> MALAGA

Malaga, Spain
10th - 17th July 2017

Malaga - the maritime City in southern Spain is evolving, it's becoming a fantastic and vibrant holiday destination. New cultural hot spots, plenty of wonderful experiences and guaranteed sunshine... what more could you ask for?

This is our second visit to Malaga, our last stay was in October 2009. It's amazing to see how much the City has changed since our last visit... our experience went a little like this: 

Sunday the 9th July - Up to London and staying in Deptford. Had a drink in sunshine by the river at the Trafalgar pub before meal at Bianco43 in Greenwich.

Monday 10th July - Up early to enjoy a walk in Greenwich Park before heading to Gatwick for our noon flight to Malaga. It would be foolish not to take advantage of a couple of hours to look around and purchase two Swatch watches before our slightly delayed Easy Jet departure. A leisurely 2 hour 20 flight. We are soon on our way into Malaga Central on the train from the airport. A quick walk up through the City and we arrive at our apartment, Calle Ollerías 16 Cuarta planta. We are met by a friend of our Airbnb host and instantly feel very welcome. A swift unpack and we are soon exploring the streets, and grabbing a few essentials to see us through. Our sunny terrace is the perfect place to watch the sunset, enjoy snacks, and to ease ourselves into the relaxed holiday state of mind.

 The beautiful Playa de la Caleta

 Invader does Carmen

 Invader does Picasso 

Tuesday 11th July - A sunny day unfolds as we take it easy and find our bearings. A trip to El Corte Ingles is essential and we pick up a few treats, including the all important Ibiza Mix 2017! We can’t delay a dip in the Med and longer, the beach is our next stop… and very relaxing it is too. In the eve we cook up sword fish and veg, washed down with a couple of glasses of Rioja! Perfect. 

 Pejac spotted in Soho district

Wednesday 12th July - Another warm and sunny day as we breakfast outside. Today we take a stroll down through the cool ‘Soho’ district of Malaga, the streets are full of very creative street art, cool bars and interesting restaurants. Great to spot the work of Invader, the French artist has produced a fab collection of ceramic mosaic works that are dotted around the City, this is his 71st invasion! We hang a right and walk further southwards until we reach our first culture stop, the Collection del Museo Ruso. This interesting collection of art is from the St. Petersburg State Museum in Russia. The show is divided into nine thematic areas: the old Russian art, the XVIII century, Romanticism in Russia, Realism, Realism with Russian topics, the movement of “World of Art” and Neoprimitivism, the Avant-garde, Socialist Realism and art in the Melting Era that was experienced after the death of Stalin… A fascinating temporary collection of works by Kandinsky tells the intriguing story of his creative development and never-ending love for his mother land. A short bus ride brings us back into the City, we return to our apartment and prepare for a much needed trip to the beach. We eat out in the eve and enjoy delicious tapas from La Bocacalle. 

 The cooling green of Jardin Botanico Historico

Thursday 13th July - Slightly foggy this morning, a mist is rolling in from the Med, we breakfast early and catch a local bus up to the Jardin Botanico Historico. This beautiful garden is top of our must do list, it does not disappoint. Set on a hillside, this spectacular site is home to a fabulous collection of native and world plants and trees… it’s a must for any visitor who wants to experience lush and arid planting in a pleasing location. The lunch stop was also beautiful, gorgeous food made from fresh local ingredients. We stay for a few hours then head back into town and down to the beach to cool off. In the eve, our neighbours, a couple from Austria share their leftover food with us. Such a kind gesture, they said it was a ‘peace offering’ after Brexit. We enjoy an eve on our terrace as the sun sets and the stars start to shine. 

