Planning a Malaga Getaway: Recommendations for Hotels, Food and Hidden Gems

[SYates]

After nearly two years of this pandemic mess I decided I really need a break and change of scenery, badly! So yesterday I spontaneously booked a flight to Malaga ;-) Just for a few days (got a really good deal!) in February. Not to walk a Camino, just to enjoy the city, sit at the sea, recharge the batteries ...
As I have never been to Malaga before, I would like your advice/tips, please, regarding:

Where to stay (pension/hotel/AirBnb etc): Cute, simple and inexpensive, somewhere in the historic centre/port area. If anybody has any insider tips - appreciated!

What not to miss in Malaga? Food, sights and so on - especially off the beaten track things that tourists would easily miss! I am fluent in Spanish, so language isn't an issue.

I need this break so badly and I really appreciate your help with planning this!

SY

 

[malingerer]

After nearly two years of this pandemic mess I decided I really need a break and change of scenery, badly! So yesterday I spontaneously booked a flight to Malaga ;-) Just for a few days (got a really good deal!) in February. Not to walk a Camino, just to enjoy the city, sit at the sea, recharge the batteries ...
As I have never been to Malaga before, I would like your advice/tips, please, regarding:

Where to stay (pension/hotel/AirBnb etc): Cute, simple and inexpensive, somewhere in the historic centre/port area. If anybody has any insider tips - appreciated!

What not to miss in Malaga? Food, sights and so on - especially off the beaten track things that tourists would easily miss! I am fluent in Spanish, so language isn't an issue.

I need this break so badly and I really appreciate your help with planning this!

SY

I am jealous ! I loves the place Years since I been so don't have any real up to date tips BUT with your command of Spanish you should be OK. one bar not far from the big post office is on my track down list the next time I DO get there. Its a proper old fashioned sherry place with wood bar, barrels of sherry, helpful locals to guide you along AND a young lady complete with pannier of fresh sea-food pops in. Hog heaven Enjoy

Samarkand.

 

[henrythedog]

The Antigua Casa de Guarda. You would often find myself or @Tincatinker propping up the bar.

El Pimpi is not the tourist bar it appears. Very traditional.

The Cafe Madrid is good. Señor Pepe’s churros are better than average.

The seafront round Pedregalejo has many excellent inexpensive fish restaurants. If it’s open, El Zagal’s a favoutite - but they’re all good.

The train from the airport gets you to central Malaga very quickly and cheaply.

 

[longwayhome]

https://www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org/en/ . I enjoyed the art there greatly.The Alcazaba citadel..cant miss it. They were firing canons when I was there as a demonstration. The percussion made me drop my phone..
View attachment 6DDD3EE5-6541-40D6-A23F-5E711416F641.mov

 

[amancio]

Málaga is a very manageable city, I am not sure it would have a lot of things to do and see for a few days, but it is a great winter break.

I love this restaurante, El Balneario, near Pedregalejo



And near Málaga, in the Mozárabe, the town of Antequera is beautiful, great food, great walks in the Torcal area (very rocky mountains), lots of history starting with prehistoric dolmens, Romans, Moorish, lots of churches, plenty of character, worth a detour (you can take the train). You can also take the train to Córdoba for a one day trip, it would be just over 1 hour in the fast train from málaga, and there should be quite a few trains a day.

And in Málaga, up on the hill of Gibralfaro, watching the sun set over the sea with a gin and tonic in a terrace al fresco while all lights start to shine in the streets of Málaga is certainly a magical moment!

 

[Bradypus]

And near Málaga, in the Mozárabe, the town of Antequera is beautiful, great food, great walks in the Torcal area (very rocky mountains), lots of history starting with prehistoric dolmens, Romans, Moorish, lots of churches, plenty of character, worth a detour (you can take the train)

I second the idea of visiting Antequera. I passed through when walking the Mozarabe a couple of years ago. The burial mounds are astonishing. Why had I never heard of them before?

 

[amancio]

I second the idea of visiting Antequera. I passed through when walking the Mozarabe a couple of years ago. The burial mounds are astonishing. Why had I never heard of them before?

That is pretty much what happened to me, in January 2 years ago while walking the Mozárabe, discovering the Torcal crossing, the blossoming almond trees, and everything in Antequera. Incidentally, I live only 1 hour away by car from Antequera, and for 50 years I had not bothered to visit it! I would stay there for a couple of days, no problem at all! And I did not get to see the Alcazaba or the Roman parts even, only the burial mounds.