Malaga Sights And Malaga Nights

Chicago to Malaga

We departed Chicago on a frigid January afternoon, and after a long, but uneventful flight, we arrived in Madrid the next morning. From Barajas airport, we took a train to Atocha Station for the train to Malaga. We’ll enjoy some days in Madrid in March, but for now, it’s time to head south. The three and a half hour train ride to Malaga was pleasant, thanks to an upgrade to business class. We can’t afford that on an airline ticket, but at 30 euros each, the leg room and hot lunch are well worth it. By Friday evening, we were checked in to our hotel in the city center (Hotel Molina Lario).

After a shower and a brief rest, we were off to the rooftop bar of our hotel. There, the hostess asked for our digital vaccine card. We have three, including the one which was required to enter the country, but her scanner didn’t work on any of them. In the midst of that confusion, our friends María and Cipriano from Oletrips called. We had two days of experiences planned with them. Unfortunately, Cipriano had just tested positive for COVID. Omicron is spiking here, disrupting plans, just like it is at home. An outdoor mask mandate has been reinstated and voluntary compliance is high. The locals are dining outdoors more than in past winters here. We are avoiding crowded indoor bars, but otherwise the COVID impact on our trip has been minimal. As of this posting, I am happy to report that both Cipriano and María had a mild case and are recovered. We hope to reconnect with them later in our trip.

Cipriano had texted us a list of things to do and see in Malaga, and I am proud to say we checked off a number of them. Malaga is a beautiful city; clean, safe, and very walkable. The central historic district and port area are well-marked and easy to navigate. Malaga’s history is represented in its beautifully preserved monuments. Food and drink are widely available and of high quality for a fair price. Cipriano included great restaurant suggestions. We had a lunch Los Mellizos in the central market, where we enjoyed fresh tapas, sunshine, and some interaction with a fun group of Polish tourists. One evening, we dined under the stars and the lights of the medieval walls at El Pimpi, near the Roman Theatre.

Malaga is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and therefore a city which celebrates art. The Picasso Museum and The Carmen Thyssen Museum are world-class galleries housed in beautiful historic buildings. During a Sunday walk in the historic center, we happened upon the Felix Revello de Toro Museum. Admission is free on Sunday. The building was originally the home and studio of Spanish sculptor Pedro de Mena. There is a memorial dedicated to him. The rest of the rooms showcase the paintings of Revello de Toro; born in 1926 and still working. His works are mainly portraits of women. We enjoyed our visit very much! (Gloria Judge, you would love it!)

Many tourists bypass Malaga, spend a day when their cruise ship is in port, or merely pass through it en route to the beach towns on Costa del Sol. We have been guilty of that on our previous visits to the region. One year, we came to Malaga by bus from nearby Nerja to see the holiday lights and the Three Kings’ Day parade. We made a day of it and visited the Picasso Museum and the Cathedral. The next year, we came to Malaga from Torremolinos to catch a tour to Caminito del Rey, and we had lunch before leaving town. This trip, we stayed three nights in Malaga and were able to experience much more of this charming city.