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Cashing in on the sun in Malaga

As the largest city on the Costa del Sol it’s easy to see why motorhome travellers are flocking to Malaga. The city is making the most of the influx, but still has a laid-back attitude, much more so than Madrid or Barcelona.

The city itself is more than 2800 years old, one of the oldest in the world. Malaga also has an art culture embedded in its very core and is the birthplace of famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. Embrace your inner traveller and enjoy the Vitamin D of this chilled out little city on the coast.

From Malaga, you can easily discover the rest of Andalusia with cities such as Granada, Cadiz and Jerez worth visiting. If you have more time, extend your vacation and tour around Portugal in a motorhome rental. You may also opt for a campervan hire in Croatia to see the beauty of this country.

 

Picasso, a castle and an infamous bridge

Alcazaba is an 11th century Moorish castle that sits on a hill in the middle of the city and has incredible views. This old fort holds a number of relics from excavations on the site. Under the Alcazaba are the beautiful remains of an old Roman theatre. It’s free to enter, where you can walk past the old stage and sit on the stone steps.

For more spectacular views while on a motorhome hire tour in Spain, the Castillo sits on a larger hill behind the Alcazaba. Within the fortress are beautiful gardens and an exhibit on the various military forces to have occupied the fort. The Castillo requires a hefty hike, so if you need to choose between the Moorish castles, pick Alcazaba.

The birthplace of Picasso is an extremely important part of Malaga. You can see many paintings and objects he created during his childhood at his home. The Picasso Museum is entirely dedicated to the works and life of the most famous artist of the 20th century, including many exclusive paintings.

If you’re not yet arted out, head to Museo Carmen Thyssen to see an excellent collection of 19th and 20th century Spanish paintings, or the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo for an interesting collection of installations.

There are several bike lanes in the city to make cycling a lot easier than it once was. Hire two wheels and see the city in a more relaxed way. For something a little more thrill-seeking,drive 50 minutes north-west to the El Chorro gorge. It is one of the most popular rock climbing attractions in Spain, as it is located next to Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. The ‘Kings Walkway’ is a path in El Chorro suspended high above the river below. It is closed to the public, but many climbers tackle the dangerous bridge.

Drive east to find some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. Or drive inland to reveal the hidden gems of this region. There are plenty of small restaurants nestling in the hills for a genuine Andalusian experience.

Plenty of camping choices in Malaga

  • Camping Calazul is right in La Cala de Mijas with a supermarket next door. There is a nearby footbridge to get to the sea across the busy highway. The campsite is established with caravan stands and is one of the oldest on the Costa del Sol.

  • On the sea-side of the road, Camping Caravaning Marbella is very close to the beach.

  • Camping Marbella Playa stretches from the main road almost to the beach. It is surrounded by pines and is only 15km from Puerto Banus and 12kms from Marbella.

  • Camping Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol is just 600m from Los Alamos Beach and 7km from Malaga city. The beach has soft sands and clean, warm waters ideal for a variety of sports. In Torremolinos, 2km away, you can enjoy an unforgettable day out at the Aquapark and visit the crocodiles at Cocodrilo’s Park.

Malaga restaurants: Nothing says summer like scorched sardines

For fresh fish, seafood, paella and sangria, stop in at a chiringuitos – beachside restaurant. El Tintero has no menu, with the waiters simply walking around with food and giving you a plate if you like the look of it. Espetos are sardines skewered on a bamboo stick and grilled over a fire.They’re particularly popular in Malaga and the best can be found at Chiringuito la farola.

Malaga has some of the best tapas bars in Spain and you should definitely try Gorki. It specialises in gourmet tapas and has an excellent range of wines. The ham and goose mousse roll with prune sauce with a glass or two of Ribera del Duero is a speciality.

Right on Pedregalejo beach is Maricuchi – platters of prawns and clams, and sardines barbecued on sticks, devoured at an outdoor table by the sea. It’s all about eating with your fingers, so the kids can get really stuck in. For more international styled tapas, like hummus and Roquefort croquettes, and a diverse menu that includes dishes like kangaroo steaks, and duck breast with sweet chilli, head to Vino Mio. The atmosphere is contemporary with live music including flamenco.

By the end of your stay you might think that nobody sleeps in Malaga, with the nightlifenever-ending. Controlled areas known as “botellodromos”, where locals take store-bought alcohol to drink before heading out for the night. Metropol, Cosa Nostra, Vaticano, and Andén are some of the larger clubs in the area.

Hot temperatures in the summer

Malaga enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate. The average annual number is around 18 degrees. Summers can be warm and sticky, reaching highs in the mid-20s, and during summer tourists flock from the world to the popular Costa del Sol region. During this time Malaga can be overrun.

Where to hire a camper

Enviro Campers Spain provide motorhomes to travel in comfort, safety and style as you explore the beauty of the Spanish country. They have the largest fleet in Spain and all the vehicles are less than two years old.

Located handily close to Malaga Airport, McRent offer compact luxury, family standard and family plus motorhomes, covering all your requirements. All you need to do is decide where you want to go first, and the friendly staff at McRent can help with that too. With options to choose from, this RV rental brand is also a popular choice for a motorhome rental in UK.

Pure Motorhome Spain have a depot in Malaga at Av. General Duque de Aveiro, 4 Chrriana, just minutes from the airport. 

Big Sky will meet you at the airport and they offer flexibility for dropping off your motorhome at other destinations, for a small fee. Cost-effective and efficient, Big Sky have offices around the world.

With a modern fleet, Motorhome Rental Spain have a depot at Malaga Airport, with all motorhomes carrying a 24-hour permanent service European Assistance Card, for any mechanical issues.

 

Handy tips for Malaga motorhoming

 

  • Keep out of the Malaga Park after hours when it is dark.

  • It’s a long way to reach Gibralfaro Fortress. It will take almost half a day to climb the stairs.

  • Watch out for pickpockets and avoid the flower sellers in the markets.

  • Always use sun protection cream or lotion before hitting the beach.