Malaga - 2days
 

We have 2 full days in Malaga Feb 8 and 9. Any suggestions on how to best spend it. Good restaurants, museums, etc. This is the beginning of a motorcycle tour through Andalusia so we will be visiting Granada, Ronda, and other cities en route. Staying at Tryp.

Hi rhmuir,

we only had a few hours in Malaga but really liked it. the cathedral was interesting, the shops nice, the restaurants and bars good [if you avoid the ones with people asknig you to go in that have menus in 6 different languages].

we never got to the picasso museum, but we DID pay an early mornnig visit to the market - it was really interesting.

our biggest problem was finding our way OUT of Malaga - we got hopelessly lost trying to find the road north to Granada.

the other, more interesting route is to go east along the coast until you hit the granada road, then head north up into the sierra navada. also, harder to get lost, unless you somehow lose the med.

good luck,

regards, ann

Thanks we have a start.

Hi rhmuir

We spent two days in Malaga after our train journey tour through Andalucia. We loved the city.

Broad pedestrianised avenues, with superb shops and stores. A great 'old town' to stroll around leading up to a fortress that sits above the city.

We spent hours taking relaxing walks around the city itself and enjoyed every minute of it. Nice harbour and a beautiful, almost deserted beach close by.

In the evenings we found lots of good reasonably priced restaurants, some full of character, some much more modern. I have to say though that no matter what bar or restaurant we visited the staff couldn't have been more friendly.

Malaga surprised us hugely. We'd go back in an instant!

joe

Joe, thanks for your kind comments on my home town, I'm glad you liked it.
rhmuir (and annhig), for exiting Malaga towards Granada, just go to the river (east bank) and drive north alongst it.
I am pasting here a report I wrote for another poster:

MÁLAGA: WHAT TO DO

Main itinerary: From the Plaza de la Marina: Calle Larios to Plaza de la Constitución to Calle Granada to Plaza de la Merced. Most things/sites are along this route.
The main tourist office is in Plaza de la Marina
The basic link is www.malagaturismo.com, do not miss the horse-carriage rides (I think you can take one to the Parador).

In the middle of the Alameda there is the Casa del Guardia, a Tavern for drinking Malaga wine (sweet mostly). It goes fast to the head. I rec. Malaga dorado, or a “pintao”, i.e. Muscatel with soda. Exit to calle Pastora and walk to Atarazanas, to see the Main Market. The façade is the authentic front of the muslim shipyards, rest of the building is XIX cent. (PRESSENTLY BEING REFORMED, WITH SCAFFOLDINGS).Then calle Arriola, reach the river and walk some meters to Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares (Popular Arts and Customs Museum), to know and understand our ways of living in these past two centuries. Exit to the right, calle Cisneros and Especerías (trad. Architecture) and reach Plaza Constitucion, and its Genoese marble fountain.
Another choice is walk to Plaza Marina and then Calle Larios (the main street) to Plaza de la Constitucion.
From here, take calle Santa Maria, and on the first corner on the left (calle Sanchez Pastor) there is Quitapenas, another trad. bar-tavern. It was located nearby, in an old building that fell down, so they had to build new. Continue Santa Maria to the corner of the Cathedral at Molina Lario street.
If you see the map, this street cuts north with Granada st. (which is long and winding). Now you have two possibilities, go the full round the Cathedral, and side visit to Convento Santa Ana and its museum, and head calle San Agustin to the Picasso Museum; or go north to Granada, pass on the left La Posada de Antonio (good food, especially meats) and another Quitapenas (this one old), continue walking to end up the same place, corner with San Agustin and the Picasso Museum. In the narrow part of Granada, to the right, there is Bodega El Pimpi , a must. It is a big place, with another door to Alcazabilla and the Roman Theatre.
Continuing C/. Granada you reach the Plaza de la Merced, our second most beautiful square, with many places to dine/drink in the evenings.
This is the basics, but you can take any detour you like, of course.

There are many good bars and restaurants; those I mention are my personal choice.
Tapas bars: from Calle Larios entrance, walking to Plaza Constitucion. On the left, calle Marin Garcia you’ll find Lo Güeno. And a bit further up Larios, to the right, calleMoreno Monroy, the Orellana (for me the best), and a short walk via calle Fresca to the Cathedral, Plaza del Obispo, to sit and have a drink in our best square.
Restaurants.
There are many along this route, most of them are good,: El Trillo, La Cepa, Strachan…for tapas, raciones (bigger than tapas) or sitting formally at the table.

Do you want restaurant recs? Parking info?

hi josele

You are welcome josele. We enjoyed Malaga very, very much.

Also, we were surprised that there appeared to be so few tourists there. The helpful young lady at the information office explained that many people fly to Malaga but then transfer on to the resorts. They are missing out on not visiting the city.

Now, if we could package up the Larios Hotel and move it here I'd be a happy man. Great location, superb stylish rooms, friendly staff and great rates. We couldn't have ask for more.

joe

Thanks again. Wow, we are leaving next Tuesday. Here is a question -
we have booked 2 nights at Tryp Guadalmar because we are linking up with motorcycle tour on Saturday at this hotel but since we have two full days is this the best hotel to stay at or should we stay in center of city. Maybe it is just a short cab ride? A recommendation for local restaurant for Thursday and Friday would be great. We will heading on Sunday by motorcycle to Granda for first day of 6 day tour.

Josele

I hope I have not overlooked your comments elsewhere, but have you commented on the Parador de Malaga?
What's your opinion?

ana maria

I too am a Malaga fan and absolutely ADORE the Museo Picasso--this is his private collection and if you're a Picasso fan (which I am), it is not to be missed. Also, enjoyed going to the casa de Picasso--some very interesting photos.

