Blog
Our writers share their top tips for making the most of your time in Malaga.
We also delve into local legends and curiosities about the city and take a look at everyday life in Spain…
Gloria Hoyos
On the up-and-coming Calle Carretería, this trendy gastrobar can be enjoyed at any time of day or night. Whether for an early lunch, an afternoon tapa, or an evening drink with a quick bite, Gloria Hoyos has got you covered. With a menu consisting primarily of local, Spanish dishes that have been given a new and refreshing twist, Gloria Hoyos
Registering and getting a Social Security number in Malaga
Registering with Seguridad Social (Social Security) is another essential step for anyone who would like to stay long term in Malaga, get a job and have access to free healthcare. You require a Social Security number for any work contract in order to start working legitimately and to begin making pension contributions. How to get a Social Security number in
Casa Aranda
Casa Aranda is one of Malaga’s ‘churrerías’ par excellence. (Frespañol anyone?!) Established almost 100 years ago, this historic café has two branches in the historic centre, both relatively close to each other. Its exceptional quality and location, teamed with local prices, means that all these years later, Casa Aranda is still very much a favourite with local people. If you’re a
Hamburguesería Mafalda
For a simple yet delicious meal in Pedregalejo, head to Mafalda, a modest hamburger restaurant located around halfway down the seafront. The restaurant is self-service, so you must go up to look at the menu before ordering at the till. They’ll give you a number which they’ll call out for you to collect. For a typical local option, try one
Pedregalejo
On a sunny weekend afternoon, there is no better place to see how malagueños enjoy themselves than the charming former fishing village of Pedregalejo. Located on the eastern side of Malaga city, the seafront is jam-packed with restaurants and bars, and attracts all types of people, from families with children enjoying a meal out to groups of young people gossiping
Revello de Toro Museum
In what was once the home of sculptor Pedro de Mena is now the Museo Revello de Toro, a museum dedicated to the great Malaga-born portrait painter and figurative artist. The museum is housed in a 17th-century residential building – one of the very few buildings from the century that remain in the city – located between the Cathedral and
Why’s there an obelisk in Plaza de la Merced?
Anyone who has visited Plaza de la Merced will have doubtless spotted the enormous obelisk located right in its centre. However, you may be surprised to find out that it actually sits atop a mass grave. It contains the remains of General José María de Torrijos y Uriarte, and 48 others, who were put to death after leading an ill-fated
Central Beers Craft Beer & Food
Central Beers is a craft brewery right in Malaga city centre, on the semi-pedestrianised Calle Cárcer. In a modern yet inviting setting, Central Beers has a brew for everyone’s taste. With 15 rotating taps (check the screens for information about taste, where it’s from etc.) and more than 150 other bottles, there’s something for even the most discerning beer lover.
Cervecería Untertürkheim
If you’re looking for an international flavour as you take a break from soaking in the sun at the beach, pop into the impossible-to-pronounce Cervecería Untertürkheim. The German-style bar (or rather Central European-style) on La Malagueta beach has a vast selection of both bottled and draught beers. Imported beers As well as local Spanish beers, they also have a menu
La Polivalente
La Polivalente is a popular venue in the arty yet edgy Lagunillas area of Malaga. The bar is a diamond in this somewhat rough neighbourhood, located between Plaza de la Merced and Plaza de la Victoria. It’s a real melting pot for artistic types, with the venue offering a full schedule of shows and live music. This almost impossibly small bar,
Teatro Romano de Málaga (Roman Theatre)
Located at the foot of the Alcazaba on the ornate Calle Alcazabilla, are the remains of Malaga’s Roman Theatre (teatro romano). Dating from the early years of the Roman Empire, like Ancient Greek theatres its design makes use of the hillside for the tiered seating. A large part of the seating remains, as does the orchestra area, decorated with large
Librería Códice
Librería Códice is everything that comes to mind when you hear the words “second-hand bookshop”: piles and piles of well-loved books, organised according to a cryptic system that only the owner truly understands, and that classic old book smell. This bookshop is one for the true booklover, offering a wide selection of the best novels from various world literatures, curated
