Discover home exchange stories from our members.
Yvonne and Mike, are back in the skies and headed to Malaga!
Once again they were kind enough to share their experience while on an exchange.
Malaga – a very Spanish city
It seems that for most visitors, Malaga is just an entry point for Costa del Sol, with few seeming drawn to the city itself. Maybe it conjures up images of drunken hen parties and ex-pats drinking in the sun?
On our recent stay at Alberto’s home, we saw that on the contrary – Malaga is pretty special, as the city is… well, so very Spanish! There’s a surprising amount to see and do in Malaga, but it’s small enough to be laid back too. Unlike some Spanish cities, Malaga doesn’t wind down in winter, so being February and seeing that Alberto’s place was available for GuestPoints, we decided it was a perfect antidote to a rainy UK- a winter city break and a beach holiday in one.
Alberto’s place was just as we hoped – bright and comfortable, a cosy home from home and really central. Three hours after leaving our local London Southend Airport, we were drinking coffee on his balcony and people watching over the Plaza de la Merced below.In the afternoon we strolled towards the sea and found a little chiringuito (beach bar) on Playa de Malagueta where the BBQ was on and sardines were sizzling. The glimpse of beautiful architecture behind this long pretty beach, the sounds of locals enjoying themselves and some really great tapas was a lovely way to start our break.
On the way back through the waterfront, we were drawn into the open air bar and gallery by a jazz band playing, and we stopped to sip a Victoria beer as the sun went down. It was good to see that a lot of care had gone into the art scene recently, as well as just the marina. We made our way home through the central shopping area, where the marble pavement sparkled under the street long canopy of lights. A sign that it was carnival time.
People from all around Spain come to Malaga for a weekend of festivities – and as we made our way through the exuberant crowds around Constitution Square, whole families in fancy dress threw confetti and sang along with the bands on stage and the myriad of street performers.
The weekend was a reminder of why Malaga is one of our favourite cities – full of galleries, graffiti murals, chic indie shops, bars and cafes – and within a few minutes walk of the sea.
The grand Alcazaba fortress too with its Roman amphitheatre; the majestic Cathedral just a block or two away, and the grand Gibralfaro castle that sits above them both.
It just begs the question – why haven’t more people cottoned on to it?
Yvonne and Mike
Leigh on sea, UK
