Daryl Finch

Daryl Finch

Owner / Editor in chief

A permanent Malaga resident since 2014, having first fallen in love with the city on his Erasmus year. After working for many years in local expat media, Daryl gained expert knowledge in life from the perspective of foreign residents and decided to co-found Malaga Guru in 2016.

Latest posts from Daryl Finch

Traditional espetos in Málaga with skewered sardines, squid, prawns, and fish displayed vertically on metal skewers outside a seaside restaurant grill.
Blog

The top 5 must-try seafood dishes in Malaga

While paella gets all the limelight, especially from foreigners, Malaga’s coastal cuisine offers so much more. This Mediterranean city has perfected the art of simple, fresh seafood preparations that let the quality of the catch shine through. Armed with little more than olive oil, sea salt and centuries of fishing tradition, malagueños have created dishes that are beloved across Spain. If

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Sightseeing

The English Cemetery

When Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella conquered Malaga in 1487, they transformed the city into a stronghold of Roman Catholicism. Fast forward three and a half centuries, and Malaga had evolved dramatically into a thriving port and industrial hub where non-Catholics played an essential role in civic life. Yet despite this cosmopolitan shift, non-Catholics faced a grim reality: they had

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Exterior view of the Cathedral of Malaga on a sunny day, with its detailed stone architecture surrounded by green trees and a bright blue sky.
Sightseeing

Malaga Cathedral

Malaga Cathedral, officially known as the Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación, stands as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Visible from virtually anywhere in Malaga, this magnificent structure is instantly recognisable thanks to its defining feature: a single tower. This distinctive characteristic has earned it the affectionate nickname La Manquita, meaning “the one-armed lady.” Why does Malaga

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Food & drink

Taberna Cofrade Las Merchanas

You won’t find a more authentically Malaga restaurant than Las Merchanas, this beloved city centre taberna cofrade. Inside, the walls showcase an impressive collection of Semana Santa photographs, statues, posters and sculptures. This Holy Week memorabilia surrounds diners at every turn, creating an unmistakably Spanish atmosphere that celebrates Andalusian religious traditions. The restaurant stays packed with locals throughout the evening.

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Sightseeing

La Concepción botanical gardens

The Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción, Malaga’s Botanical Gardens, is just a 15-minute drive from the historic centre and is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. When visiting this green oasis, spread across a magnificent three-hectare plot, you can scarcely believe you’re in a major city. You are immediately immersed in an almost tropical jungle, with

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Bronze statue of Hans Christian Andersen seated on a bench in Málaga’s Alameda Principal
Blog

Hans Christian Andersen and his relationship with Malaga

Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish writer behind The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling, may have been born the son of a shoemaker in Odense, but his imagination and restless feet carried him far beyond Denmark. A passionate traveller, he explored much of Europe, often with unusual habits and eccentricities that matched his unique character. Among his most curious travel

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Sightseeing

Alcazaba de Málaga

The Alcazaba of Malaga is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks and an essential stop for anyone exploring southern Spain. Built during the Muslim-ruled period of Al-Andalus, this impressive complex combines a palace, defensive fortifications and tranquil gardens. It is also one of the best-preserved Moorish citadels in Spain, attracting thousands of visitors every year. A hilltop of strategic

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Interior view of MuCAC Málaga La Coracha with contemporary paintings displayed on a white wall
Museums & galleries

MuCAC Málaga

At the foot of the Alcazaba, Málaga’s historic 11th-century fortress built by the Hammudid dynasty, stands a museum space that has entered a new era. The former Municipal Heritage Museum (MUPAM) has now merged with the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo (CAC Málaga) to create MuCAC Málaga (Museo y Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga), a flagship institution with two venues:

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Sightseeing

La Farola de Málaga lighthouse

The sea and port have always shaped Malaga’s identity, and few symbols represent this connection better than La Farola lighthouse. Standing proudly between Muelle Uno and La Malagueta beach, this historic beacon has guided sailors and captured hearts since the early 19th century. In fact, construction began in the 19th century, during the reign of Ferdinand VII, and was completed

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Terrace dining at Pez Tomillo in Pedregalejo, Málaga with lively atmosphere and sea views
Food & drink

Pez Tomillo

Pez Tomillo stands as one of Malaga’s most beloved beachfront restaurants, perfectly positioned in the charming fishing district of Pedregalejo. This popular establishment belongs to the Perro Viejo restaurant group and occupies prime real estate along the seafront promenade, offering both spacious indoor dining and an inviting terrace. The restaurant distinguishes itself from typical Andalusian beach eateries through its innovative

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Excursions

Caminito del Rey: the “daredevil walkway”

The Caminito del Rey is the jewel in the crown of rural tourism in Malaga. Pinned to the side of the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes gorge, towering approximately 105 metres above the Guadalhorce river, this path has earned the nickname ‘The Daredevil’s Walkway’ due to its historic unsuitability for the faint-hearted. Stretching across a breathtaking three kilometres, the linear route

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