I am planning to stay at a timeshare in Malaga in July. I read Fodor's which said that it is a horrible city with the highest crime rate in SPain! Any truth? I had envisioned a nice beach city, central to trips to other cities worth visiting. HELP!

Malaga is a very pleasant place with less crime & a less aggressive tourist scene than most of the nearby resorts.It is the regional capital & has more history & beautiful architecture too - most of the nearby places have been developed recently.A good base for travelling around the area. <BR> Someone tried to steal my partners purse there this year but overall I'd say it's safer than most places.In July stay in the Parador Gibralfaro, its on top of the hill overlooking the town, hence its a bit cooler. <BR>

dear phyllis its worth visiting as centr for trips cheaper than the near by towns but july is very hot try to vist ben almadena harber the inglsh old tropical park nestling in the mountin of malaga the elegeter park the ronamtic bird park near malaga airport

if you can go anywhere else, do. malaga is dirty and polluted, and my least favorite city in Spain.

We have spent several winters in Torremolinos and Fuengirola, near Malaga and from what they tell us, folks who live in the cities like Malaga leave the city in June, July and August for the nearby beach cities mentioned above. It can be an interesting city and many side trips can be taken from any of the mentioned cities. However the normal precautions should always be taken against thieves as they are out there just waiting. However we HAVE BEEN LUCKY. Enjoy. Forgot to mention, they leave the cities because of the heat, many from Malaga have summer places in nearby Torremolinos.

The city itself does not have a striking monumental heritage as Sevilla or Granada but has a couple of sights which are worth seeing. It is the most dynamic city of Andalucia and this aspect may decay in July/August when its citizens go to the nearby beaches where most of them have their second home. Respect of the thieves, take the normal care, not more. It is a good place to make trips specially to Eastern and Central Andalucia. The Costa del Sol is absolutely crowded those dates. I personally recommend you to go to Nerja, The Axarquia towns ( Competa, Frigiliana, etc ), Salobreņa, The Alpujarras,( Capileira, Pampaneira, etc), Granada, Ronda, Marbella, Grazalema Natural Park, Antequera and El Torcal Natural Park, El Chorro Gorge, etc. I expect you enjoy a lot your vacations.