Can I help with any Malaga queries

[campolady]

I live 40 minutes away from Malaga.

 

Having seen a far from complimentary post on here recently - obviously someone who missed all the best bits of the city as they called it smelly and dirty????? - it seems that there is a lack of information available.

 

If I can help answer any of your queries feel free to ask.

 

Malaga is a fascinating, vibrant city that should not be missed and not just used as a stepping stone to Granada or Nerja.

Edited June 11, 2015 by campolady

[VMax1700]

Welcome back! You've been missing for a while.

 

It's good to have someone onboard who lives local.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I will be there in March. I'm traveling solo and am interested in what you would consider the highlights and not-to-be missed sights of your city. I haven't done any research for my cruise as of yet (my daughter is getting married in a few months, and that is taking all my attention!), so don't know what I'll be doing at any of the ports of call. I especially enjoy food tours as they allow me to learn about the culture I'm visiting. Also, seeing points of interest even if they're a little touristy is certainly an option. I enjoy shopping for crafts (not touristy souvenirs). I'm no one to go spend the day at the beach--I'd prefer a to go for a hike or do a tour of some sort. So, with that information...any suggestions?

 

Thank you for being willing to share your knowledge!

[Ecuador]

campolady

 

would like to visit Gibralfaro and Alcazaba. I understand bus No 35 goes to the castle.The plan is to visit the castle in the morning and then either walk down to alcazaba or get the bus back to alcazaba if it goes this route.

[campolady]

campolady

 

would like to visit Gibralfaro and Alcazaba. I understand bus No 35 goes to the castle.The plan is to visit the castle in the morning and then either walk down to alcazaba or get the bus back to alcazaba if it goes this route.

 

Yes, bus 35 goes up to Gibralfaro. From there you either have to walk down to the Alcazaba or get the bus back down then cross the road to get to the main entrance.

 

If you fancy a coffee stop with a brilliant view just walk downhill from the castle for 5 minutes and you come to the Parador hotel where non-residents are welcome. There is a bus stop here immediately outside the grounds entrance to save you having to walk back up to the castle for the return journey.

[campolady]

I will be there in March. I'm traveling solo and am interested in what you would consider the highlights and not-to-be missed sights of your city. I haven't done any research for my cruise as of yet (my daughter is getting married in a few months, and that is taking all my attention!), so don't know what I'll be doing at any of the ports of call. I especially enjoy food tours as they allow me to learn about the culture I'm visiting. Also, seeing points of interest even if they're a little touristy is certainly an option. I enjoy shopping for crafts (not touristy souvenirs). I'm no one to go spend the day at the beach--I'd prefer a to go for a hike or do a tour of some sort. So, with that information...any suggestions?

 

Thank you for being willing to share your knowledge!

 

The local Tourist Board offer excellent walking tours of the city - just call in the Tourist Information Office across the road from the port entrance; these used to be free but may cost a few Euros now. This company also offer highly praised walking tours that can be pre-booked to guarantee a place but I don't know current prices http://www.welovemalaga.com/walking-tour-malaga/

 

Just off the Plaza de la Constitucion - at the far end of the main street Larios - there are many, many little streets selling Artisan craft goods; the city is especially famous for silverware.

 

The Cathedral - called the One Armed Lady as money put aside for the second tower was given to US forces for their battle against the Brits - should definitely not be missed.

 

To get a feel of Spanish life visit the indoor market where the fresh food displays are stunning. There are several stalls offering food and drink if you feel peckish - try the delicious Fritura Malaguena which is mixed fried fish famous in Malaga.

 

The Picasso Museum is fascinating if you like art - other museums include Crystal + Glass Museum, Motor Museum and the excellent Carmen Thyssen Museum.

 

The Roman amphitheatre has been an on-going dig for many years. This year part has been opened to the public and is a fascinating place to spend a few minutes - entrance is free.

 

Malaga has some of the best Tapas bars in the whole of Spain - and you will not feel uncomfortable going in on your own; sample Malaga Wine straight from the cask - sweet or dry fortified wines similar to Sherry. Can recommend some places if you are interested.

 

Take the no. 35 bus up to Gibralfaro Castle for stunning views or visit the Alcazaba (citadel) similar to a small Alhambra but without the crowds.

 

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck with the wedding plans - I wish your daughter and her fiancé a long and very happy life together.

Edited June 13, 2015 by campolady

[Ecuador]

campolady.

