Here to stay
Has your weekend trip turned into a permanent stay? Who can blame you! Moving to a city is certainly exciting, but finding somewhere to live and negotiating the endless Spanish bureaucracy can be a bit tricky. Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
Essential tips to get settled in Málaga – paperwork, housing and daily life
Understand Málaga’s weather through the seasons – sun, rain and all in between
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 […]
Getting on the ‘padrón’
If you plan to stay in Malaga or anywhere in Spain for an extended period, one of the first pieces of official paperwork you will need to complete is registering on the padrón municipal de habitantes, commonly referred to simply as the padrón. This is the local population census, and it is essential for anyone who wants to prove residence in Spain and […]
What’s the weather like in Malaga?
It should come as no surprise that one of the main reasons people flock to Malaga and the south of Spain is the absolutely glorious weather. The Costa del Sol (literally ‘Coast of the Sun’) has attracted mass tourism ever since the 1950s precisely because, as its name rather obviously suggests, it basks in sunshine practically all year round. While […]
How to get the green NIE ‘residencia’ card in Malaga
To stay in Spain for more than 90 days as an EU/EEA citizen, you must register with the local authorities to obtain a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) and a corresponding Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión (EU residency certificate). The EU residency certificate, commonly called the “green NIE” or “residency card”, is issued on a small, […]
How to get a NIE in Malaga
Resident or not, to get practically anything done in Spain, you need an identification number. If you’re not Spanish and you’re planning to stay in Spain long term or do business in the country, you should look to get yourself a Número de Identidad de Extranjeros (known most commonly as an NIE). What is a NIE? What does it look like? A […]
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 […]
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 […]
Accessing free public healthcare in Andalucía
The public health system in Spain often ranks among the world’s best. Known for its universality, it provides free-at-the-point-of-use healthcare (for most services) to all residents, regardless of their income level or employment status. Funded through taxes and social security contributions, the system offers comprehensive coverage, including primary care, specialist services, hospital care and prescription drugs. Health centres and hospitals […]
Rubbish collection and recycling in Malaga
Malaga has a well-organised system for rubbish collection and recycling, which helps keep the streets clean and minimises the impact on the environment. One key aspect of rubbish collection in Malaga that sets it apart from some other places – particularly those in Northern Europe – is that rubbish is not collected directly from outside your house or apartment. Instead, […]
Hammam Al Ándalus Málaga
It’s hard to describe the Hammam Al Ándalus experience… but you’ll certainly come out of there feeling much more relaxed than when you went in! This unexpected oasis of calm, right in the city centre, is particularly welcoming after a long day taking in the sights of the city. The stunning decor at the Hammam Ál Andalus is true to […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Malaga’s sport city: Ciudad Deportiva de Carranque
“City” is no an exaggeration when it comes to the Ciudad Deportiva de Carranque. This sports complex is enormous! In fact, this elite level facility is used by local amateur and pro athletes but it’s also open to the general public. It’s ideal for those who want to get a proper workout, using proper facilities, but who don’t want to […]
The Place Soho
If you’re going for a complete change of look, head to The Place – a one-stop shop in the fashionable Soho district. Comprising the Art-Shampop hairdressers, the My Life Tattoo parlour and the Disaster Street Wear clothing shop, you will find some of Malaga’s most alternative-looking people in here for sure!
Sweety Nails
In need of a quick fix-up for your nails? Pop into Sweety Nails, right in the city centre, in the Entorno Thyssen. If time’s of the essence, this tiny side-street salon can, more often than not, do walk-ins. This Chinese-run shop is filled with beauty products, nail polish and Oriental decorations. Added bonus – they speak English.
Finding somewhere to live in Malaga
Just arrived in Malaga? You’ll need to find somewhere to live – and you’ll probably be looking to rent an apartment. With Malaga forging a strong reputation abroad, and the Covid pandemic, it’s trickier than ever to find an apartment or house that meets your needs… especially in the city centre. Prices have gone up a lot, especially with an […]
Bioshop El Cambio
What was once just a small shop on Calle Compañía, El Cambio has grown to become a large supermarket on Calle Carretería with a large selection of vegan and ecological products. The self-proclaimed “vegan and organic supermarket with most variety in Malaga” was conceived with the “understanding that we are part of nature and responsible for it”. All types of […]
Gyms in the centre of Malaga
If you’ve chosen Malaga for your new home, you’re probably going to need somewhere to burn off those newly developed excesses you’ve acquired (especially if you want that beach bod!) There are plenty of gyms to choose from in the city but, as you might expect because of their dimensions, not so many in the city centre. Head to the […]
COCCO Beauty
‘Centres of Cosmetic Care & Organic Beauty’. That’s what the letters in COCCO Beauty stand for. Though they specialise in a wide range of manicures (gel nails, acrylic nails, decorations…), this now long-established chain of salons also does pedicures, eyelashes and various spa treatments. Either show up on the day or make an appointment and treat yourself to a relaxing […]
DK Peluquería barber shop
Though DK Peluquería is described as a barbershop, in reality it’s a unisex hairdressers – so don’t be put off ladies! Compared to the more boho vibe of the Entorno Thyssen in which it is located, DK Peluquería stands out thanks to its retro feel, with big, comfortable vintage barber chairs and hairdressers dressed in aprons with leathery details. You’ll […]