by Stella Kaye

Created on: September 21, 2010

MAGNIFICENT MALAGA

The coastal city of Malaga in Andalucia, southern Spain has always been a popular tourist destination from the very onset of package holidays.

The International airport of the same name is only 8km from Malaga itself and now boasts three terminals which are necessary to cope with the huge influx of tourists during the summer months.

Visitors to the Costa del Sol will thus arrive at Malaga airport usually flying over the Montes de Malaga - the Malaga Mountains as their plane descends.  Most flights hail from other parts of mainland Europe but the American visitor can get a summer flight direct from New York to discover the many delights of Andalucía.

The region is not called coast of the sun without good reason – Malaga is the southernmost city in Europe and thus basks in a sub-tropical climate, sheltered by a mountain backdrop.

It is easy for the tourist to dash straight to the Costas from the airport without first discovering what Malaga has to offer. Why not linger here for a few days if you are not tied to the restrictions of a package holiday? Or once you have settled into your hotel on the Costas why not take a tour round the city if you feel like a day’s break from the beach. Even the visitor on foot will be able to find beautiful botanical gardens, open spaces and still have time to shop at their leisure in pleasant traffic-free zones.

You will discover a region rich in history and culture; Malaga’s origins can be traced back as far as the Phoenicians to around 700 BC. The city’s fascinating past has been moulded by Roman and Moorish settlements over the centuries and this is reflected in the architecture throughout the city.

There is the remains of a Roman amphitheatre which is being sympathetically restored to its former glory; this can be found directly beneath the castle at Gibralfaro and the adjoining Moorish fortress of Alkazaba which dominates the skyline. An interesting days sightseeing can be had in this area alone where you will also find an archaeological museum. The views over the city and  port are well worth the climb and it is wise to remember that the best photos are usually taken from the highest vantage point.

Modern Malaga boasts a thriving port with links to North Africa and has its own selection of fine beaches with tree-lined promenades and plenty of cafes and tapas bars. The sand at La Malagueta Beach (the nearest to the city centre) may have been imported from the Sahara

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