More than a beach city in the south of Spain…read more Yes, it does have 16 beaches, one in the city center. But does offer way more than lazy sunny days relaxing on the beach. It is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. And full of various cultural sites. I suggest an early morning hike up to Gibralfaro Castle, as the path is not fully shaded and the line for entry can get long. It is one of the largest Arab fortresses in the area. From here you can look out to the Mediterranean, the historic old city and Plaza de Toro de la Malagueta bull ring. On the back side back down in the city is a fabulously preserved Roman theater, the city museum, and the Cathedral de la Encarnation. The entire day can be spent wandering this great old area, with a few stops at small cafes for a snack and occasional coffee or sangria. Food and drink here are affordable and delicious. For unique and incredible fresh grilled seafood, head back down to the beach and enjoy the grilled sardines on skewers.

At the time of this review, Sierra de las Nieves ("range of the snows") is about to become a…read moreNational Park (it became a Natural Park in 1989). In 1995, it became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. We drove along the western border of the park, on our way from Marbella to Ronda. The views are breathtaking, and I got to see a lot of what my research on the park described of its terrain. Here is a summary about the park, from my research of various sources: The park surrounds the Sierra de las Nieves mountain range in the Málaga province, in Andalucia. La Torrecilla (1,919 m) is the highest point in the range. It also hosts one of the deepest shafts in Europe (named "GESM"). Lots of limestone in this region gives the park white cliffs, spotted with reddish iron deposits. Sierra de las Nieves has numerous caves, the most well-known are Hoyos del Pilar, Hoyos de Lifa, and Cuevas del Moro. Apparently, the name of the Park came from its snowy peaks, which used to be more plentiful than in our current (warmer) global climate. Back when, the locals stored the snow in "snowfields" and carted it down to the local towns for water. The park harbors Spanish fir forests, and the Mediterranean spruce, that dates to the glacial period in Iberia. One is 500yo, named the Escalereta, a Natural Monument. The forests also contain oaks, cork trees, wild olive trees, ash trees, junipers, carob trees and chestnut trees. **Local black pigs survive on acorns from these trees, and their cured ham (pata negra) is a local delicacy. Fauna here are typical of southern Spain, and include mountain goats, muflons, meloncillo (a kind of mongoose), roe deer, and otters. This is a destination for bird watching tours, with Griffin vultures, golden eagles, eagle owls, royal owls, goshawks and hawks. This pristine park has never been inhabited except for a smattering of villages, hence it is very unspoiled terrain. Camping is no longer permitted in the park. Park activities include, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking (with tours such as Monda-Istán), mountain climbing, and horseback-riding.

Puente Viejo is a bridge as you'd have guessed, the oldest one built in Ronda in 1616. Easy to…read moreremember. It's very easy to find, like everything else in Ronda, just grab a map - a self guided walking tour and follow the main drag. Everything is close by, within walking distance. The bridge is old, beautiful, take a break for a while to take all the details in and the amazing views all around! Roman bridge with some Moorish influences, a great example of Andalusian architecture. Pedestrian only, a wonderful sight!

The Puente Viejo (old bridge) in Ronda, was built on remains of an older bridge. According to…read moreSpanish touring sites, this version of the bridge was built in the 16thC, however, Wikipedia claims it was built in 1616 (the year of Shakespeare's death). I would tend to go with the Spanish info, dating it to the 1500s. The more famous Puente Nuevo (new bridge) is a "young" 200+ years old. While Puente Nuevo allows vehicular traffic, Puente Viejo is a pedestrian-only bridge. It is accessible from lower points in town, down the hill from the Palacio del Rey Moro, on the old side of the city, and near Iglesia de Padre Jesús on the new side. This bridge has great views, but, IMO, not as dramatic as those from Puente Nuevo. Puente Viejo is in Carlos Saura's film version of Carmen (1983). Los Caños bar, nearby, shows photo stills from the movie. * * * TIP * * * Near the old bridge, there is an entrance to walk the INTERIOR of the city walls, to see these old ramparts from the inside. Ask for more info from your hotel, because this is not of widespread tourist knowledge.