Re tapas bars

 

which ones would you recommend?

[Quilting_Cruiser]

The local Tourist Board offer excellent walking tours of the city - just call in the Tourist Information Office across the road from the port entrance; these used to be free but may cost a few Euros now. This company also offer highly praised walking tours that can be pre-booked to guarantee a place but I don't know current prices http://www.welovemalaga.com/walking-tour-malaga/

 

Just off the Plaza de la Constitucion - at the far end of the main street Larios - there are many, many little streets selling Artisan craft goods; the city is especially famous for silverware.

 

The Cathedral - called the One Armed Lady as money put aside for the second tower was given to US forces for their battle against the Brits - should definitely not be missed.

 

To get a feel of Spanish life visit the indoor market where the fresh food displays are stunning. There are several stalls offering food and drink if you feel peckish - try the delicious Fritura Malaguena which is mixed fried fish famous in Malaga.

 

The Picasso Museum is fascinating if you like art - other museums include Crystal + Glass Museum, Motor Museum and the excellent Carmen Thyssen Museum.

 

The Roman amphitheatre has been an on-going dig for many years. This year part has been opened to the public and is a fascinating place to spend a few minutes - entrance is free.

 

Malaga has some of the best Tapas bars in the whole of Spain - and you will not feel uncomfortable going in on your own; sample Malaga Wine straight from the cask - sweet or dry fortified wines similar to Sherry. Can recommend some places if you are interested.

 

Take the no. 35 bus up to Gibralfaro Castle for stunning views or visit the Alcazaba (citadel) similar to a small Alhambra but without the crowds.

 

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck with the wedding plans - I wish your daughter and her fiancé a long and very happy life together.

 

First, thank you for your kind wishes for my daughter and future SIL. We're so happy to welcome him to our family. :)

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to address my specific interests. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! Your suggestions sound great. I love it when folks who live locally are willing to share their knowledge of their cities with us!

 

I would absolutely love it if you would recommend some places for good tapas. Almost everything you mentioned sounds great. Is there a map of the city at the port to orient myself? And are places like the indoor market easily found?

 

Regards,

Jayne

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Campolady, again, thank you! I just booked a tour with We Love Malaga Tours. Thank you for the recommendation. They get excellent reviews on Trip Advisor and the Walk and Taste Tour looks perfect! So, no need to answer my question about whether the indoor market is east to find--we'll be visiting it on the tour. I've let my roll call know so others can join in.

 

Thank you! Looking forward to seeing your lovely city. :)

[moqui_girl]

Hi campolady. We will be in Malaga in October with our nearly 2 year old. Can you suggest any child friendly activities within a short walk of the cruise shuttle drop off point. We will have a buggy with us too so may restrict us. Thanks.

[llarsen]

Hello Campolady,

 

We (two active couples in our 50's) will be visiting Malaga in the month of September by cruise ship but will be staying in port overnight and until 5pm the next day giving us the opportunity to see more, or even go further out since we do not have to be back to ship at a certain hour.

 

I've noted some of your recommendations to other people, and wondering if you recommend anything else to do since we are in Malaga overnight?

 

We love castles and old architecture and neat little bars (if you could recommend some bars that would also be apprecitated)

 

We are also open to hiring a private driver to take us to surrounding areas. (We are staying in Sevilla a couple days pre-cruise)

We have rented cars in past, not sure how easy it is to drive in Spain and find sights?

 

Thank you so much!

[campolady]

Hi campolady. We will be in Malaga in October with our nearly 2 year old. Can you suggest any child friendly activities within a short walk of the cruise shuttle drop off point. We will have a buggy with us too so may restrict us. Thanks.

 

As with most cities, most attractions cater for adults rather than children although there is a beach only 5 minutes walk from the port entrance. You may be better taking a bus from the port entrance to Benalmadena where there is a Butterfly Park, Aquarium, Selwo Dolphin park and Paloma Park that has a delightful childrens small animal zone or to neighbouring Fuengirola where there is a very eco-friendly famous zoo.

[campolady]

campolady.

Re tapas bars

 

which ones would you recommend?

 

One of our favourite is the Antigua Casa de Guardia on the Avenida Principal - reputedly the oldest bar in Malaga. VERY Andaluz, here there are countless barrels of Malaga Wines (similar to Sherry) that you choose from the cask and the running total of glasses you have is chalked up on the old wooden bar in front of you. Great seafood Tapas. http://www.casadeguardia.com/

 

Another good place just to the rear of the Cathedral is the charming Art Nouveau El Jardin - best Tortilla tapa in Malaga IMO.

