Shereen Shabnam
One year for summer, I escaped with my family to our home in Spain and during a road trip, rediscovered the allure of Málaga, a city where Moorish fortresses crown golden hills and Picasso’s legacy hums through sunlit galleries. Whether you are drawn to centuries of history or the slow rhythm of Mediterranean life, Málaga feels like a place designed to be savored.
At the heart of the old town, the Alcazaba de Málaga stands as a testament to the city’s Moorish past. Built in the 9th century and expanded in the 11th, this formidable hilltop citadel offers sweeping views over Málaga’s terracotta rooftops.
We had a local guide who maade us wander through Malaga’s labyrinth of defensive walls, peaceful gardens and ancient arches like the Arco de Cristo and towers that once guarded kings. Just below was the evocative Roman Theatre, an archaeological jewel that slumbered for centuries under layers of earth and Moorish stone, only to be revealed in the 20th century.
Not far away, Castillo de Gibralfaro rises over the city, its battlements etched against the Andalusian sky. The castle’s roots stretch back to the Phoenicians, but it was under the Nasrid dynasty that it became the powerful fortress we see today. Climbing its ramparts rewards you with one of the most cinematic panoramas in southern Spain.
For art lovers, Málaga offers treasures that rival any European capital. In the softly lit halls of the Museo Picasso Málaga, you’ll find over 200 works donated by the artist’s family, including tender portraits of his son and experiments that trace the evolution of his genius. Equally captivating is the Carmen Thyssen Museum, where 19th-century Spanish masterpieces bloom with color and emotion. And then there’s the Centre Pompidou Málaga, a gleaming cube of contemporary creativity on the waterfront, where modern art feels refreshingly accessible.
Between cultural explorations, we spent lazy afternoons at the Jardines de Pedro Luis Alonso, a fragrant refuge of orange trees and roses, and cooled off beneath the kaleidoscopic marine life at Sea Life Benalmádena. Families will find endless amusement at Tivoli World, where classic rides and carnival charm keep the summer spirit alive.
Yet for all its monuments and museums, Málaga’s most enduring appeal is its atmosphere: a place where golden evenings stretch into midnight tapas, where every stone whispers stories of empires past. It is a city that leaves you sun-warmed, inspired, and already planning your return.
