The Port of Malaga, Spain
ABOUT
Malaga has a long and rich history with its origins in around 770BC making it one of the oldest cities in the world. It is thought to have been founded by the Phoenecians who called it Malaca, meaning `fish salting place’. Over the centuries it was ruled by Carthage, the Romans and more. It has survived wars, fluctuating commerce even dictatorships.
Its Cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 and considered one of the most valuable Renaissance jewels in Andalusia.
Probably its most famous son is Pablo Ruiz Picasso born in Malaga in 1881 and raised there as a young man. He was a painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theatre designer who spent most of his adult life in France.
Population of the city in 2024 is 586,384.
Currency is the Euro.
THINGS TO DO
There is certainly a lot to do in Malaga with its centuries old history and its famous son.
The ancient Moorish castle of Alcazaba lies in the city and dates back to the 11th Century. Tickets are reasonable and guided tours are available.
Castillo de Gibralfaro sits on a hill overlooking the city and port. Built in the 10th Century its image features on the city seal and flag.
Malaga Cathedral is a huge building full of art and history. There is also a rooftop tour you can take, if you are able to climb the 200 steps.
A Roman Theatre is a free archaeological site dating back to the 1st Century.
The Picasso Museum honours Malaga’s most famous son. It opened in 2003, there is a small admittance fee.
On top of that of course there are beaches to visit together with plenty of shops and cafes to keep you busy.
OUR FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO
OUR VISIT IN SEPTEMBER 2024 ON SKY PRINCESS
Our visit to Malaga in September 2024 was whilst cruising with Princess Cruises on Sky Princess. It was a lovely sunny day, without it being too hot. We decided to take the Hop On Hop Off bus around the city. You can conveniently catch the bus adjacent to the cruise terminal and people are on hand to sell tickets. But be aware it can be very busy.
This is a great service in most places we have visited and our intention was to stop off at the Old City. However, the driver though had other ideas! Firstly the commentary was not in order and then the driver did not stop at all the places he should have done.
The tour itself took us along the seafront and up through into the hills above the city. Some of the views were quite spectacular – and we did get a chance to see the outside of the Old City. We also had chance to see some of the architecture despite a close encounter with some oranges en route.
Nevertheless we had a lovely bus tour of the city and we are determined to get to the old city on our next trip.
Our Visit in December 2024 on Queen Victoria
Our next visit to Malaga was aboard Cunard‘s Queen Victoria. Despite the time of year, the weather was beautiful. It started off a little cool but the sun soon shone thorough.
Following our experience with the Hop On Hop Off bus we decided that walking from the town to the Alcazaba was a better option. We took the shuttle bus from the ship to the drop off point which is at the end of the Malaga Waterfront. This area does have some shops and bars but at this time of year there are also pop up stalls and markets selling Christmas items.
We meandered along the waterfront towards The Cube before heading through some lovely public gardens.
In Malaga, there is an elevator providing convenient access to the Alcazaba from the square behind city hall. It is intended to provide easy access to the entrance of this Moorish Castle.
It was easy to find on our Google Maps, however it was closed with no indication of its future opening.
So we decided to walk as it was such nice weather. We tried using the steps but this was extremely steep. Much as it was a beautiful area to walk through we felt it not quite right for us. It is not an option for anyone with mobility issues.
There was a series of ramps that took us to the top of the hill. They were well kept and ideal for anyone with mobility issues, pushchairs etc. It’s still quite a climb but is much more accessible and there are plenty of opportunities to stop.
STRAY CATS
Along the way we came across a number of stray or ferel cats. These are a common sight in Malaga and particularly in areas surrounding the Alcazaba, the Roman Theatre and the Castle of Gibralfaro.
The cats are protected and cared for by volunteers who feed them, provide medical treatment, and work to control the population through sterilization and rescue.
They can be very cute – but perhaps best not to try to fuss them!
As we neared the top of the hill, we turned to find some amazing views of Malaga and the port. It was nice to take a little time to enjoy the views and the gardens on the outer edge of the Alcazaba. However it was nearing time to head back to the port area and so the exploration of Alcazaba would again have to wait for another time.
Our Visit in 2025 on Fred. Olsen's Borealis
Our next visit to this city was aboard Fred. Olsen’s Borealis. It was our 3rd visit to the city in 6 months and this time we were determined to visit the Alazaba.
