Plaza de la Merced
Plaza de la Merced is one of the largest and most iconic public squares in Malaga city centre.
The square has been a key part of the city since the Roman era, operating as a marketplace since at least the fifteenth century.
This beautiful square is a must-see for many different reasons:
Picasso’s birthplace
Firstly, Plaza de la Merced is the birthplace of none other than Pablo Picasso.
Malaga’s most famous son was born in the house on the most north-westerly corner, which has now been converted into Casa Natal (birth house), where you can visit more of the city’s Picasso offering.
Since 2008, there has been a bronze statue of the man himself. It depicts Picasso sitting on a bench, taking notes with a pencil. Visitors can sit next to him for one of the Malaga’s most popular photo opportunities.
Popular nightlife spot
Secondly, no night out can begin without a visit to one of the several bars.
By day, Plaza de la Merced is a tranquil ornate square, ideal for picking up some tapas or a beer; but by night, this is where the party begins!
Whether enjoying a ‘botellón’ in the square itself, or enjoying the fresh air on one of the outdoor terraces, this is often the prelude for a night out in one of the nightclubs.
Impressive obelisk
Thirdly, and probably lost on most of the people headed to Plaza de la Merced, in the centre of the square, you will find the impressive obelisk in tribute to General Torrijos.
You can read more about it here.
Daryl moved to Malaga permanently in 2014 having first fallen in love with the city on his Erasmus year. After working for many years at local expat newspaper SUR in English, Daryl gained expert knowledge in life from the perspective of foreign residents and decided to co-found Malaga Guru in 2016.