The vibrant city of Malaga Southern Spain
Málaga... Capital city of the Costa del Sol (Malaga region), was established as a colony over 3000 years ago . A city of approx 580,000 inhabitants. Malaga has a busy and thriving port for both commercial vessels and International cruise liners. it is also the industrial hub for the South and the airport is the gateway to millions of visitors to southern Spain anually makinfg the south of Spain the busiest tourist destination in Europe. (Malaga airport) Malaga is a vibrant , city which has gone from strength to strength over the years. The city is a mixture of new modern architecture and old tradional buildings dating back 100s of years. Wide sweeping avenues , boulevards and narrow streets are packed with shops, coffee bars, restaurants, markets and night venues . The heart of Malaga is the area around Calle Larios, Plaza de la Constitución and Calle Granada, where you will find the main traditional shopping areas and the thriving nightlife. The narrow side streets leading off these main areas are a maze of alleyways crammed with tapas bars and bodegas and old wine shops serving wine from casks including the local sweet wine Malaga Virgen, which is a must to try but be carefull it is very palatable but also packs a real punch at around 15 - 20 per cent proof. A great place to try this is in one of Malagas oldest Bodegas Antigua Casa de Guardia. Alameda Principal, 1829005 MálagaTel : 952 21 46 80 .
At weekends Malaga city is full of people going out to enjoy the nightlife in one of the cities many bars, or nightclubs. Locals often do not go out until late at night usually after dinner around 11.00pm but will often stay out till dawn, although with recent changes to opening hours and laws , most of the bars will close around 3 or 4 am.
As well as the older style traditional bodegas and bars Malaga has a fantastic selection of "Roof Top Bars" where you can enjoy a drink and get a fantastic view of the city .... See the CNR-Online guide to Malaga roof top bars
The Port of Malaga.. One of the most vibrant areas of Malaga city is newly developed port area, Stylish shops, market stalls, bars many with outside terraces and live music, and restaurants ranging from fast food to gourmet dining catering for every international taste and budget. If you plan to visit by car there is ample parking, but this can prove a little expensive if plan to stay long, The main square area of the port also plays host to exhibitions and events and there are usually a couple of bohemian street artists wandering around to entertain you and there is always something to amuse the young ones.. The worlds top cruise liners dock here and there can be up to 4 ships in dock at a time which ensures the area is always "Buzzing"
Málaga is best seen on foot, it is not a very large city and most of its main attractions are relatively close to each other. One of the best best ways to enter the City is via the rail network, the national (including the AVE fast service from Madrid) enters the city at the María Zambrano station ,which is a good place to stop if you want to visit the large, modern Larios shopping centre , if you are travelling into Malaga via the local service (from Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos and the airport), the line continues, for approx 500 mtrs, past the main station to Centro Alameda which is a good place to start your visit.
Leaving the station via the Avd Andalucia / Alameda Principal exit you will see to your left, El Corte Ingles , One of Spains most prestigious stores and a must for shopaholics, as well as all the top brands they also have a first class food and wine hall in the basement and a couple of good restaurants up stairs. However, if shopping is not why you are visiting Malaga then make a right over the bridge and continue down Alameda Principal. A fascinating dual boulevard steeped with history. Traditional style buildings adorn each side and a central tree lined area, which runs the full length of the alameda, is home to delightfull, small, independant flower sellers. It also on this street half way down on the left, that you will find the "Antigua Casa de Guardia" Bodega mentioned above. If you are visiting Malaga in the morning , then it is worthwhile taking a short de tour off the Alameda to visit the Malaga Fruit, Vegetable, Fish and Meat market, "Mercado Central de Atarazanas" (Calle Atarazanas, 10, 29005 Málaga).
