¿Where to go ?

We propose the following basic itinerary for visitors to the Costa del Sol who only have one day to visit the most important historical and artistic sights of the city of Malaga:

Our tour begins in the Gardens of Pedro Luis Alonso, at the feet of the terraced gardens of Puerta Oscura. Both remind us of the gardens of Malaga under the Moslems, due to their special layout. From the gardens there is a lovely view of the Castle of Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba. Nearby there stands the building of the City Hall, built between 1912 and 1919 by the architects of Malaga Rivera Vera and Fernando Guerrero Strachan. As we walk through the Park we will pass by some other beautiful buildings, including the Bank of Spain, the former Post Office and the "Gardener’s little house", built in the 19th century and at present headquarters of the Central Tourist Board of the Malaga City Council. From here, we will walk up towards the Plaza de la Aduana and the neo-classical Palace of the same name, designed by the architect Manuel Martín Rodríguez in 1788 and currently headquarters of the local branch of the central government.

From the Plaza de la Aduana we will walk up Calle Alcazabilla to a group of monuments comprising the Alcazaba, Roman Theatre and Castle of Gibralfaro, inside which there is a Visitor Centre with an explanation of the history of the fortress. We then continue along Calle Alcazabilla to the Plaza de la Merced, in the centre of which stands the obelisque in honour of Torrijos (liberal general executed in Malaga during the reign of the absolutist monarch Ferdinand VII) and the house where Picasso was born, presently site of the "Fundación Picasso" , which houses a collection of the artist’s engravings and ceramics. Before leaving the romantic Plaza de la Merced, we can stop for a few minutes for a drink at one of the many bars on the square, which include both traditional tapas bars and others with pleasant atmospheres in which to enjoy a drink.

From there we will go down Calle Granada to the Church of Santiago, with its mudéjar tower. Turning left onto the tranquil and charming Calle San Agustín, we reach the Palace of the Condes de Buenavista, 16th century Renaissance building in which the Picasso Museum will be installed in the near future.. We continue along Calle San Agustín towards the nearby Plaza del Obispo, from which we can admire the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace (18th century). Sightseeing tours of the Cathedral are organised daily. Special note should be taken of its exuberant baroque façade that give onto the Plaza del Obispo (18th century, its solemn Renaissance interior (16th century), and its choir stalls, work of Pedro de Mena and masterpiece of Spanish baroque sculpture. The Cathedral Museum, located in the rooms and dependencies of the former Chapter House, contains interesting paintings, sculptures, silverware, embroideries and choir books.

Very near the Cathedral, just off in a recess to the left of Calle Císter in the direction of the Alcazaba there stands the Abbey of the Cister, in which a little museum devoted to the work of Pedro de Mena and his two daughters recently opened. If we take Calle Fresca from the Plaza del Obispo we reach the Pasaje de Chinitas and adjacent streets, famous for their traditional inns and "tapeo" bars. We recommend that you stop and have lunch at any one of them. After lunch, we will follow the Pasaje de Chinitas to Calle Larios and stroll down the city’s major shopping street to the end of our tour. Although it is not included in our basic itinerary through the old historic part of the city, mention must be made of the Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts, located at the Pasillo de Santa Isabel. Housed in a beautiful 17th century building, the former Mesón de la Victoria, the museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 to13 h. and from 17to 20 h. (on Saturdays it only opens in the morning).