Things to do in Malaga

It is its Moorish history that southern Spain is best known for. The Moors from North Africa ruled Malaga from the 8th century until it was conquered by the Christians during the crusades. If you decide to get a car hire at Malaga and explore the region you will find the typical Moorish architecture with its great archways is still apparent in the architecture of the region.

Despite nearly fourteen million tourists passing through Malaga airport, Malaga city receives surprisingly few visitors, most tourists picking up a car hire at Malaga Airport and driving off down the coast road. Malaga was traditionally seen as the poor neighbour of the capital of Andalusia, Seville but all that is set to change.

Plan Malaga is preparing the city for 2016 when Malaga is set to become the European City of Culture. Malaga Airport is being expanded and plans are afoot for massive new infrastructure and cultural facilities, all aimed at getting tourists to stop in Malaga rather than just head off down the coast in their car hire.

Things to see in Malaga

Built on small hill, Malaga’s Alcabaza, or Moorish fortress, dates back to the 8th century, although most of the surviving buildings were built in the 11th century. It was once connected to Malaga’s city walls, although they have long since crumbled in this part of the city. Although this is one of the best-preserved Moorish fortresses in Spain, the Alcabaza is best known for its amazing gardens and the archaeological museum in the inner citadel.

Castillo de Gibralfaro at the top of the Gibralfaro hill (you’ll have to get out of your hire car to climb the steep path up). This was once a major fortress where Ferdinand and Isabella besieged the inhabitants of Malaga, although it is now in ruins with little more than a few walls surviving amidst the pine trees. It is worth the climb if only for the great views out over Malaga.

Malaga’s most famous son is undoubtedly Pablo Picasso and aside from Malaga airport being named after him, Malaga is also home to the Pablo Picasso Museum. The museum attracts many visitors to Malaga so be prepared to queue if you come in high summer. The museum is open every day except Monday from 10am to 8pm and houses a permanent collect of Picasso’s work as well as temporary exhibitions.

Malaga is perhaps best known for its spectacular 19th century Plaza de Toros. There are still bullfights here but if you don’t have the stomach to watch, the bullring is open on days where there are no fights and there is also a museum.

The best way to see around Malaga is on foot as the traffic can come to a standstill, especially in high summer and the most popular shopping districts are in any case pedestrianised. If you have driven to Malaga, you can park your hire car close to the port.

Malaga Car Rental

The city of Malaga is a major port in the heart Spain’s most popular coastline for tourists, the Costa del Sol. To its landward side, the Axarquia Mountains give rise to the river Guadalmedina that cuts through the city, with Malaga’s Old Town nestling along its banks.

Newer development in Malaga runs behind its massive port, set in a wide, sweeping bay. Most people arriving at the port of Malaga, or Malaga airport pick up a car hire to get to their resort or explore Andalusia.

There has been a settlement at Malaga for millennia; it is reported that the Phoenicians, from modern day Lebanon, first settled here around 1000 years BC.

Malaga Car Hire

Photos from around the region of Malaga

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Planning to hire a car in Malaga, check out the gallery for more photos from around the region