Malaga port stop

[YoungDubFan]

I’ll be visiting next June and we will be in port from 7am - 6pm. I’m interested in doing the port DIY and would love some suggestions on what to do. I should have access to a shuttle from the port to the center of town. I will be traveling with my 79 year old mother. We normally like to just walk around but would love to know what the top 3 things to see are.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

[campolady]

7 hours ago, YoungDubFan said:

I’ll be visiting next June and we will be in port from 7am - 6pm. I’m interested in doing the port DIY and would love some suggestions on what to do. I should have access to a shuttle from the port to the center of town. I will be traveling with my 79 year old mother. We normally like to just walk around but would love to know what the top 3 things to see are.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

MALAGA CRUISE TERMINAL TO CITY CENTRE

It is a 1.5 km walk from the cruise terminal to the port gates so, if your ship doesn't provide a free service, a port authority 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. 

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. Refurbished within the past few years, 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 - 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 Dennis Hopper 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 and ladies will enjoy the neighbouring Fashion Museum 

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. www.elpimpi.com/en

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 a stylish 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  minutes walk from the cruise terminal by the lighthouse (stop La Farola) 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 shittle 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.

[sailco]

We caught the City Sightseeing hoho from the car park just outside the port doors. Look over your shoulder to the right. You don't have to walk down to the lighthouse. 

 

The Alcazarba is not to be missed. You can spend an hour or three here. Lots of tiny cobble stones, stairs and some steep inclines but if you take your time it's very doable and rewarding.

Edited July 7, 2019 by sailco

[YoungDubFan]

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. I really appreciate it. There are lots of great ideas here.

[campolady]

Have never seen the HOHO bus actually at the terminal car park (we live near Malaga so have sailed from there many times) and according to the website the nearest stop is still La Farola (the terminal building is just below stop no. 7) but the route could have changed recently and it would be ideal if it does now go from the carpark.  https://city-sightseeing.com/en/24/malaga/230/hop-on-hop-off-malaga

Edited July 7, 2019 by campolady

[sailco]

3 minutes ago, campolady said:

Have never seen the HOHO bus actually at the terminal car park (we live near Malaga so have sailed from there many times) and according to the website the nearest stop is still La Farola (the terminal building is just below stop no. 7) but the route could have changed recently.  https://city-sightseeing.com/en/24/malaga/230/hop-on-hop-off-malaga

We were there early May this year and we definitely boarded in the carpark. In fact, we walked towards the lighthouse and asked the little trolley driver where the hoho was. He told us to turn around and go back towards the terminal. That's where it was.

[campolady]

That's good news - thanks for the update.

[Stem to Stern]

5 hours ago, campolady said:

That's good news - thanks for the update.

Thank you for all of the great recommendations.  Malaga looks like a lovely city to explore on one's own.