 Atardecer sobre la costa de Malaga, 1918 Guillermo Gómez Gil

Center Pompidou Malaga 

Muelle Uno at sunset 

Friday 14th July - The fog is back as we slowly come back to life after last night. It seems we had quite a bit of local vino! Poached eggs on toast certainly help. Today we do more culture. First up, the Museo Carmen Thyssen, this fine museum houses a wonderful collection of traditional Spanish art, Romantic Landscapes and hot headed brawls. Three seascapes stop us in our tracks… the work of Guillermo Gómez Gil is stunning. A temporary exhibition, The appearance of the real. Fifty years of realist art in Spain (1960-2010), is excellent and contains some beautiful works. A quick snack break in the museum cafe and we are ready for our next culture stop… The Centre Pompidou, Malaga. This is ‘the’ big new MUST SEE attraction in the City. Set in the spectacular new port-side redevelopment, this culture hot spot is sure to ruffle feathers. An interesting, and in places challenging collection of works from the Paris based Mother ship that manages to excite and baffle in equal measure. The Muelle Uno development has brought a vibrant and elegant air to this once run down quarter. In the eve we chill on our terrace and take a sunset walk to enjoy the local crowds promenading in the cooler climes. 

 Rando 2011

Santiago Ydanez at Centro de Arte Contemporaneous de Malaga

Triptych August 1972 Francis Bacon

Saturday 15th July - more fog as we breakfast. Today we are up early to make the most of our last few days in this great City. Firstly, a short walk up the road to the Museum Jorge Rando, a haven of expressionist masterpieces by this charismatic living Spanish artist. Next, a stroll through the ‘Soho’ quarter to take in the Street art... then over to the Centro de Arte Contemporaneous de Malaga. This excellent Gallery houses a body of work that comprises a journey through the different artistic movements and trends that characterise the 20th century, with a particular focus on the final decades. Regularly-changing exhibitions illustrate the eclectic landscape of contemporary art today. This visit we enjoy the striking paintings, sculptures and drawings of Santiago Ydanez. We also enjoy the fantastic video piece called ‘the way things go’ by Swiss artists Fischli & Weiss. Created in 1987, this work always makes us chuckle! later we chill back at the apartment and wait for the sun to break through the cloud… eventually it does and we simply must get to the beach for a dip! After a very refreshing splash around we head back to the apartment, this time to freshen up and prepare for a visit to The Picasso Museum. We did visit this gallery back in 2009,  now we are curious to see how it has developed. The temporary show on 'Bacon, Freud and the school of London' also grabs our attention! Our turbo visit to the gallery does not disappoint… the guy on the ticket desk suggested that perhaps we should reconsider doing the two shows with such a short amount of time left before closing… We whizzed around the Picasso to allow more time for the temporary show… Wow! we are both blown away! Iconic pieces from Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon leave us speechless (Triptych August 1972 by Francis Bacon knocks me sideways). We end our day watching the sunset on the quay with a beer before heading back to the apartment for snacks.

The Alcazaba

Dave waits for the sunset at the port

Alex also waits for the sunset

Sunday 16th July - A muggy morning as we breakfast early to maximise our final full day in Malaga. Today we off to the Museum of Glass and Crystal which is located just a few streets away from the apartment. We spend 2 hours enjoying the superb collection. The owner of the museum was our guide. Entertaining and passionate, Don Gonzalo fernández-Prieto has so much love for the collection, he was a complete joy! Simply can’t recommend this attraction enough. It’s getting hot and we enjoy the shade back at the apartment, we also take a moment to start the cleaning in readiness for our departure tomorrow. A swim later in the pm helps to cool us before we pay a return visit to the Alcazaba. Love this beautiful attraction and it’s a great place to enjoy the cooling sea breeze and take in the views out over the harbour and City. Later, snacks and vino on the terrace of our apartment help to bring a perfect ending to another wonderful day.

Monday 17th July - Up early today as we fly back home at 10:20am. A quick tidy up, breakfast and check out with our host and we are off on train to the Airport. We fly on time and arrive in Gatwick ahead of schedule. Then a train to Clapham before boarding train to Southampton where we get our Red Jet to the Island. Home again and 110% relaxed and refreshed.

10 out of 10