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Andalusia – journey to the top

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Málaga – a brief overview
Málaga can trace its history back to the Phoenicians some 3,000 years ago, yet the Costa del Sol capital is often ignored by tourists focused only on sun, sand and sea. Given that it was once one of the most important cities in Moorish Spain, and boasts the breathtaking fortresses of Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, this is a shame. Málaga’s Old Town is a fascinating
warren of classic Andalusian streets, with some fantastic art museums befitting the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. There are many venerable boutiques, traditional taverns serving regional wines, and superb restaurants specialising in seafood. So while enjoying Málaga’s glorious coast is the main draw, don’t miss the compelling Andalusian city at your fingertips.
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Top 10 sights in Málaga

Alcazaba
29012 Málaga
Spain
Tel: 630 932 987
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1800 (winter)
0900-2000 (summer)
The fortress of Alcazaba dates back to Moorish rule in 11th century. Perched on a verdant hill above the ruins of a Roman theatre, it is the most impressive sight in Málaga.
Gibralfaro
29016 Málaga
Spain
Tel: 95 222 7230
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1800 (winter)
0900-2000 (summer)
The Gibralfaro was once a lighthouse and offers unparalleled views of the city. It was also used by the Moors as battlements, and a combined ticket gains access to both this and the Alcazaba.
Our Lady of Incarnation
29015 Málaga
Spain
Tel: 95 222 0345
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Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1800
Sat 1000-1700
Sun 1400-1800
The grand cathedral of Málaga was started in the 16th century but remains unfinished, earning it the nickname ‘one-armed lady’, owing to only having one of its planned two towers.
Museo Carmen Thyssen
Calle Compañía 10
29008 Málaga
Spain
Tel: 902 303 131
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-2000
Showing the private collection of the late Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza’s wife, Carmen Cervera, this art museum in a 16th-century palace includes many Andalusian masters.
Museo de Picasso
Calle San Agustín 8
29015 Málaga
Spain
Tel: 95 212 7600
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Opening times:
Tue-Thu and Sun 1000-2000
Fri-Sat 1000-2100
The Palacio de Buenavista in the old Jewish quarter houses 200 works by Pablo Picasso, who was born in Málaga. The collection includes oils, sculptures, and sketches.
Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares
29005 Málaga
Spain
Tel: 95 221 7137
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Opening times:
Mon-Fri 1000-1700
Sat 1000-1400
Celebrating Andalusia’s rural and urban history, this museum features rustic art, and explores the customs and traditions of the region.
Centro de Arte Contemporáneo
29001 Málaga
Spain
Tel: 95 212 0055
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-2000 (winter)
Tue-Sun 1000-1400 and 1700-2100 (summer)
Málaga’s contemporary art museum is an unexpected joy, with incredible temporary shows and an impressive collection of modern paintings and photography.
Fundación Picasso
29012 Málaga
Spain
Tel: 95 192 6060
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Opening times:
Daily 0930-2000
Although he never came back after leaving when young, Picasso is the city’s most famous son. This house displays early sketches, as well as odds and ends from the artist’s youth.
La Concepción
29014 Málaga
Spain
Tel: 95 19 26 180
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Opening times:
Tue-Sun 0930-1630 (Oct-Mar)
0930-1930 (Apr-Sep)
This botanical garden was founded by the British consul’s daughter some 150 years ago. The young Brit married a Spanish shipping magnate and exotic finds thus filled her garden.
Pasaje Chinitas
29015 Málaga
Spain
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Leading off the central Plaza de la Constitución, this old street features vaulted shops, as well as jewellers and workshops, and is a slice of old Málaga.
Flight and accommodation
Country Information
Country overview
Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Endless beaches, brilliant sunshine and azure waters draw beach lovers to the Mediterranean coast, and the Balearic and Canary Islands. But visitors also flock to see the historical architecture of cities, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Leon, Seville and Segovia.
If you want to experience the real Spain, don’t go to bed too early. In these parts, people stroll the city squares and dine out late into the night.
