Spain is always a must visit destination for me at least once a year. I have to admit it’s one of my two favorite countries, and no matter what city I visit there, I absolutely love it. This year my destination of choice was Malaga. There was a long holiday weekend in April for Easter and I wanted to go somewhere new, not terribly expensive and most importantly warm! After price comparison on several southern Spain destinations, Malaga it was. There are many day trip opportunities from Malaga as well, which was another factor in my reasoning.
My first day exploring the city began walking to the old town and visiting the Alcazaba. The Alcazaba is large Moorish fortification that was built on a hill in the centre of the city as a defence against potential invaders, built around 756-780 AD. What I found impressive about this place, was how well it was preserved, the exquisite Moorish architectural features and most of all the view of the bay of Malaga and the surrounding city. However for even better views, along with some great exercise along the way is the Castillo de Gibralfaro, located behind the Alcazaba up on a 130m (400 foot) high foothill. The Gibralfaro was built a few centuries after the Alcazaba as another fortress to protect the city, as well as served as a lighthouse for ships coming into port. The walk up to the Gibralfaro is quite steep and arduous as the incline walking up the 130 m is at 60 degrees. Walking up here is not for the weary, or the out of shape, and having correct footwear is most definitely recommended. While all that being said the views from the top are beautiful and make the hike worth it, as the Gibralfaro provides 360 panorama views of the city that can’t be missed. FYI you can take a bus up to the top, but what’s the fun in that.
Located about a 5 minute walk behind the Muelle Uno is Playa de la Malagueta Beach. One of several beaches found in the city, this one is the closest and easiest to get to from the city center.
I was fortunate to experience a completely new Easter celebration on this trip. Spain celebrates an ancient tradition that dates back to the age of the Catholic Monarchs. They have a Holy Week known as Semana Santa. Apparently Semana Santa in Malaga is quite different than other regions in Andalusia as their celebrations are full of noise and cheer rather than meditation and silence. Easter Sunday includes a procession that is led by brotherhoods and fraternities. What is the most interesting thing to notice is that these brotherhoods are dressed in long robes and pointed hoods with only holes cut out for the eyes. Most people today would associate this particular getup with that of the KKK, whom apparently did take their fashion choice from these holy fraternities. These hooded figures carry crosses, swing incense, and as many as 50 men standing in a group carry huge religious relics supported on their shoulders.
“….the views from the top are beautiful and make the hike worth it, as the Gibralfaro provides 360 panorama views of the city that can’t be missed.”
I was able to spend a few hours wandering Granada after my tour of the Alhambra and really loved this small and historic city. I’m not sure I’ve actually been to a city that caters so much to tourism, with descriptive land markers all over the city coupled with tourist information personnel spread throughout. I enjoyed a delicious Spanish lunch at a café along the River Darro with the Alhambra walls as my view, wandered through the beautiful streets of the white-washed Albayzin neighborhood, and managed to climb up to the Mirador Saint Nicholas for a spectacular view of the vista of the Alhambra. I loved every minute of my visit to Granada and the Alhambra and will admit that it is one of my favorite places in all of Spain. If your ever in Malaga or in Andalucía, then a trip here is more than worth it.
