Making the most of Malaga
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Malaga's cruise terminal is newly built.
Cruise ships use the Eastern dock, Pier 1. The walk to the city centre, around Plaza de la Constitucion and Calle Puerta de Mar, takes 15 minutes and is about 2km. The Port Authority of Malaga runs a shuttle from the terminal to central Plaza de la Marina every 15-20 minutes, costing about € 5 per person.
The modern terminal has the facilities cruise passengers need: a shopping mall with duty-free and souvenir shops, tourist information, ATM and exchange office, public phones, wheelchair assistance, Wi-Fi, lifts and toilets.
In hot weather, a taxi is the better option; negotiate the fare before travelling.
For the beach, walk about 200 meters from the dock to the lighthouse, then relax on the sandy shore.
Port authorities check hand luggage before passengers enter the modern terminal, giving plenty of opportunity to buy favourite alcoholic drinks in its competitively priced tax-free shops before boarding. Carry-on bags are not checked when joining the ship. Certain cruise lines, including NCL, apparently have an agreement that the duty-free store stays closed or partly open to protect onboard sales.
A new 900-square-metre terminal at Pier 2 has two floors and can receive smaller cruise ships up to 200 meters long. A specially designed mobile passenger loading bridge connects ship and pier. This attractive terminal stands right in town on a pretty boulevard.
Bring a printable map along.
Sightseeing ideas:
Visit the attractive gardens surrounding the Alcazaba, home to the local archaeological museum.
Above the Alcazaba, beside the Parador, are the remains of an ancient Moorish fortress. A path reaches the top but the climb is steep; a lift goes to the palace halfway up. Malaga's hop-on/hop-off buses stop there for anyone who finds the walk too demanding. Inside is an interesting military museum and spectacular views over the city.
On Calle San Augustín, a short distance from the Cathedral, Buenavista Palace contains Museo Picasso, opened in 2003 and holding some of the artist's most valuable collections.
Malaga's annual August fair is a lively week-long street party of flamenco and fino, or sherry. It marks Isabella and Ferdinand's 1487 re-conquest of the city and traditionally runs Saturday-Saturday in August's third week.
Several tourist-information offices are available.
Getting around
Two things stand out about Málaga public transport: it is abundant and very inexpensive.
Bikes can be hired in Malaga, alongside hop-on/hop-off tourist buses. A ticket is good for 24 hours and lets passengers board and leave at 13 stops on a route covering 13 major sights. The first bus leaves the bus station at 9.30am, just a few meters from the cruise-shuttle stop, while the hop-on/hop-off service also collects passengers at the terminal.
Nearby places
Ronda, Mijas, Marbella and Granada are nearby possibilities. Buses are generally faster and more frequent than trains.
Check train schedules, but buses are much quicker and trains are therefore not recommended.
If your ship is in port from morning until early evening, the Alhambra at Granada is a worthwhile option.
Reserve ahead and schedule the Nasrid Palaces, the visit's highlight, for early afternoon. Admission is Euro 14, or Euro 11 for 65+.
Take a taxi to Malaga's central bus station, estacion de autobus, for about 4 Euro.
Purchase a return ticket to Granada at the station or beforehand. Supra buses are very comfortable, with a bottle of water, snack, free WiFi and reserved seats, at about 27 euro return.
Granada bus station is about 3 km from the city centre. A taxi costs about 7 Euro to the centre or 11 Euro to the Alhambra. From central Granada it is roughly a 25 minute uphill walk, though taxis are plentiful.
Allow at least 2 hours to see most of the Alhambra.
Food and shopping
The Historical Quarter is an excellent shopping area, letting you combine browsing with its historic streets and pedestrian thoroughfares. It is Malaga's largest commercial district, with more than a thousand businesses beside exceptional monuments and museums. The area forms a semi-circle from the Calle Larios axis to the River Guadalmedina and the calles Carretería, Álamos and Alcazabilla, making browsing especially rewarding for shoppers and sightseers alike.
Malaga tapas cover every taste, from traditional and perfect to imaginative and innovative. No single venue is recommended because each has its own style—no two Malaga salads taste alike. Follow your instincts, nose and ear according to what appeals; the challenge is choosing one for lunch.
Money
The currency is the euro.
Staying connected
Malaga has plenty of free WiFi spots at around 50 newspaper stands, though connections may be slow, as well as at fast-food restaurants.
Spanish is the official language throughout Spain. It coexists regionally with Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region and a distinct Catalan variety in the Balearic Islands.
For emergencies, dial 112 free of charge anywhere in Spain. Service is in Spanish and, in some tourist areas, English, French and German.
Opening Hours and
The common opening pattern for shops and businesses is Monday through Saturday, from 9.30 h to 13.30 h, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h.
Large shopping centres and department stores generally trade continuously from 10.00 h until 21.00 or 22.00 h, and may occasionally open on Sunday.
In high season, coastal-city shops are often open beyond 22.00 h.
Pharmacies open from 9.30 to 13.30 h and from 16.30 to 20.00 h. Every major city has some open 24 hours. A rolling late-hours rota appears in newspapers and is posted at pharmacies.
Malaga local holidays:
Malaga's incorporation into the Crown of Castile is marked on 19th August; the Festivity of Our Lady Virgen de la Victoria is on 8th September.