Getting To Know Málaga

Thinking about a day trip? There are some lovely sights to be seen in Málaga! Here is an excellent tour that gives you an insider's glimpse of Málaga's culture, cuisine and charm:

Start at the main market, Mercado Central la Atarazanas. Located at Plaza de Arriola on the corner of Atarazanas near the Esperanza Bridge. Prior to being a market, this was a dry dock, where boats were repaired. Head over to the Alameda Principal (2 minutes away) and stop in for refreshment at the Old Guard's House. It is the city's oldest pub, famous for its wines.

The Antigua Casa del Guardia on Alameda Principal 18

open: 09:00 - 22:00
Tel: 952 214 680
www.antiguacasadeguardia.net

From here it is a 5 minute walk down Alameda to the main pedestrian street, Marqués de Larios. Go left and walk along the marble-paved C/ Marqués de Larios to Plaza de la Constitución. In the Constitution Square take the narrow street Santa María until you reach the Cathedral's entrance.

The Iglesia de la Encarnación (Church of Incarnation) began construction in 1528 after the Catholic Kings expulsed the Moors. Under construction for centuries it is an architectural potpourri of gothic, renaissance interior and baroque façade.

Now walk down San Agustín until you reach the Picasso Museum situated in the Buenavista Palace on C/ San Agustín 8.

admission: 6€
tue - sun 10:00 - 20:00
Tel: 902 443 377
www.museopicassomalaga.org

Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso's private collection on permanent loan to the city, captures the extraordinary vision of Picasso. More than 200 paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, and graphic works. If you are getting thirsty stop off at the Museum café.

Once you leave the museum, walk down San Agustín and go right on C/ Granada which leads you to la Plaza de la Merced. In this square, there are many cafes and you will see on the corner, at number 15, the house where Picasso was born, now the Picasso Foundation.

open: 10:00 - 20:00
admission: 1€
Closed on Sunday afternoon and bank holidays.
Tel: 952 060 215
www.fundacionpicasso.es/en/index.html

Grab a taxi over to the beach, la Malagueta, it takes 5 minutes through the tunnel shortcut. There you have your pick of restaurants: 7 de Julio, Café de Paris, Adolfo... Have a look - there are a lot of places to eat and to eat WELL!

Jump back in another taxi and shoot over to the Alcazaba. You can take the elevators or walk off some of your lunch going up the incline. Alcazaba is Arabic and means palace surrounded by a fortress. Built in the11th century, by King Badis of Granada, the monument's narrow stone paths and panoramic views are quite impressive. Twilight here is magnificent!

open (closed mondays): 09:30 - 19:45
adult: 1,95€, child (under 7's free): 0,60€

Just outside the Alcazaba are the ruins of a Roman theatre. The Moors used many of these Roman blocks to help build the Alcazaba. Free entrance. It is picturesque. Don't miss the vomitorium! A vomitorium is a passage situated below or behind a tier of seats in an amphitheatre, into which the crowds could "spew out" at the end of a show. Just imagine what they were watching!!

More To Do

JARDÍN BOTÁNICO

Histórico La Concepción

If you like exotic plants and want to visit the restored summer palace of the Marquis from the House of Loring, plan a visit to the historical botanical garden just outside Málaga known as the Gardens of the Conception. You can stroll through the 25,000 sq. km. of beautifully landscaped grounds with 3,000 plant species set amongst fountains, streams and shady walk ways.

The Málaga town hall has spent a great deal of time and money restoring this Victorian garden to its glory. Founded in 1855 the garden contains a beautiful collection of tropical and subtropical plants from five continents. The palm collection is amazing.

Getting there: Located just outside Málaga on the A-45 (Ctra. de las Pedrizas, Km 166)

open (closed mondays): 09:30 - 21:00
admission: 3,15€
Tel: 952 252 148

The English Cemetery

The English Cemetery in Málaga is home to the Gothic style St George's Church. The lovingly looked after graveyard was built due to the dedication and determination of William Mark, British Consul to Málaga from 1824 - 1836. He viewed "with great disgust" the necessity to bury protestants along the seashore in the middle of the night. His persistence led to the creation of this permanent cemetery just outside the walls of the city along the Veléz road (Paseo reding).

Finished in 1831 the cemetery contains a poignant collection of graves covered with seashells. The cemetery is of botanical interest with a number of unusual specimens. The Gatehouse is staffed by volunteers and is now a gift shop. If you would like guided tour contact Rosella Parmiter.

Tel: 952 400 006
Avda. de Pries 1
open: 09:30 - 14:30
Tel: 952 223 552