We may be accustomed here at Simply Shuttles to providing Málaga airport transfers to all manner of locations on the Costa del Sol, but you don’t necessarily need to travel onward much in order to immerse yourself in some of the finest of Spanish high culture.
Yes, that’s right; we’re referring to the captivating cultural and heritage sites of Málaga itself. As one of Andalucia’s most populous cities, Málaga offers a wealth of locations and sights that the discerning visitor really shouldn’t overlook – and below are a few examples of them.
Málaga Cathedral
There are many fascinating stories surrounding this majestic Roman Catholic church built as an amalgamation of baroque and renaissance styles, not least concerning how it became known as the “one-armed lady” – a reference to the structure’s visibly unfinished state.
As a plaque at the site explains, funds raised by the parish for completing the cathedral in the 18th century were instead devoted to helping British colonies – which went on to become the United States – to gain their independence.
Picasso Museum
Any meaningful time spent in the city of Pablo Ruiz Picasso’s birth simply has to include a few hours whiled away admiring the great painter and sculptor’s art, yes?
If so, you have to make a beeline for the Buenavista Palace in which the Museo Picasso Málaga, or Picasso Museum, has been located since 2003. Its collection includes hundreds of works donated by members of Picasso’s family.
CAC Malaga
Such is the richness of Málaga’s complement of cultural treasures, that it can be easy for even some of the most determined visitors to overlook genuine gems.
CAC Malaga – or Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga, to provide its full title – is an excellent example of such a site, showcasing innovative 20th and 21st-century visual art by both Spanish and foreign artists. You’ll find it near the Alameda train station.
Constitution Plaza
How many public squares across Europe can be considered top-level cultural draws in their own right? We’ll leave that question open, except to say that the Plaza de la Constitución can certainly be considered a member of that select club.
While this part of Malaga’s city centre is certainly architecturally fascinating – owing in large part to this having been a major town square since the time of the Reconquista – you are just as likely to revel in the Plaza’s lively atmosphere, as enhanced further by street musicians serenading Spanish tunes.
Museum of Popular Arts
If you’re struggling to narrow down your options for a first place to visit on your cultural trip to Málaga, you could scarcely choose better than the Museo de Artes Populares.
The building in which the museum is situated – the Meson de la Victoria – is enchanting enough, but you are likely to be especially taken aback by the lessons you will learn here on traditional Andalucian culture, including from the costumes and artefacts you can see here dating back from the medieval era. Even the building’s courtyard is a lush and verdant sight.
Can you believe that the above are just some of the cultural gems you can encounter on a visit to this city on the Costa del Sol, even before you take full advantage of our Málaga airport transfers? Whether you come for work, play or anything in-between, Málaga is a destination with it all.
