Meet Málaga

Sitting at an outdoor cafe, drinking a glass of local vino and listening to an acoustic guitarist… what better? Málaga is a historic and culturally rich city in the South of Spain. It’s art is being compared to Madrid and fine dining to Barcelona. However, the population of around 560,000 makes the city a wonderful destination for an authentic experience.

This coastal city (only 80 miles north of Africa) is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was founded by the Phoenicians in 770 BC later to be ruled by the Roman Republic and Roman Empire. After the fall of the empire, Islam conquered the city for around 800 years and in 1487 it came under Christian rule.

El Centro (the center) of the city contains a Gothic cathedral and the Alcazaba as well as narrow, winding and pebbly streets! The Alcazaba was built in the early 11th century. Right in front of the Alcazaba lay remnants of a Roman theatre which date to the 1st century BC.

I spent a lot of my time in Plaza de la Merced. It is a courtyard lined with outdoor cafes which are packed whether it be 1 in the afternoon or 1 in the morning!

One of my all time favorite art is actually street art. I have spent hours in museums like the Louvre and the Uffizi; however, something about the colors, canvas and diversity of street art really catches my eye. Don’t get me wrong, the Louvre and Uffizi are absolutely incredible, but walking down a narrow street and stumbling upon a bright and capturing street art is insanely intriguing. In Málaga, you can find street art on any calle (street).

Un más cosa about la vida here in Málaga… the Mediterranean comida!!! Unlike in the US, lunch here is the biggest and most important meal of the day. Soup is also popular here. My favorite homemade soup usually had a variety of carrots, chickpeas, chicken, potatoes and spices… delicious!I decided I was going to be adventurous during my stay in Málaga… I ate a fried anchovy (eeek) and planned on venturing into the land of sardines (maybe next time?). Espeto de Sardinas is extremely popular in the beachfront bars (chirinquitos). They are barbecued in old boats and are apparently a must try if you visit Málaga.

Whether you are a beach-lover, museum-seeker or just want a relaxing yet adventure-full vacation destination; Málaga, España is the place to be.