While more laid back than Madrid or Barcelona, Malaga is still the center and transport hub for the popular Costa del Sol region. However, Malaga also offers some genuinely interesting historical and cultural attractions in its old city and its setting on the coast is still beautiful. With a population of around 500.000 it is the second-most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth-largest in Spain. The city’s bus service is adapted with electric ramps and space for wheelchair users. In addition, the local train service and both metro lines have wheelchair access to the trains themselves and the platforms via lifts. The official taxi service offers a good quota of adapted taxis.
The Costa del Sol is part of the Mediterranean coastline of Andalucia which stretches for over 150 km, for 54 km east of Malaga, and as far as the provincial border of Cadiz, some 100 km south west of the city. Estepona, Fuengirola, Marbella, Mijas or Torremolinos are just some of the main holiday resorts of Costa del Sol, all offering amazing beaches, golf courses, marinas and protected natural areas.
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[su_heading]WHAT TO SEE IN MALAGA[/su_heading]
Alcazaba of Malaga: This fortress palace, whose name in Arabic means citadel, is one of the city’s historical monuments and was built by the Hammudid dynasty in the early 11th century as the palatial fortification of the city. The inner enclosure can only be accessed through the Gate of the Granada Quarters which acts as the defense for the western side of the palace. On the eastern side lies the Tower of Tribute which is in a semi-ruinous state. The outer part of the citadel, can be entered through a gateway called “Puerta de la Bóveda” (Vault Gate), but today it can also be accessed by an elevator. The building’s military components make it one of the most important Muslim works in Spain nowadays.
Picasso Malaga Museum: Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, and there’s a museum dedicated to him in the Palace of Condes de Buenavista, a Renaissance building decorated with Moorish elements that has been restored in a Modern style. The Picasso Malaga Museum was born out of the desire of the brilliant painter to have an exhibition space in his hometown. Christine and Bernard Picasso, daughter-in-law and grandson of the artist, made this possible by providing the first part of the collection. In the museum you can see more than 200 paintings, early academic studies and re-workings of old masters by one of the greatest painters of the twentieth century. The Picasso Museum is wheelchair accessible and its interior space is flat.
Cathedral of Malaga: It is located within the limits defined by a missing part of the medieval Moorish walls, the remains of which surround the nearby Alcazaba and the Castle of Gibralfaro. The Cathedral of Malaga, is a Renaissance church built on a rectangular plan, composed of a nave and two aisles, the former being wider, though having the same height as the aisles. The Cathedral was built between 1528 and 1782 and is one of the best examples of Spanish religious art. It is located on or near the remains of other cultural buildings such as the early Almohad mosque. Its interior decoration is influenced by both Renaissance and Baroque styles. The Cathedral is wheelchair accessible.
Gibralfaro: The 14th century Gibralfaro Castle has such a picturesque viewpoint, from which you can enjoy the most beautiful views of the city, as also the castle´s gardens, fountains and the beautiful courtyard of the Alcazaba. The castle is famous for its three-month siege in 1487 by the Catholic monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, which ended when hunger forced the Malagueños to surrender. The most visible remains of the Castle today are the solid ramparts rising above the pines. The Castle is divided into two parts. The upper part is called the main courtyard and hosts the Interpretation centre where you can discover the history of the castle through the lives of its inhabitants. The lower part, or courtyard, held the troop barracks and stables.
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