Last weekend I was in Malaga and, while I was having breakfast on the terrasse of a café, a woman…read moredistributed flyers. I usually don't take flyers. But here I was in Spain so maybe flyers were interesting. And it was ! After wandering through the beautiful city, we found the place. hidden in the patio of an old building. Away from the sun, we felt some fresh air and walk in the craft market. I just love so much how it feels to walk from table to table and admire craft ! It feels so personal. Someone made something and you are about to acquire a unique piece of Art ! We sat for a while, drank a coke. Loved it I highly recommend the place and the market :)

Seriously cool place to have a beer!…read more We walked past this place one day while walking off the beaten path. we made a mental note to come back for for a few beers. So we came back for a few beers. And cheap mind you. You won't break the bank here. Doesn't feel very touristy, felt more like a place where locals hang. And had a arty farty vibe. I saw a bloke sitting at a table on his own reading a book and drinking a beer. I love feel of this place. It's set back off the road into a giant garden patio. I think they hold lots of events here. I saw a list of events, but didn't really pay much attention. I think I may wind up a regular here!

This is a nice fort to visit! If you have visited others across Andalusia, it is not nearly as…read moreintricate as the Alhambra, but is still beautiful and grand. The location also offers gorgeous views of the harbor, Mediterranean sea, and the bull ring. There is an accessible entrance for anyone visiting with kids in strollers or a relative in a wheelchair. Free on Sundays after 2p!

The Alcazaba (which comes from al-Qasba, meaning urban fortress) is located at the foot of the…read morehillside of Mount Gibralfaro, in the small bay that is home to the city of Malaga. Its strategic position led it to be inhabited by ancient civilisations such as the Phoenicians and the Romans where they built a theatre in the 1st century. During the Islamic period, the Alcazaba was initially built as a fortification, and later became a palace-fortress, and the seat of the city government. You can buy a ticket for the Alcazaba itself or a combo ticket for the Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba. Sundays are free from 2p-7pm

Beautiful square in Marbella's old town. The name comes from 1941, when the town removed the palm…read moretrees that used to populate this square, and planted orange trees (prior to the palms, there had been chestnut trees). This is one of the most well-known spots along the Costa del Sol. Beautiful place to sit and enjoy the breathtaking architecture and horticulture. Public benches surround the inner part of the square, with cafes along the perimeter. Interesting aesthetic details are all over the place, even the pebble mosaics on the paved ground. Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square) is in a walkable zone, so do not try to drive to it. Best to park in a nearby garage and walk through the old town to get there. Worth the walk and the parking fee just to see this lovely square... and the adjacent Plaza De la Iglesia, a very short walk away.

The Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) is the most emblematic monument of the Malaga city of Ronda…read more Built between 1751 and 1793, until 1839 it was the highest bridge in the world with a height of 98 meters (about 300 feet). It unites the historic and modern areas of the city by crossing the Ronda tajo, a gorge excavated by the Guadalevín River. The Puente Nuevo constitutes, together with the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Ronda, the symbol and soul of the city. That is why it has been declared a Natural Monument of Andalusia in April 2019. We walked across it and also down the gorge to take some of the most iconic pictures of the bridge. The trek is tough with a steep uphill, but worth every minute.

This place is a definite must see if you're in the southern coast of Spain. The view from and…read morearound the bridge is just stunning. There are no admission fees, but if you want to visit the lower levels of the bridge, there is a small fee. Be aware to get here, the road can be steep, winding, and narrow. It can be a bit challenging, especially traveling at night. Located in the town of Ronda, there are plenty of restaurants in the town to try out. Numerous gift shops are also present for your wants.

Best 360 views of Malaga! It is ~20-minute walk uphill without pausing so do wear comfortable…read moreshoes, bring water, and take caution if you have mobility concerns. The walk up to the castle offers very nice views of the city. The paid portion gives entry into the walled complex at the top and is ~3€. The complex itself is mostly just the walls, which you can walk around all sides of and get stunning views of the city, harbor/sea, and mountains. The grounds contain a few information cards. One terrace had been turned into a cafe, so there really isn't much beyond completing the wall walk. Some of the views are identical to the Alcazaba too (at least on the sea-facing side and old town), so definitely go there if you have mobility concerns and are unable to hike this far up. Got very pleasant weather when I went so I lucked out. Worth a visit!

I found this old castle just OK. It is basically a shell of old walls and ramparts…read more The Gibralfaro fortress dominates the whole city, and is situated on the crest of a long rise located almost 400 feet above sea level. The layout of the walls of the Gibralfaro fortress is very irregular. The easiest way to get to the entrance is to take bus #35 from the Parque de la Marina and it will take you easily up to the top. If you decide to walk it, you can find a walking paved trail starting at Parque de la Merced, that will take you about 20 minutes uphill to the castle. The views of the city are amazing..that is the main reason for the visit...Enjoy it !!!!