We will be in Malaga for 2 days in September. We are separately covering Granada, Cordoba and Seville. We need advise on what to do for the 2 days that we are in Malaga (seems like there isn't much !). We are thinking of utilising one of those 2 days for a day trip to Mijas and Ronda. Please advise on what else is worth doing in and around Malaga. How is Torremolinos ?

You could go to Ronda; or, depending on the weather, the beach or a round of golf would be fine. we stayed there for a couple of days between seville and barcelona; used it as downtime for the most part but did take a day trip to Granada.

You could go to the Picasso musuem, and his birthplace.Have a meal at the Parador at the Gibralfaro. Good food and spectacular views. Ronda is certainly worth a trip. Torremolinos is a package holiday destination for Northern Europeans, I wouldn't bother.

Don't miss the sweet wine of Malaga. I recommend go to "Antigua Casa Guardia" established about 125 years ago at Alameda boulevard.

In addition to the Picasso Museum and the Gibralfaro Parador you might want to include a visit to the Cathedral. Malaga also has some very nice shopping districts and a walk through the old section is picturesque. Personally I would not have chosen to stay in Malaga if I wanted to visit Ronda or Mijas. These places are more accessible from the much maligned Torremolinos, Fuengirola and other towns on the Costa del Sol. However, if you have definite plans to stay in Malaga and want a day excursion you might consider Nerja and Frigiliana along with the previously suggested Ronda. Mijas is a delight but then again it is a tourist mecca.
You asked about Torremolinos. I know it is a touristy area but I like it. It is very convenvenient to the airport and has some nice hotels and restaurants. Like any other tourist oriented place it has its nice areas and its "touristy" places. Since I am a tourist i do not usually mind.

I live here, and there is a lot to see and do. Go to the Tourist office first thing. I am in a hurry now, but shall try to make several suggestions, In which hotel you'll be staying? What are your preferences?

Climb up to the castle ruins looming over town - or beach it otherwise not much here IMO. Torremolinos is one string of highrise blah development catering to the annual influx of northern Europeans and Brits to get some sun. Blah!

Malaga at least has some old-world feel to it.

I'm with raydotman on Torremolinos - it is much and wrongly maligned. There is a quite lovely promenade running from Torremolinos to Benalmedena and it is full of fish restaurants which are rightly recognised for their variety and quality.

steve - i stayed a week there and really did like the week - for relaxing, the food, ambience of Spanish life so i see your point.

But for old-world dreaminess i found little. Depends what you're looking for. Great beaches, nightlife, sangria, pubs, restos, etc. granted.

hi, indiancouple,

we only stayed one night on our way to Granada, but we really liked it. Lots of nice tapas bars, shops, the cathedral. we necer got to the picasso museums - next time.

WE did find the market - it was really great, full of the bits of dead animals that we don't normally see and wonderfully fresh fish, fruit, and veg.

you'l find more than enough to do whil you're there.

regards, ann

Josele, in response to your question, we are staying at the Silken Puerta Malaga. Our preference would be to see the "old world charm", and maybe some nice beaches. We selected Malaga in our itinerary to offer some contrast to the other cities we shall be visiting, such as Madrid, Granada and Seville. Of the two days that we are in Malaga, I know that we shall make a trip to Ronda and Mijas on one day (are both cities doable in one day ??). We need suggestions for the remaining day that we are in Malaga. Which is the best beach nearby ? What is there in Malaga nightlife ?

The Silken Nueva Malaga is a couple years old. Well located re. RRWW station, right in front; with private parking. Bad located re. visits to the city center as it is a long walk away, you'll need a taxi to and from. Besides, the new underground railway (tube) is being built along the avenue in front of the hotel. The works (ripping open the avenue)are presently far from the hotel, but progressing towards it, I dont know where they'll be in September.

Josele, you had promised to give suggestions when you had a little more time. We are still waiting for that. Basically, we reach Malaga late evening on 4th September (Tuesday), and we have to leave for Seville early morning on 7th. Please suggest an itinerary for 4th evening, and the whole days on 5th & 6th. Please accomodate Ronda and Mijas somewhere in the schedule. I look forward to hearing from you, since you live there.

I have prepared a Malaga itinerary for you, please give me an e-mail address to send it.
Going to Ronda: You can take the train, but you’ll have to change trains mid-way as there is no direct one in the mornings. You may arrive in Ronda at 10.00AM.
Going both to Mijas and Ronda in the same day is difficult, as Ronda has many things to see. But if you insist, You can drive the hiway towards Marbella, and passing the Benalmadena exit you’ll have the exit to Mijas. There is another exit to Mijas a couple miles further on, upon reaching Fuengirola. To reach Ronda you must continue this hiway till past Marbella and just before San Pedro Alcántara you’ll have the exit. In Ronda there is a public parking lot right beside the bull ring.

Thanks everyone for their excellent advice. I think we will enjoy Malaga.

Josele, I sent you an e-mail with my e-mail address, so that you could send me the proposed Malaga itinerary. In case you didn't receive it, the e-mail address is [email protected]
Look forward to receiving your mail.