Malaga is in trend and these are the 8 reasons why

Malaga is in trend and these are the 8 reasons why

Malaga is in fashion. This is an indisputable truth. It seems to have happened overnight, but the truth is that our city – and also the municipalities of the province – is the result of a very well thought-out strategic plan. Because those who did not know Malaga in the 20th century probably did not know that tourism was not one of its strong points. Torremolinos, Estepona or Marbella were, but not the capital. What has happened in the last few decades to turn it from a nondescript city into a city recommended by international media such as the New York Times? We are going to explain it to you in this article.

The Malaga Film Festival

Back in 1998, the first edition of the Malaga Spanish Language Film Festival was held, which has seen its popularity grow year after year. We have seen how the audience has grown in the 20 years that it has been held, and its impact is increasing all the time. If at the beginning few directors opted to premiere their film in this festival, now the competition is fierce; we will soon know which films will be presented in the 21st edition and we are sure that the level will be at the highest level. Now, all the television channels are reporting on the winners and also on the red carpet. And, to give us an idea of how it has grown, here’s a fact: Verano 1993, the film that won the 2017 festival, has been adding awards and is the favourite for the Goya Awards. Oh, and it was chosen to represent us at the Oscars!

Tribute to Picasso

Picasso is a painter who belongs to the whole world. Barcelona claims him. Paris claims him. And that’s good, because his figure is universal. But Picasso was born in Malaga, and this is where the painter has his roots. Malaga and its symbols can be seen in part of his work, and in a way we owed him a tribute. This was solved with the creation of the Picasso Foundation (the museum created in his birthplace), which collects important pieces of ceramics and graphic work. Malaga’s homage to the painter was completed with the inauguration, in 2003, of the Picasso Museum. Both the Picasso Museum and the birthplace attract tens of thousands of tourists every year. It is no longer necessary to move away from his roots to enjoy his work.

Malaga as a cultural destination

These two museums consecrate the figure of Picasso, but the Malaga of culture is much more. In recent years, we have seen the birth of more museums in Malaga, such as the Contemporary Art Centre, the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Pompidou Centre and the Russian Art Collection. The first brings to our capital exhibitions of the latest artistic trends worldwide. The Carmen Thyssen Museum tends towards classicism and has interesting collections of 19th century painters. The Centre Pompidou has two spaces, one semi-permanent and the other temporary, where we can admire the collections of the wonderful Pompidou Museum in Paris. Finally, the Russian Art Collection offers us masterful exhibitions with pieces from the State Russian Museum of St. Petersburg.

The Customs House Museum in Malaga

A little over a year ago, the Museo de la Aduana de Málaga joined this group of museums, which has real archaeological gems and an impressive collection of paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Is it worth it or not for our cultural Malaga?

The conversion of the port

A few years ago, Malaga was a city that lived with its back to its port. Far from being an attractive enclave, Malaga’s port received hardly any recreational vessels and served little more than commercial transactions. However, the enormous reform carried out since 1998 and completed a few years ago, has radically transformed it. Today, the port of Malaga receives numerous cruise ships – with the consequent increase in tourism by sea. It has also expanded its leisure areas, and among its most interesting places we can find the Muelle Uno (where the Centre Pompidou and several restaurants and luxury establishments are located), an auditorium, a marina, an immense Ferris wheel… Finally, the port has been integrated into the city and we can enjoy a beautiful visual spectacle.

Muelle Uno de Málaga

Malaga is in fashion… with ‘Malaga de Moda’

The Malaga Provincial Council recently created the brand Malaga de Moda. The intention is to promote textile design, and so far it seems to be a successful project. Designers in the province can use this brand to promote their creations. Together with the Sabor a Málaga brand, the Provincial Council is promoting the most exportable values of our city, so we are sure that we will soon be able to see this impulse to entrepreneurs in the sector transformed into reality.

Popular gastronomy… and avant-garde

The typical dishes of Malaga are no longer confined to the beach bars. Restaurateurs such as Dani García and José Carlos García have taken the basics of the province’s cuisine and have given it a twist to raise it to the highest level. Pescaíto frito, porra antequerana or ajoblanco, among others, can be tasted in the traditional restaurants. But we can also find our roots in restaurants run by Michelin-starred chefs, such as those mentioned above. Malaga’s gastronomic revolution is a reality. If you want to know a little more about the culinary offer of the capital, don’t miss our post about the best restaurants in Malaga.

Deportes en Málaga

Outdoor sports

Something that Malaga allows -and not many other cities in the country- is the possibility of practising outdoor sports. Our mild climate offers us this privilege, which most of our tourists do not give up. On the one hand, it is easy to find beaches where you can practice running, now so fashionable. If you come to visit, you will be surprised by the large number of people who run in our city. And, with all that, you’ll find that you can do it very comfortably, with no crowds or stress. If you’re into water sports, it’s easy to find a beach where you can go surfing or an area suitable for diving. On Yumping you will find the offer all along the coast. So that you don’t miss a single plan on the water.

Malaga by bike

The Municipal Sustainable Mobility Plan has launched several projects, including increasing the number of kilometres of cycle lanes in the city. This cycle lane map shows you where to cycle in total comfort; there are many areas in the city centre to visit on two wheels, but we suggest you do the Centre Pompidou-Russian Art Collection circuit along the harbour, a real treat!

A perfect destination all year round

Finally, another reason why Malaga has become a top tourist destination is its climate. With mild temperatures in autumn and winter and a sea breeze that mitigates the excessive heat in summer, Malaga is worth a visit at any time of the year. If it’s not time for a swim at the beach, it’s rare that you can’t at least lie down and enjoy the sun.

So now you know: if you are hesitating about which city to visit on your next trip, why don’t you come to Malaga? Malaga is in fashion!

Abrir chat
💬 ¿Necesitas ayuda?
¡Hola!
¿En qué podemos ayudarte?