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…
Antonio Banderas and his connection to Semana Santa in Malaga
If you visit Malaga during Semana Santa you might see a familiar figure among the rows of penitents. Each Palm Sunday, actor Antonio Banderas takes part in one of Malaga’s longest‑standing traditions. He does so not as a tourist but as an active member of a local brotherhood. Semana Santa in Malaga combines deep local devotion with elaborate processions of floats
The Malaga Easter tradition that frees a prisoner every Holy Week
Every Holy Wednesday during Malaga’s famous Semana Santa, something remarkable happens that most tourists witnessing the processions know nothing about. As tens of thousands of visitors photograph the elaborate floats and hooded penitents winding through the city streets, one prisoner is walking out of jail early. It sounds like fiction, but this almost 300-year-old tradition is very real and uniquely
Roscón de Reyes: the traditional Three Kings cake in Spain
No Spanish celebration of DÃa de Reyes (Three Kings Day) would be complete without a Roscón de Reyes, the sweet ring-shaped cake that graces tables across the country on January 6th. This centuries-old tradition brings families together on the morning of Three Kings Day, creating moments of suspense and laughter as everyone discovers what hides inside their slice. The roscón
Why do they eat grapes on New Year’s Eve in Spain?
If you’ve ever watched Spanish television on New Year’s Eve or found yourself in a Spanish plaza as midnight approaches, you’ll have witnessed one of the country’s most beloved and slightly bonkers traditions. Eating twelve grapes in twelve seconds as the clock strikes midnight might sound straightforward, but anyone who’s attempted this feat whilst trying not to choke, laugh or
The FIVE best day trips less than an hour away from Malaga
Looking for the best day trips from Malaga? You’re in luck. Within just an hour of the city, you’ll find some of southern Spain’s most charming destinations — from whitewashed coastal towns to dramatic mountain landscapes. Each offers its own flavour of Andalusian life, and all are easy to reach by car, train or organised tour. Here are the top
The top five best city breaks from Malaga
Malaga offers plenty to explore, but many visitors use this coastal city as a gateway to discover other remarkable destinations across AndalucÃa. The city enjoys excellent transport links. Malaga Airport ranks among Spain’s busiest hubs, while MarÃa Zambrano train station connects travellers to destinations throughout the country. If you ever tire of Malaga’s charms, these five Andalusian cities make exceptional
October 12th: Fiesta Nacional, Spain’s controversial National Day
October 12th marks Spain’s Fiesta Nacional, a public holiday that commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492. This date is controversial for many, representing both Spanish pride and historical colonialism. Previously known as DÃa de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Day), this remains one of Spain’s two most significant national holidays alongside Constitution Day on December 6th. Catholics also know
From Arab shipyard to convent: the fascinating history of Atarazanas market
Today, Atarazanas is known as Malaga’s central market – a bustling marketplace and a major hub of activity in Malaga city centre. However, this vibrant food market boasts a remarkable history that spans seven centuries, reflecting the city’s evolving landscape and culture. The original Atarazanas: a 14th-century Arab shipyard When Atarazanas was first built in the 14th century, Malaga looked
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
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
What causes the ‘taró’ fog that closes Malaga’s beaches every summer?
If you’ve spent any summer in Malaga, you’ve probably witnessed the taró weather phenomenon at least once. Known locally as el taró, this dense sea mist in Malaga can transform sunny beaches into a hazy, mysterious scene within minutes. What is the taró fog? Taró is a form of Andalusian coastal fog that commonly appears between Malaga and Ceuta, most
The FOUR best bookshops in Malaga
The vibrant, diverse landscape and culture of Malaga and its surrounding area has long attracted visits from great authors seeking inspiration, including the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote in his travel memoir In Spain, published in English in 1870, that “in none of the Spanish towns have I been so happy, so entirely at home,
Why does Malaga Airport have the code AGP?