Geography
Spain accounts for roughly four-fifths of the Iberian Peninsula, with Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar occupying the remainder. In the northeast, the Pyrenees form a natural frontier to France. The state territory also encompasses the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) located southeast of Barcelona, in the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa. Ceuta, Chafarinas, Melilla and Ladu are tiny Spanish exclaves in North Africa, relics of the former Spanish Empire.
Spain is a mountainous country. The Pyrenees extend for 400 kilometers from the Basque Country in the northwest to the Mediterranean. Some peaks rise more than 3000 meters above sea level; the highest elevation here is the Pico de Aneto at 3404 meters above sea level. The country’s interior consists of a vast plateau, the Meseta, which is intersected by a number of mountain ranges.
In the north and northwest, the Meseta is bordered by the Cantabrian Mountains and the Iberian Mountains, and in the South by the Sierra Morena, beyond which lies the Guadalquivir Valley. Galicia’s mountainous landscape runs along the jagged Atlantic coast. The extreme south is also mountainous; the Sierra Nevada southeast of Granada belongs to the Betic Cordilleras, which run parallel to the Mediterranean and include the highest mountain on the Spanish mainland, the Mulhacén (3481 meters above sea level). The highest elevation on Spanish territory is the Pico del Teide (3718 meters above sea level) on Tenerife.
Spain has just under 5000 kilometers of coastline. The Mediterranean coast extends from the French border to the Rock of Gibraltar. The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and divides Spain from North Africa.
General Information
Key facts
Population: 46.33 million (2017)
Capital: Madrid.
Language
The official language is Spanish (Castellano, Castilian). In the Autonomous Communities of the Basque region, Galicia, Catalonia, Valencia, Navarra and the Balearic Islands, the relevant regional languages are also used as second official languages according to the Statutes of Autonomy. In tourist areas, English and German are commonly spoken foreign languages.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz (sometimes 110/125 V in older buildings in smaller places)
Currency
1 euro = 100 cents
Currency sign/abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). Banknotes are available in the values 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins, in the nominal values 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Public holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2019 – December 2020 period. Please note
Please note
a) Several regional public holidays also exist.
b) It is usual for public holidays which fall on a Sunday to be substituted by work-free days on subsequent weekdays.
* not in all parts of the country
2019
Año Nuevo (New Year’s): 1 January 2019
Epifanía (Epiphany): 6 January 2019
Día de San José (St. Joseph’s Day): 19 March 2019*
Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 18 April 2019*
Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 19 April 2019
Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday): 21 April 2019
Día del Trabajo (Labor Day): 1 May 2019
Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 15 August 2019
Fiesta Nacional de España (Spanish National Day): 12 October 2019
Fiesta de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day): 1 November 2019
Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 6 December 2019
La Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 8 and 9 December 2019
Navidad (Christmas): 25 December 2019
2020
Año Nuevo (New Year’s): 1 January 2020
Epifanía (Epiphany): 6 January 2020
Día de San José (St. Joseph’s Day): 19 March 2020*
Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday): 9 April 2020*
Viernes Santo (Good Friday): 10 April 2020
Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020
Día del Trabajo (Labor Day): 1 May 2020
Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption Day): 15 August 2020
Fiesta Nacional de España (Spanish National Day): 12 October 2020
Fiesta de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day): 1 and 2 November 2020*
Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day): 6 December 2020
La Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 8 December 2020
Navidad (Christmas): 25 December 2020
Information subject to error.
Flight and accommodation
Journey to the top
There’s more to the Costa del Sol than sunshine, palms and beaches. The hinterlands reveal a subversive city, a hippie stronghold and the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains. Our author started out at sea level and climbed up to the roof of Spain.
“No, no, don’t do it!” Chris Stewart warns me, his eyes wide with alarm. The former drummer of the rock band Genesis knows what he’s talking about: He’s been a sheep farmer in the southern foothills of the Sierra Nevada for 25 years. “You want to climb the Mulhacén in this weather?” he asks incredulously, as his wife Ana serves the photographer and me sweetened mint tea. “It will be horrible! Why do that to yourself?” Why? Because the story I want to tell is the story of a journey that starts out on the shores of the Mediterranean and ends on the Spanish mainland’s highest peak.
