Holiday in Málaga

What makes Málaga special as a destination?

Málaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, has transformed from a sleepy harbor stop to one of the most exciting cultural metropolises in southern Spain. The Museo Picasso, located in a Renaissance palace, showcases over 200 works by the master, while the Centre Pompidou Málaga presents contemporary art at a world-class level in its colorful glass cube by the harbor. The Alcazaba, an 11th-century Moorish fortress, and the Castillo de Gibralfaro, which towers above, together offer a fascinating tour through the Arab history of Andalusia. The Muelle Uno promenade has revolutionized the cityscape: Elegant restaurants, design shops, and palm gardens stretch along the Mediterranean. The Mercado Central de Atarazanas, housed in a former shipyard with magnificent Art Nouveau glass windows, is a feast for the senses — fresh fish, olives, Iberico ham, and local wines at unbeatable prices. At the beach of La Malagüta and in the Chiringuitos (beach restaurants) along the coast, one enjoys freshly grilled sardines (Espetos), skewered on wooden sticks over an open fire — the culinary landmark of the city. The old town, with its impressive cathedral (affectionately called La Manquita, because one tower was never completed), Calle Larios, and countless tapas bars, pulsates late into the night. Málaga is the perfect gateway to the Costa del Sol, Granada (1.5 hours), and Ronda — and has long deserved to be more than just a stopover.