Malaga, Spain

We left Granada on bus for our last stop in Spain which was Malaga, a city on the coast in an area known as Costa Del Sol. Again the landscape was beautiful with rolling hills filled with olive groves...

And unlike home in Newfoundland we did not see a large moose but a large toro! 

Malaga is the largest city in this area with a population of around 1million.  We stayed right in the Center of the city around the corner from a large plaza...

Every morning we got up we thought it had rained but then figured out they clean the streets and plazas every night and the city is spotless! 

Malaga is located on the ocean with a lovely walkway going around the harbour...

 

 Along this walk there are lots of cafes, shopping and sites to see...

It is also a ferry port with many ferries departing for Morocco as well as having  a large Malaga Eye Ferris wheel which is a main attraction down by the port...

 As we walked everyday we passed this little church which was always open 

It was the most brilliantly red church we have seen, and also had this great display of The Lord's Supper...

The main shopping street was also just around the corner, by day...

By night...

 They were hanging decorations in anticipation of Mardi Gras...

The city has very inviting streets 

If there is a sunny spot every seat is taken 

Lots of places to eat, this guy was carving the meat which he was serving on platters with cheese...

We tried seafood instead 

My choice of beverage in this town was almost always sangria...

Lots of street art...

The daily markets were amazing...

Beautiful produce...

 

Don waiting for his fish...

Overlooking Malaga are two Moorish fortifications, the Alcazar built in the early 11th century and the Castillo de Gilbrafaro built in  the 10th century. One hot day we climbed to the top which gave us wonderful views of the city below...

The port...

Beaches as far as we could see...

Don overlooking the bullfighting ring...

A better view, built in 1874 it seats 14,000 and was empty because the season doesn't start until April... 

Both of the fortifications are still preserved and can be entered as well as walked about...

Me taking a rest near the top...

Another day we sat in the square and people watched, particularly people with their dogs which they seem to adore...

We decided to stay in Malaga for a week to get a rest from moving every four days or so and this gave us the opportunity to visit some friends who were also here.  

We took the city bus to visit Ronnie and Des who are staying in a lovely resort in Benalmadena which is about 20 km up the coast. They  prepared a tasty lunch for us before we went for a walk by the beach...

We stopped for a drink...

Ronnie says she doesn't drink, but I don't believe it!!!

It was a fun day and so nice to visit and chat...thanks Ronnie and Des!

We then went to visit another couple from Nova Scotia who we had also met in Mexico, and now winter here in Spain. Pat and Pedro live in Nerja which is about an hour and half the other way up the coast. It is a beautiful town with gorgeous views...

Here again we were treated to a lovely lunch in their sunny apartment and then went up the beach to meet with some of their friends.  

Pat and Pedro look happy to be here! Thanks to you both for a lovely day!

 We also had time for a long day trip by train to see one of the smaller villages in this region called Ronda. It was a 2 hour train ride there and back but the landscape was stunning...

A patchwork of agriculture 

Ronda is about 100kms from Malaga and is a mountaintop town which is separated by a deep gorge...

One of the main attractions is the Puenta Nueva which is the bridge that connects the two parts of the town. It was started in 1751 and took over 42 years to build, spanning the 120metre chasm below.

Here is a view from the bottom( not my photo) which we didn't climb down to as we thought we might not have enough time that afternoon. Looking back we wish we did...

The town itself is also quite beautiful...

Great views...

Since we were only there for a few hours we couldn't take advantage of all the beautiful walking and hiking trails that were signed everywhere, still a great visit! 

Malaga was a lovely stop and we both think the area has much to offer for a long term winter vacation spot. The weather is great, lots of beaches, cute towns, great architecture and the list goes on. We would certainly recommend it as a place to be. We think these two agree...

 

Now off to Malta!