Malaga

The city of Malaga, bathed by the waters of the Mediterranean, lies in the south of Spain. Its long history dates back to the times of the earliest sailors and merchants who came to these shores from the Eastern Mediterranean some three thousand years ago. Ever since, Malaga has been an open, hospitable city with a clear vocation for commerce and travel.

With 564,250 inhabitants, Malaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol and the fifth most- populous city in Spain. Within Andalusia itself, it has consolidated its position as the economic capital of the region. In addition, its privileged natural setting between the sea and the surrounding mountains ensures that Malaga boasts one of the most benevolent climates in all of Europe, with an average annual temperature ranging between a maximum of 22.8º C and a minimum of 13º C. As a result, Malaga and the Costa del Sol have become one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting over eight million visitors each year.

History: The city was founded by the Phoenicians, who built a settlement near the hill on which the Alcazaba stands today. During Roman times, Malaga obtained the benefits of being declared a confederated city of Rome. Under the rule of the Moors, the city enjoyed an era of great progress, however, in 1487 it was re-conquered by the Catholic Monarchs, following which it fell into relentless decline. By the end of the 18th century, beginning of the 19th, a high-class bourgeoisie had been formed, comprised mainly of two families: the Larios and the Heredia, thanks to whom Malaga became the second most important industrial centre in the country. Converted into a world capital of tourism, thanks to the development of the Costa del Sol, today Malaga continues to grow.

Museums: With over twenty museums, fifteen of them grouped together in the same area, Málaga has become a true City of Museums, being one of the cities with the highest density of museums in its Historical Quarter. From religious art to the most contemporary artistic expressions, as well as popular art, interactive museums, and not forgetting, naturally, Picasso, represented by his Birthplace Museum and the Malaga Picasso Museum. As all museums are close to one another, most of them in pedestrian areas with easy access within the Historial centre, the visitor will be able to visit some of the jewels that lie within: the Roman Theatre (I century B.C.), the Moorish Alcazaba (XI-XV centuries), the Gibralfaro Castle (XIV century), and the Cathedral (XVI-XVIII centuries).

Communications: the Málaga International Airport is only 15 minutes from downtown, it’s the fourth largest in Spain with more than 12 millions passengers a year. In one year time, it will have a second Terminal and a second runway that will double the capacity of passengers. We also have a new Train Terminal, where the High Speed Train (AVE) links Madrid and Málaga in only 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Conferences & Incentives: Malaga is the ideal setting in which to stage congresses, incentives and meetings in general. Not only does this privileged location boast an exceptional climate, it also offers a wide range of complementary activities: Malaga is the complete city, a modern, cosmopolitan destination in which culture, nature and top-class sports facilities create a veritable paradise for the visitor. The city of Malaga is equipped with the most modern facilities imaginable, making it the perfect setting in which to stage all manner of international events. The new Trade Fair and Conference Centre has improved these facilities still further, while a varied selection of special venues ranging from one of Europe’s finest botanical gardens to museums and historical buildings are also available. In addition, the city’s hotel capacity has not only been significantly increased, the quality of the facilities is now second to none: over half of the hotels in Malaga with facilities for congresses and conventions are of the four-star variety. A number of new hotels are also to be opened in the near future, further consolidating the existing range of top-class hotels suitable for staging all manner of events.

Málaga at a glance:

Location: Andalucia, South of Spain
Country dialling code: 34
Population: 564,250 (city); 1.100.082 (region)
Time zone: GMT +1 (DST +2, from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October)
Electricity: 220 volts 50 Hertz, round two pin plugs
Average annual temperature: max. 22,9 ºC; min. 13 ºC
Average May temperature: max. 23,8 ºC; min. 13,4 ºC
Average sunny days a year: 320
Language: Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken within the tourism industry in Málaga
Currency: Euro
Shopping: shops are mainly open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 – 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00, but the major Department Stores and major franchises open non stop from 10:00 to 21:00. Tax-free shopping is available to non residents of the EU if a minimum of 90,15 € is spent in one transaction at participating shops that will issue Global Refund Cheques. Cash refunds are given out at airports on presentation of the tax free documents. Website: www.globalrefund.com
Visa requirements: check here for non EU citizens and other practical information

Key Attractions:

Malaga Picasso Museum.
C/ San Agustin,8
Open: Tu/Th/Su/Hol: 10:00-20:00h
Fri/Sat: 10:00-21:00h
24-31 Dec: 10:00-15:00h
Closed: Monday / 25 Dec/ 1 Jan

P. Picasso Foundation. Birthplace Museum
Plaza de la Merced, 15
Open: Mon-Sun: 09:30-20:00h
Closed: Holidays

Roman Theatre.
C/ Alcazabilla, 8
Open: Winter: 10:00-19:00h/ summer: 10:00-21:00 h
Closed: Monday-Sunday afternoon/ 24,25,31 December & 1 January

Malaga Alcazaba- Archaeological Museum Centre
C/ Alcazabilla s/n
Open: Nov-Mar: 08:30-19:00// Apr-Oct: 09:30-20:00h

Malaga Cathedral
C/ Molina Lario, 9
Open: Monday- Friday: 10:00-18:00h // Saturday: 10:00-17:00h

Gibralfaro’s Castle
Camino de Gibralfaro s/n
Open: win: 09:00-18:00h // sum: 09:00-20:00h
Closed: 24,25,31 Dec & 1 Jan

Centre of Contemporary Art (CAC), Malaga
C/ Alemania s/n
Winter: Opened: Tues-Sun: 10:00-20:00h
Closed: Monday
Summer: Opened: 10:00-14:00// 17:00-21:00h.

Municipal Heritage Museum (MUPAM)
Paseo de Reding,1
Opened: Tuesday-Sunday. Winter: 10:00-20:00h// summer: 11:00-21:00h
Closed: Monday

Interactive Museum of Music
Plaza de la Marina,3
Mon-Fri: 10-14h// 16:00-20:00h
Weekends & holidays: 11:00-15:00// 16:30-20:30

Interactive Science Museum Malaga Principia
Avda. Luis Buñuel 6
Opened: Mon-Fri: 09:30-14:00// 17:00-20:00; sat: 10:00-14:00
Closed: Sunday

Popular Arts and Customs Museum
Pasillo Santa Isabel, 10
Mon-Fri: 10:00-13:30// 16:00-19:00
Sat: 10:00-13:00