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It all began quite effortlessly three days earlier: bright sunshine and a clear blue sky over Málaga, gulls screeching, the drone of a ship’s engine. Neighboring towns, like Marbella, offer maritime spectacles complete with jet skis and catamarans, but Málaga, home to almost 600 000 people and the unofficial capital of the touristy Costa del Sol, has only the good old Pinta – a wooden boat that ferries passengers quietly around the harbor. Despite its broad, sandy beaches and charming old town, tourists used to stream right past Málaga without stopping, but a couple of years ago, the town began making more of an effort to attract visitors, partly out of necessity. The Spanish economic crisis had hit Málaga especially hard. The Norwegian Spirit, a cruise liner, is anchored in the harbor, but the cranes at the modern container terminal are still. “Business was booming here not long ago, and houses were going up all along the coast,” says Nuria Nebot, 38.
She and fellow architect Víctor González, 33, take me around the old town, past palm trees, squares and the cathedral. And also past museums, with which Málaga is now drawing tourists interested in culture: the Picasso Museum, which opened in 2003, and the private collection of Baroness Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, which opened in 2011. In spring 2015, the Spanish branch of the Centre Pompidou will welcome its first visitors. Both architects take a pretty critical view of their profession, which is why they came up with Malakatón, an initiative to encourage more people to have a say in architectural projects – via an Internet portal and a magazine, as well as at events. “During the boom, the authorities waved through so many senseless projects,” says Victor. “Now there’s no money left and people are finally beginning to sit up and think.”
The rumor wafts through the streets, mingling with the smell of joss sticks, spices and other grasses: “Have you heard? They’ve already been! And they want to come back!” Who? “They” are the makers of the U.S. fantasy series “Game of Thrones,” and Granada is allegedly high on their list of filming locations. Indeed, the city at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains looks like a fairy tale hewn in stone – not just because of the Alhambra, that breathtaking palatial citadel towering majestically above its surroundings.
Granada is a pretty town, but it’s also vibrant and youthful; one in three of its 240 000 inhabitants studies at the city’s university. Raúl Ruiz, aka El niño de las pinturas (the painting guy), represents the more subversive side of Granada. His art, some of it almost dreamy, decorates many of the town’s walls. Today, Ruiz is one of Europe’s best-known street artists, but sadly, I am unable to arrange a meeting with him. Instead, I get Mika Bukowski to show me around the city – the 35-year-old runs graffiti tours for the guests of the Oasis backpacker hostel. We make our way through the jostling crowds of the old Albaicín district, where the streets are lined with shops selling Moroccan crafts and hippie jewelry. “Raúl is a real genius,” Mika raves, “but they still make his life difficult. He regularly gets into trouble with the cops.” The guide stops to explain a particular piece of graffiti. Then he interrupts himself: “Man, you are really lucky,” says Mika, pointing to a lanky guy with a high forehead and wild hair. “Meet the maestro himself!”
His baggy jeans splashed with paint, a glass of wine and a cigarette in his hand – Raúl Ruiz stands less than three steps away from his work. How did he become a street artist? “I started painting as a child, and already back then, wanted to take my art into the street.” He’s in his mid-thirties now. Smiling, gesticulating broadly, he doesn’t spill a drop of wine. The photographer asks if she can take a picture. His face darkens: “Cariño, sweetheart, don’t bother! It’s not about me.” He pauses, takes a deep breath and regains his smile. “I’m nothing special, just a local guy. Better to let my pictures do the talking, okay?” Sure thing.
Only one euro for this pair of earrings? “I make them myself, so I can’t really charge more,” says the woman in the colorful robes standing in the small church square. You don’t find so many dropouts from society on Ibiza anymore, nor in other former hippie haunts either, but they still populate the southern foothills of the Sierra Nevada, in the Alpujarras region.
For thousands of years, mountain farmers have cultivated the barren soil here, and their white-washed villages still look like settlements in Morocco’s Atlas mountains. Over the last few decades, many people have drifted toward the cities while others have purposely headed for the hills. Hundreds of hippies now live in teepees and trailors in a commune outside Órgiva, the area’s main town, whose population of 5000 also includes close to a hundred Islamic Sufis. And 1100 meters above Órgiva, there’s a Tibetan center with a gigantic prayer wheel.
