Malaga Port & City Guide
This guide includes:
1) Interesting facts
2) Malaga Port description
3) Guide and map of the historic center of Malaga
4) Description and location of places of interest including Museum information
5) Culinary offer
6) Shopping in Malaga
7) Transportation in Malaga. Subway, bus and much more
8) Malaga and its surroundings
Interesting facts
Language
Spanish. In tourist places most people also speak English.
Currency
The currency in Spain is the Euro (€). There are numerous teller machines around the city.
Opening Hours
Shops
In Malaga, shops open their doors from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. and close for lunch at around 1.30 or 2 p.m. They reopen in the afternoon between 4 and 5 and remain open until 8 or 8.30.
However, none of the large shopping centres close at lunchtime. Some shops and all the shopping centres and department stores open on Saturday afternoon, whilst all shops are closed on Sundays, except for certain special periods throughout the year such as Christmas.
However, shops in the Historic Quarter, in what is commonly referred to as the tourist area, may also open on Sundays and holidays especially when demand is high (for example, when cruise ships dock in the port).
Banks
Most banks open between 8 to 2.30 p.m. However, there is an extensive ATM network where you can get cash whenever you need it.
Restaurants and Bars
In Malaga, as in the rest of Spain, meals are usually eaten later than in other European countries. Breakfast is normally between 9 and 11 a.m. Lunch is usually served between 2 and 3 in the afternoon and dinner between 9 and 10 in the evening. However, mealtimes in restaurants are adjusted to the working day and the lifestyle of our visitors, so you can have your lunch from 1 until about 3 p.m., whilst dinner is usually served from 9 to about 11.30 p.m.
Weather in Malaga
The climate in Malaga is extremely moderate in winter with mild minimum temperatures. The summers are tempered by the city’s proximity to the sea. Rainfall is low with an average of 469.2 mm. The highest rainfall occurs between November and March; the summer is very dry.
Malaga enjoys an annual average of 2,901 hours of sunshine. The maximum hours of sunshine occur in July with an average of 354 hours and the minimum hours of sunshine are in December with 167 hours. This, together with the mild temperatures, make Malaga’s climate ideal in winter and very pleasant in spring and autumn.
Port of Malaga
Malaga port is modern , clean and open to the city. It has 2 main docks . The “Muelle Uno”, is an open mall with a wide range of restaurants as well as a shopping area, In 2015 the Museum Pompidou opened its doors in “Muelle Uno”. “Muelle Uno” leads to “Muelle Dos”, which is an incredible modern walk surrounded by palm trees that leads to the Plaza de la Marina, the beginning of Malaga historic city center.
The docking area for cruises is located in “muelle de Levante”, with its two modern terminals A and B. The distance between the cruise terminals and Plaza de la Marina, is aprox. 2 KM. This distance runs along the mentioned Muelle Uno and Muelle Dos. This is walking distance but alternatively there is an electric bus that will take you to Plaza de la Marina for €3.
Historic City Center
Malaga was founded by the Phoenicians and is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It´s strategic location made it important to all of the great civilizations including the Moors, the Romans and the Greeks.
The historic city center of Malaga is located just in front of the port. The main thoroughfare is Calle Larios which is surrounded by a maze of pedestrian streets full of shops, museums, bars and restaurants.
Malaga has an array of museums that can be visited by tourists. Malaga was the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso, so naturally, there is a museum in his honour. His birthplace, just off of the Plaza de la Merced, can also be visited.
Most of Malaga´s most interesting sites can all be found within the historic city center, all within easy walking distance from the Port.
Costaexcursions offers a number of interesting city tours for the visitor who doesn´t want to see the city on their own!
Malaga Cathedral
The Cathedrals full name is Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (Our Lady of Incarnation) although in Malaga it is simply known as “the Cathedral”.
The building is one of the best examples of Spanish religious art and is located on the remains of other ancient buildings such as the early Almohad mosque.
The foundations were laid around 1530 and work ended in the 17th century, although it is unfinished and lacks coping on the main façade and the south tower.
The missing tower has led to it being popularly known as La Manquita (one-armed) and a legend that is still told today says that the money allocated for its completion in the 19th century was sent to pay for the wars in America, although there is evidence that the money actually went to fund emergency public works in the province.
You will find the Museo Catedralicio (Cathedral Museum) inside the cathedral.
La Alcazaba
This fortress palace, whose name in Arabic means citadel, is one of the city’s historic monuments and is much visited because of its history and beauty.
The building that dates from the Muslim period is located at the foot of the Gibralfaro hill, crowned by the Arab defence works to which the Alcazaba is connected by a walled passage known as the Coracha. With the Roman Theatre and the Aduana Customs Building, this special corner offers the chance to observe Roman, Arab and Renaissance culture, all within a few yards of each other.
According to Arab historians, it was built between 1057 and 1063 at the instructions of Badis, King of the Berber Taifa of Granada.
The Almoravids conquered Malaga in 1092 and the Almohads in 1146. In 1279 the city was conquered by Muhammed II Ben al-Ahmar and became part of the Nasrid kingdom.
The renovation of the Alcazaba on its rocky base gave it a markedly Nasrid appearance. It combines its defensive purpose with the characteristic of an Arab palace and is organized around rectangular patios and gardens and pools. According to the traditional architectural tenets of Granada, the rooms attempt to combine the play of light and shade that the Arab master builders achieved so well.
The building’s military components make it one of the most important Muslim works in Spain today. Despite its machiolations, turrets, arrow slits and battlements, perhaps its most effective defence was its location, overlooking the city and bay.
