Standing on Spain's southern coastline, Malaga is the main resort along the world-famous Costa del Sol, in the Andalucia area of Spain. Malaga is home to a major international airport and some of the area's most stunning beaches, which are always popular with tourists visiting the Malaga area.
Many of the resort's best beaches are centred around the Bay of Malaga (Bahia de Malaga), which offers a range of activities and water sports, with a good selection of shops and restaurants nearby. Malaga's continuous tourism boom has allowed the city to redevelop and improves its facilities, including a range of new and impressive accommodation. Much of Malaga's central zone has recently been renovated and restored, containing numerous churches and historic buildings, together with museums and the birthplace of world-famous artist, Pablo Picasso.
Malaga's spectacular coastline and sunny weather combine to make the area a major tourist hotspot, with tourism in the area actively promoted. The main tourism bureaus in Malaga include the Municipal Tourist Information Office on Avenida de Cervantes and the Regional Tourist Information Office on Pasaje de Chinitas. Further tourism kiosks can be found at the Torremolinos bus station, and on both the Plaza de la Merced and Plaza de la Marina. Malaga is divided into a number of notable districts, which include Old Town Malaga - a particularly historic part of the city containing a number of impressive landmarks and plenty of al fresco dining, and Los Montes - known for its magnificent views across the bay and inexpensive guest houses.
The resort of Malaga is famous for its picturesque bay and sandy beaches, which have become major tourist hotspots. Some of the most popular beaches here include the Playas de La Malagueta, the Playas de La Misericordia, the Playas de Las Acacias and the Playas del Chanquete, all of which offer excellent facilities and calm, warm waters suitable for bathing. Car hire at Malaga Airport is popular with many arriving holiday makers, suiting those who are looking to explore the region's plentiful beaches. Having your own set of wheels is ideal if you are looking to travel around the Costa del Sol at your own pace, rather than being restricted by the timetables of local public transport
Malaga's main tourist attractions include the Bahia de Malaga - the scenic Bay of Malaga, offering daily boat tours, an array of water sports and many waterfront restaurants; Plaza de La Merced - a notable public square standing in Malaga's Old Town neighbourhood, with plenty of cafés and bars; Plaza de la Constitución - a 16th-century square where many of Malaga's festivals and events are held, particularly during the spring and summer months; Plaza de Toros La Malagueta - Malaga Bullring, an eye-catching piece of architecture in its own right, built in the 1870s; and the Jardin Botánico Histórico La Concepción - beautiful botanical gardens with a host of exotic plants, located on the outskirts of Malaga. Malaga is also home to a surprising number of parks, where tropical planting and palm trees abound, including Parque de El Retiro, Parque de la Naturaleza Selwo and Paseo del Parque.
Some of Malaga's main museums and art galleries include the Centro de Ciencia Principia - an interactive science centre complete with planetarium, full of educational information for all ages; Museo Acuario Aula del Mar - Malaga's an impressive aquatic museum, specialising in information and exhibits about marine ecology; Museo Municipal de Malaga - a top art gallery displaying many notable paintings and changing exhibitions; and Malaga's Museo Casa Natal de Picasso - the birthplace of famous Spanish modernist artist Pablo Picasso, with many of his original art works.
