Málaga airport is used by millions of holidaymakers annually as the
gateway to Spain’s most commercialized
coastline with the ‘super resorts’ of
Torremolinos and
Marbella, just a few miles west.
However, while Málaga calls itself the ‘Capital of the Costa del Sol’, it is very
untypical of the
region it serves, and for better or for worse, it has absorbed very little of the Costa holiday culture.
Instead of swish marinas, all-day British breakfasts and hordes of pink-faced North Europeans,
Málaga boasts a
busy commercial port, bars and restaurants where
local food and
language are the norm, and Malagueños going about their daily business. Above all, this is a
very Spanish city.
First impressions (high-rise apartments, busy traffic and dusty graffitied streets) are
not promising. But the
old center also features many
handsome venerable streets and
plazas, and several
historic landmarks which would grace any European metropolis.
Since the millennium Málaga has been a city in transition with
building projects everywhere. The new
Picasso Museum (opened in 2003) is the jewel in its tourism crown and has kick started the city’s growth in visitor numbers. Many more projects have followed, including
new hotels and an increasing number of
high quality ‘Spanish-cosmopolitan’ restaurants, cafes and
bars.
Work is also being spurred on by the fact that Málaga is a
candidate for
European City of Culture 2016. It may be a while yet before it becomes an established city break alongside the likes of Barcelona and Seville, but Málaga is no longer just a mere holiday portal.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Spain Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Spain Airport Guides:
|
Spain City Guides:
|
| Spain Attraction Guides: |
|
|
|
|
