Magnificent Málaga
Though it may be a stretch to claim the sun is always shining on Spain’s Costa del Sol, it’s a safe bet that you’ll be treated to clear skies and mild, breezy days almost any time of the year. The Port of Málaga is located along the coast in the province of the same name, one of eight within Spain’s Andalusia region. The country’s fifth-busiest cruise port (second only to Barcelona on the mainland) is frequented by many ships on their Western Mediterranean itineraries and is enfolded by a city that’s increasingly capturing the attention of tourists from all over the world.
Whether you begin or end your cruise in Málaga or elsewhere in Spain, here are 10 reasons to consider staying over in this seaside city.
1 History lives here
Walk the streets of Málaga and you’ll encounter the influence of more than 3,000 years of civilization. See signs of ancient Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Christians in the city’s architecture, artifacts, and more. Don’t miss sites like the Alcazaba, a Muslimperiod fortress built in the 11th century by King Badis of Granada, as well as the nearby ruins of the Roman Theater, built in the first century, and the Aduana Palace, the customs building at the foot of Gibralfaro Hill. High above, Gibralfaro Castle has overlooked it all since it was built in the 14th century, with zigzagging ramparts linked to the Alcazaba to protect the city.
2 Feast on local gastronomy
Whether it’s fried anchovies and sardine skewers sampled seaside on the beach, or samples of regional olive oil, jamon, and wine tasted at a sidewalk table, you’ll find plenty to fuel your Spanish adventures. In the evenings, stroll between taverns or sit down at some of the nearly 300 restaurants for tapas. The Atarazanas Market opened in 1879 at the site of the 14th-century Nasrid shipyards (only the main door remains). It’s a great place to pick up fresh produce and other delicacies for an impromptu picnic.
3 You’re passionate about Picasso
One of the greatest contemporary artists, Pablo Ruiz Picasso, was born in Málaga in 1881. Though he only lived in the city for the first 10 years of his childhood, he returned four times during his lifetime. The Museo Picasso Málaga, located within the 16th-century Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista, exhibits a permanent collection of more than 200 of the artist’s paintings, sculptures, and ceramic pieces. The Casa Natal de Picasso, his birthplace, is adjacent to the museum.
4 Grand accommodations
There is nothing like the Gran Hotel Miramar Resort and Spa to tempt you to spend a few days portside. Newly inaugurated in January 2017, Málaga’s only five-star property faces the Mediterranean Sea, just steps from the beach. Conveniently located in the La Caleta neighborhood, the property boasts two restaurants and a snack bar, a rooftop terrace bar and lounge, a full-service spa and fitness center, a seasonal kids’ club, and a glorious lobby in which to regroup between forays out into the environs.
5 Gateway to Andalusia
From Málaga, it’s a quick trip to other visit-worthy spots along the coast and inland. The Costa del Sol has more than 70 golf courses and 12 marinas. Stop in Antequera to explore the UNESCO-listed Dolmens Archaeological Site, where burial mounds and other megalithic stone structures were erected 6,000 years ago, and to hike in El Torcal Natural Park, where natural limestone has formed a dreamlike landscape. Spend a day strolling through Marbella’s old town and the Puerto Banús development, where luxury shops and restaurants are plentiful. Nearby, the town of Mijas bridges the coastline and inland, with a stunning landscape, quaint white houses, and traditional donkey taxis. Travel to Nerja to view Stone Age paintings in the Nerja Caves; one of its chambers holds the Guinness World Record for the widest column in the world. Ronda is world famous for its Puente Nuevo ( New Bridge) over the stunning Tajo Gorge, the hanging houses, and a bullring that opened in 1785 and was frequented by Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles.
6 Museums for everyone
Málaga boasts more than 30 museums, ranging from the first location of the Centre Pompidou outside of France to the Collection of the Russian Museum of St. Petersburg/ Málaga and the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga … and from the Automobile and Fashion Museum to the Interactive Museum of Music.
7 Ease of access
Just a short drive away from the cruise terminal, the AVE high-speed train offers 14 daily departures in each direction, from Málaga Maria Zambrano station to Madrid (a 2 1/2-hour trip). The Málaga International Airport offers direct flights to locations throughout Spain and Europe.
8 Picture-perfect port
The Port of Málaga is one of the two oldest in Spain (along with the Port of Cadiz), though you would never know it given recent development along the harbor. The architecturally stunning Palm Grove Terminal is located in the heart of the city, close to Málaga’s old town, while cruise passengers embark and disembark from terminals A and B at the eastern end of the harbor. Restaurants, shops, the Pompidou Center, and harbor cruise operators are all located near the Palm Grove Terminal.
9 Hit the beach
With an average of just 70 days of rainfall a year, you’ll find people on the beach in every season, regardless of the temperature. Málaga has almost 9 miles of beaches in the city, including La Malagueta, Pedregalejo, and San Andrés. Beach bars and restaurants line the promenade, where locals and visitors stroll, jog, and bike.
10 Shop till you drop
Málaga’s Historical Quarter is a wonderful place to stroll and shop along its streets. Don’t miss the Calle Larios — a pedestrian-friendly main street leading from the Plaza de la Constitución to the waterfront, with several longtime merchants and family-run businesses. Hard-core shoppers or those with an expansive wallet will want to travel to Marbella for its luxury boutiques and fashionable shops, especially in the Puerto Banús area. Plan your next cruise to include a stop in Málaga, and join the visitors exploring all this city in southern Spain has to offer.