 The
city is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and is a cosmopolitan and attractive
city - ranging from modern streets and buildings, to the older narrow winding
streets of typical Andalucian buildings, with many seafood restaurants
and tapas bar to relax and rejuvenate during your tour of the city.
So many tempting places to stop, rest and revive!
Malaga
has many excellent restaurants, cafes and tapas bars where you can enjoy
a variety of local dishes, ranging from tapas to full menus. Most
are very affordable and offer Andalucian specialities including "pescaito
frito", a selection of small fried fish including sardines and red mullet.
I personally enjoyed the catch of the day and washed it down with a fine
Spanish wine.
As
Malaga goes to sleep during the siesta period, this is the the perfect
time to relax and refuel for the late afternoon activities.
 Calle
Larios:
I took
a stroll down Calle Larios, which is a wide and modern boulevard through
the centre of the city with many smart shops and coffee bars. I saw
many human statues (or street performers) - very reminiscent of the famous
Las Ramblas in Barcelona! For a Euro or two, they will perform for
you, and you can take photos.
From
Calle Larios, I strolled down many of the smaller, narrow winding streets
and plazas to view other attractions of the city.
The
Cathedral of Malaga:
A beautiful
Renaissance cathedral with a Baroque and beautiful facade and a really
enjoyable visit to this gorgeous piece of architecture. However,
beware of the gypsies haunting the entrance to the cathedral, who will
try their best to take a few Euros from you. I was approached by
an elderly lady, who gave me a sprig of rosemary, and then proceeded to
tell my fortune... well, unfortunately I am NOT now filthy rich, and DIDN'T
meet the man of my dreams... but it was a bit of fun anyway and I haggled
her down to 5 Euros..
 She
was one of the safer ones, however... some of them manage to help themselves
to a few notes from your purse or wallet while they are speaking to you...
so take care!
Birthplace
of Picasso:
Close
to the Cathedral is the Plaza de la Merced - a huge square surrounded by
restaurants and bars, and including the house in which Pablo Picasso was
born. Not much to see in the house, but it is interesting to see
photos of Picasso as a child, and the clothing he wore when he was christened.
As
I am a photographer, and wanted to take photos for my website, I took out
the trusty cam... only to be strongly reprimanded by one of the staff...
who confiscated my camera until I left the building! Naughty!
 Picasso
Museum:
More
interesting is the Museo Picasso which displays many of the fine
works of this famous artist – close to the Cathedral. Unfortunately
the museum was closed when I visited Malaga, but a friend has visited and
was amazed by the artwork on display.
La
Alcazaba
Further
on I visited La Alcazaba - built during the Moors occupation of Malaga
in the mid fifteenth century. The Alcazaba is on the hillside, and
you can get some wonderful views from up there. Quite a climb but
wow, great scenic vistas!
An
interesting note is that there is a well preserved Roman amphitheatre in
the grounds of La Alcazaba - unfortunately as it is undergoing renovation,
it is only possible to view the ruins through the fence.
Gibralfaro
Castle
At
the very top of La Alcazaba is the Moorish Castillo Gibralfaro - with astounding
views of the city below and the surrounding areas. Right next door
to the castle is the Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro, one of the famous Paradores
of Spain, which also enjoys the wonderful views.
I previously
stayed at the Parador and visited the castle during my stay.
Calle
Alameda and the Botanical Gardens
Running
through the centre of the city, and close to La Alcazaba are the beautiful
botanical gardens - a lovely and leafy place to relax and catch your breath
(also just adjacent to the Port of Malaga). Took a stroll through
the gardens and also visited the port for a brief time.
Teatro
Cervantes
The
main theatre in Malaga is the Teatro Cervantes, which is where another
famous son of Malaga once performed - Antonio Banderas - and he still "treads
the boars" there from time to time. No theatre visits this day, but
wouldn't mind at all seeing Antonio next time!
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Anne
Sewell |
