Malaga Spain - the European City of Light

"The winter winds will be much colder now – now you're not here" sang the Moody Blues in their classic "Forever Autumn" from the 1970s. Winter in southern Spain is what we in Britain would consider to be well rather a "damp squib". With average winter daytime temperatures peaking at around 15-18 degrees centigrade, winter in the southern city of Malaga is reminiscent of late springtime or early autumn in the UK, except generally the days are much sunnier in Malaga.

The south of Spain offers a climate which is beneficial to the health, the large amounts of sunlight are good for skin, and the warmer climate reduces the threat of winter viruses. With only a 2 and a half hour flight time from the UK, Malaga makes a perfect destination for a winter break.

Arriving by plane in Malaga in the heart of Andalucia in winter, the first thing that surprised me when I left the plane was the bright light intensity. It was a sunny January day, and there was quite a strong wind blowing, but having travelled around 1000 miles south the light and the temperature (16 degrees) were a pleasant surprise to the senses. It didn't take long to acclimatise though.

Malaga has a lot to offer all year round, but in winter, the sub-tropical climate means that visitors can spend time outdoors. Many cafes have outdoor seating where visitors can sit and enjoy a shot of winter sun. Malaga city itself has plenty to offer. The historical old town is a maze of streets, leading towards Gibalfaro Castle which sits on a hill overlooking the old town and port area. The castle is accessible via bus or it is possible to walk from the old town in around 20 minutes.

Malaga also has a beautiful cathedral - Malaga Cathedral, the Picasso Museum (Malaga is the birthplace of Picasso) and a large number of restaurants, tapas bars, cafes and shops. El Pimpi's bar in the old town is a must for wine and port lovers. Garden lovers will enjoy visiting the botanical gardens Finca La Concepcion which is located just to the north of the city.

The nightlife in Malaga is very busy on Fridays and Saturdays, but can be quiet in the week and especially on Sunday. There are a huge number of bars and clubs in the old town area, some have traditional flamenco performers at the weekends.

Malaga Airport is located around 8km from the centre of Malaga, and there is a regular train and bus service to the town from the airport.

Malaga City Guide

Malaga Airport in the Costa del Sol is served by most of the low cost airlines such as RyanAir and EasyJet. In the quieter months (October to March) it is often possible to pick up a return flight for a weekend for a very reasonable price. Malaga has a sub-tropical climate, and in the winter the daytime maximum temperature typically ranges from 14-20 degrees Celsius, with many clear sunny days.

The city of Malaga was created by the Romans, but much of the architecture is influenced by the Moors. The spectacular Gibralfaro Castle which overlooks the city was built by the Moors in the 14th century and is situated on a hill above the old town. It is about a 15 minute walk from the old town to the castle at the top of the hill (there is also a bus). A number of paths lead up to the castle from the edge of the old town. Admission is around 2€, and there is a small museum and a cafe within the castle grounds where you can enjoy the stunning views of Malaga town including the harbour, coastline and Malaga bull ring.

Malaga Old Town is a maze of streets centred around Malaga Cathedral which was constructed between 1528 and 1782 is open to the public Mon - Sat 10am - 6:30pm. Admission cost is around 2.50. Located close to the cathedral is the Picasso museum. Malaga was the birthplace of the Picasso, and many of his paintings are on exhibit in the museum.

The old town itself has an array of shops (many catering for tourists), tapas bars and restaurants. One of the most popular bars is Bodega Bar El Pimpi or "El Pimpi's" which has pictures of its many famous visitors on the walls.

Malaga also has large beaches to the east and west of the town centre, which are easily walkable. For those interested in gardens, the popular Finca de la Concepcion botanical gardens just to the north of the city are a short bus ride from the centre. The gardens contain a large variety of sub-tropical fauna.

Alhambra Palace Granada

Within a couple of hours drive of Malaga is the spectacular Alhambra Palace in Granada, built by the Moors in the 14th century. The palace is a very popular tourist attraction and can be very busy in the summer.

Granada is also inland, so the temperature can be hotter than on the coast in the summer months and can also be cold in the middle of winter. Be prepared to queue or alternatively you can book tickets in advance from the official Alhambra website. In addition to the architecture, the palace has large gardens with ponds and fruit trees, and also some spectacular views over the city of Granada. The website also has information on places to stay in Granada, including special deals at local hotels.