If you’re a frequent flyer, you’ll be familiar with the concept of airport codes. Normally they are based on the letters of the city’s name. For example, AMS is Amsterdam, Madrid is MAD, Barcelona is BCN, Brussels is BRU… So why then is Malaga AGP? It really doesn’t follow any pattern. Lots of urban legends It probably comes as little
A quick guide to exploring Malaga’s beach promenades on foot
Malaga offers a plethora of options for those who enjoy long walks with continuous scenic views. From the eastern district of El Palo, you can walk all the way to the new Paseo in the Huelin district along the coast, passing through the city centre and the port. Start in El Palo, in the east For an extended walk, take
Chiringuitos: Malaga’s iconic traditional beach bars
Did you know that, on average, a chiringuito can be found every 500 metres along the Costa del Sol? They’re even more frequent in bustling tourist centres and in Malaga city, in particular, with one every 150 metres. But what exactly is a chiringuito? A Malaga invention Typically, a chiringuito is a small establishment located on the beach, offering drinks
7 expert tips for surviving the hot Terral wind in Malaga
Have you heard? The Terral is coming! But are you prepared?! Temperatures around 40 degrees might sound like heaven, but this dry wind makes for an especially unpleasant time and can come in episodes of anything between a few hours to a few days. So, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. Here are 7 top tips for surviving Terral in Malaga!
The (in)famous Terral wind
If you’ve been in Malaga during the summer, the chances are that you’ve experienced the dreaded Terral. This weather phenomenon is notorious among locals and tourists alike for its intense and often unbearable heat. Temperatures shoot up and the dry heat makes it feel like you’re in an oven. The usually mild Mediterranean climate is suddenly replaced by scorching conditions
How to order coffee in Malaga: a beginner’s guide
When learning Spanish, when it comes to ordering coffee, you might be familiar with “café con leche” or “café solo”. However, once in Malaga, some new phrases like “corto” (short), “sombra” (shadow) or “mitad” (half) get thrown into the mix. At first, these confuse foreigners and non-Malagueños alike. That’s because this system is unique to Malaga. Go outside of the
Why does it always seem to rain during Semana Santa in Malaga?
Every year, without fail, as Semana Santa approaches, the people of Malaga look skyward, anticipating the arrival of an uninvited guest: rain. This phenomenon seems to persist regardless of when Easter falls, with many processions either being cancelled or considerably shortened due to the wet weather. It’s a recurring scenario that has puzzled Spaniards for years. So, why does it
What happens if it rains during Semana Santa?
Malaga, with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions, comes alive during Semana Santa, drawing crowds from far and wide to witness its spectacular processions. However, amid the excitement and anticipation, the unpredictable nature of spring weather can pose challenges for the brotherhoods (or cofradÃas) that organise these events. In Malaga, where Semana Santa holds special significance, brotherhoods go to
5 tips for surviving Semana Santa in Malaga
If you didn’t already know, Semana Santa (Holy Week or Easter Week in English) brings Malaga to an absolute standstill every year. Easter in Spain is not just a religious festival, it’s a deep-rooted tradition that dates back centuries and brings whole communities together. In Malaga city alone, between Palm Sunday and Good Friday, there are more than 40 processions (plus
Calima, the Saharan dust that turns Malaga’s skies orange
Given the city’s close proximity to North Africa and the Gibraltar Strait, the people of Malaga are no strangers to weird and wonderful weather phenomena. One, which is quite common throughout the year, is that of calima. This suspension of Saharan sand dust in the skies is a natural phenomenon. It casts a hazy hue over the province and, depending
Verdiales, the Flamenco-style dance from Malaga
Verdiales, sometimes known as fandangos de Málaga, are a popular Flamenco-style music genre with its roots deeply entrenched in the cultural fabric of AndalucÃa. Rooted in tradition, verdiales typically adhere to a 12-count rhythm akin to soleares and bulerÃas, with their melodic framework predominantly set in the key of E phrygian, occasionally venturing into A minor. This musical form’s resonance
Lagunillas: Malaga’s alternative Barrio de las Artes
An obscure maze of alleyways, plazas, and vacant lots, hidden in plain sight behind Plaza de la Merced, Lagunillas is a slice of authentic urban Spain perfectly preserved amongst the city’s most touristic neighbourhoods. Lagunillas looks unremarkable from the outside, and is easily overlooked by art aficionados visiting Malaga in favour of the better known Sojo district, which features several