Malaga the Beautiful, as the city is known, stands at the centre of the basin of the same name, between the mountains, the River Guadalhorce and the coastal strip which leads to the Axarquia region.
Throughout Malaga’s history, its privileged geographic situation has attracted travellers, merchants, settlers and warriors who have left their mark on what is now a cosmopolitan, universal, open, relaxed and hospitable city.
Its places of interest are far too numerous to mention in detail, but here is a brief summary:
In the east is the suburb of El Palo, with its typical fishermen’s houses, coves, promenades and “pescaíto” (small fried fish), which runs into the city’s main promenade, the Paseo Maritimo, with its beaches, the Malagueta district, the lighthouse (which has become the symbol of the city) and the port breakwater, which affords a beautiful panoramic view of the city. In the centre, a walk through the Park, home to botanical species from around the world, adapted here thanks to the city’s benign climate, takes us to the old centre of Malaga: the imposing Cathedral; the Nazari Gibralfaro Castle; the Alcazaba fortress, renovated for public usage; and the Roman Theatre, proof of the city’s importance in this era. Further up is the Plaza de la Merced square, site of the house in which the artistic genius Picasso was born. Malaga is also home to a number of interesting churches -St. John’s, St. James’, St. Domingo’s, and the Holy Martyrs-; St. Augustine’s Convent and the Episcopal Palace; and civil buildings such as the Count of Buenavista’s Palace and the Consulate House.
A stroll through the city ‘s streets evokes memories of its spectacular Holy Week and grandiose Fair.
To the west and north of modern Malaga, the product of the urban growth experienced in the 1960s, are the Misecordia Beaches, which lead to the mouth of the River Guadalhorce, a protected area visited by thousands of migratory birds.
The outskirts of the city are home to romantic gardens such as La Consula and El Retiro in the suburb of Churriana, and, further north, the Finca de la Concepcion and Hacienda de San Jose country estates, evidence of the economic splendour of Malaga’s past.
Overlooking the city are the Malaga Mountains, a Natural Park of extreme beauty and the ideal place from which to enjoy its charms.
In short, a most complete city to which we must add a whole host of tourist facilities, golf courses, water sports and other attractions difficult to evaluate, such as its sunlight, its climate, its cuisine and the wit of its people.