City, seaport, and holiday resort in southern Spain, o¬n the Mediterranean Sea. Malaga is the center of the Costa del Sol, a major tourist region.
Population: 547,105 (2003).
Birthplace of Picasso, the attractive, cosmopolitan city of Malaga lies o¬n a beautiful sweep of bay in Andalucia. Blessed with sunshine and a spectacular quality of light, Malaga is a city of wide boulevards, swaying palm trees, lively nightlife, good museums and excellent seafood restaurants.
The coastal area enjoys a privileged Geographical position: protected from the North winds by the mountains, it benefits from the highest average temperatures in Spain and over 300 days of sunlight per year. Rugged and irregular in the eastern part, with rocky projections of land that penetrate the sea, it is milder and sandier in the western area, with large beaches that make it one of the most developed parts of Andalusia, thanks to its demographic and tourist appeal.
Also worth a visit is the nearby castle which was rebuilt by the Moors and is today a traditional parador (state hotel) with superb panoramic views. During the nineteenth century, Málaga was a popular winter resort for the wealthy famed for its elegance and sophistication. The impressive park on Calle Alameda dates back to this era and is recognised as being one of the most celebrated botanical collections in Europe. During the winter, open air concerts are held here every Sunday which makes a refreshing change from the bucket and spade scenario on the coast
Pablo Picasso is the city's famous son (not counting Antonio Banderas of course!) and there are several galleries showing his work, including the 16th century Museum of Fine Arts, adjacent to the Cathedral.
As well as being a cultural centre, Malaga is also a great place to eat out. The Malagueños love their food and the bars and restaurants here are where the real social life takes place. The choice is unlimited and, o¬n the whole, reasonable with some bars offering a menu of the day with bread and wine for as little as 6 euros. Tapas, small portions of many different dishes is an Andalusian tradition and a wonderfully inexpensive way to try a variety of local food.
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