Chris Stewart, 63, the now gray-haired ex-drummer, dropped out a quarter of a century ago. I drive for half an hour along a rough, winding track and wade through a river before finally finding myself on his terrace with a cup of tea and a piece of cake. The dog who barked a welcome is gnawing a bony something that must have once belonged to a sheep. Chris tells me how he was thrown out of his school band at the age of 17, and how, later, a certain Phil Collins took his place at the drums. Instead of becoming a professional musician, he chose the life of a farmer. At 38, he bought a dusty piece of land with a house on it in the Alpujarras region – without talking it over beforehand with his wife. “That wouldn’t have worked,” he says, grinning like a small boy. “Women are too sensible.” Ana, sitting with us, smiles indulgently. Chris has written five bestselling books about his life as a dropout. The stories are full of eccentric characters and are written with wry, British humor. Be honest, I say, did that all really happen? “Everything, absolutely everything!” he replies. Then he grins, “Well, 95 percent of it.”
Jesús, my bearded mountain guide, looks at me searchingly. His expression speaks volumes, but he is far too polite to put his criticism of my choice of clothing into words. Sure, Mulhacén rises 3482 meters into the Spanish sky, but all the same, while I had expected the ascent to be fairly hard going, I had also anticipated some sunshine. And that’s why I hadn’t packed any special equipment other than my hiking boots. Jesús Espinosa, 52, had called me only the night before to pass on the weather report: zero degrees Celsius, mist, squalls. Didn’t I want to reconsider? No, but thanks for asking!
In the morning, we take a minibus from the mountain village of Capileira as far as Alto del Chorrillo, where the trip begins. The fog is as thick as cotton batting. When visibility is good, you can see across to Morocco from here. The photographer suffers in silence.
There are no signposts, not even any proper trails – without Jesús, I would have turned back. But this short, stocky man with a psychology degree has been guiding people through the mountains for 25 years.
We climb over huge rocks encrusted with fist-sized ice crystals. There’s a strong wind blowing and my hat and scarf are poor protection against the cold. “If it starts raining, we’re turning back,” says Jesús. But we’re in luck, reach the summit around midday and sink down on the rock, frozen to the core. Our guide passes round his leather wine bottle. We made it! I feel quite proud, but the elation soon passes, when Jesús tells me about his first time on Mulhacén: “I was nine years old, my grandfather took me. He was 84.”
Flight and accommodation
Nightlife in Málaga
Like many Andalusian cities, the nightlife in Málaga tends to revolve around classic tapas bars where beers are often accompanied by free nibbles.
Visitors gravitate towards bars and clubs by the beach, but don’t miss the taverns in the Old Town.
Antigua Casa de Guardia
29005 Málaga
Spain
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An 18th-century tavern that serves exquisite wines, including its own-produced Muscat.
Gorki
29015 Málaga
Spain
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Overlooking the harbour, Gorki serves great sangria in an ideal setting.
Óleo
29001 Málaga
Spain
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With ceviche during the day and cocktails at night, Óleo also has an ideal position on the river.
Kelipé Centro de Arte Flamenco
29005 Málaga
Spain
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Party Andalusian-style with Kelipe’s flamenco shows on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
La Taskita
29008 Málaga
Spain
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For a no-nonsense evening of beers in a great atmosphere, head to La Taskita.
Flight and accommodation
Restaurants in Málaga
Spain’s culinary prowess now extends as far as the Costa del Sol, with its tradition of fantastic seafood complemented by world-class chefs.
From tapas bars to classy dining options, Málaga has its fair share of options.
El Pimpi
29015 Málaga
Spain
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Price: Expensive
With walls covered in signed photos of celebrities, this is Málaga’s buzziest spot.
El Tapeo de Cervantes
29012 Málaga
Spain
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Price: Moderate
A rustic-looking joint with just six tables, this is the finest tapas bar in Málaga.
Mesón Antonio
29005 Málaga
Spain
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Price: Moderate
Run by a family, this charming restaurant serving fresh seafood has been going for three decades.
