The City of Malaga sits on Spain’s southernmost tip in the province of Andalusia and one of the first things you notice when you visit the city is that it isn’t jam packed with tourist attractions like the larger cities of Barcelona and Madrid.
However if you are a bit of a culture-vulture or you like your history then you will not be disappointed. With this in mind, here’s a run down on some of the finest Malaga Attractions.
Picasso Museum
One of the greatest artists to come out of the city was of course Pablo Picasso. Although he spent the majority of his life split between Barcelona and Paris he was born in Malaga, and spent all of his early life here. His birth place situated in the Plaza de la Merced is open to the public as is the Picasso museum. Here you will find a series of exhibits charting his life through his pictures from the late 19th century when he was born, until his death in 1973. It’s a fascinating insight into the man and his paintings.
Address Palacio de Buenavista Calle San Augustin 8
Opening times Tues,Wed, Thur, Sun 10.00 -20.00 Fri, Sat 10.00 -21.00. Also open Monday through July and August 10.00-20.00
Alcazaba
The Fortress like structure built in the 11th Century by the Moors is one of the most visited Malaga attractions. It is dominant on the city skyline and it originally served as a palace for the Moorish rulers. Nowadays the fortress houses a museum, including exhibits from the times that the Moors ruled Spain. Here you can also find Roman artefacts such as mosaics and ceramics which were unearthed in the city. Parts of the structure are similar in nature to the larger and more well known Alhambra Palace in Granada.
Address Plaza de la Aduana Alcazabilla 2
Opening times Tues -Sun 0930 -20.00
Gibralfaro
Built to protect the Alcazaba some 300 years later in the 14th century the Gibralfaro or castle is well worth a visit. Climb the cobbled steps to the top for some of the best views of the city and the port below. Inside there is an exhibition area charting the history of the castle and in addition, there is also an outdoor café where you can sit with a glass of something cold looking out to what are probably the finest views in Malaga.
Address Camino Gibralfaro 11
Opening times -Mon -Sun 0900 -1800 (July and August until 20.00). Admission is free after 2pm on Sunday.
There is a similarity between this Malaga attraction and the famous Antoni Gaudi built ‘La Sagrada Familia’ in Barcelona, not because of its looks, but because like the former, it remains unfinished. Started in the 16th century, one of the Cathedral’s two towers was never completed, giving it a lop-sided look. It has undergone a long period of construction and as a result Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture can all be seen. Inside, take a look at the two impressive 18th century organs and ornately carved choir stalls. In addition there are paintings by the famous artist Alonso Cano and a sculpture by Pedro de Mena.
Address Calle Molina Lario 9
Opening times – Mon-Fri 10.00 -1800 Sat 10.00 -17.00
La Concepcion Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens of La Concepcion are rated as one of the best in Europe. They were created by Jorge Loring Oyarzabel and his English wife Amalia Heredia Livermore. The aristocratic couple were keen plant collectors and travelled the world bringing back rare and exotic species and as such in 1850 designed the gardens for their own pleasure. On the death of Jorge Oyarzabel in 1911 it was handed to another well-to-do Malaga family but unfortunately the gardens were rarely used. Although it was declared a historic place of interest in 1943, it fell into decline until it was saved by Malaga city council in 1990 who undertook a massive renovation program. Today there are over 3000 species of plant complete with ornamental pools and shady walks.
Address -Camino de Jardines Botanico Carretera de las Pedrizas Km 66
Opening times – Apr -Sept daily 0930-2030 Oct Mar daily 0930 -17.30
So there you have it… some of the best Malaga attractions to whet your appetite. Malaga may be less well known and therefore less ‘touristy’ than its Andalusian neighbours of Seville and Granada, but it certainly has a lot to offer the would be visitor.
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