TUI Magic of Spain/Highlights of the Med - July 2017

Hi - I am new to Cruise Critic and this is my first message on the site. [emoji4]

We are booked on the TUI Discovery Magic of Spain & Highlights of the Med. Can anyone please advise which excursions to go on or which to avoid? Thanks

Welcome - I am sure that you will get a lot of useful information from CC. What ports will you be visiting?

I have now found your itineraries and can offer some info on Gibraltar, Cadiz, Cartagena and Malaga all of which are easy to DIY so do not need the expense of organised excursions; hope this helps a bit.

GIBRALTAR - If you want to so the Rock Tour there are 8 seater minibuses waiting outside the cruise terminal; cost is 25 Pounds compared with 33 Pounds for the similar Thomson excursion. If you want to shop on Main Street it is a 15 minutes walk from the port to Casemate Square at the bottom of Main Street (the cable car is right up at the opposite end) or the port provides a shuttle bus at a cost last year of 4 Pounds return. Remember that you may get some Gibraltan Pounds in your change and, as these are not legal tender in the UK, spend them before leaving. Also beware that there are a lot of fake cigarettes for sale so, if you are a smoker, the best place to buy tobacco is at Morrisons.

CARTAGENA - Cartagena is a lovely town and it is only a 5 minutes walk from where the ship berths to the town centre and the Roman Amphitheatre ruins/Museum. Virtually next door to the Museum is the Valor Chocolateria where they make delicious hand made chocolates plus anything else chocolatty such as cakes, ice cream and hot chocolate (if you want UK style hot chocolate ask for Cola Cao otherwise you will get the very thick/sweet Spanish version), Alternatively, turn right when you get on the seafront and take the panoramic elevator up to the castle.

CADIZ - The old city is only a 5 minutes walk from the port. A HOHO bus runs from the port gates but isn't very interesting as it mainly just goes back and fprth along the same stretch of beach; it cannot enter the old city as the streets are too narrow.

MALAGA

PORT TO CITY CENTRE - It is a 1.5 km walk from the cruise terminal to the port gates so a shuttle bus is provided at a cost of 5 Euros. If you feel energetic and want to walk through the port you will pass the recently built 'Muelle Uno' ('Pier One') bar. restaurant and shops development that is a good place to break your journey. When you get to the port gates go straight across 2 roads (the second is Malagas main artery the Avenida Alameda Principal) and you will be in the heart of the old city.

SHOPPING - Malaga is a great place for a bit of retail therapy - the main shopping street is the pedestrianized Calle Larios. As well as all the well known international stores, and the big Spanish department store El Corte Ingles, the city is home to many artisan shops many of which specialise in local food produce, hand crafted Silverware and Flamenco clothing.

ARAB BATHS - Missed by most visitors to Malaga the Arab baths are a great place to unwind and be massaged by experts using centuries old techniques. www.malaga.hammanalandalus.com/es

MARKET - The Ataranzas indoor market, situated one road back from the Avenida Alameda Principal, is a fascinating mix of stalls selling local food produce - the display of fish, meat and fruit/vegetables is amazing. Recently refurbished, decoration of the markets rear wall revealed a spectacular stained glass window that is now a very attractive feature. The market also has several Tapas Bars where you can sample local Sea Food/Fish, Cheeses, Cooked Meats and Wines. The market is a great place to buy Herbs to take home and the delicious local Malaga Almonds should definitely be sampled. http://www.andalucia.com/cities/mala...zas-market.htm

GIBRALFARO CASTLE, ALCAZABA + ROMAN THEATRE - Gibralfaro Castle Bus 35 from the Parque del Mar (park opposite the port) will take you right up the hill to the Gibralfaro Castle entrance. Soaring over the city, the 14th century castle was built to defend the citadel and provides spectacular views over Malaga bay and over the Bullring. After visiting the Castle walk back down the hill for less than 5 minutes and you will come to the entrance of the Parador Hotel - a really lovely place to stop for a Coffee break; you can get the bus back into the city centre from outside the Parador gates. Alcazaba Situated below the Gibralfaro Castle is the Alcazaba, a fascinating Moorish Citadel with many features similar to those found at the Alhambra in Granada (but without the crowds!). You can buy a reduced price joint entrance ticket for both Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba. Roman Theatre Ruins and Dig - Situated at the base of the Alcazaba, visitors are now allowed to walk through the ongoing archaeological Dig to get a closer look at the ruins; small entrance charge.

CATHEDRAL - A truly spectacular building known as the One Armed Lady as only one tower was built - probably due to lack of funds but legend has it that money for the second tower was sent to rebel US forces to help them in their battle against the Brits in the War of Independence. Next to the Cathedral is the Bishops Palace Square which is a great place to sit and people watch.

