Malaga is the biggest coastal city of the Andalucia region.

The best known part of the region, is to the east of Malaga, the highly developed coastal area, the Costa del Sol. This has the popular resorts of Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbela and Estepona.

To the west of Malaga lies the Axarquia area with its more rugged coastline with the towns of Rincon de la Victoria, Torre del Mar and Nerja.

The moors occupied the Malaga until the mid-fifteenth century after which Malaga became the biggest merchant centre in the Iberian Peninsula. This has left its mark on the Malaga especially around the fortress La Alcazaba.

Today Malaga is very much the modern city with an exclusive shopping area centred on Calle Larios, which is surrounded, by many small streets and plazas.

This very popular destination has cheap priced direct flights to Malaga airport and many cheap holidays and short breaks to Malaga are available all year round.

Region - Andalucia.
Country - Spain.
Capital City - Madrid.
Language - Spanish, English widely spoken.
Religion - Catholic.
Visas - Valid passport.
Currency - Euro, about €1.45 = £1.
Credit Cards - Widely accepted in Malaga.
Time Difference - +1 hour.
Flight Time UK - 2 - 3 hours.
Malaga Airport - AGP (Malaga).
Distance from Malaga Airport - AGP is about 6km (4 miles) to the west of Malaga.
Taxi Fare from Malaga Airport - About €10 (£7).

Driving in Spain - In Malaga they drive on the right. EU compliant three-part pink document or international driving licence required .
Electricity in Spain - In Malaga it is 220v, adapter required.
Spain International Dialing Code - 00 34.
Malaga Public Phones - In Malaga International booths accept coins and phonecards, as well as redit cards .
Malaga Mobile Phones - Malaga has all major networks.

Spain Emergency Numbers - Malaga emergency services are 112 (police, fire and ambulance).
Malaga Health Risks - None.
Malaga Safety & Security - Motorists, particularly those towing caravans, should be aware of highway pirates, who target foreign registered vehicles in service areas and subsequently stop them on the hard shoulder of motorways.

Shop Opening Times in Malaga - Banks open in Malaga 09.00-14.00 Mon-Fri, 09.00-13.00 Sat (except summer). Shops open in Malaga 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00. Department stores and commercial centres in Malaga 10.00-21.00. Office hours in Malaga are 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00. .

Public Holidays in Malaga - Public Holidays in Malaga are Jan 1, 6, March 1, 25, May 1, June 24, Aug 15, Oct 12, Nov 1, Dec 6, 8, 25, 28.

Malaga Accommodation - Accommodation is registered and inspected by the Malaga regional authorities. Malaga hotels are classified from one to five-star. Malaga hostels/pensions are classified one to three-star. Other accommodation in Malaga includes apartment-hotels, hotel-residencies, motels, self-catering, campsites, family guest houses, country villas, health spas and monasteries. There is a network of paradors, which are often converted palaces and mansions in Malaga.

Eating Out in Malaga - As a costal town, one of Malaga’s specialties is fish in all varieties: red mullet, whiting, fresh anchovies are just some of the kinds you’ll find in abundance at the markets. Other seafood such as lobster and baby squid is also popular. Fish in Malaga tastes so good because it’s always freshly caught. A great dish to try is sardines grilled on bamboo spits over charcoal. Your visit to Malaga will not be complete if you do not try the all-famous gazpacho, a traditional dish of the Andalusian region. This typical cold vegetable soup is prepared in countless different ways. A very popular type of gazpacho from Malaga is the “ajo blanco” variety, made with garlic, almonds and grapes, belying a certain Arab influence. There are many other goodies to try whilst on holiday in Malaga such as delicious sweetmeats, ham sausages, game dishes and vegetable stews. .

Food in Spain - Traditional food in Malaga make use of local produce, Mediterranean vegetables, fish, game and sausage cooked with olive oil and garlic. Speciality dishes in Malgag are: Paellas, coquinas, salt baked fish, sardines and shellfish soup.

Tipping in Malaga - In Malaga service and tax are usually included in hotel bills, but tip chambermaids, porters and waiters. Restaurants in Malaga often include service, so a gratuity is discretionary, normally 10%-15%. Taxi drivers expect 10%-15%.

Malaga Standard of Living - In Malaga a Bottle of beer (330ml) - €1 (70p), mineral water (1L) - €0.90 (62p) and three course meal with drinks - €12 (£8.25).

What to do in Malaga - A cheap holiday to Malaga encompases the Andalucia region that is situated in the south of Spain and attracts the most tourists. The many superb Spanish beaches and the perfect Spanish climate are the greatest motives to visit this region, but there is so much more. Andalucia is also visited to discover the Spanish culture and the rich Spanish history of the area (like the Moorish Monuments Alhambra in Granada and the Mosque in Cordoba). The Spanish Festivals all over Andalucia from April to October, the hospitality of the Malaga people, and the great possibility to practice golf and water sports are great attractions wich makes Malaga a destination for cheap holidays so popular. .

Where to Visit in Malaga - Visit Malaga's Plaza Mercred where Pabilo Picasso was born, the famous park Calle Alameda and Malaga's Renaissance cathedral.

Local Festivals in Malaga - The Malaguenian Holy Week celebrations and August feasts with bull fighting, horses and beautiful women dressed in traditional costumes. The annual Malaga fair in August is an exuberant week-long street party with plenty of flamenco and 'fino'(sherry).The fair commemorates the re-conquest of the city by Isabella and Ferdinand in 1487 and lasts for ten full festive days. This castanet-clicking fiesta starts off with a bang, literally, with an impressive firework display in the park which can be seen for miles around, not just in Malaga. The best view is from the Port if you happen to be on a cruise ship or can persuade a sailor friend to drop anchor there for a few hours. The following day the people take to the streets, the women in flouncy flamenco dresses, to dance, drink and, generally, make merry. The traditional dance of Andalucia is called 'Sevillanas' comprising four distinct dances with plenty of finger-clicking, foot-stomping and, above all, feeling. This is where 'dancing in the street' can be appreciated spontaneously 'en vida' which is really the only way Spanish dancing should be performed. .

Malaga Climate - In Malaga the Sea breezes from the Mediterranean coastline regulates the summer heat to a more comfortable levels than the inland Andalusian towns and the Malaga Mountains form the perfect barrier to protect the city from the colder weather in winter. It can still be very hot in July and August and it can be colder (minimum of around 13 °C) between December and February. Some much needed rainfall is to be expected in Malaga during the colder months, but it usually does not usually last for long. .

Malaga Position - Lat: 36 40N, Long: 004 29W, Elevation: 7m.

Tourist Information on Malaga
For more information on Malaga go to www.andalucia.com

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