Malaga & Palma De Mallorca DIY

Can these ports be done on your own or should I get sightseeing tours. Thank you in advance.

From Malaga we went on a tour so I cannot comment on DIY there. In Palma DIY is easy and there is a HOHO bus if you need it.

Can these ports be done on your own or should I get sightseeing tours. Thank you in advance.

Malaga is a lovely city and very DIY friendly. Hope the following information may be of help:-

PORT TO CITY CENTRE

It is a 1.5 km walk from the cruise terminal to the port gates but a shuttle bus is available at a return fare 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.

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.

GIBRALFARO CASTLE, ALCAZABA + ROMAN THEATRE

Gibralfaro - Bus 35 from the Parque de Malaga (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; closed Mondays.

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/Fashion Museum - one of the best motor museums that will fascinate car lovers of all ages whilst the Fashion Museum may be more to the ladies tastes.

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 - 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).

Bar 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.

Can these ports be done on your own or should I get sightseeing tours. Thank you in advance.

You can easily do Palma on your own, no tour needed :)

Can these ports be done on your own or should I get sightseeing tours. Thank you in advance.

Easily done on your own , if you look back to my treads on Majorca DIY , you will find all your questions answered. If you need any more pacific questions answered let me know.

You can easily do Palma on your own, no tour needed :)

Do you know how far is the walk from the Princess cruise terminal to town center of Palma? And how far a walk to the HOHO bus?

We will be there on May 1, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. I plan to DIY this port. Do you have any suggestions what we can do on our own in Palma? I heard May 1 is Spain's public holiday.

Do you know how far is the walk from the Princess cruise terminal to town center of Palma? And how far a walk to the HOHO bus?

 

We will be there on May 1, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. I plan to DIY this port. Do you have any suggestions what we can do on our own in Palma? I heard May 1 is Spain's public holiday.

It is a 49 min walk from the cruise terminal to the town center and the Ho Ho bus stops at the cruise terminal.

Most of the shops will be closed , but should be lots going on in the town.

Thank you.:)