It was restored several times most recently in the 20th century, and today the building and its important archaeological legacy can be visited.
Museums
Malaga has become a true City of Museums. There are 36 museums, most of them concentrated in the historic quarter, making Malaga’s old town one of those with the highest density of museums.
List of the most important Museums in Malaga:
-1 Museo Picasso Málaga Palacio de Buenavista, Calle San Agustín, 8 http://www.museopicassomalaga.org/
-2 Museo Carmen Thyssen Calle Compañía, 10
http://www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org/en
-3 Centre Pompidou Málaga Puerto de Málaga, Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, s/n, Muelle 1 http://centrepompidou-malaga.eu/
-4 Museo Ruso Málaga Edificio de Tabacalera, Av de Sor Teresa Prat, 15 http://www.coleccionmuseoruso.es/
-5 Museo Casa Natal de Picasso Plaza de la Merced, 15
http://fundacionpicasso.malaga.eu/portal/menu/portada/portada?idioma.cultura.fpicasso=in
-6 Museo del Automóvil Av de Sor Teresa Prat, 15
http://www.museoautomovilmalaga.com/?lang=en
-7 Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Málaga Calle Alemania S/N
http://cacmalaga.eu/
-8 Museo Catedralicio Calle Molina Lario, 9
http://www.malagaturismo.com/es/recursos-turisticos/detalle/catedral/
-9 Museo del Patrimonio Municipal Paseo de Reding, 1 http://museodelpatrimoniomunicipal.malaga.eu/
-10 Museo del Vino de Málaga Plaza de los Viñeros, 1
http://www.museovinomalaga.com/index.html?lang=en
At the following link you will find a map of Malaga, it will come handy to find specif areas for the city: http://callejero.malaga.eu/
Culinary Offer
Malaga provides and extensive culinary offer. Cruise passengers can relax in one of the numerous terraces in the Malaga old quarter and try typical and famous tapas dishes.
Or if you wish to try the fantastic seafood, you can try the typical “pescaíto frito” (fried fish), at any of the specialized seafood restaurants located in Malaga center or the nearby sea promenade.
There are also numerous contemporary and awarded restaurants that offer international cusine as well as mediterranean specialities. Don´t leave the city without trying what Malaga has to offer.
Shopping in Malaga
An area for shopping is present from the moment that the cruise passengers leave their ship and find the Muelle Uno shopping and recreational area.
Another option for shopping is the Historic Quarter. You will be able to combine your shopping trip with a visit to the historic area with its many pedestrian thoroughfares, making your shopping tour all the more enjoyable.
The historic area is the city’s largest commercial area with over a thousand establishments that will vie for your attention with the incomparable monuments and museums.
Transportation
There is an extensive variety of transportation options in Malaga. Although the majority of points of interest are located within the historic center, it is also interesting to visit other parts of the city.
These are our recommendations:
The oldest and most classic way to visit the city is with a horse-driven carriage. There are several stops around the city center, the typical trip last 45 minutes and will take you to the city center and other points of interest in Malaga.
Another possibility to explore the city is with a “HOP ON-HOP OFF” tourist bus. These buses run along the historic city center and has numerous stops along the way.
More information on the following link: http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/spain/malaga.htm
The last option is to use the public transportation system. Malaga has a network of public buses and 2 subway lines.
– Autobuses http://www.emtmalaga.es/emt-classic/home.html?lang=en
-Metro http://metromalaga.es/
Malaga and its sorroundings
Malaga is the heart of the internationally acclaimed Costa del Sol. It has many interesting places to visit and they are all at a close distance for shore excursions. We recommend the following places to visit while you are in Malaga.
To visit any of these destinations you need to have your own transportation. One recommended option to visit these destination in a worry free and relaxing way avoiding crowded tour buses, is to hire a private shore excursion like the ones we offer at Costa Excursions.
The Beaches
If there is something representative of the Costa del Sol, it is the beaches. With more than 150 kilometers of coast, Malaga has an extensive selection of beaches to spend the day . From the more secluded beaches on the east side of Malaga to the more touristic ones in towns like Torremolinos or Marbella .
MARBELLA and PUERTO BANÚS. Marbella is one of the most well know tourist destinations in Europe. Marbella and the nearby Puerto Banús are the preferred destination for the rich and famous since the 70s.
Inland
From the numerous and wonderful inland towns of the province of Malaga, Ronda is probably the most well known. Famous for it breach and tajo y el Puente Viejo, Ronda is also well know for it wines, there are numerous wine cellars located in wonderful surroundings.
Also worth mentioning is the village of Mijas, Mijas is a white washed village that has maintained its andalusian charm. It is a short distance from Malaga an can easily be visited for cruise passengers wishing to visit a village.
About CostaExcursions.es
Costa Excursions is a boutique tour operator specialized in organizing the most wonderful private day tours and private shore excursions in Malaga and Costa del Sol.
We offer Quality Tours at affordable prices.
Costaexcursions has been working hard to create unique experiences for those who prefer to consider a trip as an opportunity for personal enrichment, adventure and a chance to experience the Spanish culture in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
We offer the opportunity to experience the typical Spanish tourist routes or to have a unique experience in a particular aspect of the Spanish culture, such as seeing a citrus farm or an olive oil mill.
We also understand that some people want adventure, with this in mind, we have created a number of packages that appeal to desires of a diverse traveler base.
Check out our most popular day trips from Malaga
Other articles that may interest you
