Málaga

For many tourists in southern Spain, holidays begin and end at Málaga Airport - one of the largest and most important airports in the region. But instead of moving on right away, it is worth making a detour into the city itself. And not just because of the famous ice cream.

Parque de Málaga und Rathaus

The fastest way to get from the airport to the centre of the city, which has about 570,000 inhabitants, is by suburban train. Take the C1 line to the Centro Alameda stop, from where you can explore the main sights on foot.

Among the many museums of the city are the Museum of Contemporary Art (Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga), the Carmen Thyssen Art Museum with exhibits from the 19th century as well as a Flamenco Museum, an Aviation Museum, a Wine Museum, an Automobile Museum and many more.

Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga.

On the Plaza de la Merced you can visit the birthplace of Pablo Picasso (Museo Casa Natal de Picasso). Nearby, in Calle San Agustín, is the Picasso Museum, with over 200 works of the artist.

Take a tour of Málaga and discover the traces of a long history. Málaga was originally founded by the Phoenicians, and remains from this period can still be found in the Archaeological Museum or the Museo de Málaga. The ruins of a Roman theatre from the time of Roman rule, under which Malaga fell in the Second Punic War, are still preserved. Above is the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress.

Kathedrale, Málaga

The Moors, who ruled Málaga from 711 to the late 15th century, built the fortress in the 11th century on the remains of a Phoenician palace complex. From the fortress walls you have a great view over the city and the harbour.

In 1487 the Catholic Monarchs recaptured the city. In 1528, the cathedral Catedral de la Encarnación was built over the Grand Mosque. Since the second tower of the cathedral was never finished due to lack of money, the building is known among the locals as the "one-armed" (La Manquita).

Among other things, the marine museum provides information about the formation of the Strait.

In the port of Málaga there is the Museo Alborania. Here you can learn about the origins of the Strait of Gibraltar, about flora and fauna and about shipping in the area. Also questions about environmental protection are presented here in an entertaining way.

A ride with the 70 m high ferris wheel "La Princesa" at the harbour of Málaga provides a great panoramic view over Malaga and surroundings. And don't forget to try the Málaga ice cream, the special ingredient is raisins marinated in Málaga wine.