Malaga is a city in Spain, capital of the Province of Malaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia.
### Let’s Visit Malaga, Spain
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**Malaga** is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Malaga in the autonomous community of Andalusia. With a population of almost 600,000, it is the second most populous city in Andalusia after Seville and the sixth most populous in Spain. Located on the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean, about 100 kilometers east of the Strait of Gibraltar, Malaga boasts a history spanning about 2,800 years, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. According to most scholars, it was founded around 770 BC by the Phoenicians.
From the 6th century BC, the city was under the hegemony of ancient Carthage, and from 218 BC, it was ruled by the Roman Republic. After the fall of the empire and the end of Visigothic rule, it was under Islamic rule for 800 years. In 1487, the Crown of Castile gained control amidst the Granada War. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic, and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an open museum, displaying its nearly 3,000 years of history.
Malaga is an important tourist destination, known as the capital of the Costa del Sol. An estimated 6 million tourists visit the city each year, with many frequenting the old town and the beaches. The Malaga harbor is also the second busiest cruise port on the Iberian Peninsula. Beyond its 16 sunny beaches, this Andalusian city on the Mediterranean shores has a fascinating cultural side. The birthplace of Pablo Picasso has reinvented itself in recent years, inaugurating museums for all tastes.
If you take the combination of sea and culture and add a lively atmosphere, fashionable neighborhoods like Soho, areas such as the port that have been transformed to offer a more modern image, and monuments with centuries of history, the result is an exciting city everyone would want to discover.
### Key Attractions
**Alcazaba Palace Fortress**
Built in the 11th century by King Badis of Granada, the Alcazaba is perfectly adapted to the contours of the land and takes maximum advantage of the elevation of a hill. It consists of two concentric spaces: the outer part is on the lower level, and the inner part houses the palace.
**Cathedral of the Encarnacion**
One of the town’s most important monuments, the Cathedral is situated in the historic center. Work began in the first half of the 16th century in the Gothic style, ordered by the Catholic Monarchs, and continued in the 17th and 18th centuries. The south tower and the main facade are unfinished, but it has its own gardens and a beautiful courtyard.
**Castillo de Gibralfaro**
Standing proudly on Mount Gibralfaro above the Alcazaba, the Castillo de Gibralfaro is another medieval Moorish fortress. Built in the 10th century on the site of a Phoenician lighthouse, the Sultan of Granada, Yusuf I, enlarged the fortress in the early 14th century. Although much of the fortress has been destroyed, the site provides a fascinating historical perspective.
**Malaga Picasso Museum**
A must-see for lovers of modern art, this museum in the old town displays an extensive collection of Malaga’s famous native son. The collection represents the entire span of Picasso’s life and career, from his earliest studies to his revolutionary artistic innovations.
**Soho District**
A central neighborhood that is an icon of urban art and underground culture in Malaga. Its most recognizable feature is the large-scale graffiti art covering some of its buildings, including works by internationally recognized graffiti artists. The district is easy to explore on foot and is very close to Malaga’s main tourist area. Its streets feature independent local businesses with a strong sense of identity and several art and cultural centers.
### Best Time to Visit
Malaga can be visited year-round, but based on ideal climate conditions, cost of travel, and avoiding peak holiday periods, May and June are the best times to go. Malaga is blessed with a blissful Mediterranean climate, rarely getting cold even in winter.
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