Casa del Libro
One of Spain’s largest bookshop chains, Casa del Libro, has a store on Calle Nueva, which has three floors of brand-new books in every genre imaginable, including a great selection of English books on the third floor. They stock a few well-known classics, as well as offering the best new and trending releases from contemporary authors. There’s also a reading area,
Librería Luces
Librería Luces is an independent bookshop on Malaga’s Alameda Principal. Founded in 2003 by Pilar Villasana and José Antonio Ruiz, they have worked hard ever since to reignite Malaga’s passion for the written word. And their mission has been a success, as Librería Luces now counts itself as one of Malaga’s main cultural hubs. The store hosts events such as
24-hour pharmacies
When the worse comes to worst and you need medication outside of normal working hours, there are a handful of options available to you in the city. If it’s an emergency, of course you should go directly to the Urgencias department of the closest hospital. The closest to Malaga city centre is the Hospital Regional Universitario (formerly Carlos Haya). If
El Corte Inglés
You can’t miss the massive El Corte Inglés when entering Malaga from the west up the grand Avenida de Andalucía. Nor if you’re on pretty much any rooftop in the city. Especially around Christmas time when adorned with its famous illuminations. Though not local to Malaga (it was founded in Madrid in 1934) El Corte Inglés is a symbol across
Veganized Non Toxic Fashion
Veganized Non Toxic Fashion is a store like no other in Malaga. It was started by a couple, Melanie and Ulrich, who have one objective: to play an active part in the creation of a more sustainable world. “We have seen that a lot of people are looking for alternatives to mass production that doesn’t respect the environment […] where
Out-of-hours healthcare
Not all medical issues can wait. In fact, a lot of them happen at the most inconvenient times. Luckily, there are a three medical centres (‘centros de salud’) which are open out of hours for emergency treatment. From 8pm to 8am from Monday to Friday, and 24 hours at weekends and on public holidays, these health centres operate exclusively as
Re-Read Librería
This Spain-wide chain of second-hand bookshops has a store on Calle Victoria, just off Plaza de la Merced. Unlike a typical second-hand bookshop, the books in Re-Read are neatly organised and displayed beautifully according to genre and author, so that upon first entering the store you may think you’ve found yourself in another of Spain’s big commercial bookshop chains. What
Santa Coffee
Santa Coffee (formerly Santa Canela) struck upon a winning formula when they opened their first café in the Soho district. With Malaga life lived almost entirely outside, they converted their small indoor space just off the Alamada into a special coffee lab and roastery (where they make sure to meet the highest standards of specialty coffee) and turned the big
February 28th: Día de Andalucía, a celebration of regional identity
Every year, Día de Andalucía (Andalucía Day) is celebrated on February 28th. The day marks the anniversary of the 1980 referendum in which the people voted for the region of Andalucía to become an Autonomous Community of Spain. It’s marked by a number of official events and distinctions, including the naming of Hijos Predilectos (Favourite Children) and awarding Medallas de
Massage UNYC Málaga
If you’re searching for a massage therapist that can help you to recover from an injury, you care about your health and want to take regular care of your well-being, or you’re looking to achieve deep relaxation and an escape from the daily rush, head over to Massage UNYC Málaga. Located right in the city centre, this oasis of calm
Tapeo de Cervantes
El Tapeo de Cervantes, named after its proximity to the theatre of the same name, is a mainstay on the Malaga culinary scene. It’s the original of what is now a group of Argentinian-run restaurants, which includes El Mesón de Cervantes and El Descorche de Cervantes, both around the corner. Unlike those two dining rooms, at El Tapeo, as the
La Recova
La Recova is pretty hard to define. Even when you’re stood right outside, looking at it. The sign says it’s a café… and yet there are pots, pans, crockery and other peculiar items (a bicycle, a record player and bird cages!) for sale in and around the doorway. The truth is, it’s an eclectic mix between a café and a