Tourist Information

Málaga is the capital of the Spanish province of the same name. Population of the city of Málaga proper was 547,000 as of 2003 estimates. Population of the urban area was 814,000 as of 2005 estimates. Population of the metropolitan area (urban area plus satellite towns) was 1,019,000 as of 2003 estimates, ranking as the fifth largest metropolitan area in Spain. Malaga is surrounded by mountains, and two rivers, the Guadalmedina and the Guadalhorce, flow near the city into the Mediterranean. The inner city of Málaga is just behind the harbour. The quarters of El Perchel, La Trinidad and Lagunillas surround this centre. The city has much revenue from the agricultural sector and from tourism.

The painter Pablo Picasso, the 19th-century Spanish politician Antonio Canovas del Castillo, and the actor Antonio Banderas were born in Málaga. 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. His birthplace in Plaza Merced is today an archive of his life and works and open to the public; the entrance is absolutely free (so are all the services: Documentation Centre, exhibitions, museum, video projections...).

The Phoenicians founded the city Malaka here, in about 1000 BCE. The name Malaka is probably derived from the Phoenician word for salt because fish was salted near the harbour; in other Semitic languages the word for salt is still Hebrew ??? méla? or Arabic ??? mil?. About seven centuries later, the Romans conquered the city along with the other Spanish areas of Carthago. From the 5th century CE it was under the rule of the Visigoths. In the 8th century, Spain was conquered by the Moors, and the city became an important centre of trade. During this time, the city was called M?laqah (Arabic ?????). At a late stage of the reconquista, the reconquering of Spain, Málaga became Christian again, in 1487. Málaga underwent fierce bombing by the Italian and Nationalist air forces during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Tourism on the adjacent Costa del Sol boosted the city's economy in the 1960s.

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.

Málaga's main theatre is the Teatro Cervantes where Antonio Banderas once trod the boards. He still visits. 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, on 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.

The best known local fare in Malaga is "pescaito frito", an assortment of fried fish, including small sardines and red mullet, best washed down with a glass of ice cold fino at one of the many old fashioned bodegas in town. But it is El Palo, to the east of the city which is a typical fisherman's village and the place to go if you want that veritable "catch of the day" freshness. In the centre try a tapas and a glass of Malaga wine at Malaga's oldest tapas bar called "Antigua Casa de la Guardia". Keep to the north side of the Alameda and find no. 16.

Malaga is always closed for the siesta period, so this is a perfect time for a long relaxing lunch. These days, Málaga prides itself on being a modern city with the heart of commerce dominated by Calle Larios which is the local Bond Street equivalent. This is the recommended place to start exploring the city as it is surrounded by attractive small streets and plazas, as well as the magnificent cathedral (Renaissance cathedral with a Baroque façade and choir by Pedro de Mena) which offers daily guided tours.

Garden lovers won't be disappointed in Malaga either. In the centre of the city is the beautiful Alameda Gardens, and just outside on the way to Antequera one finds the extensive Jardines de la Concepcion.

Málaga airport is of course on of the major airports in Spain due to the number of tourist arrivals on charter flights from Northern Europe using Malaga airport as a gateway to the Costa del Sol. From Málaga, other cities of Andalucia, like Sevilla, Córdoba and Granada, can be reached by train, bus or car.