Headed to Malaga (Spain) early spring, 2025. Where else should we go?

[stmartinfan]

Barcelona was one of our favorite European destinations…I'm not usually interested in architecture but seeing all the Gaudi buildings was fascinating. We also enjoyed Granada for the Alhambra, Seville, Rondo and Gibraltar, just because of its unusual status. We started in Madrid because of flights, but I would have been OK with skipping it.

 

[bobpark56]

Don't bite off more than you can chew. We have been to Spain more than a dozen times, sometimes for as long a 5 weeks...focusing primarily on the Costa del Sol and neighboring hill towns, principally Gaucín, Jimenna de la Frontera, and Antequerra, though we have also stayed in Cádiz, Córdova, Sevilla, Granada, Barcelona, and Madrid (twice). We have yet to see all that we would like to see. Our advice is to take it slow and easy...and enjoy. Do not try to do too much on any one trip. It's all enjoyable, so just pick a few things to see and do and relax. You can always return for another try. Málaga itself can be a very pleasant stay, as can Fuengirola. Gibraltar is worth one visit, but we have no urge to return. We recommend avoiding the heavily touristy areas during tourist season (mid/late March - Sept). Otherwise the food, wine, car rentals, and property rentals are better than in the US.

 

[klpca]

Malaga is a fairly large city. Get out of there. The Pueblas Blancas, 'White towns' along the Med coast are memorable. Be sure to see the Alhambra in Granada. You can go to Morocco (Tangier) easily, but the interior of Morocco is worth visiting, Gibraltar is worth a visit, but is a Brit junket destination. If traveling, try to stay in (pick any number of nights) in Paradores. They are historic and cultural places brought up to modern standards by the Gov't of Spain. https://paradores.es/en Similar places exist in Portugal, called Posadas.

I have told my wife for years that if I simply disappear, the first place to look is the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Alas, that ship has sailed without me.

Jim

By the way, I love the suggestion of the Paradores. They are right up our alley. We may drop the week in Malaga and eplus into something else here in the US, then just do a slow road trip in Spain. I found this site that has itineraries that are heavy on the paradores. I thought you might find it interesting too.

 

[Passepartout]

By the way, I love the suggestion of the Paradores. They are right up our alley. We may drop the week in Malaga and eplus into something else here in the US, then just do a slow road trip in Spain. I found this site that has itineraries that are heavy on the paradores. I thought you might find it interesting too.

Thanks! We have discovered the Paradores in Spain and Pousadas in Portugal. They often borrow items from national and regional museums to give the places 'character'. There is little to compare with them.

Enjoy your trip!

Jim