Malaga is in a good location for various day trips along the coast, up to the small mountain villages or to one of the larger Andalusian cities. It is approximately a two hours’ drive from Granada, Córdoba or Seville in a hired car or by bus. In Granada, you must not miss the fabulous Moorish palace Alhambra, the Gothic cathedral and the Arab quarters in the Albaicín.
In Córdoba, a walk to the old Jewish quarters and La Mezquita is recommended. In Seville, the capital of Andalucia, you should visit the Santa Cruz and Real Alcázar districts at the heart of the city. Along the entire Costa del Sol it is easy to take a bus or train to most cities such as Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Marbella. Here there are lovely beaches, nice bars and restaurants as well as good opportunities for shopping. Tips for families are Tivoli World in Benalmádena, Aqualand in Torremolinos and Selwo in Estepona.
In Puerto Banús you can view the gigantic luxury yachts, enjoy designer name shopping and mix with the rich and famous at the chic bars on the sea front. There are also yachts, discothèques, bars and restaurants in Puerto Marina in Benalmádena. Ronda is a picturesque town located on a precipitous limestone cliff. The road leading there from San Pedro de Alcántara on the coast is a dizzy mountain trip.
In Malaga you will not find that many restaurants with white tablecloths. This is a city full of informal bars packed with people and a wide range of tapas. In Malaga they generally eat a lot of fish and shellfish, at so-called “chiringuitos” on the beach and on the Paseo Marítimo in Pedregalejo.
There are not many trendy, international-style cafés in Malaga but there are some genuine patisseries and cosy teashops in Arab-inspired surroundings. Not to forget the “churrerias”, shops selling churros dipped in hot chocolate or café au lait.
In the centre of Malaga it is not difficult to find a bar with music and people chatting, there are many in close proximity to each other. The inhabitants of Malaga do not go out before midnight and party until dawn. In the centre, bars with smaller dance floors predominate. If you are looking for a proper discothèque, you should go to Puerto Marina in Benalmádena.