MUSEUMS Malaga is home to far too many museums to list them all but these are my particular favourites:-

Picasso Museum a great selection of paintings by Malagas most famous son plus family photos and personal items. The museum also has a second gallery with changing exhibitions such as the current Lucien Freud collection. Carmen Thyssen Museum art gallery. Glass and Crystal Museum a personal collection of exquisite crystalware. Motor Museum one of the best motor museums that will fascinate car lovers of all ages.

TAPAS BARS Malaga is a Foodies paradise. You are spoiled for choice of high class restaurants but, for us, Tapas is the only way to go. Definitely try the local speciality 'Fritura Malaguena' which is a delicious mix of deep fried small fish. Just follow locals into a bar and you won't go far wrong; to get a good feel of the citys bar culture and atmosphere people visiting for the first time may enjoy: El Pimpi accessed down a ginnel off Calle Granada or from immediately opposite the Roman Amphitheatre ruins, El Pimpi is one of the best known bars in Malaga where you can sample local Wines, Hams, Cheeses etc. Bodega Antigua Casa de Guardia (the old jail house and reputedly the oldest bar in Malaga) this bar can be accessed either off the main street Avenida Alameda Principal or from opposite the Indoor Market. A Malaga institution (gets packed at lunchtime so visit around noon) it is rumoured to be the oldest bar in the city and was once the prison house. Numerous casks house all varieties of the famous Malaga Wines (fortified wines similar to Sherry) plus wines from other parts of Spain. As you select each glass your running total is chalked up in front of you on the old wooden bar. Good seafood Tapas served too. Cafeteria Axarquia a basic café just up from the Casa Antigua de Guardia on the Avenida Alameda Principal. Don't be put off by appearances, the Tapas and Seafood here are excellent (quality and price). El Jardin - Situated at the rear of the Cathedral (on the left hand side if you face the Cathedral), this is an Art Deco bar/restaurant that serves great Tapas (best Tortilla anywhere IMO). Although slightly dearer than other Tapas Bars, the decor and food make it a place that we never miss when visiting Malaga. Port Bar - If you don't want to walk into the city centre there is a bar in the main port/ferry building (opposite the entrance to the port) that is a popular watering hold for local workers - not the most elegant of bars but they offer a good choice of Tapas. This place is a lot cheaper than the bars you will find in the Muelle Uno development within the port grounds.

CHURROS Churros are deep fried Donut-like fingers served with very thick Hot Chocolate or Coffee (dunking is compulsory lol!) can be found in many of Malagas traditional bars but Casa Aranda is a Churros institution visited by people from all over the world.

BEACHES If walking around a city isn't your thing, Malaga has several beaches close to the city centre. The best known is La Malagueta Beach about 5 minutes walk from the port entrance - the beach is especially popular with locals and is fringed with some good Chiringuitos (beach bar/restaurants)..

HOHO BUS The sightseeing tour bus stops immediately outside the port gates and takes you all around the city including a trip up to Gibralfaro Castle.

MALAGA PARK/PARQUE DE MALAGA - Situated just across the road outside the port gates (and by the drop off point for the shuttle bus) this is an oasis in the city. Paraqueets, Tropical Trees, small childrens play area and peace + quiet make this a lovely place to relax.

Wow - what an informative response. Thank you so much Campolady for taking the time to provide this in depth information. I am certain that it will help us immensely when planning our excursions.

I am so glad that I downloaded this App 😁

Once again, thank you very much.

if you call at lisbon on the magic of spain just outside the port there are tuk tuks offering tours, a great way to see around and these go where the ho ho buses cn't, we didn't do a tour but got a tuk tuk into town but people on are cruise got a tour for 30 euros for 4 adults

Thanks for that. Was the tour on a tuk-tuk?

Thanks....😃

Thanks for that. Was the tour on a tuk-tuk?

 

Thanks....

Have a look at

http://www.tuk-tuk-lisboa.pt/en/

https://tuktuktejo.com/en/

Thanks for that. Was the tour on a tuk-tuk?

 

Thanks....😃

Yes there are lots of them outside the port mainly for 4 passengers, but some carried 6 people

Thanks for the information - something to consider

Thanks....😃

Be warned Tuk Tuks can be difficult to get on and off, but are great fun.

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I had better do it now then before I need a Zimmer......😁

Thanks....😃

Hi Itchicoo Park we are on this cruise in September but with Med Secrets replacing Magic of Spain, they have altered three of the ports on the Med Secrets which was a bit disappointing, I assume you will be flying from Birmingham as we were until they changed the flight to an unknown carrier with an afternoon flight and an evening return, and obviously you cannot take extra luggage or book seats fortunately they have allowed us to move, without cost, to East Mids.

Hope you are not having the same problems.

I recall you saying you have been to the Med before so probably have knowledge of the ports on Highlights of the Med but I can recommend a very nice small beach in Ajaccio if you don't know it, you just turn left off the boat.

It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on the ship when you return prior to the Caribbean;)