Sure, if you think about travel to Malaga, the head comes to the Costa del Sol, the beaches, the glamor, Marbella, Torremolinos, etc … That happened to me until I recently had the opportunity to visit Malaga and know their historic center. And I recognize that it has been a pleasant surprise. The truth is I’ve never visited the city of Malaga, and was only a transit route to the Costa del Sol, but after traveling, I discovered a large city with historical roots and offering artistic interest has developed in the recent years.

Photography by manuelfloresv

As a first approach your potential tourist trip to this Andalusian city, left following 8 tips on what to see and do in Malaga.

1 .- Strolling through the historic center

A big plus for your visit to Málaga is that all points of interest are concentrated in the area known as the historic center, and almost all the streets are pedestrianized.

This creates a very comfortable and enjoyable visit, where the atmosphere of the terraces of bars and restaurants become major players in your ride.

Therefore, what you should do is walk through the city streets, which is delimited by the hilltop castle and the Alcazaba Gibralfaro east, parks and the waterfront, south, west and the river.

The main focus of your visit famous Larios street, past the Place de la Constitution, to reach Alcazabilla Street, where they concentrate the Roman Theater and the Citadel.

2 .- Go to Castle Gibralfaro

A good way to start your visit would raise Gibralfaro Castle, which dates back to Phoenician times and forms a set together with the Alcazaba fortress, spreading over the hill.

From the top of Castle Gibralfaro has excellent views of the city of Malaga, which allow you to place and size your visit.

3 .- View the entire Roman Theater and the Alcazaba

Hard to believe that only a few years ago has been brought to light the Roman Theatre in Malaga, now seen from the street is a monumental Alcazabilla the Alcazaba.

After seeing this set, I advise you to visit the Alcazaba, a fortress of the Arab era, built in the eleventh century, you’ll be surprised by the internal network of defensive fortifications, and from whose walls have some good views of the historic center of Malaga.

Photography by Steve-h

4 .- Visit the Cathedral of Malaga

The Cathedral of Malaga is the greatest monument that you can visit the historic center. Although its official name is Cathedral of the Incarnation, popularly known as the manquita.

In a stately building, exterior shows a peculiar aesthetic consequence of the transition period in which architecture was built during the sixteenth century. Inside corners are many different artistic styles from Gothic to Renaissance.

5. Three essential museums to visit

Cultural development has had in recent years, Malaga, with the opening of new museums, has changed the face of this Andalusian city.

Museo Picasso Malaga in Andalusia:

Of the several museums that are in Malaga, from my point of view these are the three most visited, by my personal order of preference.

• Picasso Museum, where twelve rooms can see a selection very interesting and even curious Malaga artist’s work, with representation of the different eras.

• Automotive Museum in Malaga, with a sample of 91 classic cars from the collection of Portuguese Joao de Magalhaes, and where you can see the curious world of car accessories.

• Carmen Thyssen Museum, opened in the spring of this year 2011 in Villalon Palace, the sixteenth century, where especially you can see Spanish painting, and in particular, Andalusian, with works of romantic style and manners.

6 .- Finding corners in the center

On your sightseeing tour through the historic center of Malaga, you will also have the opportunity to discover interesting places. Take, for example, in the front door Atarazanas Market, rescued from the Arab shipyards where ships were built and repaired.

Photography by andynash

Or in the beautiful and colorful buildings Archbishop’s Palace and the Church of St. Augustine. And do not miss the Mudejar tower of the church of Santiago. And do not forget to visit the Plaza de la Merced, or go and explore the curious passage Chiloé, off the Place de la Constitution.

7. Sign up for a tour

I think the best way to begin a city sightseeing tour is join a guided tour, you will have a first overview of it.

On this trip you can combine them with interesting activities, such as the guided tour of Málaga by Segway or bicycle.

8 .- Going for tapas and eat in Malaga

The historic center of Malaga offers a wide selection of bars and restaurants with terraces, where you can eat tapas and. If you want to go to one of the most typical bars, we must approach Him Pimpi, whose terrace you can see in front of the Teatro Romano.

And you’re a popular area where there is hardly any tourists, you have to go to any of the tapas bars in the neighborhood of Pedregalejo fishmongers near the beach.

Bon voyage!