Malaga

I am back from holiday and all my friends and their kids have returned back to the UK.

During my fab couple of weeks off, I did manage to get down to Malaga to meet one of my guests from the Independence of the Seas and took my friend along with me as he had never been.

Malaga Port Side

Most people that come down to the Costa del Sol generally do not venture further than the resort they stay in, they might go to Gibraltar but normally the closest people get to Malaga is the airport. My friend for example had never been into Malaga city only on the outskirts when he once went to watch Malaga play Barcelona at the football stadium.

Malaga is a southern Spanish port town and is one of the oldest cities in the world, occupied at various points through its 2,800-year history by the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Arabs. The architecture and design is varied and beautiful, the most spectacular of which is the 11th-century Moorish Alcazaba, made of a series of formidable ramparts of buff-colored stone overlooking the Alboran Sea.

Malaga is steeped in history and is also the birth place of Picasso. There is a museum in the city to honor Malaga’s most famous son. There is a magnificent cathedral which a few years ago was the temporary home to the shroud of Turin. There is an abundance of museums and curtral activities in Malaga through out the year and it really is a place I highly recommend to visit.

If your a big fan of the movie star Antonio Banderas, he is often in Malaga as he was born in Benalmadena and spends a lot of time here with his own production company. He has been known to participate in the Easter parades that run through Calle Larios.

If you haven’t been before, I really highly recommend a visit. From the port, which is very modern and stylish with an array of shops, bars and restaurants, you are no more than a 5 minute walk from the cruise shuttle bus stop to the city centre and the famous Calle Larios, probably the equivalent of London’s Oxford Street.

Can’t seem to flip the photo! But I am in Calle Larios

Calle Larios at Christmas a few years ago

With little side streets darting off and a fantastic variety of tapas bars and shops, it’s easy to fall in love with Malaga.

My Colleague Jess and I catching up with another Colleague Anne and her hubby for some Tapas from the Harmony of the Seas

There is also a magnificent market in the city, not as big as the famous Barcelona market but just as good. with choices of meats, fish, fruit, veg , spices.. the list goes on. I love coming here, even just to soak in the atmosphere and freshness and quality of the produce.

My friend Sunday (yes that is his real name)  feel in love instantly with Malaga and couldn’t believe he hadn’t been before and is eager to go again during his next visit with me.

Sunday and I at Calle Larios.. why can’t I flip my photo arrghhh

If you wanted to walk from the ship then you are looking at approx 20 minutes but it is a nice walk which I have done before. Of course if culture isn’t your thing, then don’t worry as you can walk straight from the port onto the beautiful Malaga beaches and soak up the Mediterranean sun. They don’t call it the Costa del Sol (Coast of Sun) for any old reason!! If you are in port all day, the beauty is that you can spend a few hours checking the city out and the rest of the time on the beach or on deck.

MY colleague Jess and I at Malaga Port in May when Harmony was in dock.. look how close we could get.

So if you want to know more on Malaga or are heading in to port and want some advice, give me a bell or drop me an email and I am always happy to help.

Dawn x