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Spain : Malaga - June 2009

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Sightseeing, shopping and sunbathing – you can do it all in Malaga. And on 23 June, La Noche de San Juan (Midsummer’s Eve) sees bonfires, barbecues, fireworks and live music held on the city’s wide sandy beaches. Theresa O’Shea shows us round

Getting around

Malaga Airport is 9km south-west of the city centre.

Bus: The No.19 leaves from outside arrivals every 30 minutes, from 6.25am to 11.30pm. Tickets cost €1.
Taxi: A journey from the airport to the city centre costs approximately €15 to €18.
Tourist information: The main office is at 1 Plaza de la Marina (tel. , malagaturismo.com).

HISTORIC CENTRE

The warren of streets spreading out from the central Plaza de la Merced are packed with quirky shops and cafés – and are always buzzing.

Sleep soundly – Sallés Hotel Malaga Centro (6 Calle Mármoles, tel. , salleshotels.com, rooms from €70) has a rooftop pool and lets you choose your room’s décor: funky and functional or warm and classic.

Culture vultures – At Museo del Vino (1 Plaza del los Viñeros) you can learn all about the history and culture of Malaga’s wine industry – and then sample some of the region’s wines. Tasting is included in the entry fee.

Must eat – Vino Mio (11 Calle Alamos, tel. ) serves creative international cuisine in relaxed, arty surroundings. There’s live music on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and a great value lunchtime menu for €9,50. Try the quesería, a salad of goat’s cheese, pear, dates, walnut and rocket.

Must drink – Head to Antigua Casa de Guardia (18 Alameda Principal) for a glass of chilled fino (dry sherry) and a shellfish tapa.

Dance the night away – Sala Karma (5 Calle Luis de Velázquez) is one of the town’s hottest nightspots, so get there early to beat the queues.

Shop til you drop – La Boveda (47 Calle Carretería) showcases original handcrafted ceramics – from tiles and bowls to mirrors, murals and paintings.

LA MALAGUETA

Lying east of the bullring and running parallel to the sea, the avenues in this district are lined with handsome colonial-style buildings.

Sleep soundly – Boutique Hotel Monte Victoria (58 Calle Conde de Ureña, tel. , hotel-montevictoria.com, rooms from €60) has oodles of charm and unbeatable views of Gibralfaro castle and bay from its flower-filled terraces. Try to bag room 104 (if there’s one or two of you) or 105 (if you’ve got kids in tow) – both have private balconies.

Must eat – Feast on your favourite pasta dish at Circus (41 Paseo de Reding, tel. ), a circusthemed spaghettería. Servings come in mini, normal and maxi sizes, to suit your appetite. Just make sure you leave room for the tiramisu.

Dance the night away – Join the grown-up crowd at legendary Bebop Jazz Club (1 Calle Arenal) for live jazz, blues and pop.

MALAGA WEST

The beaches west of the port have been greatly improved in recent years. The promenade Paseo Marítimo Antonio Banderas is home to some great fish restaurants.

Sleep soundly – Hotel Monte Malága (10 Paseo Marítimo Antonio Machado, tel. , hotelesmonte.com, rooms from €80) has stylish rooms as well as a sauna, swimming pool and Turkish steam bath.

Must eat – Chiringuito Maria (8 Paseo Marítimo Antonio Banderas, tel. ) is a classic beachfront spot for grilled sardines, sautéed clams and pescadito frito (small fried fish).

MALAGA EAST

Situated 20 minutes from Malaga, the fishing villages of La Cala and Rincón de la Victoria are connected by rock-hewn tunnels and vertiginous pathways around the headland.

Sleep soundly – The recently renovated Hotel Maria Cristina (18 Avenida de Malaga, La Cala, tel. , rooms from €37) is an excellent two-star option with a delightful interior patio and bar.

Must eat – For designer tapas, grilled meats and a chance to sample the best of Malaga’s wines, look no further than El Bodegón del Alambique (6 Calle Frigiliana, Rincón de la Victoria, tel. ). Wash down giant beef chops and huevos rotos (a delicious fried egg and potato dish) with a glass of Lagar del Cabrera, a floral, fruity white made from locally grown muscatel grapes.

Must drink – Watch the waves from the terrace or listen to live music inside at Mulse (Paseo Marítimo s/n), located next to the cave tunnels in Rincon de la Victoria.

Compiled by Theresa O’Shea