafaro mountain, which means the panoramic view that the fortress provides of the remains of the theater below does not leave much to the imagination. From this vantage point, savour the breathtaking views beyond and admire just how the city and port blend in perfectly with the surrounding nature. Although it fell into ruins after the Moors left, it was later rebuilt by a Spaniard with a love for his Moorish past.
An Alcazaba,‘AL-qasbah’ in Arabic, is a fortification within a walled city or town. Many Alcazabas were built during the 800-year occupation of the Moors in the region. These fortresses were built with one goal in common: to protect the people living in the cities and defend the cities from outsiders. Fortresses were all strategically positioned and well-maintained as it was not only home to the governor, his family, and workers at the time, but were also well-equipped with silos and cisterns to provide food and water during attacks from the enemy.
Exploring a city on foot is always the best way to experience its treasures and its people. Calle Larios, (Malaga’s own fifth Avenue) is the most expensive street to live in. If shopping is your thing, then the Larios should be on your bucket list. Plaza de la Constituciόn with its palm trees, bars, and street cafés is by far the city’s most beautiful and busiest square. Even though the square is packed with tourists, it is still worth the visit.
However, the highlight of my visit to Malaga was the magnificent Cathedral of Incarnation and the bright yellow Bishop’s Palace, both situated on the Plaza del Obispo.
The building of the Cathedral started in 1528 but was never fully completed for various reasons, but mainly due to financial constraints. Hence the different architectural styles. Both Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles can be seen in the structure as well as the interior of this unique building. Because it was never completed it is today known as the “La Manquita”, the one-armed woman.
I’ve visited quite a number of Cathedrals in Spain but stand in wonder every time I discover yet another, more elaborate and majestic masterpiece.
Malaga is a green city with gardens and orchards as far as the eye can see. All credit goes to the Moors and their love for running water, plants, and fertile ground. Malaga’s oranges and lemons, grapes, pomegranates, almonds, sugar cane, and especially figs in all their forms (dried, fresh, and the very famous Pan de Higo, fig bread) are all still in great demand throughout the Mediterranean.
Although my stay in Malaga was short I will remember it as the ‘Queen of the Costa del Sol’ as it is sometimes referred to. It’s easy to fall in love with one of the oldest cities in the world for its archeological treasures, its modern-day appeal, and its Moorish past. Malaga will remain a diverse and enchanting city for travelers of all interests.