Noviembre
29008 Málaga
Spain
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Price: Cheap
Fantastic for breakfast, hip Noviembre has delicious omelettes and smoothies.
Flight and accommodation
Calendar of events
Carnaval
23 February – 3 March 2019
Venue: City centre
Seven weeks before Easter, this is the most colourful festival of the year with street parades in fancy dress, bands on stage, the Carnival Ball and a Grand Procession through the streets culminating in fireworks on the seafront.
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
14 – 20 April 2019
Venue: City centre
During Easter week, large-scale religious processions parade large floats of Christ and the Virgin through the main streets, accompanied by mournful music and hooded penitents.
Festival de Málaga Cine Español
15 – 24 March 2019
Website
Venue: Teatro Cervantes and various venues
A high-profile festival of Spanish films, with local legend Antonio Banderas often in attendance.
Fiesta de San Juan
23 June 2019
Venue: Playa de la Misericordia and Playa de la Malagueta
Bonfires and fireworks celebrate the solstice and large caricature ‘guy’ figures meet a fiery end down by the beach.
Feria de Málaga (Málaga Fair)
August 2019
Website
Venue: City centre, Cortijo de Torres and various venues
Málaga’s chief festival involves folklore, music, food and wine, dressage and bullfighting in a heady mixture which takes over the central streets by day. By night the action moves to a giant free funfair by the lighthouse.
International Jazz Festival
November 2019
Venue: Teatro Cervantes and various venues
National and international names from the world of jazz and blues play various venues around town.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
Flight and accommodation
Hotels in Málaga
Tourists to Málaga are often reluctant to leave the sanctuary of their resort hotel to go and explore the city. But there are some
great lodging options in historic buildings in the Old Town, with more stylish choices than elsewhere on the Costa del Sol.
AC Hotel Palacio
29015 Málaga
Spain
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Category: Expensive
With a rooftop pool and super-slick rooms including marble bathrooms, this is the trendiest hotel in town.
Casa de las Mercedes
29016 Málaga
Spain
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Category: Expensive
Built in 1750 in the baroque style, this elegant house is for finer tastes.
Guadalmedina
29001 Málaga
Spain
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Category: Moderate
A modern, stylish hotel, Guadalmedina lies across the Puente del Perchel in the New Town.
Humaina
29013 Málaga
Spain
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Category: Cheap
A stately home in a glorious setting, the Humaina is all about serenity.
Atarazanas
29005 Málaga
Spain
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Category: Cheap
Transformed from an old 19th-century building into a boutique hotel, this is a hidden gem.
Flight and accommodation
Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 22.02.2019 19:00 UTC

sunny
temperature
13°C
wind direction
northwind speed
3.125 mph7 days forecast
Saturday
23.02.2019
19°C / 7°C
Sunday
24.02.2019
16°C / 9°C
Monday
25.02.2019
14°C / 11°C
Tuesday
26.02.2019
13°C / 10°C
Wednesday
27.02.2019
17°C / 11°C
Thursday
28.02.2019
18°C / 11°C
Friday
01.03.2019
20°C / 12°C
Climate & best time to visit Spain
The Spanish climate varies from region to region, spanning moderate in the north to Mediterranean in the south, and even subtropical on the Canary Islands.
The best times to visit Spain are generally in the spring and the fall, when temperatures are agreeable. In most parts of the country, it is very hot at the height of summer, but sea breezes on the coast keep it bearable; the interior is best avoided in July and August. The climate on the Atlantic coast and in all of Galicia is pleasant even in summer. In winter, you can enjoy winter sports in the Pyrenean Mountains or agreeably warm days on the south and southeast coast, as well as on the Canary Islands.