We took a taxi up to the Castillo de Gibralfrao which had fantastic views and then walked down to the Parador and enjoyed a few glasses of wine and then picked up another taxi down to the center of town.

Hotel Guadalmar is very near the airport, but outside the city. Though it is not far, that road supports heavy traffic almost all day long (I see you are coming on Fri-Sat, so traffic should be better). Taxi can be about 15 eur. the ride. I'd reccomend an hotel in the city such as Malaga Palacio ( www.ac-hotels.com) or Molina Lario (www.hotelmolinalario.com); another choice is hotel NH Malaga (www.nh-hotels.com). All have parking, and I see brand-new Molina Lario has a good "from 85 eur offer". VAT (IVA) is 16%. The Parador-Gibralfaro (Malaga Golf is a different Parador, very near the Guadalmar) is on the hill in the city, very good sights, but still a taxi ride from the center (well, it is a hill), and one of my favourite places to lunch or dine. A visit is a must.
For the restaurants, I am pasting below a doc. as the other one.
Joe, yes, a lot of people uses only the airport, and miss the city. I like the Larios hotel, its location is superb, but I am not rec. it because it has no parking, though they use a public one, and rhmuir goes by bike. BTW, NH also uses part of a public parking lot.
MALAGA: EATING RECOMMENDATIONS.
There are many good bars and restaurants; those I mention are my personal choice. If you get a map, you’ll have no trouble finding the places. Besides, these are places well-known by locals, just ask. Time to begin with Tapas is about 1,00 or 1,30 PM. Lunch from 2,30PM. Try to be local and avoid having lunch at 12,30PM.
Tapas bars: from Hotel Larios door cross to calle Moreno Monroy, the ORELLANA (for me the best), and a short walk via calle Fresca to the Cathedral, Plaza del Obispo, to sit and have a drink in our best square. Several options there, including a Cheers, but there is as well a Cañas and Tapas. Another is walking Larios street towards the harbour, on the right, calle Marin Garcia you’ll find LO GÜENO and LA TASCA.
From Plaza Constitucion, take calle Santa Maria, and on the first corner on the left (calle Sanchez Pastor) there is QUITAPENAS, another trad. bar-tavern. It was located nearby, in an old building that fell down, so they had to build a new place. They serve mostly fried fish, squids, shrimps.
In the narrow part of Calle Granada, to the right, (past corner with San Agustin and the Picasso Museum) there is BODEGA EL PIMPI, a must. It is a big place, with another door to Alcazabilla and the Roman Theatre.
In the Alameda Principal you have CASA DEL GUARDIA, a traditional tavern you simply cannot miss, for a drink of our local sweet wines. Beware, it goes fast to the head. Only food there are cold shellfish. Open all day long.
Restaurants: Chances are you’ll eat well any place you choose, but I’ll recommend my choices, with local cuisine.:
Parador de Gibralfaro restaurant, great view. You’ll have to take a taxi. Reservations at 952221902.
For a fish restaurant my choice is EL CALEÑO, at Playas de Pedregalejo. It is about 5 miles to the east. Take a taxi to the Carreterita (Calle Bolivia) corner with Arroyo de los Pilones. There you walk to the beach (10 mtrs. and 50 mtrs left. All stuff is first class. Not to miss Malaga shrimps if available, or Cigalas. Another dish I like is Fish cooked under a salt crust: pescado a la sal. Tell the man (Chico) I am sending you. Make your reservation (or ask the Hotel clerk do it in your name, they don’t speak fluent English) for the terrace at 952299148.

Josele I see there are two Paradors and you made reference to the "golf" parador which I see is further out. What about the other one?

Josele, great advice. Yes, I am going to change hotels. We both like being able to just walk out of hotel and take our pick of restaurants and shopping. More advice than I could read in a guide book. Muchas gracias.

I too found Malaga completely different from what I expected. For some odd reason, I had in my mind a metropolis with new and bland tall buildings. Instead, I found it to be a charming city with a lot of character and architecture that reminded me of eastern Europe (good parts of it! this is a compliment).

Also, I could be wrong but I think annhig didn't want to leave Malaga and chose to get lost :)

amsdon, I highly recomend Malaga-Gibralfaro Parador. It is almost on top of the hill above Malaga (on the very top is the Castle), quiet setting amongst the pines and with an unbeatable view. It was built in the 60s, and recently renovated. It is a short easy walk down, there are several ramps. Going up you'll need a ride (well, I'd need it).
I think you better go to http://www.parador.es/castellano/par...selparador=036 and clic album de fotos.

hi, comfy,

yes, we did make rather a meal of escaping from malaga. Josele's tip of keeping to the east of the river would have been great except that we started from the airport so we were on the wrong side of the river from the start.

I would strongly advise anyone contemplating visiting malaga to use the train!

regards, ann

Thanks Josele, I am pondering that one.

Josele:
I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful responses to this post. I am finalizing my trip itinerary for the week after Semana Santa (yes, I'm a little late) and Malaga was on my list of potential cities. I think you just helped me make my decision! I was actually thinking of staying in Malaga for 3-4 nights as there appear to be several places that would make nice daytrips (Nerja, Antequera) using public transportation.

Thanks again!!!

amsdon, after all the talk on the Parador, I went there for lunch last friday, and it was excellent as usual. Lucky me!
CathyM, feel free to e-mail me when you come, if you want to meet me. rhmuir, I did not offer as I'll be in London when you are here. Have a nice trip, and pls let us know your experience.
Regards.

Thanks Josele, all of your restaurant recs are saved for future reference.