Philip Mennell | TripTipping
Málaga in Southern Spain resides beside the sea and has mountains behind it; it’s an outward looking city with a distinct Southern Spanish feel. It’s very easy to get to as there’s a huge airport and a fast train that arrives from Madrid.
Breakfast
Breakfast in Southern Spain can only be one thing – Chocolate con Churros which is a wonderfully thick hot chocolate drink with plain long donuts to dip. The best place to get these in Málaga is Casa Aranda. If Churros are too sweet for breakfast then there are lots of bars on Plaza Merced that do breakfast deals.
Morning Activity
Be a culture vulture and see the Cathedral, the Carmen Thyssen Museum and the Alcazaba. The Cathedral is known as the one armed as only one of its pillars was every finished, it took three decades to finish and is beautiful example of a Renaissance church.
The Thyssen Museum opened in 2011, and is a collection from the Thyssen family who have been world patrons of art for generations. The gallery is housed in an incredible building with central patio.
And finally, the Alcazaba, this is a Fort that’s sits above Málaga city, it’s a really interesting site to visit and great views.
Lunch
Vino Mio
Vino Mio this restaurant is a Malaga stalwart. It offers Mediterranean cuisine in an upbeat, fun setting. The desserts are delicious too.
Afternoon Activity
Philip Mennell | TripTipping
Head to the beach at El Palo which is one of the best in Málaga centre (about 10mins drive east along the coast), its easy to rent a car in Málaga. Or if you don’t fancy traveling to the beach, La Malagueta is just much nearer (a 5 minute walk from the Cathedral).
Málaga has one of the best climates in Spain with warm weather practically all year round. There’s something great about hanging out in a city with all the chic restaurants and bars but also being able to sunbath and swim in the sea.
Dinner
Tapeo de Cervantes, Pepe y Pepa and Las Quitapenas
If one day in Málaga is all you have then the easiest way to try out as many bars and restaurants as possible is to go on a tapas tour. The idea is to have one or two drinks in each place so you can see different tapas bars, eat different food in each and take in a bit of the city as well.
Tapeo de Cervantes is a gourmet tapas bar selling incredible wines and small tapas of the best possible quality. Pepe y Pepa on Calle Granada is at the other end of the spectrum; expect large portions of fried fish at very reasonable prices here.
Just round the corner from Pepe y Pepa, Las Quitapenas on Calle Marin Garcia 4 is always busy and sells fresh fish, from razor fish to clams, the garlic skewered prawns and champagne cocktail is a cheap treat.
Evening Activity
See some Flamenco, Liceo on Calle Beatas is a flamenco club including dance and music. It’s a great introduction to the Spanish art form.
The venue is a large nobleman’s house that used to be a nightclub and now has a great atmosphere to experience Flamenco.
