Top Great Things to Do In Malaga
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Malaga's attractions, Spain
- When you visit Malaga you will notice from almost any where in the town the impressive and majestic castle rising up the hillside near the harbour. The site is in fact 2 seperate castles with there entrances either at the bottom of the hill , next to the Roman theatre ruins of the Alcazaba Castle and palace entrance, and at the other extreme end at the top of the hill is the entrance to the Castillo de Gibralfaro . Both are well worth a visit and in my opinion the best attractions, along with the Cathedral in Malaga. For full details use the links above or read on.
Malaga Gardens a Park on Calle Alameda
- a long thin park on Calle Alameda & sometimes called Alameda Park
Alcazaba Citadel / Castle
La Alcazaba a fortress & Palace
La Alcazaba a fortress & Palace built in 1065 the fortifications were built by the Moors, although earlier fortifications by the Phoenicians & Romans existed on the site.
The Alcazaba is probably the most important castle that remains from the Arab occupation of Spain.
The fortress is built in typical Moorish style with 2 concentric walls. The main entrance is a maze of additional walls passage ways and several gates to guard the way in
Inside the inner ring of the 2 walls palaces for the Arab rulers were constructed
After the capture of La Alcazaba some of the Catholic monarchs lived in the Alcazaba and King Philip IV was a guest there.
In the early 1930s it was declared a national monument and luckily The Alcazaba was then restored, to the magnificent state it is now in.
Opening Times: 9am 6pm
Near the La Alcazaba entrance is an Archaeological Museum and the ruins of the Roman Theatre (Teatro Romano)
At a later date the Castillo de Gibralfarowas also built by the Moors, on a much higher summit of the hill with a corridor of walls running down the hill to join the 2 castles. This provided protection from attack by canon fire from the hillside above La Alcazaba
Note that these 2 castles are separate monuments with separate entrances and entry fees, or a combined entrance fee for both castles is available at a reduced price
On the Open top sightseeing bus route stop number 10.
Ayuntamiento
Town Hall
On the Open top sightseeing bus route near stop number 10.
Gibralfaro castle (Castillo Gibralfaro)
Malaga Castillo Gibralfaro (Castillo de Gibralfaro)
Castillo de Gibralfaro is a moorish castle of Islamic architecture. The castle is perched high on top of a steep hill and has extended twin wall forming a corridor to the lower El Alcazaba castle.
This castle was built in the 14 15th century, by the arab ruler Yusuf, to protect the lower Alcazaba Castle which had little defence from attack from the slopes above it by cannon. The walls zigzag, which gives flanking fire along the walls, and also to follow the contours of the hill top.
The most amazing views are available from the castle ramparts take your camera
Gibralfaro is derived from the arabic word for mountain, Yabal, and the greek word for lighthouse, Faruk
A deep well was dug through the solid rock. There is a very small museum located on the site of the gunpowder magazine, and near the cafe. The museum contains a model of the castle and other intresting displays.
Entrance fee approximately: €2. Various concessions are available. If you intend visiting both castles then buy the discounted combined ticket
Opening Times: 9am 6pm
Note that the 2 castles are separate monuments with separate entrances
There is a small terrace cafe within the castle, where I had the best tasting chicken tapas during my stay, and considering it's location quiet reasonable in price. The tapas had chicken, couscous and sultanas in it and was delicious.
Unlike the kiosk by the bus stops which was quiet expensive.
Getting to Castillo Gibralfaro
Its a long steep hike to the hill top entrance. I recommend travel by either
- Open top sightseeing bus stop number 7 on the map.
- The local bus Number 65, from the Paseo del Parque
- Taxi
Casa Picasso Picasso's birthplace home
Casa Picasso
The building was built at the end of the 19th century
Picasso lived in one of the flats, now the building has been purchased by the city of Malaga and houses the Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation, who manage the collection
Access for Disabled
Entrance: 1 euro.
Opening Times: 10am 8pm.
Address: Plaza Merced 15, 29012 Malaga
On the Open top sightseeing bus route stop number 10.
Malaga Cathedral (Catedral de la Encarnacion)
Malaga Cathedral
Malaga Cathedral replaced Malaga's main mosque after the defeat of the Moors who had been in the city for 800 years. The building was started in 1528 and continued over 3 centuries. Malaga's Cathedral building is still unfinished
Access for Disabled
Opening Times: 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
10am to 5pm saturday.
Closed sunday and holidays.
Address: CL Molina Lario 9, 29015 Malaga. Telephone: 9522 15917
On the Open top sightseeing bus route stop number 11.