 

Immediately opposite the entrance to the Picasso Museum is the excellent El Gallo Rojo

 

A very popular, famous bar is El Pimpi accessed either down a ginnel off Calle Granada or from opposite the Roman Amphitheatre. Here the walls are covered with pictures of Spanish celebs sampling the local wine and delicious hous cured Serrano Ham.

 

Cheaper, and with a wide selection of Tapas, are Pepe Pepa I and Pepe Pepa II or several branches of Quintas La Pena around the city.

 

There is also a good/cheap Tapas Bar in the port itself that mainly caters for the port workers and ferry passengers.

 

Definitely try the Frito Malgueno - Malagan tradition mixed Fried Fish. Don't try Paella in any Tapas bar - have that in a restaurant specialising in seafood as it needs eating freshly cooked rather than cooked in advance as is necessary in a Tapas bar.

 

As well as Tapas, you must try the delicious Churros the area is famous for - deep fried donut like strips that can either be eaten dry (many people sprinkle them with sugar but this makes them too sweet for me) or dunked in coffee or thick hot chocolate. The best place to find traditional Churros in Malaga is Casa Aranda - you may well have to queue for a table as it is always full of locals

 

Hope this helps.

Edited June 14, 2015 by campolady

[campolady]

Campolady, again, thank you! I just booked a tour with We Love Malaga Tours. Thank you for the recommendation. They get excellent reviews on Trip Advisor and the Walk and Taste Tour looks perfect! So, no need to answer my question about whether the indoor market is east to find--we'll be visiting it on the tour. I've let my roll call know so others can join in.

 

Thank you! Looking forward to seeing your lovely city. :)

 

I am so pleased to have been able to help you Quilting Cruiser. When in the market have a look at the amazing stained glass window at the rear - this was only re-discovered a few years ago when the market was refurbished as it was covered with over a centuries grime and everyone thought it was just a black glass panel!

[campolady]

Hello Campolady,

 

We (two active couples in our 50's) will be visiting Malaga in the month of September by cruise ship but will be staying in port overnight and until 5pm the next day giving us the opportunity to see more, or even go further out since we do not have to be back to ship at a certain hour.

 

I've noted some of your recommendations to other people, and wondering if you recommend anything else to do since we are in Malaga overnight?

 

We love castles and old architecture and neat little bars (if you could recommend some bars that would also be apprecitated)

 

We are also open to hiring a private driver to take us to surrounding areas. (We are staying in Sevilla a couple days pre-cruise)

We have rented cars in past, not sure how easy it is to drive in Spain and find sights?

 

Thank you so much!

 

Lucky you having a night in Malaga - after dark is when the city is at its most vibrant with all the bars and restaurants full of locals. See the post I have just done for Ecuador for some suggestions but at night you really will be spoiled for choice - just follow the locals to find the best places.

 

Gibralfaro Castle would be a great place for you to visit - good little museum there and spectacular views over the city and sea. There is an excellent little booklet on Malaga that can be purchased on Amazon - Walking in the Footsteps of Malaga - that you may find of interest.

 

On your second day perhaps you could take a bus or taxi into Nerja or Mijas Pueblo. Although both are very popular with tourists they both retain some real Andalucian charm - unfortunately as they are at opposite sides of Malaga they cannot both be seen in one day. Not an attraction for me personally but interesting for its history to many people, Mijas has the oldest Bullring in Spain . the village is very steep so not good for anyone with walking difficulties. Nerja has some world famous caves just 4km outside the town at Maro and there is also a neighbouring village, Frigiliana, some 3km inland that is well worth a visit but again has steep streets. You can hire a taxi to do a day tour for you by the cruise terminal that will take you where you want to go and be cheaper than hiring a private driver from a tour company.

 

Cars can be pre-booked and collected from quayside but, if I was you, I would either use public transport or taxis rather than driving yourself (Spanish cars are 99% manual geared not automatic).

 

Hope this helps and please do not hesitate to contact me again if you require any further information.

[campolady]

Cheaper, and with a wide selection of Tapas, are Pepe Pepa I and Pepe Pepa II or several branches of Quintas La Pena around the city.QUOTE]

 

Oops - this should read Quitapenas not Quintas La Pena - a bit of a senior moment there lol! The two Pepe Pepa bars are cheaper than Quitapenas.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I am so pleased to have been able to help you Quilting Cruiser. When in the market have a look at the amazing stained glass window at the rear - this was only re-discovered a few years ago when the market was refurbished as it was covered with over a centuries grime and everyone thought it was just a black glass panel!

