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All about...
Malaga,
For those landing at Málaga's airport, the first impressions of
the city are not too kind. It appears a monotonous concrete sprawl,
punctuated only by crane towers and high-rises poking through the
thick layer of smog. But only a fool would judge this book by such
an unkind cover. Journey into the centre, into the real Málaga of
bustling bars, Moorish architecture, fine art, busy markets,
friendly locals and orange blossom and jasmine scented gardens, and
you soon understand why the capital of the Costa del Sol was so
beloved by the likes of Hans Christian Andersen, Ernest Hemingway,
Ava Gardner, David Niven, Frank Sinatra, Orson Welles and... er...
Boris Karloff.
Find Malaga's best:
- Day trip
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Day trip
Best family day out:
Montes de Málaga natural park
If you’ve pounded the city streets and fancy a bit of fresh air and a brisk country walk, head into the protected Montes de Málaga natural park. Found a few kilometres north of the city, this area of mountainous pine forests is ideal for hiking and spotting wildlife such as the Spanish ibex (a wild mountain goat), eagles and various types of reptiles, including the rare chameleon. If all that walking tires you out, why not spend the night at the Hotel Humaina. Here, you can sit in tranquillity and dine on the terrace. There’s even the added bonus of a visit from a friendly wild boar, which comes scratching around for titbits in the evening.
Where: Hotel Humaina, Parque Natural Montes de Malága, Crta de Colmenar, Malága, Tel: +34 952 641 025.
Website: www.hotelhumaina.es - Flamenco
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Flamenco
Best flamenco:
Málaga!
While Cadiz, Sevilla and Granada fight it out as to which is the real home of flamenco in Andalucía, Málaga is quietly going about its business in establishing itself as a place in which duende (flamenco spirit) truly flows. Today some of the scene's biggest names can be found in the city's peñas (flamenco clubs), while several important dates in the flamenco calendar also take place in and around Málaga. There are several concerts that anyone serious about shouting olé and clapping their hands in strange rhythms should not miss. Highlights include the Festival of the Flamenco Singers of Málaga at the Auditorio de la Diputacion Provincial.
Where: Auditorio de la Diputacion Provincial, Calle Pacifico, 54, Malága, Tel: +34 952 133 950.
Website: www.dpm-cultura.org or www.flamencoenmalaga.es - Culture
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Culture
Best culture:
Picasso Museum
It would not be unfair to say that there was a time (in the not-too-distant-past, may we add) when culture in Málaga was something you found on a plate of two-day-old fried fish. But my, how times have changed! Today the city is in the Premier League for the Arts in Spain and is – perhaps – the cultural centre of Andalucía. Vying with five other Spanish cities to be chosen as European Capital of Culture for 2016, there is much to see and do, including – inhale – chin touching and head nodding at the Centro de Art Contemporaneo modern art gallery, moshing at the Sala Vivero music venue, marvelling at antiquity in the city’s 20-plus museums, appreciating national cinema during the annual Cine Español film festival, chanting bravo after a performance of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Málaga... now exhale. But without a doubt the city’s top attraction for culture vultures is the Picasso Museum. Opened in 2003, this art gallery – dedicated to the Málaga-born Pablo Picasso – is bang in the centre of the city in the stunning 16th century Palacio de Buenavista. And such is the excellence of the restoration work of this Renaissance palace, it is worth the admission fee alone just to lose yourself in its rooms and chambers. Do not miss the Picasso's Late Sculpture: Woman exhibition, this show also includes pieces by Henri Matisse.
Where: Museo Picasso, 8 Calle San Agustin, Malága, Tel: +34 952 602 731.
Website: www.museopicassomalaga.org - Wine
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Wine
Best places to drink wine:
Odisea and Antigua Casa de Guardia
It has been sipped with mucho gusto since the 7th century, when the Greeks imported their vinicultural expertise to Málaga. Since then, Romans, Moors and now Christians have taken advantage of the warm climes and fertile soil of the city’s environs to cultivate vines of Moscatel and Pedro Ximenez – the two grapes predominantly used in the heady brew that is Málaga wine. Ranging from the dark, honey sweet to the crisp, pale dry, this wine is best enjoyed in a bar on home turf with a tapa of seafood or roasted almonds. One thoroughly pleasant place to sample the local vino is in Odisea, a family-run bar-come-wine shop. Found in one of the only two remaining houses of the former gypsy neighbourhood La Coracha, here you can take your time tackling your way through more than 20 different types of Málaga wine. Then take a leisurely stroll through the semi-tropical Parque de Malága to the Antigua Casa de Guardia for a more traditional experience. Claiming to be the city’s oldest bar, it is a rather more spit and sawdust affair than the elegant charm of Odisea. But don’t be put off by the gruff locals knocking back glass after glass, and elbow your way to the long wooden bar. And it’s here you should remain as your orders are chalked in front of you.
Where: Odisea, 1 Calle Subida a la Coracha, Málaga, Tel: +34 952 217 920; Antigua Casa de Guardia, 18 Alameda Principal, Málaga, Tel: +34 952 214 680.
Website(s): Odisea: www.vinosdemalaga.com; Antigua Casa de Guardia: www.antiguacasadeguardia.net
Malaga - (AGP)
Location
6 miles south west of Malaga, a 20 minute journey from the centre of the city.
Public transport
Malaga Airport 0034 (0)952048484
by taxi:There is a 24 hour taxi service from terminal 1. Telephone 0034 (0)952040804 for more details.
by bus: Buses depart from terminal 2 arrivals hall by the right hand doors. There is also a bus stop for the C19 to Malaga City outside T1 arrivals (This is the only bus departing from this station). The journey time to Marbella is approximately 45 minutes.
Summer: 1st July to 30th September depart 0615 to 0000.
Winter: 1st October to 30th June depart 0615 to 2300.
The C19 runs from 0700 to 0000. The C19 runs every 20 to 25 minutes with a journey time of 30 minutes.
by train: Trains depart opposite terminal 2. Trains to Malaga city run every 30 minutes from 0649 to 2349. Trains to Fuengirola run every 30 minutes from 0524 to 2334.
Tourist information
Desks in arrivals terminal A & B and departures terminal A.
Check-in
Opens 2 hours prior to flight departure time. Desks close promptly 40 minutes prior to departure.
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