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute min | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
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Jan | 26 °C | -2 °C | 16 °C | 7 °C | 71 % | 83 mm | 6.4 | 5.5 h |
Feb | 30 °C | -1 °C | 17 °C | 8 °C | 70 % | 75 mm | 4.4 | 5.9 h |
Mar | 31 °C | 1 °C | 18 °C | 9 °C | 66 % | 59 mm | 3.7 | 6.9 h |
Apr | 32 °C | 2 °C | 20 °C | 10 °C | 65 % | 40 mm | 4.8 | 7.3 h |
May | 34 °C | 6 °C | 23 °C | 13 °C | 61 % | 24 mm | 3.7 | 9.5 h |
Jun | 41 °C | 10 °C | 27 °C | 17 °C | 59 % | 13 mm | 1.9 | 10.5 h |
Jul | 44 °C | 14 °C | 29 °C | 19 °C | 60 % | 2 mm | 0.3 | 11.2 h |
Aug | 42 °C | 13 °C | 30 °C | 20 °C | 63 % | 5 mm | 0.5 | 10.4 h |
Sep | 38 °C | 11 °C | 27 °C | 18 °C | 65 % | 15 mm | 2.4 | 8.4 h |
Oct | 35 °C | 5 °C | 23 °C | 14 °C | 70 % | 54 mm | 4.4 | 6.9 h |
Nov | 29 °C | 1 °C | 19 °C | 10 °C | 72 % | 115 mm | 5 | 5.7 h |
Dec | 24 °C | 0 °C | 16 °C | 8 °C | 72 % | 102 mm | 6.1 | 5.3 h |
year | 44 °C | -2 °C | 22 °C | 13 °C | 66 % | 586 mm | 43.6 | 7.8 h |
Flight and accommodation
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone
Country code: +34
Mobile telephony and Internet
Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement.
Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended.
Flight and accommodation
Shopping in Málaga
Key Areas
Málaga isn’t exactly a shopping hub, but it is the Costa del Sol’s economic centre. It’s easy to find famous international brands, as well as various souvenirs and Andalusian crafts. There are lots of old independent shops and curious spots in the Old Town. Near Calle Marqués de Larios you can find designer labels in force.
Markets
Established in the 19th century, but incorporating a Moorish gateway from the 14th century, Mercado Central de Atarazanas (Calle Atarazanas) is worth visiting as a sight in its own right. Once there, you can also pick up fresh fish, Ibérico ham and various cheeses.
Shopping Centres
Right by the main train station, the Vialia Mall contains top high-street Spanish brands such as Zara, as well as lots of favourites from around Europe and beyond.
Flight and accommodation
Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
It is polite in Spain to shake hands in greeting. The usual courtesies should be observed. If you are invited to someone’s home, your host will appreciate a small gift. Flowers are given only on special occasions.
Clothing
Casual dress is appropriate almost everywhere, although some hotels and restaurants require men to wear a jacket and tie; evening dress is only required for particularly formal occasions. Swimwear belongs without exception on the beach.
Smoking
A smoking ban applies in all public institutions, on public transportation, in telephone booths and in rooms containing ATMs, as well as in children’s playgrounds and schoolyards. The smoking ban also applies to all bars, cafés and restaurants. Smoking areas inside bars and restaurants are no longer permitted.
Tipping
Tips are generally included in hotel and restaurant bills. It is nevertheless usual to leave a small tip for the service staff. Porters receive a small sum per item of luggage. The usual amount tipped in restaurants is between 10 and 15 percent. When the waiter brings your change, you leave some as the tip. It is considered extremely rude, however, to leave two- or five-cent pieces. When tipping your taxi driver, simply round up the fare.
Flight and accommodation
Health
Main emergency number: 112
Lyme disease, TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) and leishmaniosis are all diseases which are passed on by ticks and mosquitoes and also occur in Spain. Clothing that covers the skin and insect repellents provide protection.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur all over Spain. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Visitors planning an extended stay and close contact with the local population, and generally with children and young people, should also have a hepatitis B vaccination.
Measles and whooping cough occur in Spain. Before traveling to Spain, visitors should definitely check whether their vaccinations are up to date and if necessary, get a booster shot.
Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis occur in Spain. Visitors should seek protection by getting a vaccination and avoiding large crowds. Children and young people, in particular, should be vaccinated. According to the latest recommendations, the vaccination applies as required travel vaccination for extended stays for certain groups of people (teenagers, school and university students). Visitors should consult their physician regarding the need for vaccination in the light of recommendations in the country of destination.
Flight and accommodation
Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.