Botical Gardens La Concepcion (Jardin Botanico Historico)
Botical Gardens La Concepcion
The Platform under the Cupalar is a scenic viewpoint
Description of Botical Gardens La Concepcion
- La Concepcion Garden are the most important tropical gardens in Spain, and possibly Europe.
- They are extremly beautiful and were created over 150 years ago.
- The town of Malaga purchased the private gardens and restored them and opened them up to the public.
- Also see within the Gardens
- 35,000 Square Metres
- A small museum containing Roman artefacts (Casa-Palacio La Concepción)
- Lemon Tree Dam(Presa del Limonero) forming a reservoir
- Gift Shop
- Cafe
- Toilets
Location of Botical Gardens La Concepcion
- Carretera de las Pedrizas (CN 331) km 166, 29014 Malaga Tel: 952 252 148 / 952 250 745
- Just off the A-45, 5km inland from the sea
- Bus EMT Route 91
- City-Sightseeing Bus red route stop 8
Museo Catedral Cathedral Museum
Beautiful Chalices on view in the Cathedral Museum
The museum houses a selection of manuscripts, paintings and sculptures.
Located Next to the Cathedral
On the Open top sightseeing bus route stop number 11.
Museo Picasso Malaga Picasso Museum of Malaga
Woman with Raised Arms by Picasso
- The Museo Picasso Malaga is situated in the Buenavista Palace, built in the 17th century and a wonderful example of renaissance architecture.
- The Malaga Picasso Museum contains over 200 paintings, sculptures, drawings or other works of art. Also on display are Phoenician artifacts found when the palace was renovated.
- Access for Disabled
- Opening Times: 10am 8pm
Entry Ticket or Guided Tour
Address: Palacio de Buenavista, Calle San Agustin 8, 29015, Malaga Website
Near the Open top sightseeing bus route nearest stop number
Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga
Palacio Aduana
On the Open top sightseeing bus route stop number 10.
Plaza de Toros Bullring & Museum, la Malagueta
The Malaga Bullring located near the port in the la Malagueta area of the city was built in 1874.The bullring has a capacity of 14,000 people.
Plaza de Toros Museum
Access for Disabled.
Museum Entrance: Approximately€2.
The photograph looking down into the bullring was taken from the castle ramparts.
Opening Times: 10am 1pm & 5pm 8pm.
See the fabulous suit of lights, the bright costumes that the matadors & others were in the bullring and other bullring memorabilia
Address: Paseo de Reding 8, 29016 Malaga
On the Open top sightseeing bus route stop number 6.
Rincon de la Victoria. Treasure caves (6 km)
Large underground limestone caverns with stalagtites & stalagmites, pools and wall paintings.
It was reputed that the ruler Tasulin Ibn Al hid gold here in the 7th century, but no treasure hunter has been lucky yet.
Location
Just off the N 340 coast road at La Cala del Moral, Rincon de la Victoria Tel: 952 406 162
Teatro Cervantes the main theatre
The Teatro Cervantes was rebuilt in 1870 after the former theatre Teatro de la Libertad was totally destroyed in a massive fire. In 1984 there was major reconstruction after years of neglect and to bring the building up to modern safety standards
The Cervantes theatre is used for all forms of performing arts such as theatre, music, dance and pop. The theatre now has a seating capacity of 1,104 seats
Information Telephone 952 22 41 09
C/ Ramos Marin, s/n
29012 Malaga
Teatro Romano Roman theatre ruins
The 'Teatro Roman Malaga' the Roman theatre ruins are still being excavated, restored and studied buy archeologists. The theatre dates back to the 1st century when Augustus was Caesar
The theater is now occasionally used for plays.
On the Open top sightseeing bus route stop number 10.
Museums
Bullring and Bullfighting Museum
Dolls House Museum
Museum of the brotherhood of la Esperanza
Popular arts and Customs Museum
Alcazaba Archaelogy Centre
Gibralfaro interpretation centre
Lagar de Torrijos Ecology Museum
Cathedral Museum
Loring Museum
National Airports and Air Transport Museum
Malaga Contemporary Art Centre
Marine Centre Museum
Religious Art Museum. Cistercian Abbey
Interactive Music Museum
Museum of the Brotherhood of Christ la Expiracion
Municipal Museum
Interactive Science Museum. Principia
Picasso's Birthplace Museum
Tourist Information Offices
See Location of Tourist Information Offices on our Malaga Attraction Map