 

That sounds lovely! Thanks for the tip!

[Quilting_Cruiser]

BTW, I posted on my roll call about the tour I booked--that was just yesterday and already there are only 2 slots left. Looks like it'll be a fun and tasty day! :)

[moqui_girl]

As with most cities, most attractions cater for adults rather than children although there is a beach only 5 minutes walk from the port entrance. You may be better taking a bus from the port entrance to Benalmadena where there is a Butterfly Park, Aquarium, Selwo Dolphin park and Paloma Park that has a delightful childrens small animal zone or to neighbouring Fuengirola where there is a very eco-friendly famous zoo.

 

 

Thanks for your reply. I had noticed that the cruise ship runs an excursion to the zoo. I'm always nervous about zoos so good to know it's well run. I'll take a look at your other suggestions too.

[Ecuador]

campolady

 

Thank you so much for all the helpful info.Will certainly try the Frito Malgueno and Churros when we visit Malaga.

[SeaFlorida]

Our ship will be in Malaga on Oct 12 and 13th. I understand that the 12th is

a National Holiday. If I booked a tour of the city will most venues be closed.

Can you suggest a tour company that would take us to Nerja. The cruise ship

is offering a tour of Marbella and Puerto Banus. Your thoughts would be

appreciated.

[campolady]

Our ship will be in Malaga on Oct 12 and 13th. I understand that the 12th is

a National Holiday. If I booked a tour of the city will most venues be closed.

Can you suggest a tour company that would take us to Nerja. The cruise ship

is offering a tour of Marbella and Puerto Banus. Your thoughts would be

appreciated.

 

Yes, the 12th is a National Holiday - Hispanic Day http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/spain/hispanic-day - and museums, shops etc. will be closed. However, the Cathedral will be open for Masses and the cities restaurants and Tapas Bars will be very busy so its a good chance to see the Malaguenos at play.

 

Spain Day Tours http://spaindaytours.com/all-spain-day-trips.html and Costafrica Tours http://costafrica.com/day-trips offer trips to Nerja but, to be honest, you would be better to just take a taxi for the day from right by the cruise terminal as the tour coach will only drop you in Nerja centre for a couple of hours then rush you on the caves. The taxi will wait as long as you want, gets there much quicker and works out much better value. You can also get a bus either into Nerja centre or on the the caves from by the port gates that takes 1-1.5 hours depending on whether it is an express or not and only costs just over €5 per person; we live 7 minutes east of Nerja and always take a bus into Malaga rather than drive. Nerja caves only close on Christmas Day and New Years Day so will be open on 12th October http://www.thenerjacaves.com/ however the Caves museum in the Plaza Espana of Nerja town centre will be closed.

 

 

Nothing special at Marbella or Puerto Banus. Marbella city is mostly long malls of designer shops with the coast fringed by massive hotels although the old city area around Orange Square still has charm. Puerto Banus is a grossly overpriced strip of bars, shops and restaurants (the promenade is OK but as soon as you go one row back it is rather seedy in areas) . The boats are nice to see at Puerto Banus, and some lovely cars trawl up and down the strip, but the port mainly consists of people posing, looking for celebrities (who nowadays are as scare as Hens teeth at Banus), pretending to be famous and drinking very expensive cocktails. Its a place ou would either love or hate. http://www.andalucia.com/banus/home.htm

 

Hope this helps.

Edited June 15, 2015 by campolady

[VMax1700]

Campolady, do the caves at Nerja close for siesta? (something in the back of my mind tells me that we had to wait in the restaurant for a while for the caves to reopen in the evening).

[campolady]

Campolady, do the caves at Nerja close for siesta? (something in the back of my mind tells me that we had to wait in the restaurant for a while for the caves to reopen in the evening).

 

No siesta at the Caves in July and August VMax1700 but there is for the rest of the year. Opening times are here http://www.thenerjacaves.com/hours-and-tariffs/

 

The Nerja History Museum does close for siesta though year round.

Edited June 15, 2015 by campolady

[SeaFlorida]

Thanks so much for your info. Still not sure what I will do. Can you rent a

car on the holiday when we dock? Is there a place at the dock to pick one up?