We booked a tour through Viator before we sailed. It was a straight forward process, reasonably priced and well organised.
Our meeting point was the Piramide de Cristal. This is located on Calle Alcazabilla which is a street renowned for its historical landmarks. These landmarks include the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba fortress.
Not only is this an easy landmark to find but it has its own significance. The pyramid protects excavations of piletas (or basins) used for preparing garum, a fermented fish sauce popular in ancient civilisations.
Our Guide, Maria, met us and our fellow tourists in good time. From our meeting point we had a really good view of the outside of two of the landmarks we were visiting. Once everyone was checked in Maria took us directly into the Roman Theatre.
Roman Theatre
The theatre lies at the foot of the Alcazaba fortress. It was discovered in 1951, having remained buried underground for many centuries.
Dating back to the first century, it was built during the reign of Emperor Augustus. It has a radius of 31 metres is 16 metres tall and has an orchestra of 15 metres and held approximately 2,000 people.
It was used up until the third century but was not used after the fall of the Roman Empire. The Arabs found another use for the materials. They took capitals and column shafts for their own Alcazaba fortress as support for the horseshoe arches over the doorways – some of which are still visible today.
Alcazaba
The Alcazaba a fortified palace-citadel with its origins dating back to the Roman Empire.
It was rebuilt and expanded by various Islamic dynasties and later incorporated into the Nasrid kingdom.
Its strategic location overlooking the city and the sea made it a key defensive structure and the residence of rulers.
During the reign of the Nasrid Dynasty the Alcazaba was extensively rebuilt, with fortifications and palatial residences.
In 1487 it was conquered by the Catholic Kings and served as a military outpost and residence for the new governor.
Its fortifications also made it an ideal prison which is how it was used at various times. Eventually it fell into disrepair until restoration commenced in the late 19th century.
Our guide, Maria, was able to tell us about the history of the Alcazaba and its structure. The strong doors were the first line of defence against would-be invaders. The steep slope meant that invaders were also struggling uphill against defences from above. These would have included hot salt water as well as the other weapons of the time. Even the streets leading into the Alcazaba were designed to make life difficult for intruders and prevent them bringing in large numbers of troops and weapons.
Moving through the Alcazaba we were more than surprised at the interior of the structure. Inside the walls you see remnants of palatial residences, courtyards, and gardens. A mosque, baths, cisterns, and other structures were also present within the walls.
El Pimpi
Our Guide headed towards the Cathedral, our next stop. However en route we passed through the Picasso quarter and also through the internationally renowned El Pimpi. To those of us uneducated in these matters, it was all very new. However El Pimpi is a wine cellar frequented by locals, tourists and the rich and famous. It is part owned by Antonio Banderas.
The Pimpi occupies an old home from the XVIII century, built on an old Roman road. Thought at one time to have been a convent and a `house of ill repute’ it was finally converted in 1972. Here you can enjoy local gastronomy and local wines, but mostly, the tradition and culture belonging to southern Spain. If you intend to partake then you should book a table in advance.
Malaga Cathedral
Our final destination on this tour was the magnificent Malaga Cathedral.
Built in the centre of the city it is quite difficult to take photographs that show the extent of the site. But it is huge.
Officially called the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Encarnación, work began on its construction in 1528. Not ones to re-invent the wheel, they used the site of a former mosque.
The Cathedral was completed in 1782, although one of its towers remains unfinished, earning it the nickname “La Manquita” (the one-armed lady). Initially built in a Gothic style it evolved into a Renaissance structure with Baroque influences. The interior reflects these influences from across the centuries.
This tour was concluded within the Cathedral itself which enabled those who wished to see more to continue to do so.
The tour itself was very interesting and good value for money as any entrance fees were also included.
One word of warning is that anyone wishing to visit the Alcazaba will need to be relatively mobile. Whilst distance is not an issue, the level of steps, some of which were quite steep, may be.
If you are visiting the Alcazaba completely independently we would suggest doing so early in the day to avoid crowds.
In Conclusion
It was worthwhile doing this trip. We may even book ahead next time for a table at El Pimpi. But this time, before heading back to the ship, we had a local beer – it would have been rude not to!
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