24 AUGUST 2009

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Article from BTNews 24 AUGUST 2009

ON TOUR: Malaga the gateway to the Costa del Sol

The Brits have been going through Malaga for the last 40 years since the introduction of the airborne package holiday.  Normally it is no more than a very quick passing visit on the way to the Costa del Sol or perhaps Marbella.  Cruise ships find it a regular stop, the call also very fleeting.  The main parts are walkable from the regular docking position.

Next time when flying in think about staying in Malaga for a couple of nights.  Or longer if you want to make it a base for forays into Andalusia one of the most interesting parts of Spain including Granada and the Alhambra Palace

As for Malaga there is abundance of hotels at all price ranges offering good value but nothing of five-star class.  It is very much a working town.  You can hire a car, take a tour bus, or, for the brave, use local transport.

If paella is to your taste, in Malaga you will be really satisfied with hundreds of small restaurants and bistro style cafes.  Eating outdoors is the norm even in what we would term “the winter”.  Fish and seafood is available in abundance.  Even the local bread is different but possibly an acquired taste.

Malaga Airport is about five miles west of the city with both taxis and public transport.  Generally costs are dramatically cheaper than Barcelona, although as docks they really don’t compete serving completely parts of Spain. 



Malaga is typical of Mediterranean ports in that at the beginning of recorded history it was part of the Roman Empire, lost its way towards the end of the first millennium and became Muslim for 700 years until 1492.  For the next 500 years it was often  fought over and finally in 1936 fell to Franco’s Nationalist troops.  The city today has a population of half a million and is a major industrial and commercial centre.  Agriculture is still important.

Malaga is typical of most tourist-minded Mediterranean cities in that it has a excellent open hop on hop off bus tour with 12 stops and a multi-lingual commentary through headphones.  You really do see the sights while hearing Malaga’s history – The tour takes around an hour and a half and the price is €15 for adults and €7 for children from 4-14 years.  The ticket also allows you to take another bus from the Main Bus Station and gain free entrance to the stunning Botanical Gardens Finca la Concepcion on the north side of the city.  They were originally created 150 years ago by an English lady. 

The most interesting parts of the city are contained in a relatively small area by the old port, all very easily walkable.  There is a fine tourist information unit just outside the dock gates and also a lovely strolling area named Paseo del Parque.  Here the gardens contain rare, exotic and tropical plants.  The whole area suffers for the present with a major waterfront development. 

For a tour, start at the Gibralfaro Castle the highest point of the town.  The hop on hop off tour bus or a taxi can drop you off. 

Everything is then downhill.  The early structure is Phoenician, but was the Moors who turned the whole area into a fortress.  Today it is a very pretty area affording fine views.  There is an interpretation centre.  In 1936 it was the last place of resistance in the Spanish Civil War.  It was the Royal Navy that rescued Europeans, Colonials and Americans at that time.   

Beneath the Gibralfaro is the Alcazaba Fortress, the home of the Arab Emirs.  The whole area was surrounded by walls during the Muslim times.  Today it is the site of an archaeological museum with stucco work and 12/13th century pottery.

Next down is the Roman Amphitheatre.  It is amazing to think that it lay undiscovered until 1951.  Now it also serves a duel purpose as a concert bowl and acting forum.  Nearby is the bullring, one of the largest in Spain.  Traditional events take place on a regular basis and there is also a museum.  Not to everyone’s taste.

Only one person of real stature has emerged from Malaga and even he is claimed by a number of municipalities.  Pablo Picasso, who took his mother’s maiden name after falling out with his father, was born in Malaga in 1881.  His talent was obvious from an early age and the family relocated to Barcelona when he was 14.  Subsequently he moved to Paris and later on in life settled in the South of France where he eventually died in 1973 leaving a confused heritage.  Picasso was probably the greatest painter of the 20th century, certainly as an impressionist.

The house of Picasso has restricted access but was the family home and has been recently restored.  Nearby is the Picasso Museum housed in a lovely 16th century building with themed exhibitions from time to time.  Over 200 works were donated by his daughter-in-law.  Other painters from the region are also on display including Julio González and Henri Matisse. 

Nearby is the Malaga Cathedral, built on the site of a mosque it is considered one of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture and the interior includes a beautiful wooden choir stall from the early 17th century.

For those more interested in shopping and eating the Alemeda Principal is a wide thoroughfare dating from the late 18th century which borders the Mercado Central, a shopping area for locals.

www.malagainformation.com

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