Be it Moorish architecture, ancient Roman theatres, street festivals, swanky skyscrapers by the beaches, or museums, Malaga has absolutely no dearth of reasons to be a flaneuse’s beloved
Malaga is the birthplace of Picasso. The city which was once so quaint and dainty is now a cosmopolitan hub – a sun-soaked paradise in the southern part of Spain. Its Mediterranean climate and stunning beaches have long been idle for travellers across the world to leisure in all calm and tranquillity. The country has distinct features which lend a different dimension to its beauty.
Malaga has evolved to be a darling shopping destination, a connoisseur of art and food, a treasure trove of luxury, and a repository of natural beauty. Its edgy creative splendour is visible in the nooks and crevices. The neighbourhoods proudly nurture open-air galleries and street art. The local stores display the work of local artisans. The bars and corners had played host to Picasso and his contemporaries. At each bend in the road, the sculpture and architecture will take you back. After a day’s haul, travellers still have the freedom to lurk in the green spaces the city still has in abundance.
Irrespective of being an expensive, commercial hub of the city, Calle Larios is extremely picturesque and soothing to the soul. It is an elegant pedestrian street and a highly sought-after business venue which has still managed to retain some of its old charm. Canopies in the cosiest shades of green hung from each building creating a cool and serene ambience and people flock to the shops or lounge in the coffee shops. The street is beaming with shopping centres and carnival lights. Since the street is well-connected to prominent landmarks, you need not chase elusive signs and directions to go there.
The traditional fair of Malaga is an eight-day event and its hullaballoo continues from morning to night. The locales dress up in traditional and partake in a mesmerising spectacle of revelry and celebration. It is also the perfect opportunity to relish the gastronomical delights such as patatas bravas, croquetas, paella and espetos de sardinas and the typical dishes gazpacho, salmorejo, and boquerones. Honestly, it is in the street festivals where the tremendous history of Malaga which has seen the rise and fall of many empires could be traced.
Malaga has a serpentine and twisted network of roads, all spiralling out of control from a pivotal centre—and this is perhaps one of the unique aspects of the country; a balm to the bruised. Here, at the museum, about 230 artworks by Picasso are on display. Far from being merely a random collection of art belonging to different styles and thoughts, it serves as a visual storytelling of his journey through which audiences explore how the maestro will leave a lasting footprint on art and pop culture.
The Mediterranean sun works its magic here by the sea as you lie down or take a stroll feeling the soft sand beneath your feet. The beaches are lined by an exceptionally well-maintained promenade overlooking the Andalusian interior. A few beaches such as Playa El Bajondillo are a stone’s throw from the fishing villages which appear as places suspended in time. Further, Marbella is a world unbound by the fabrics of time. Calahonda is an incredibly beautiful beach with its yellow sand and deep blue waters. It is close to Calahonda, a party hub for locals and tourists alike.
