MALAGA.

MALAGA BY WALK

… ” There is something about long distance trips, they always bring something else, than we went for... „

Nicolas Bouvier.

Leaving Krakow a dozen years ago, I did not think, that for many years Poland would be my holiday „abroad destination” … For almost half of this period, it was my one and only holiday direction : London —> Krakow. This was due to many different circumstances, more or less important. But the temperament and personality of the „soul on suitcases” ultimately beat all inconveniences.

So… the time has come, and finally I told my other half : we’re going to Spain!

At that time I had no idea, that this country would gain such a special place in my heart together with Krakow and Austrian Baden … Up to even that point, that I started to learn Spanish at my age (!) … 😀

The very first region we visited in picturesque Spain was Andalusia, more specifically Malaga. Yes, you guessed it well, it’s Costa del Sol. Currently one of the most popular regions of the Iberian Peninsula. It is crowded and hot in summer. However, our rule is travelling, if possible, of course, outside the so-called season. Not only for financial reasons. First of all, just to avoid the holiday crowds.

Malaga is a city slightly larger in area than Kraków, my home city, with an equally long history, which is very easy to get around. It is the capital of the province of the same name. Well-marked city buses (ticket available from the driver), two metro lines, and suburban trains, all at very affordable prices, give tourists the opportunity to explore the area on their own, without any problems. The information you need about public transport in Malaga can be found at malaga-university.org.

But for experienced walkers, exploring the city on foot should not be difficult :p

Was that the plan? Not really…. But.. after years of not travelling, man gets out of practice … Not to mention the fact, that since my last actual trip, everything has changed about travel … There were tons of new websites, Facebook and other Instagrams … I had to learn all of this again … And the beginnings were not easy … Hence the quality of photos or sightseeing – the older, the more „unusual” clumsy, and completely different to our current trips.

Since Malaga trip, my way of organising journeys went through a kind of evolution. However, this does not mean, that our first stay in Spain was a waste of time. Quiet the opposite, it was then, when not only the love for Latin climate has increased, but above all, the very idea of returning to travel the world began to take shape again 😀

We spent a week in Malaga, in a cosy motel run by a very nice family. We even got the option with breakfasts (which in our case is not so obvious 😉 ) … I must point out here that Marcin, my other half, was quite sceptical at the beginning about these breakfasts, especially when he saw fruit on the plate, plus maybe two toasts with a few slices of chorizo. In the sense that the amount, of course 😀 😀 However, it soon turned out, that in this climate, it is a completely enough amount of food …

I will not re-write the history of Malaga from Wikipedia or other online sources, because whoever is willing to do it, will do it anyway, and who just wants to know what is going on at the Costa del Sol , you can just follow, for example, groups on Facebook about tourism in this area, which I heartily recommend, because they are really helpful. From my experience , I can say that with the history of Malaga, it’s a bit like with my travel history : up and down 😀 . And a bit from one extreme to the other … Because of its strategic location, Malaga has always attracted great rulers. Rulers very culturally different. That is why the architecture of this Spanish city has a combination of Roman, Islamic and modern features.

From the ruins of Teatro Romano, through La Alcazaba, Castillo de Gibralfaro, to the Cervantes Theater, everything has a special atmosphere. Definitely worth seeing each of these buildings.

For lovers of corrida I recommend Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta. Corrida, which is already banned in many places in Spain. In Andalusia, however, unfortunately fights with bulls are still taking place. Yes, I know, it’s a tradition. And although I try to maintain objectivity and respect for local rites in all my stories, it is not possible in all cases …

Of course, followers of bullfighting may point another controversial example of local traditions, as are frequent Catholic processions, in which people dressed up as characters looks almost like from the ku klux klan … Well, that’s the way how it is with traditions, you love them, or you don’t understand them…

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And when you explore kilometres around Malaga by walk, you can get on a train, and take the , for example, to see Benalmadena 🙂 A beautiful, picturesque town, where despite all the current tourist fever, the residents managed to maintain such a typical suburban and romantic atmosphere. If you’re not afraid of heights, you can even take a ride on the Benalmadena Cable Car. There is also a charming Park and beautiful beaches …

Generally, the land of Banderas and Picasso has this „something”, that has made us, since then, at least once a year go to Spain. To visit different regions, at different latitudes … But it all began there, I managed to actually liked olives,it is there, where Spanish mentality has amazed me , it is there, where I could see, that, something like siesta really exists, and there I decided to see more in my life. Decided to see as much as I only can 🙂 . And that’s what I stick to ever since 😀

Many places we didn’t see during that trip to Málaga, perhaps because of our inadvertence, deficiencies in a well-thought-out organisation, and perhaps because of time limits. However, we all know : the beginnings can be difficult 😉

It is definitely worth going to El Camito del Rey, a walking path among the gorge located in the National Park Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, which we unfortunately did not visit, but it is certainly on our „additional list” 😉 . While in Malaga, you can also arrange a trip to Gibraltar. For those, who are always on the run, just like us, I can recommend, as usual, the HopOnHopOff bus.

So, whatever was left in my memory, I shared it with you now 🙂 . While flying to Malaga, my intention was primarily to take advantage of the sunny weather, which is so rare in London sometimes … But I came back with a luggage full of plans for next trips for the minimum next ten years 😀 . Plans, that sometimes changes, evolve, but most of all : they are there 😀 .

Costa del Sol is a place full of cultural and historical attractions, where you can enjoy the sun for most of the year, even with recent floods. Climate conditions, flamenco rhythms, picturesque small Andalusian streets create a truly unique atmosphere, that I hope, will last in this beautiful region for as long as possible 🙂