Malaga

The City of Málaga is in Andalusia in southern Spain and the capital of the Costa del Sol

A weekend in Málaga with the girls - an early start and just a 3 hour flight from London Stansted to Málaga Airport, we hop in a taxi 20 mins to our hotel. We’re welcomed with a welcome drink, checking in to H10 Croma Málaga. We happily spent a lazy afternoon on the stylish rooftop terrace with comfy loungers, bar stools, greenery and a rooftop plunge pool surrounded by amazing and panoramic views of Malaga.

Dinner is at El Gallo Ronco for tapas where apparently sharing is caring (except Joey doesn’t share unless it’s with friends!) We sit outside in this vibrant square Place de Las Flores - a sprawling, leafy terrace & next-door are flamenco shows. It’s been a long day so we call it a night before we see/start dancing!

We head to La Canasta Cafe for breakfast, where a posse of police officers in uniform sends our posse of girls a flutter in the heat! We’ve reserved a table outside for Saturday lunch at authentic Restaurante El Caleńo, renowned for fresh seafood grilled on a beach barbecue. It’s on the seafront overlooking the ocean and the warm inviting Alboran sea.

All enjoy the grilled sardines, paella, cocktails, and wine. Pedregalejo Playa is one of Málaga’s traditional fisherman’s neighbourhoods, and the promenade has many chiringuitos. So we head for holiday Pina Colada cocktails up the road at Vox sports bar by the beach - a round of drinks is very affordable and you can see why Malaga is popular with hen parties!

An Über taxi back to the hotel to get ready for dinner and a refreshing drink at the hotel bar.

Then we head out past Centro Historico, and the gorgeous gilded religious floats and statues in Calle Marqués de Larios.

A nightcap at a bar popular with the locals - craft brewery La Fábrica and we sway home past the beautiful illuminated tower and ornate entrance of Malaga Cathedral.

The morning after the night before, we head to Casa Aranda no-frills classic cafe, established in 1932, for a hearty breakfast of coffee, churros with melted chocolate. 

A relaxing morning dip in the refreshing plunge pool is a great way to start the day.

There are lots of lovely boutiques and shops, (with slow service) Calle Karios is a prominent shopping area. There’s a beautiful bronze sculpture, Chiromantic Bird Sculpture by local artist José Seguiri, combining the hand of friendship and the dove of peace.

Go nuts for gifts, nougat and er…nuts in chocolate at Sabor a España store. Plaza de La Merced is in the historic centre near the birthplace of Picasso.

We take a well-deserved rest after shopping and refresh with caña small beers. Sitting outside in the shade at Pez Lola Taberna Marinera for tapas and pinchos, we love the fun underwater theme inside the restaurant and bar.

A stroll in the sunshine, past terracotta buildings in the Centro Historico and the bold mustard and crimson 18th century baroque palace Palacio Episcopal in Plaza del Obispo.

Past the beautiful tiled Casa Lola restaurant facade - well-known for tapas and vermouth and cute souvenir shops.

If you like a bit of AC - Art and Culture (and air-conditioning) check out the Museo Picasso Málaga. Buenavista Palace houses the museum. Picasso painted this work of art ‘Lola and the Doll’ at around 15 years old - and his work got more abstract with age! 

We all loved the colourful pastel Farah Atassi ‘Genius Loci’ exhibition influenced by modernist masters like Picasso, which runs until December 2025.

The Cathedral of Málaga is a Roman Catholic church, which faces the famous Plaza del Obispo, with an impressive facade and interior. Officially known as Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación de Malaga, built between 1528 and 1728, it blends Renaissance interior and Baroque façade.

Explore the Alcazaba Palace built in the early 11th century, a hilltop Moorish style medieval fortress overlooking the sea.

To gorgeous Bodega El Pimpi, founded in 1971 (a good year!) which has a 'famous' wine cellar. We sit outside under parasols in the sunshine. Roll out the barrel.. the lovely cool interior has barrels, tiled stairs, a fountain, and a kitchen with a colourful display of vegetables.

Close by, at the foot of the Alcazaba is the modern square building, Centro de Interpretacíon, the entrance to the Roman Theatre.

Castillo de Gibralfaro castle was built in the 14th century to protect the Alcazaba citadel, which is connected by the exterior wall. It offers impressive views over Malaga and the sea, with the old town extending out below.

Centre Pompidou is a contemporary art museum displaying works in a modern, colourful glass cube.

Celebrity Cruises have trips including to Malaga - you can explore the best of Malaga in an intimate group setting, touring some of the city’s notable attractions.

Writing and photos by Crystal McClory

To book or for more info, contact Abbotts Travel on 020 8989 9445 or email info@abbottstravel.com